Can confirm the first part - had the utility turn on a meter remotely, so they can turn it off too.
Also, around here (Portugal) you're billed for the maximum power in your contract - it starts at 3.45 kVA, I think, with 6.9 and 10.35 levels commonly available (at 230 volts, that's 15, 30 or 45 amps). Used to be that a hardware circuit breaker enforced that limit, nowadays it's the meter cutting off supply in case of excess power draw.
Also, around here (Portugal) you're billed for the maximum power in your contract - it starts at 3.45 kVA, I think, with 6.9 and 10.35 levels commonly available (at 230 volts, that's 15, 30 or 45 amps). Used to be that a hardware circuit breaker enforced that limit, nowadays it's the meter cutting off supply in case of excess power draw.
(No reports of fires that I've heard of.)