On The Fritz

Electronics on the fritz? Could be smart meters - Portland Press Herald

If some appliances, computers or communications equipment have been working oddly lately, the Maine Public Advocate's office said your electric meter may be to blame.

A spokesman for Central Maine Power says the company is aware of the problem with its smart meters, seen being installed last year in Portland, and has set up a special unit to handle complaints.

The office put out a statement this week saying Central Maine Power Co.'s "smart meters" -- which use low-power radio frequency transmissions to send meter readings to the company -- are interfering with a wide range of household electronic devices, from garage door openers and WiFi devices to security systems.

A spokesman for Central Maine Power said the company is aware of the problem and has set up a special unit to handle complaints. It will send experts to people's homes to make fixes, if needed, John Carroll said, and has bought new electronic devices for consumers in cases where it was not able to resolve the problem or if the equipment was damaged.