Load shedding timer for a power management system

DETAILED DESCRIPTION It is an object of this invention, therefore, to an improved power shedding timer which assures restoration of a plurality of load sites to the power management system in a linear manner.
More particularly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved shedding timer which causes its associated load to be shed from the power system for a random time period between predetermined minimum and maximum time limits.
Briefly, according to the invention, the improved timer is provided in a power management system wherein a remote location at a power load site is responsive to a command from a central controller to shed the load for a time interval determined by the timer.
The improved timer is comprised of timing means which responds to a command from the central controller to cause the load to be shed for a random time period between predetermined minimum and maximum time limits.
Preferably, the timing means is comprised of an asynchronous clock which produces a clock signal having a period equal to the desired minimum time interval.
Also, the timing means is comprised of logic which responds to the central controller command to cause the load to be shed for at least one full clock signal period.
It is preferred that the logic means be comprised of means to cause the load to be shed for two predetermined transitions of the clock signal following the occurrence of the central controller command such that the aforedescribed random time period is a function of the instant of occurrence of the command and the relative phasing of the clock signal.