EMFBase
Sources & emitters

Smart electricity meter (RF mesh)

Mesh smart meters transmit in short bursts at up to 1 W EIRP in the 900 MHz band, so peak readings at 1 m are high while time-averaged exposure is low because the duty cycle is well under 1%.

radiofrequencyhomeoutdoor

Last verified 12 August 2026.

Also searched as: AMI meter, advanced metering infrastructure, smart meter radiation

Category
radiofrequency
Emission bands
902–928 MHz ISM (FHSS)
Environments
home, outdoor
Transmit power
1 W EIRPRegulatory value — legally enforceable — Part 15 frequency-hopping devices in the 902–928 MHz band may transmit up to 1 W conducted power. Utility deployments vary; some use 0.25 W or less.sources: fcc-part15
Duty cycle
Short data bursts plus mesh relay traffic. Utility filings typically report a duty cycle well below 1%, meaning peak-hold and time-averaged readings can differ by more than 100×.

Field strength by distance

30 cm
884,000 µW/m²Computed estimate — S = EIRP / (4πd²) with EIRP = 1 W, d = 0.3 m — Peak during a transmission burst, on the meter side of the wall.sources: fcc-part15
1 m
79,600 µW/m²Computed estimate — S = EIRP / (4πd²) with EIRP = 1 W, d = 1 m — Peak during a transmission burst.sources: fcc-part15
3 m
8,840 µW/m²Computed estimate — S = EIRP / (4πd²) with EIRP = 1 W, d = 3 m — Peak during a transmission burst.sources: fcc-part15
10 m
796 µW/m²Computed estimate — S = EIRP / (4πd²) with EIRP = 1 W, d = 10 m — Peak during a transmission burst.sources: fcc-part15

Mitigations, most effective first

Identify what is on the other side of the meter wall and relocate beds or desks away from it.
Most residential smart-meter exposure concerns are a room-layout problem, not a meter problem.
Measure in peak-hold mode over several minutes, then again in average mode.
Distinguishes the burst amplitude from the exposure that limits are actually written against.
Ask the utility for the meter's FCC ID and duty-cycle filing, or for an opt-out or wired-read option where offered.
Gives you the actual transmit power and burst rate instead of an assumption.

Measure with

  • Broadband RF power-density meter

Related records

  • FCC general population MPE, 300–1500 MHz

    Frequency-dependent limit of f/1500 mW/cm², so the allowance rises with frequency across the low-band and mid-band cellular spectrum.

    Exposure limits

  • Are smart meters dangerous?

    Peak bursts are high but duty cycle is under 1%, so time-averaged exposure is far below limits. Room layout and the utility's own filings are the practical levers.

    Direct answers

Sources

  1. fcc-part15 47 CFR Part 15 — Radio Frequency Devices (unlicensed transmitter power limits) — U.S. Government Publishing Office (eCFR). regulation, link checked 2026-08-12.
  2. fcc-eas Equipment Authorization Search (FCC ID lookup, includes SAR test reports) — Federal Communications Commission. government, link checked 2026-08-12.
  3. fcc-1310 47 CFR § 1.1310 — Radiofrequency radiation exposure limits — U.S. Government Publishing Office (eCFR). regulation, link checked 2026-08-12.

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