Abstract: An interruptible power supply module, located at a customer's premise, functions to reduce the demand on a power utility company. As a power utility senses a critical power supply demand situation, it sends an “interrupt power” control signal through an alternative communications network (a telecommunications network, for example), to each subscribing customer. Upon receipt of the “interrupt” control signal, a switch is activated in the customer's interruptible power supply module to remove a pre-defined “interruptible” load for a predetermined period of time (perhaps not to exceed 15 minutes in any hour). The module may also be used to “gracefully” add interruptible loads back onto the system after a complete power outage.

Abstract: An interruptible power supply module, located at a customer's premise, functions to reduce the demand on a power utility company. As a power utility senses a critical power supply demand situation, it sends an “interrupt power” control signal through an alternative communications network (a telecommunications network, for example), to each subscribing customer. Upon receipt of the “interrupt” control signal, a switch is activated in the customer's interruptible power supply module to remove a pre-defined “interruptible” load for a predetermined period of time (perhaps not to exceed 15 minutes in any hour). The module may also be used to “gracefully” add interruptible loads back onto the system after a complete power outage.