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RLM - the "heart' of the system

Residential load management, a system that uses radio or ripple switches, allows municipalities to manage demand during peak periods without undue disruption. By using a wireless signal (radio) the geyser, the appliance which uses the most electricity in any home, is remotely switched off. After a short break in supply the geyser is switched on again -without the homeowner even realising that it had been switched off at all.

The only geysers exempt from the radio or ripple system will be solar water heating systems that are not connected to the electricity supply. If a solar water heater is connected to the electricity supply, then a switch is required.

Switches will be installed into homes by contracted technical teams over a period of two years. The task, taking about 30 minutes, will be performed at no cost to householders.

The benefits of residential load management
As the system simultaneously switch off thousands of geysers if this is required, the demand on the electricity network is significant. The network is used more efficiently and the possibility of major blackouts occurring is reduced.

Peak demand for electricity is reduced meaning that the existing capacity of the network is used more effectively.

Geysers do not use more electricity as a result of the radio or ripple controlled system. Normally, the heating of water in a geyser is controlled by a thermostat which constantly switches on and off, depending on the volume of water that needs to be heated. The RLM system switches on and off less frequently than a thermostat.