The short version
- Metro Puerto Rico reports LUMA published a guide listing codes on its 1.5 million smart meters most of which indicate normal operation such as nErE9 for successful network connection
- Codes like nOnEI boot and UPgrad are temporary or part of installation updates and require no action from customers according to LUMA
- Certain error codes including Er1 Er2 and SaFE are already under LUMA review and customers do not need to intervene the company stated
- Primera Hora and Metro Puerto Rico reported Rep. Gretchen Hau filed a measure for the House Government Commission to investigate bill increases and meter accuracy
Smart meter display codes
LUMA Energy stated that the majority of messages appearing on smart meter screens are part of normal equipment function and customers do not need to take any action. Metro Puerto Rico reported. The company which is installing 1.5 million smart meters across Puerto Rico published an online guide explaining the codes.
Common normal codes include nErE9 indicating the meter is connected and communicating with the network HAnEI for connection to a nearby meter EOI marking the end of a measurement interval UPgrad during programming updates boot after installation or power restoration and Test when a technician is testing the device. LUMA said none of these require customer intervention.
Temporary processing codes such as nOnEI for searching nearby meters nodAtA or ----- when data is unavailable and rECONFIG after configuration updates are also normal according to the utility. A separate group of codes including n0rAd SaFE Er1001 Er1003 Er1004 Er1 Er2 and De5 indicate situations LUMA is already reviewing and again require no customer action.
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What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
Estas reclamaciones ameritan una evaluación objetiva y rigurosa, más aún en momentos en que los costos por el servicio de energía son elevados
Our translation: These claims merit an objective and rigorous evaluation especially at a time when energy service costs are high
The source's own statement, as quoted by Metro Puerto Rico. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Investigation measure filed
Representative Gretchen Hau of District 29 filed a measure asking the House Government Commission to investigate the functioning of LUMA Energy's smart meters. Metro Puerto Rico reported. The probe would examine customer complaints of higher bills after installations invite claims review validation procedures technical tests data transmission and integration with billing systems.
Hau representing Cayey and Cidra said the complaints merit objective evaluation especially given high energy costs. She acknowledged the need to modernize the electric system but stressed it must include safeguards so technological advances do not cause economic harm or compromise measurement and billing reliability. Both Metro Puerto Rico and Primera Hora reported that Hau expects the measure to be addressed urgently to restore customer confidence.
Where the sources differ
All three sources agree that customers have reported bill increases after smart meter installations and that Rep. Gretchen Hau filed a measure for the House Government Commission to investigate. Metro Puerto Rico and Primera Hora carry nearly identical quotes from Hau on the need for safeguards and urgency. The first Metro article focuses exclusively on explaining meter codes and states LUMA is reviewing certain codes with no customer action needed while the other two sources do not mention the codes or LUMA's technical explanations.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not provide specific numbers of complaints received the average size of alleged bill increases data on how many meters have been installed to date or any findings from prior technical validations. They also omit details on the exact timeline for the legislative investigation whether LUMA will be formally summoned and what remedies if any might be available to customers with disputed bills.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Reporting ¿Qué significan los códigos en los contadores inteligentes de LUMA?
- Reporting Presentan medida para investigar contadores inteligentes de LUMA Energy
- Reporting Piden investigar funcionamiento de contadores inteligentes de LUMA
How we checked this
Metro Puerto Rico published separate articles on the meter codes and the legislative measure while Primera Hora covered only the investigation request. LUMA's explanations of normal codes and its review of others rest solely on the first Metro report.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.
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