A system for managing distribution of electrical power to an electrical load, comprising: a power management circuit including a device configured to measure power consumed by the electrical load, and a comparator configured to compare the measured power with a power limit; a first keyline and a second keyline; characterized by a plurality of power control units (52, 70) each including at least one outlet (64, 66, 68) for delivering power to a load, a timing control circuit coupled to each said outlet, the timing control circuit configured to deliver an enabling signal (60, 61, 62) to each outlet individually with a time delay, a signal input, and a signal output; wherein the first keyline connects the power management circuit with the signal input of one of said plurality of power control units; and wherein the second keyline connects the signal output of said one of said plurality of power control units with the signal input of another one of said plurality of power control units, wherein each power control unit is configured to propagate a signal to another power control signal via the second keyline, wherein each power control unit (52, 79) is configured to, when receiving a SET signal, grant a request for power at an outlet and thereafter start a time delay, wherein after the expiration of the time delay, determine whether the SET signal remains, and if so, sequentially evaluate other outlets associated with the power control unit for requests for power while the SET signal is being received. a power management circuit including a device configured to measure power consumed by the electrical load, and a comparator configured to compare the measured power with a power limit; a device configured to measure power consumed by the electrical load, and a comparator configured to compare the measured power with a power limit; a first keyline and a second keyline; characterized by a plurality of power control units (52, 70) each including at least one outlet (64, 66, 68) for delivering power to a load, a timing control circuit coupled to each said outlet, the timing control circuit configured to deliver an enabling signal (60, 61, 62) to each outlet individually with a time delay, a signal input, and a signal output; at least one outlet (64, 66, 68) for delivering power to a load, a timing control circuit coupled to each said outlet, the timing control circuit configured to deliver an enabling signal (60, 61, 62) to each outlet individually with a time delay, a signal input, and a signal output; wherein the first keyline connects the power management circuit with the signal input of one of said plurality of power control units; and wherein the second keyline connects the signal output of said one of said plurality of power control units with the signal input of another one of said plurality of power control units, wherein each power control unit is configured to propagate a signal to another power control signal via the second keyline, wherein each power control unit (52, 79) is configured to, when receiving a SET signal, grant a request for power at an outlet and thereafter start a time delay, wherein after the expiration of the time delay, determine whether the SET signal remains, and if so, sequentially evaluate other outlets associated with the power control unit for requests for power while the SET signal is being received.