Are smart meters dangerous?

Question

Do smart meters emit dangerous levels of radiation?

Answer

Mesh smart meters transmit short bursts at up to 1 W in the 900 MHz band, so a peak-hold meter held next to one can read high while the time-averaged exposure that limits are written against is low, because the duty cycle is typically well under 1%. Measured and calculated exposures at normal distances are far below FCC limits, and no health authority has found harm at these levels. If it concerns you, the effective steps are practical rather than technical: find out what is on the other side of the meter wall, move sleeping positions away from it, ask the utility for the meter's FCC ID and duty-cycle filing, and check whether an opt-out or wired-read option exists in your jurisdiction.

Related records

• 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%.

  Sources & emitters

• Duty cycle

  The fraction of time a transmitter is actually radiating — the reason a peak reading and a time-averaged exposure can differ by a factor of a hundred or more.

  Glossary

• Averaging time

  Regulatory limits apply to an average: 30 minutes for the general public under FCC and ICNIRP rules, 6 minutes for occupational exposure.

  Glossary

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