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In an electrical power distribution system, a consumer has a control unit comprising a plurality of solid state switches in supply leads to a plurality of separate load circuits, a microprocessor responsive to the magnitude of the total current drawn by the consumer from the supply and arranged to c

In an electrical power distribution system, a consumer has a control unit comprising a plurality of solid state switches in supply leads to a plurality of separate load circuits, a microprocessor responsive to the magnitude of the total current drawn by the consumer from the supply and arranged to control the various switches so as to limit the total current or power in accordance with a priority program set into the microprocessor. The consumer can thus control the manner of use of the supplied power within a maximum demand limit. This overall maximum demand limit may be predetermined in accordance with an agreed supply tariff or may be remotely controlled by the utility. Preferably two microprocessors with associated control switches are employed, one being controlled by the utility and being associated with or forming part of the energy consumption metering unit and serving to limit the maximum demand and the other being programmed by the consumer to control priority of supplies to individual load sub-circuits.

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Apparatus for controlling electrical power consumption by a load of a consumer drawing power from a power supply network, said apparatus comprising current control means for controlling the flow of current to the load from the power supply network, means for sensing the magnitude of the current supp

Apparatus for controlling electrical power consumption by a load of a consumer drawing power from a power supply network, said apparatus comprising current control means for controlling the flow of current to the load from the power supply network, means for sensing the magnitude of the current supplied to the load from the power supply network, a controller responsive to the sensed current and arranged to set the current limit means so as to limit the sensed current to a magnitude not exceeding a predetermined value, and means for remotely applying to the controller information defining the predetermined value.