Max Demand • Ultra HD

"Maximum demand" (or ) is the highest electrical load an installation is expected to draw at any single time. In electrical engineering and utility billing, it is a critical metric used to size cables, select protective devices like fuses or breakers, and calculate supply requirements from the power grid. Why Max Demand Matters

Maximum demand represents the highest electrical load drawn from a supply point over a specific period, typically measured in kilowatts (kW) or kilovolt-amperes (kVA). It is not an instantaneous "spike" (like the millisecond surge when a motor starts), but rather the recorded over a set time interval—usually 15, 30, or 60 minutes. Key Terminology max demand

There are several strategies to reduce max demand: "Maximum demand" (or ) is the highest electrical

Installing capacitors at the point of common coupling reduces kVA demand for a given kW load. If tariff is kVA-based, this directly reduces MD. It is not an instantaneous "spike" (like the

Standard intervals by application: | Interval | Typical Use | Rationale | |----------|-------------|-----------| | 15 min | Industrial, large commercial | Reflects thermal time constant of medium-sized equipment | | 30 min | Commercial buildings, small factories | Common in Europe/Asia (e.g., UK, Australia) | | 60 min | Very large industrial, some utilities | Matches some bulk supply agreements |

If MD can be reduced to 400 kW (without changing energy use), demand bill drops to $6,000, saving $1,500/month ($18,000/year).

The sum of the continuous ratings of all equipment connected to the system (e.g., every lightbulb, heater, and motor in a building).