En Francia, la trend to cover Linky meters with a layer of aluminum foil has gained popularity. This practice, widely shared on social media, including Tiktok, raises significant security issues. We will examine the reasons behind this growing adoption, as well as the real risks it poses for French homes.
Concerns about Linky meters
Since their introduction in 2015, Linky communication meters have been installed in over 35 million homes in France. Designed to provide detailed monitoring of energy consumption, these devices also enable daily billing through mobile apps. Despite these advantages, distrust of these devices has quickly taken hold among the population.
Social media has become the breeding ground for various concerns about them, with many contents advocating wrapping meters in aluminum foil. This practice has spread as a way to protect them from the electromagnetic waves these devices emit.
Motivations behind this trend
Fear of the adverse health effects related to electromagnetic waves is the main driver of this practice. Many users fear that exposure to these waves may have consequences on their well-being, and this persists despite scientific studies claiming that the emission from Linky meters is comparable to a mobile phone or internet box.
The spread of alarmist rumors fuels the supply of this trend. For example, a dramatic story attributed to Patrick Hernández, claiming he «touched disaster» because of his meter, prompted the use of this preventive method. Unfortunately, his story has never been rigorously verified.
This growing popularity of the practice of wrapping meters with aluminum foil also reveals a general ignorance of the real characteristics of Linky meters and a tendency to follow advice not based on scientific foundations.
The real dangers of this practice
Covering an electric meter with aluminum leads to considerable risks that many overlook. Aluminum, being an excellent conductor of electricity, poses potentially disastrous short circuits when in contact with the electrical parts of the meter.
The main danger is that this method can promote fires. By creating a barrier around the meter, aluminum prevents the heat generated by the device from dissipating properly. This accumulation of heat can reach critical thresholds and cause fires, endangering the safety of the entire home.
Another serious risk is that of electrical discharge. If the aluminum foil comes into contact with the conducting elements of the meter, it can transmit the current to anyone handling the device later on. This poses a greater danger, especially in environments where moisture is present or during maintenance work on the electrical installation.
Additionally, power outages can occur frequently. The overheating caused by this method can trigger the safety devices of the meter, leading to power interruptions that can affect sensitive electronic devices.
Finally, financially, this practice can also have an unpleasant impact. Most insurance companies refuse to cover losses resulting from unauthorized changes to electrical installations. Consequently, an incident caused by this method of work may be accompanied by significant costs that will not be reimbursed.
Ineffectiveness of the aluminum foil method
Despite widespread beliefs, it is essential to emphasize that the effectiveness of aluminum foil in blocking the signals emitted by Linky meters has never been scientifically proven. The waves generated by these devices are of low intensity and generally do not exceed 40 centimeters in range, making the use of this form of protection inadequate.
Linky meters operate on power line carrier (PLC) technology, which uses the existing electrical network to transmit information. Aluminum has no influence on this transmission, as it cannot block the signals circulating through electrical cables.
The transmissions made by the meter mainly occur during very short periods, usually a few seconds per day, making the need for permanent protection even more neglectful.
Measurements conducted by the National Frequency Agency have shown that exposure levels to the waves emitted by Linky meters are well below the thresholds set by European regulations, confirming that there is no significant health risk.
A more rational approach to concerns on this issue is to learn from reliable sources, such as ANSES (National Agency for Health Safety), which regularly publishes methodical reports on this subject, based on solid study methods.
Misinformation and issues
The circulation of alarmist information on Linky meters is part of a broader context of distrust of modern technologies. This highlights the contemporary challenges of disseminating information in our digital society, where social platforms like Tiktok facilitate the spread of unverified tips on their veracity or reliability.
Content creators, often driven by concerns about engagement metrics, frequently select sensational content at the expense of scientific accuracy. This phenomenon underscores the critical importance of exercising discernment in the face of these viral trends.
Therefore, it is essential, when considering the handling of electrical equipment, to consult industry professionals or communicate with energy distributors. This is the most responsible and wise approach to adoption.
Smart meters, despite the controversies surrounding them, play a crucial role in energy transition, enabling more efficient resource management. Actions based on unfounded rumors can jeopardize the social acceptance of innovations that could benefit the environment.
To address these challenges and misinformation, it seems necessary to promote media and scientific education. This would help citizens distinguish between reliable information and rumor-based foundations on modern technologies, such as the Linky meter.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the trend of wrapping Linky meters in aluminum is fueled by unfounded concerns related to electromagnetic waves and ignorance of the real properties of these devices. The risks associated with this practice, ranging from fires to electrical discharges and power reductions, are much more concerning than the exposure to waves itself.
It is crucial to learn from reliable sources and consult experts before adopting potentially hazardous practices. By developing our critical thinking and promoting a more robust media education, we can navigate better in this complex information landscape, where misinformation can easily thrive.
