Patent ID: 7130722

Claim:
Apparatus for controlling supply of electricity through an electrical distribution network to a customer comprising: an electrical socket at a customer's premises through which electricity flows from a power line into the premises; an electrical meter plugged into the socket and through which the electricity passes as it flows into the premises for the meter to measure the amount of electricity usage at the premises; switch means interposed between the meter and the socket and operable to interrupt flow of electricity into the premises, the switch means being controlled by an utility whereby the utility can selectively control supply of electricity to the premises apart from the flow of electricity to any other premises connected to the same power line; and, processor means controlling the switch means to selectively control supply of electricity to the premises apart from the flow of electricity to any other premises connected to the same power line, the processor means being responsive to current usage at the premises to provide over-current tripping of the switch means to interrupt power input to the premises if the current exceeds a predetermined current value for a particular set of operating conditions at the premises and the duration of the over-current conditions extends beyond a predetermined time interval, which interval is a function of the amount by which the over-current exceeds the predetermined current value whereby the interval is shorter the more the over-current exceeds the value.