公开(公告)号：WO9830912A3

公开(公告)日：1998-10-22

申请号：PCT/US9722592

申请日：1997-12-09

Applicant: SCIENTIFIC ATLANTA

Inventor： DAVIS GLENN A ,  POCHE DAVID W

IPC: H02J3/14 ,  H02J13/00 ,  H04W84/14 ,  G01R

CPC classification number: H02J3/14 ,  F04C2270/90 ,  G06Q50/06 ,  H02J13/0086 ,  H04W84/14 ,  Y02B70/3225 ,  Y04S10/54 ,  Y04S20/222 ,  Y04S20/224

Abstract: A control system (10) is disclosed which varies the operation of consumer's devices (506, 508, 510, 512) to minimize influx currents across a power grid. Power consuming devices (506, 508, 510, 512) are scheduled (507, 509, 511, 513) in accordance with varying pricing tiers (501, 502, 503, 504). As customers schedule (507, 509, 511, 513) the operation of various devices (506, 508, 510, 512) and appliances in accordance with pricing tiers (501, 502, 503, 504), when the tiers (501, 502, 503, 504) change, the current drain on the power grid increases significantly (519). The increased strain on the power grid is the result of, for example, the startup current for electric motors which may be up to six times their normal operating current of the electric motor where this strain may produce disruptions of power to the very consumers which are requiring more power. The present invention randomizes the startup times (507', 507'', 509', 509'', 511', 511'') of the controlled devices (506, 508, 510, 512) so as to minimize the strain of the power grid as each device (506, 508, 510, 512) comes on line, i.e. is turned on.