[ale] [OT] Load Control Switch

[Tom Freeman]

On Wed, 13 Apr 2011, Lightner, Jeff wrote:

> It would be nice if the idea behind this were to actually prevent
> non-working devices from using load but it isn't.   The idea is to allow
> the electric company to decide who gets what power when there is peak
> demand.
>
> Allowing the power company to decide I don't need so much air
> conditioning just after arriving home on an August workday doesn't sound
> like a good idea to me.

As long as you have sufficient conditioning going to keep the place 
dehumidified, not a problem.

Well, yes it is load control. The alternative might be to either black out 
a neighborhood or brownout the system, both of which will help raise the 
rates by wear and tear on the system.

FWIW, I have had load control for 20 years with Duke Power. They activate 
it periodically, and I don't notice it. The money isn't much, and my 
home's insulation is plenty adequate. And they only utilize the capacity 
two or three times a year, unless there is a real beast of a heat wave.

Obviously I can't speak for the quality of current installations, but I 
haven't noticed install related problems either.



>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: ale-bounces at ale.org [mailto:ale-bounces at ale.org] On Behalf Of
> Michael Potter
> Sent: Wednesday, April 13, 2011 8:45 AM
> To: Atlanta Linux Enthusiasts - Yes! We run Linux!
> Subject: [ale] [OT] Load Control Switch
>
> This is off topic, but there seems to be other discussions about
> electric power related topics.
>
> The power company has offered a $36/unit incentive to install a load
> control switch on my AC units.
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Load_control
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Load_control_switch
>
> I don't really care about the $36.
> I am interested in being a good citizen and cooperating to keep
> electrical rates down.
> I already have a programmable thermostat so I don't think they will
> save much with me.
>
> My questions are:
> a) Does anyone have first hand knowledge of the quality of install?
> b) Will this switch turn off a running unit, or just prevent a stopped
> unit from starting?
> c) If it abruptly stops a running unit, will that shorten the life?
>
> -- 
> Michael Potter
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