Patent ID: 6046513
Filing Date: 2000-04-04
Classification: H02J

Abstract:
An electrical power distribution system comprising:an electrical power source;a plurality of outlets for receiving power from said electrical power source, said plurality of outlets containing a display that indicates whether power is available; anda power distribution circuit coupling said electrical power source to each of said plurality of outlets, said power distribution circuit comprising:a plurality of power sensing circuits for monitoring an instantaneous total power load in said electrical power distribution system;a power comparator, coupled to said plurality of power sensing circuits, for summing a total amount of electrical power instantaneously being drawn by said outlets and for comparing said sum to a predetermined maximum electrical power level;a plurality of power available circuits, each coupled to a corresponding one of said plurality of power sensing circuits and coupled to said power comparator, for providing individual output signals; andeach of said plurality of outlets coupled to a corresponding one of said plurality of power available circuits and coupled to a corresponding one of said plurality of power sensing circuits, whereby each of said plurality of outlets is enabled by said corresponding one of said plurality of power available circuits when said predetermined maximum electrical power level has not been exceeded and each of said plurality of outlets not coupled to a power utilizing device are disabled when said predetermined maximum electrical power level has been exceeded.