Smart meter model linked to fires not used by Ontario utilities: regulator

TORONTO – Ontario’s electricity regulator says no utilities in the province use the same model of so-called “smart” meters that has been linked to fires in Saskatchewan.

Ontario Energy Board spokeswoman Karen Cormier says 36 of Ontario’s 77 utilities use other models made by the same U.S.-based manufacturer, Sensus Corp.

She says the largest – publicly owned Hydro One – doesn’t use Sensus smart meters.

Smart meters have been linked to 23 incidents reported to Ontario’s Fire Marshal from 2011 to 2013, which included 13 small fires.

SaskPower plans to remove all 105,000 of its smart meters and replace them with traditional units and two utilities in the U.S. have reportedly decided to remove Sensus meters.

Sensus has defended its products, saying its inspections and tests into the recent incidents point to external factors, such as holes in the meter boxes that allowed water in, or power surges.