Electric meters are a possible cause of remote control and electric equipment interference in a Randburg suburb, says the Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA).
The interference, which took place at Blairgowrie this week, happened on the 433MHz short-range frequency.
"That is an unlicensed frequency which anyone could use for their car or gate remotes," explains ICASA spokesman Sekgoela Sekgoela. "Yet when the frequency experiences a continuous power surge, this can cause problems."
City Power officials have denied the power meters, installed by Eskom in August last year, are to blame for the interference and stated the meters were also affected. Sekgoela attributes this to the likelihood of the power meters working on the same short-range frequency as the remote controls.
A City Power official explained that the electric meters, which were installed in houses as an energy saving initiative, can be monitored and used to remotely switch off geysers and electricity.
However, ICASA technicians identified the power meters in the area as being the main cause of the remote control interference. Sekgoela says they are going from house to house trying to rectify the problem.
The need to comply
Sekgoela says despite the fact that the short-range frequency is unlicensed, any radio-controlled product operating in that frequency needs to be type-approved by ICASA.
He adds that manufacturers or distributors dealing with such electrical equipment must have their products type-approved in accordance with section 35 of the ICASA Act.
According to ICASA's Radio Frequency Spectrum Licence Exemptions, any person who fails to comply with the regulations is liable for conviction by the Complaints and Compliance Commission and faces a fee of up to R20 000.
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