Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for controlling the supply of electrical power to an appliance such as a television, amongst many others. The apparatus comprises a controller that is operative to complete or to disconnect a supply of electricity to electrical apparatus in accordance with a programmed time schedule. The system further comprises one or more programming objects, such as RFID cards, by means of which a time schedule can be programmed in the controller, the programming object being removable from the controller during its normal operation.