Newsroom
Recent reports of household appliances catching fire following the installation of smart meters by the Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) have raised concerns among the public. Addressing the issue in a radio interview with "Diaspora Eidiseon" on SPOR FM 95.0, George Kyriakou, President of the Association of Electrical Contractors, offered clarification on what may be causing these incidents.
Kyriakou stated that the smart meters themselves are not responsible for the problems. Instead, he pointed to the installation process as the area of concern. He explained that electrical issues often stem from conditions within the property’s internal wiring, particularly involving the circuit breaker.
The circuit breaker, which is meant to protect against electrical faults, falls under the responsibility of the property owner. If it is not functioning properly, it may fail to respond during changes in electrical flow, such as when a meter is being installed or replaced. Kyriakou stressed the importance of checking the state of the electrical installation prior to meter replacement.
In his remarks, Kyriakou also encouraged residents to be present at home when smart meter installations are taking place. This, he suggested, could help ensure that any issues are identified early and allow for immediate communication with installation technicians if needed.
While the rollout of smart meters by the EAC continues, Kyriakou's comments display the importance of proper electrical maintenance and safety checks to prevent avoidable incidents.
Listen to the entire radio interview (in Greek) here:
