Skip to content

Advanced Meters

Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI)

Frequently Asked Questions

AMI stands for Advanced Metering Infrastructure. AMI systems measure, collect, and analyze energy and water usage through various communication media. This proven technology will allow BGMU to communicate with electric and water meters remotely and integrate cost saving activities such as remote meter reading, automatic outage detection, potential water leak detection, power quality monitoring and much more.

AMI technology will enable BGMU to reduce operating costs, increase Customer Service, improve outage management and restoration times, and give Customers access to more detailed usage information. The technology will also allow BGMU to identify high water usage that could indicate a leak. Customers could potentially avoid water damage and excessive water bills.

Advanced meters will be installed in phases over the next four years. We expect all meters will be exchanged by June 30, 2021. Electric employees will be exchanging electric meters, and water employees and a hired contractor will exchange water meters. If you have questions or concerns about the identity of anyone claiming to represent BGMU, please call 270-782- 1200 for verification.

As a customer uses electricity or water, an AMI meter records usage and periodically transmits data to BGMU via a radio communication and fiber network. AMI meters will also collect incremental data on voltage, current and temperature, and BGMU will be able to remotely access the data.

No. Advanced metering has been around for many years and is installed at millions of homes and businesses across the United States. BGMU has been utilizing a form of advanced metering for a number of years called Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) to facilitate monthly remote reads on many of our residential meters. AMI represents the next phase in technology.

Yes. Eventually, all electric and water meters will be replaced with new, AMI meters. This project will span multiple years, so your meter might not be replaced immediately.

Your water service will be temporarily disrupted during the meter exchange. Some, but not all, electric meter change outs will also cause an interruption in service.

Yes. Only meter readings and specific meter data will be transmitted over a secure network to our office. In fact, AMI meters will transmit the same information that is currently collected through manual meter reading. The AMI system will not transmit or store any personal information.

BGMU will continue to perform “manual reads” on a rotational basis throughout our service territory to verify remote readings, inspect meters, and investigate potential safety issues.

No. BGMU has no intention of offering programs to control or monitor consumer devices in the home. If, in the future, it makes sense to offer such programs, they would be offered on a voluntary basis at the discretion of the customer.

No. There is no medical evidence linking health concerns with exposure from RF meters. All RF meter products used by BGMU meet and exceed the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requirements for use of RF and acceptable exposure limits for the public. In relation to other commonly used RF devices such as cell phones, microwaves, laptops, and baby monitors, the relative power density of RF meters is minimal and much lower than the FCC standard.

Search