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Understanding Radio Frequency and BC Hydro's Smart Meters

Safety is our top priority for BC Hydro and is an important focus of the Smart Metering Program. That's why we have reviewed the scientific research related to radio frequency based technology. After decades of research, there are no demonstrable health or environmental effects from exposure to low level radio frequency signals. Here are the facts about smart meters and their low level radio frequency:

Smart meters are active for an average of one minute per day.

Residential smart meters are active for a total average of one minute per day, which includes the relay of information that may be required for data transmission and coordination between meters. In fact, the exposure to radio frequency from a smart meter – over its entire 20-year life span – is equal to a single 30 minute cell phone call.

Smart meters communicate using very low power signals.

Unlike other wireless infrastructure, smart meters use very low power signals – about one watt. This is less than 2 microwatts per square centimetre (μW/cm2) when standing adjacent to the meter. A microwatt is one millionth of a watt. 

BC Hydro's smart meter signals are far lower than some of the strictest thresholds in the world.

Europe has some of the world’s strictest radiofrequency regulations. Switzerland, for example, has a precautionary limit of 4.5 μW/cm2 for highly sensitive areas like schools and hospitals. In comparison, BC Hydro smart meter signals – at the same distance of 20 centimetres (8 inches) – are less than 2 μW/cm2.

Existing meter boxes act like a reflective shield.

Existing meter boxes, the socket where smart meters are installed, act like a shield that directs smart meter radio frequency signals away from the home.

Radio frequency signal strength drop quickly with distance.

Smart meters are installed outside and the power density reduces exponentially with distance. Three meters (10 feet) from the smart meter, the radio frequency signal drops to less than 0.001 per cent (0.005 μW/cm2) of the Health Canada exposure limits.

In high-density residential complexes, like apartment buildings, the meters communicate with each other using collaborative network technology. Due to the closeness of meters within the meter bank, the cumulative effect peaks at just two times the power density of a single meter. This is equal to spending four minutes in an area with wireless internet over one year. 

Like smart meters, collectors use lower power, infrequent, short signals.

Collectors, which receive data from smart meters and send it to BC Hydro, are mounted on existing utility poles 5.5 to 7.5 metres (18 to 24 feet) off the ground and are inactive 99 per cent of the time. The collector also uses extremely low power – about one watt.

B.C.'s health authorities confirm that smart meters pose no known health risk or reason for concern

Dr. Patricia Daly and Dr. John Blatherwick, the current and previous Chief Medical Health Officers for Vancouver Coastal Health, confirm there is no known health risk and no reason for concern over radio frequency from normal cell phone usage. BC Hydro's new meters operate at significantly lower radio transmit power than cell phones and communicate much less frequently. You can read Provincial Health Officer Dr. Perry Kendall's statements about cell phone use and radio frequency on the B.C. Centre for Disease Control website.

For more info

  • Sign-up for email updates on the Smart Metering Program.
  • See our FAQ section for more information on Smart Metering Program.

Additional resources

B.C. Centre for Disease Control

Itron

California Science Council on Science and Technology

Edison Electric Institute (EEI), Association of Edison Illuminating Companies (AEIC), Utilities Telecom Council (UTC)

Electric Power Research Institute

Environmental Defense Fund

Health Canada

Industry Canada

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP)

Planetworks Consulting Corporation – Safety Code 6 Report

Provincial Health

Switzerland Federal Office for the Environment

University of Ottawa Wireless Communications and Health

US Federal Communications Commission

World Health Organization

Last Modified: Mar 22, 2012

 

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