Installation manual
1
Introduction and Overview of Demand Control
Welcome to BHP’s Residential Demand Controller Program. As the owner of a home
metered under the Residential Demand Service Rate (Rate 14 and 16), you are now one
of a growing number of customers who can lower their monthly electric bills by reducing
energy demand peaks. The Energy Sentry demand controller enables you to reduce these
peaks while maintaining efcient use of energy.
System Description
Your electronic unit controls only loads that are connected to your demand controller.
Typically, only deferrable loads such as electric heaters, heat pumps, air conditioners,
water heaters, hot tubs, and clothes dryer heating elements are controlled. These loads
will vary depending on application and should be listed in the space provided inside the
door of the Control/Display Unit. If you are in doubt as to what loads are controlled or
want more information about the Residential Demand Service Rate, contact your local
Black Hills Power Ofce (see back cover for ofce phone numbers).
Control/Display Unit (Panel)
The Control/Display Unit contains the Energy/Sentry micro-processor-based computer
which automatically controls loads connected through the relays in the Relay Unit. This
unit should be located in an easily accessible area in your home. Commands to switch
these loads originate here and are based on the user-set demand limit and the actual
demand as measured by the current transformers. The way in which the loads are
switched is based upon the load control strategies programmed into your unit according to
your requirements.
If power is lost due to utility power interruptions, the unit’s EEPROM memory will remember
the demand limit that you have set and will continue to perform demand control within
that limit when power is restored.
Your Energy Sentry electrical demand controller consists of three basic components.
These include the Control/Display Unit located in your home, the Relay Unit located next
to your electrical panel, and if you have a heat pump, the remote relay box mounted on
the electric furnace. This manual explains only the operation of the Control/Display Unit.
See your Energy Sentry Installation Manual for details on the Relay, Unit, and Current
Transformer, as well as other information about the system.