August 14, 2014 – Following recent reports of several fires in locations where smart meters were installed in Saskatchewan, PowerStream wants to assure its customers that the Sensus devices installed at their homes and businesses are safe.

“It is difficult to speculate as to the exact cause of the handful of fires experienced in Saskatchewan by SaskPower in its smart meter program,” explained Eric Fagen, vice-president corporate communications for PowerStream.

Although the smart meters in use locally by PowerStream were manufactured by Sensus—the same company that produced the devices deployed in Saskatchewan—the models are different, notes the utility, adding that it has installed more than 345,000 units since 2007 without encountering any fire-related issues.

“However, we do know that careful meter installation procedures, including the examination of meter bases and internal wiring at installation, proper training of meter installers and the need to take rapid remedial action when field problems are observed are all critical to ensuring safety in any meter deployment initiative, whether it be smart or the old electromechanical,” added Fagen.

PowerStream is a community-owned energy company providing power and related services to more than 370,000 customers residing or owning a business in communities located immediately north of Toronto and in Central Ontario. It is jointly owned by the cities of Barrie, Markham and Vaughan.