About electric AMI and advanced metering
The installation of electric Advanced Metering Infrastructure, or AMI, systems enable us to improve service to you. The NIPSCO electric AMI system will be installed in phases for approximately 490,000 electric residential and business customers throughout NIPSCO’s service area over the next three years starting in March 2024.
Your electric AMI meter installation
The process to get your new AMI meter installed is simple:
- When it is time for you to get a new meter, you will be notified via a letter in the mail approximately 30 days in advance of your meter installation.
- Meter installations will be completed by Quanta Utility Engineering Services (QUES), a NIPSCO subcontractor. The technicians will carry photo identification, wear uniforms and drive marked vehicles.
- The installation process will be done at no charge and will typically take less than 15 minutes. You may notice a brief service interruption during the work. In most cases, the technician will not need to enter customer homes or businesses. However, the technician will request access if the meter is located inside or behind a locked gate.
- If you are not at home during the visit, the technician will leave a door hanger indicating that the new meter was installed or informing the customer how to schedule an installation appointment if QUES was unable to access the meter.
FAQs - Electric Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Overview
Will the technician knock on the door before installing the new meter? - IN
Yes, the technician will knock before beginning the installation.
- Smart Meter - AMI - Electric What to Expect
FAQs - What to expect during your electric meter installation
Will the technician knock on the door before installing the new meter? - IN
Yes, the technician will knock before beginning the installation.
- Smart Meter - AMI - Electric What to Expect
FAQs - Electric meter reading and meter safety
Are the radiofrequency (RF) waves produced by the new equipment harmful to my health?
The updated meters NIPSCO is deploying complies with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), World Health Organization, and international requirements for acceptable radiofrequency (RF) exposure limits. Smart meters present significantly lower RF exposure than many other products used daily by consumers without concern. The updated meters emit only low-energy frequency waves to transmit information, with levels well below that of common devices such as mobile phones and laptops.
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Has this new AMI equipment been tested for accuracy and reliability?
Yes, AMI meters come pre-tested along with test results directly from the manufacturer. The radio module will be tested for accuracy during the meter collection process regularly.
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Will the AMI impact my computer, home security system, or other electronic equipment?
No. The AMI radio transmission operates in compliance with Federal Communications Commission Regulations to avoid interference with other electronic modules. The system operates at such a low frequency reserved for this purpose that it will not interfere with the operation of any other equipment on your property.
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How will I know that you read my meter and not another customer's meter?
Each AMI radio frequency module has a unique identifier which is transmitted along with the meter reading. The unique number is associated to your account record electronically to ensure a match.
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Will NIPSCO be able to control anything in my home or business?
No, NIPSCO will not have remote access to anything on your property other than NIPSCO’s electric meter. NIPSCO will not be able to control or monitor anything in your home or business without your permission, knowledge, and installation of additional specialized equipment.
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Can anyone other than NIPSCO read the new meters?
No. The manufacturer has incorporated security features and encryption technology into the meter. While the meter display is visible so customers can check their consumption, the meters are sealed, and the information and data stored within them can only be accessed by NIPSCO with the designated software.
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Will I still need to report when my power is out?
If your power is out, visit our website at www.nipsco.com/out to view our outage map to see if there are any other outages reported in your area. We offer plenty of easy-to-use options for you to report an outage, such as:
- Report your outage online (link above)
- Report an outage on the mobile app
- Report an outage by texting 'OUT' to 444111
- Call in at 1-800-464-7726
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Will I have access to my meter data?
Yes. As the AMI system is deployed in the coming years, you will have access to more detailed information about your electricity usage patterns through the NIPSCO web self-service portal and mobile app. Additional information and features will be added as we continuously improve the system. These features will enable you to have a better understanding of your energy usage so you can make better choices about how you use your energy.
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FAQs – My Usage Page – AMI Hourly & Daily Read Data
Why would a customer see a difference in My Usage page vs my Monthly Bill Statement?
Customer bills are calculated based on the monthly registered consumption read for their specific billing window. Access to hourly and daily usage data enables customers to see energy usage and consumption habits.
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Will customers without an active AMI meter be able to see hourly and daily usage?
No, only hourly and daily data will be able to be viewed by customers with an active AMI meter.
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What size customers will have the hourly and daily data made available?
All electric and gas residential & commercial customers that have an active AMI meter can now access Hourly & Daily usage data.
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Can a customer view multiple billing cycles or months within the hourly & daily usage views?
Multiple billing cycles, partial billing cycles, and different months can be viewed together. However, a max 24-hour range can be displayed on the hourly graph, a max 62-day range can be displayed on the daily graph, and a max 13-month range can be displayed on the monthly graph.
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Can previous month’s or billing cycle’s usage be viewed?
Yes, up to the previous 13 months can be viewed in totality on the monthly graphs, over a maximum 62-day range on the daily graph, or over a maximum 24-hour range on the hourly graph.
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Can estimated usage be displayed?
Yes, both actual usage readings as well as estimated usage can be displayed.
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