Abstract: A maximum-power monitoring device and method whereby a direct-current voltage is derived which is proportional to the instantaneous power and is converted into a train of pulses in a voltage-frequency converter proportional to the power and these pulses are summed during an interval between two successive cyclic pulses. When the total exceeds a threshold value, a flip-flop is triggered. The state of the flip-flop controls a shift register which is periodically stepped with each cyclic pulse and "read". The reading is used to control a logic circuit, when it exceeds a predetermined value, for cutting off in accordance with predetermined (programmed) priorities, the loads or load sections of the monitored system. As a result, the mean peak demand is held at a predetermined level.