A system for load control in an electrical power system is described, wherein one or more load-limiting devices such as outlets and/or lighting sockets are provided to a home or building. The load-limiting devices conserve power and increase safety by not allowing a user to attach a device that draws excess power. Unlike circuit breakers and fuses, the load-limiting devices automatically resume normal operation when the excess load is removed. In one embodiment, the power authority sends commands to tell the load-monitoring device to provide reduced power service. In one embodiment, the commands are time-limited, thereby allowing the electric power device system to resume normal operation after a specified period of time. In one embodiment, the commands include query commands to cause the control device to report operating characteristics (e.g., efficiency, time of operation, etc.) back to the power authority.