Patent ID: 6990393

Claim:
A modular utility controller comprising: an enclosure having a limited access interior region; at least one utility actuator for switching between an “ON” state and an “OFF” state to control the availability of a utility; at least one readily accessible utility switch having an “ON” position and an “OFF” position for providing an ON and OFF request signals respectively to control circuitry; a limited access switch for providing a temporary activate signal to said control circuitry; at least one add-on module for providing additional features to said utility control system; control circuitry mounted on a printed circuit board within said interior region for providing an “ON” control signal to said at least one utility actuator to switch said at least one utility actuator to said “ON” state, said “ON” control signal being provided only when both said “ON” request signal and said temporary active signals are present, said control circuitry further comprising connections adapted for connecting with said at least one add on modules and including a multiplicity of terminals, selected ones of said multiplicity of terminals adapted to be connected to other selected ones of said multiplicity of terminals for selectively programming the operation of said utility controller; and a readily accessible emergency shut-off control for providing a shut-down signal to said control circuitry, and said control circuitry further adapted to provide an “OFF” control signal to said at least one utility actuator to switch said at least one utility actuator to an OFF state, said shut-down signal continually disabling said utility actuator until said utility control system is reset.