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Using the remote connect/disconnect switches at the meter to connect or disconnect customers presents many challenges. These challenges are both policy challenges and technical challenges. In order to understand what the technical solutions needed to handle, the policy issues needed to be understood first. The RCD investigated these policy challenges which reflect utility business decisions, regulatory requirements, and safety concerns. Although the debate is continuing, utility policies and business practices appear to include combinations and variations of the following:
- Local Use of RCD Switch:
- No use of the RCD switch capability for either connect or disconnect
- Allow authorized utility workers, contractors, and other third-person service representatives to manually disconnect the customer through local access to the RCD switch
- Allow authorized utility workers, contractors, and other third-person service representatives to manually connect the customer through local access to the RCD switch, usually only after contacting the utility for authorization
- Remote Disconnect
- Only remotely disconnect customers in specific categories, such as those in high turn-around housing or for customers who regularly fail to pay their bills or for those whose meter is difficult/dangerous to access
- Include significant attempts to warn customers of impending disconnections and undertake many other revenue protection activities before actually performing the disconnection.
- Remotely disconnect all move-out customers at a mutually agreed-upon time.
- Use remote disconnect as surgical equivalent to load shedding during emergencies
- Remote Connect
- Only remotely connect customers when a service representative is on site.
- Only remotely connect customers in specific categories, such as those in high turn-around housing or commercial customers or those who have specifically requested remote connection.
- Only remotely connect customers after a service representative has directly contacted them by phone or other communications.
- Remotely connect customers even though attempts to contact them have failed.
- Remotely connect all move-in customers at a mutually agreed-upon time.
The RCD team developed de-facto standards for the RCD processes. These standards are in the approval process and are expected to be approved shortly.
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"In order to understand what the technical solutions needed to handle, the policy issues needed to be understood first.
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