Power Supply System

Abstract

To control power supply individually for a plurality of electric apparatuses.SOLUTION: A power supply system 1 includes a plurality of switching plugs 2 each being capable of switching between presence and absence of power supply to an electric apparatus 4, and a control server 3 that controls the switching plugs 2. The control server 3 has a status receiving unit 33a that receives a conduction state to the electric apparatus 4 from the switching plugs 2, and an instruction transmission unit 33c that, based on the received conduction state, transmits a supply prohibition instruction to prohibit power supply to at least one of the switching plugs 2. Each of the switching plugs 2 has a supply switching unit 23d that prohibits power supply to the electric apparatus 4 provided for the switching plug 2 itself based on the received supply prohibition instruction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a power supply system including a switching device that switches the power supply to an electric device, and a control device that controls the switching device. [Background technology]

[0002] Commercial power systems used in homes and small commercial facilities are equipped with breakers. These breakers automatically cut off the power when multiple electrical appliances that consume a lot of power (e.g., air conditioners, electric heaters, microwave ovens, dryers, electric water heaters, etc.) are used simultaneously and the power consumption exceeds a specified amount. However, when the power is cut off by the breaker, damage such as data loss can occur in computers that do not have built-in batteries (e.g., desktop computers, game consoles, etc.). In addition, other electrical appliances cannot be used until the breaker is restored.

[0003] For this reason, for example, Patent Document 1 describes issuing instructions to electrical devices to reduce power consumption so that the power consumption does not exceed a specified power. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6197973 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the system described in Patent Document 1, power consumption is controlled by transmitting a remote control signal to the electrical appliance. However, this system cannot reduce the power consumption of electrical appliances that do not support remote control signals. For this reason, in this technical field, there is a demand for a versatile system that can individually control the power supply to multiple electrical appliances.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a power supply system capable of individually controlling the power supply to a plurality of electric devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention provides a power supply system (1) including a plurality of switching devices (2) provided for each of a plurality of electric devices (4) connected to a power source (5) and capable of switching on and off the supply of power to each of the electric devices (4), and a control device (3) that controls switching of the power supply in the switching devices (2), in which the control device (3) includes a power supply status receiving unit (33a) that receives a power supply status to the electric devices (4) from the switching devices (2), and based on the power supply status received by the power supply status receiving unit (33a), controls at least one of the plurality of switching devices (2) to prohibit power supply. and an instruction transmitting unit (33c) that transmits a supply prohibition instruction to prohibit the supply of power to the electric device (4) provided for the switching device (2), and each of the multiple switching devices (2) has an electric power status transmitting unit (23a) that transmits an electric power status to the electric device (4) provided for the switching device (2) itself to the electric power status receiving unit (33a), an instruction receiving unit (23b) that receives the supply prohibition instruction transmitted to the switching device (2) itself from the instruction transmitting unit (33c), and a supply switching unit (23d) that prohibits power supply to the electric device (4) provided for the switching device (2) itself based on the received supply prohibition instruction.

[0008] In this power supply system (1), a switching device (2) is provided for each of the multiple electric devices (4). The control device (3) transmits a supply prohibition instruction to the switching device (2) based on the power supply state of the electric device (4). The switching device (2) prohibits the supply of power to the electric device (4) provided for the switching device (2) based on the supply prohibition instruction. This allows the power supply system (1) to individually control the power supply to the multiple electric devices (4).

[0009] In the power supply system (1), the power-on status transmission unit (23a) of the switching device (2) further transmits a usage start notification to the power-on status reception unit (33a) for notifying the switching device (2) of the start of usage of an electric device (4) provided for the switching device (2) itself, and the control device (3) further includes a power consumption acquisition unit (33b) for acquiring, for each switching device (2), power consumption during usage of the electric device (4) connected to the switching device (2). The power-on status reception unit (33a) receives the power-on status and the usage start notification transmitted from the power-on status transmission unit (23a), and the instruction transmission unit (33c) transmits the power consumption acquisition unit (33b) to the power-on status reception unit (33a). Based on the power consumption acquired by the power-on status receiving unit (33b) and the power-on status and use start notification acquired by the power-on status receiving unit (33a), it is determined whether or not the total power consumption of the electric appliance (4) for which the use start notification was transmitted and the electric appliance (4) in use exceeds a predetermined standard power consumption, and if the total power consumption exceeds the standard power consumption, a supply prohibition instruction may be transmitted to at least one of the switching devices (2) provided for the electric appliance (4) for which the use start notification was transmitted and the electric appliance (4) in use so that the total power consumption does not exceed the standard power consumption.

[0010] In this case, even if the total power consumption exceeds the standard power consumption when the electrical appliance (4) for which the usage start notification has been notified is used, the power supply system (1) can prohibit power supply from the switching device (2) so that the total power consumption does not exceed the standard power consumption.

[0011] In the power supply system (1), the multiple switching devices (2) include a first group of switching devices (2) and a second group of switching devices (2), and the instruction transmission unit (33c) determines whether or not a total power consumption of the electric appliance (4) to which a usage start notification has been transmitted and a power consumption of an electric appliance (4) in use among the electric appliances (4) provided for the switching devices (2) of the first and second groups exceeds a reference power consumption, and when the total power consumption exceeds the reference power consumption, transmits a supply prohibition instruction to at least one of the electric appliance (4) to which a usage start notification has been transmitted and the switching devices (2) provided for the electric appliance (4) in use so that the total power consumption does not exceed the reference power consumption, and Furthermore, the instruction sending unit (33c) may determine whether or not a second total power consumption, which is a total power consumption of an electrical appliance (4) for which a usage start notification has been sent among the electrical appliances (4) provided for the switching devices (2) of the second group and an electrical appliance (4) in use provided for the switching devices (2) of the second group, exceeds a predetermined second reference power consumption. If the second total power consumption exceeds the second reference power consumption, the instruction sending unit (33c) may send a supply prohibition instruction to at least one of the switching devices (2) provided for the electrical appliances (4) in use among the switching devices (2) of the second group and the electrical appliances (4) for which a usage start notification has been sent, so that the second total power consumption does not exceed the second reference power consumption.

[0012] As a result, when the power supply system (1) uses the electric appliance (4) for which the use start notification has been notified, even if the total power consumption used by the electric appliances (4) provided for the switching devices (2) of the first and second groups exceeds the standard power consumption, the power supply system (1) can prohibit the power supply in the switching devices (2) of the first and second groups so as not to exceed the standard power consumption. Also, when the power supply system (1) uses the electric appliance (4) provided for the switching device (2) of the second group for which the use start notification has been notified, even if the second total power consumption used by the electric appliances (4) provided for the switching device (2) of the second group exceeds the second standard power consumption, the power supply system (1) can prohibit the power supply in the switching device (2) of the second group so as not to exceed the second standard power consumption. In this way, even if the electric appliances (4) (switching devices (2)) are grouped, the power supply system (1) can prohibit the power supply in the switching device (2) according to the group classification.

[0013] In the power supply system (1), the power-on status transmission unit (23a) of the switching device (2) further transmits a usage start notification to the power-on status reception unit (33a) for notifying the start of usage of an electric device (4) provided for the switching device (2) itself, and the control device (3) further includes a power consumption acquisition unit (33b) for acquiring, for each switching device (2), power consumption during usage of the electric device (4) connected to the switching device (2). The power-on status reception unit (33a) receives the power-on status and the usage start notification transmitted from the power-on status transmission unit (23a), and the instruction transmission unit (33c) acquires the power consumption of the electric device (4) for which the usage start notification has been transmitted and the power consumption of the electric device (4) in use based on the power consumption acquired by the power consumption acquisition unit (33b) and the power-on status and the usage start notification acquired by the power-on status reception unit (33a). The power consumption control unit (23b) may further include a power reduction control signal transmitting unit (23e) that transmits a reduction control signal to the electric appliance (4) so ​​that the total power consumption of the electric appliance (4) in use and the power consumption control signal transmitting unit (23c) does not exceed a predetermined standard power consumption. If the total power consumption exceeds the standard power consumption, the power reduction control signal transmitting unit (23e) transmits a power reduction control signal to the electric appliance (4) so ​​that the total power consumption does not exceed the standard power consumption. The power reduction control signal transmitting unit (23e) may further receive the power reduction instruction transmitted from the instruction transmitting unit (33c) to the switching device (2) itself. If the power reduction instruction is received by the instruction receiving unit (23b), the power reduction control signal transmitting unit (23e) may transmit a power reduction control signal to the electric appliance (4).

[0014] In this way, when the total power consumption exceeds the standard power consumption when the electric appliance (4) for which the usage start notification has been notified is used, the power supply system (1) transmits a power reduction instruction to the switching device (2) so that the total power consumption does not exceed the standard power consumption. As a result, the switching device (2) transmits a reduction control signal to the electric appliance (4) based on the power reduction instruction, and the power consumption of the electric appliance (4) can be suppressed. Therefore, the power supply system (1) can reduce the power consumption so that the total power consumption of the electric appliances (4) used does not exceed the standard power consumption.

[0015] In the power supply system (1), after transmitting the power reduction instruction, the instruction transmitting unit (33c) may determine whether or not the total power consumption of the electric appliances (4) exceeds a reference power consumption, and if the total power consumption exceeds the reference power consumption, may transmit a supply prohibition instruction to at least one of the electric appliance (4) to which the use start notification was transmitted and the switching device (2) provided for the electric appliance (4) in use, so that the total power consumption does not exceed the reference power consumption.

[0016] In this case, if the power consumption of the electrical appliances (4) does not decrease even after a power reduction instruction is given, the power supply system (1) can reduce the total power consumption by sending a power supply prohibition instruction to one of the switching devices (2).

[0017] In the power supply system (1), the multiple switching devices (2) include a first group of switching devices (2) and a second group of switching devices (2), and the instruction sending unit (33c) determines whether or not a total power consumption of the electric appliance (4) to which a usage start notification has been sent and the power consumption of an electric appliance (4) in use among the electric appliances (4) provided for the switching devices (2) of the first group and the second group exceeds a reference power consumption, and when the total power consumption exceeds the reference power consumption, sends a power reduction instruction to the switching devices (2) provided for an electric appliance (4) capable of adjusting power consumption among the electric appliances (4) in use so that the total power consumption does not exceed the reference power consumption, and further The instruction sending unit (33c) may determine whether or not a second total power consumption, which is the total power consumption of the electrical appliances (4) for which a notification of start of use has been sent among the electrical appliances (4) provided to the switching devices (2) of the second group and the power consumption of the electrical appliances (4) in use provided to the switching devices (2) of the second group, exceeds a predetermined second standard power consumption. If the second total power consumption exceeds the second standard power consumption, the instruction sending unit (33c) may send a power reduction instruction to the switching devices (2) provided to the electrical appliances (4) whose power consumption can be adjusted among the electrical appliances (4) in use provided to the switching devices (2) of the second group, so that the second total power consumption does not exceed the second standard power consumption.

[0018] As a result, when the power supply system (1) uses the electric appliance (4) for which the use start notification has been notified, even if the total power consumption used by the electric appliances (4) provided for the switching devices (2) of the first and second groups exceeds the standard power consumption, the power supply system (1) can transmit a power reduction instruction to the switching devices (2) of the first and second groups so as not to exceed the standard power consumption. Also, when the power supply system (1) uses the electric appliance (4) provided for the switching device (2) of the second group for which the use start notification has been notified, even if the second total power consumption used by the electric appliances (4) provided for the switching device (2) of the second group exceeds the second standard power consumption, the power supply system (1) can transmit a power reduction instruction to the switching device (2) of the second group so as not to exceed the second standard power consumption. In this way, even if the electric appliances (4) (switching devices (2)) are grouped, the power supply system (1) can transmit a power reduction instruction to the switching device (2) according to the group classification.

[0019] In the power supply system (1), the power consumption acquiring unit (33b) may acquire the power consumption when the electrical appliance (4) is in use from a power consumption memory unit (32) that is provided in the control device (3) and stores the power consumption when the electrical appliance (4) is in use for each switching device (2).

[0020] In this case, the control device (3) can obtain the power consumption of the electric appliance (4) during use from the power consumption storage unit (32).

[0021] In the power supply system (1), the switching device (2) may further include a measuring unit (24) that measures the power consumption of an electric device (4) provided for the switching device (2), and the power-on status transmitting unit (23a) may transmit the power consumption of the electric device (4) measured by the measuring unit (24) as the power-on state to the power-on status receiving unit (33a), and the power consumption acquiring unit (33b) may acquire the power consumption transmitted from the power-on status transmitting unit (23a) as the power consumption of the electric device (4) when it is in use.

[0022] In this case, the control device (3) can obtain the actual power consumption of the electrical appliance (4) from the switching device (2) having the measurement unit (24).

[0023] In the power supply system (1), the control device (3) may further include a priority storage unit (32) that stores, for each switching device (2), a usage priority of the electric appliance (4) connected to the switching device (2), and the instruction sending unit (33c) may send a supply prohibition instruction to a switching device (2) having a low usage priority based on the usage priority stored in the priority storage unit (32).

[0024] In this case, the power supply system (1) can supply power preferentially to the electric appliance (4) having a higher usage priority.

[0025] In the power supply system (1), the switching device (2) may further include an alarm unit (26) that alerts the surroundings by at least one of light and sound, and the alarm unit (26) may provide an alert when the instruction receiving unit (23 b) receives a supply prohibition instruction.

[0026] In this case, the switching device (2) can notify surrounding users that the power supply is prohibited by the notification unit (26).

[0027] In the power supply system (1), the switching device (2) may further include a power plug (21) to be inserted into an outlet (8) connected to a power source (5), and a socket (22) into which a power plug (41A) of the electrical device (4) is inserted.

[0028] In this case, the switching device (2) can easily change the electric device (4) to which the power supply is switched, simply by replacing the electric device (4) connected thereto. Effect of the Invention

[0029] According to the present invention, it is possible to individually control the power supply to a plurality of electric devices. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a power supply system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the switching plug. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the switching plug. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the switching plug opening / closing ECU. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the control server. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram of signals transmitted and received between the control server and the switching plug. [Figure 7] Fig. 7(a) is a block diagram showing a power supply system installed indoors, and Fig. 7(b) is a block diagram showing a state in which electrical devices are connected to the power supply system installed indoors. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a table showing details of each electrical device. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram of signals transmitted and received between the control server and the switching plug in the first operation example. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of signals transmitted and received between the control server and the switching plug in the second operation example. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram of signals transmitted and received between the control server and the switching plug in the third operation example. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram of signals transmitted and received between the control server and the switching plug in the fourth operation example. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of the process of transmitting various instructions performed by the control server. [Figure 14] Fig. 14(a) is a block diagram showing a power supply system according to a modified example installed indoors, and Fig. 14(b) is a block diagram showing a state in which electrical devices are connected to the power supply system according to a modified example installed indoors. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0032] [Power supply system] 1, a power supply system 1 controls power supplied from a power source 5 to a plurality of electric devices 4 for each electric device 4. The power supply system 1 includes a plurality of switching plugs (switching devices) 2 and a control server (control device) 3.

[0033] A plurality of switching plugs 2 are provided for each of a plurality of electric devices 4 connected to a power source 5. The switching plugs 2 are provided midway along the power supply wiring from the power source 5 to the electric devices 4. The multiple switching plugs 2 can switch between on and off the supply of power to each of the electric devices 4. The control server 3 controls the switching of the power supply in the switching plugs 2.

[0034] Here, the switching plug 2 and the control server 3 are capable of communicating with each other via a wireless communication device 6 and a communication network N. For example, the switching plug 2 and the wireless communication device 6 can perform wireless communication via Wi-fi or the like. The wireless communication device 6 and the control server 3 can perform communication via a communication network N such as an Internet line. However, the type of communication performed between the switching plug 2 and the control server 3 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 1. As long as communication can be performed between the switching plug 2 and the control server 3, various communication methods can be adopted.

[0035] [Switching plug] First, an example of a specific configuration of the switching plug 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, in this embodiment, the switching plug 2 is installed between a wall outlet (an outlet installed on a wall of a building or the like) connected to a power source 5 and a power plug of an electric device 4. For this reason, the switching plug 2 includes a power plug 21 and a socket 22.

[0036] The power plug 21 is inserted into a wall outlet. The power plug of an electric device 4 is inserted into the socket 22. The switching plug 2 switches between supplying and not supplying power from the wall outlet to the power plug of the electric device 4.

[0037] More specifically, the switching plug 2 further includes a switching ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 23, a measurement unit 24, a switch 25, a lamp (alert unit) 26, an operation switch 27, and a communication unit .

[0038] The opening / closing ECU 23 performs various controls for switching on and off the supply of power to the electric device 4 through the switching plug 2. The opening / closing ECU 23 is an electronic control unit having a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), etc. In the opening / closing ECU 23, for example, various functions are realized by the CPU executing a program stored in the ROM.

[0039] The measurement unit 24 measures the power value of the power supplied to the electric device 4. In other words, the measurement unit 24 measures the actual power consumption used by the electric device 4 connected to the switching plug 2.

[0040] The switch 25 switches between a power supply plug 21 and a socket 22 between a power supply state in which the power supply plug 21 and the socket 22 are energized and a non-energized state. In other words, the switch 25 switches the energized state of the power supplied from the power source 5 to the electric device 4. The switch 25 switches the energized state based on an instruction from the switching ECU 23. As the switch 25, for example, an electromagnetic switch (e.g., a relay or the like) that opens and closes electromagnetically is used.

[0041] Depending on the type of connected electric device 4, the switch 25 may be switched to a conductive state only when in use, or may be constantly conductive to operate a timer, clock, or the like mounted on the electric device 4. The operation of the switch 25 and the like according to the type of electric device 4 will be described in detail later.

[0042] The lamp 26 functions as a notification unit that uses light to notify the surroundings of the switching plug 2. The lamp 26 emits light based on an instruction from the opening / closing ECU 23. The lamp 26 may be provided on the same surface as the socket 22 on the outer surface of the housing 2a of the switching plug 2, for example, as shown in FIG.

[0043] The operation switch 27 is a switch that is operated (e.g., pressed) by a user of the electric device 4. The user operates the operation switch 27 when using the electric device 4 connected to the switching plug 2 and when finishing using the electric device 4.

[0044] The communication unit 28 is a device for communicating with the control server 3. Here, as described above, the communication unit 28 communicates with the control server 3 via the wireless communication device 6 that performs wireless communication.

[0045] Next, a description will be given of a functional configuration of the opening / closing ECU 23. As shown in Fig. 4, the opening / closing ECU 23 functionally includes a status transmission unit (power supply state transmission unit) 23a, an instruction reception unit 23b, a notification control unit 23c, a supply switching unit 23d, and a reduction control signal transmission unit 23e.

[0046] The status transmission unit 23a transmits an online notification to the control server 3 when the power plug 21 is inserted into a wall outlet, the power plug of the electrical device 4 is inserted into the socket 22, and communication with the control server 3 is possible.

[0047] Furthermore, when the power plug 21 is plugged into a wall outlet and the power plug of the electric device 4 is plugged into the socket 22, the status transmission unit 23a transmits a beacon signal to the control server 3 at predetermined time intervals. Furthermore, the status transmission unit 23a transmits the actual power consumption of the electric device 4 measured by the measurement unit 24 to the control server 3 together with the beacon signal.

[0048] The status transmission unit 23a transmits status information indicating whether or not power is being supplied to the electric device 4 provided for the switching plug 2 itself to the control server 3 (status reception unit 33a) via the communication unit 28. In other words, the status information indicates the power supply state to the electric device 4. The open / closed state (power supply state / non-power supply state) of the switch 25 can be used as this status information. The status transmission unit 23a transmits the status information to the control server 3 when the power supply to the electric device 4 is switched on or off based on an instruction from the control server 3.

[0049] It can be said that the actual power consumption transmitted together with the beacon signal indicates the power-on state of the electric appliance 4. The status information also indicates the power-on state of the electric appliance 4. In this way, the status transmitter 23a can transmit at least one of the actual power consumption and the status information transmitted together with the beacon signal as the power-on state of the electric appliance 4.

[0050] Furthermore, the status transmission unit 23a transmits a usage state switching notification for notifying the start and end of use of the electric device 4 provided for the switching plug 2 itself to the control server 3 (status reception unit 33a) via the communication unit 28. The usage state switching notification includes either a usage start notification for notifying the start of use of the electric device 4 or a usage end notification for notifying the end of use. When the user operates the operation switch 27, the status transmission unit 23a transmits a usage state switching notification according to the operation content.

[0051] The instruction receiving unit 23b receives a supply start instruction transmitted from the control server 3 (instruction transmitting unit 33c) to the switching plug 2 itself. The supply start instruction is transmitted individually to each of the multiple switching plugs 2. The supply start instruction is an instruction to start power supply from the switching plug 2 to the electric device 4.

[0052] Furthermore, the instruction receiving unit 23b receives a supply prohibition instruction transmitted individually from the control server 3 (instruction transmitting unit 33c) to the switching plug 2. The supply prohibition instruction is an instruction to prohibit power supply from the switching plug 2 to the electric device 4. If power is currently being supplied from the switching plug 2 to the electric device 4, this supply prohibition instruction becomes an instruction to cut off (stop) the power supply. If power is not currently being supplied from the switching plug 2 to the electric device 4, this supply prohibition instruction becomes an instruction to maintain a non-power supply state.

[0053] The instruction receiving unit 23b further receives a power reduction instruction transmitted from the control server 3 (instruction transmitting unit 33c) to the switching plug 2 itself. The power reduction instruction is an instruction to reduce the power consumption of the electric appliance 4.

[0054] The notification control unit 23c controls the emission of light by the lamp 26. When the instruction receiving unit 23b receives a supply prohibition instruction, the notification control unit 23c causes the lamp 26 to emit light in a predetermined manner. In this manner, the lamp 26 emits light (notifies) when the instruction receiving unit 23b receives a supply prohibition instruction.

[0055] For example, when a supply prohibition instruction is received while power is currently being supplied from the switching plug 2 to the electric device 4, the notification control unit 23c notifies that the power supply will be cut off by using the lamp 26. Also, when a supply prohibition instruction is received while power is not currently being supplied from the switching plug 2 to the electric device 4, the notification control unit 23c notifies that the power supply is prohibited by using the lamp 26. The notification control unit 23c may cause the lamp 26 to emit light in different modes for these two types of notifications.

[0056] Based on the supply start instruction received by the instruction receiving unit 23b, the supply switching unit 23d starts the power supply to the electric device 4 provided for the switching plug 2 itself. Here, the supply switching unit 23d starts the power supply to the electric device 4 by controlling the operation (e.g., opening and closing operation) of the switch 25.

[0057] Furthermore, the supply switching unit 23d prohibits the supply of power to the electric device 4 provided for the switching plug 2 itself, based on the supply prohibition instruction received by the instruction receiving unit 23b. Here, the supply switching unit 23d prohibits the supply of power to the electric device 4 by controlling the operation (e.g., opening and closing operation) of the switch 25. As described above, the supply prohibition instruction includes an instruction to cut off the power supply and an instruction to maintain the non-supply state of power. When the supply prohibition instruction is an instruction to cut off the power supply, the supply switching unit 23d operates the switch 25 so that the power supply to the electric device 4 is cut off. When the supply prohibition instruction is an instruction to maintain the non-supply state of power, the supply switching unit 23d maintains the current state of the switch 25, which is the non-supply state of power.

[0058] When the instruction receiving unit 23b receives a power reduction instruction, the reduction control signal transmitting unit 23e transmits a reduction control signal to the electric device 4 connected to the switching plug 2 in order to reduce power consumption.

[0059] Here, the electric appliance 4 may be capable of adjusting the power consumption in stages. For example, examples of the electric appliance 4 capable of adjusting the power consumption include an oven range, a heater, a microwave oven, and a toaster oven. When the electric appliance 4 connected to the switching plug 2 is capable of adjusting the power consumption, the reduction control signal transmission unit 23e can transmit a reduction instruction signal. The reduction control signal transmission unit 23e can transmit the reduction instruction signal to the electric appliance 4 using a communication function such as IoT (Internet of Things). Various methods can be used as a method for reducing the power consumption of the electric appliance 4 using the reduction instruction signal by the reduction control signal transmission unit 23e.

[0060] Based on the reduction control signal, the electrical appliance 4 switches the operation of each unit so as to reduce power consumption. If the electrical appliance 4 is not an appliance capable of adjusting power consumption, the reduction control signal transmission unit 23e does not transmit the reduction control signal.

[0061] Even after a reduction control signal is transmitted to the electric appliance 4, the actual power consumption of the electric appliance 4 is transmitted together with a beacon signal to the control server 3. This enables the control server 3 to know whether or not the power consumption of the electric appliance 4 for which a power reduction instruction has been issued has been reduced.

[0062] [Control server] Next, an example of a specific configuration of the control server 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. The control server 3 is connected to a communication network N and communicates with each of the multiple switching plugs 2. The control server 3 may be connected to the communication network N as the Internet, or may be connected to the communication network N as a local area network.

[0063] The control server 3 includes a communication unit 31, a storage unit (power consumption storage unit, priority storage unit) 32, and a server ECU 33. The communication unit 31 is a device for communicating with each of the multiple switching plugs 2. As described above, the communication unit 31 communicates with each of the switching plugs 2 (communication unit 28) via the communication network N and the wireless communication device 6.

[0064] The storage unit 32 stores various types of information used for controlling switching of the power supply in the switching plug 2. The storage unit 32 is configured with various types of storage media such as a hard disk drive (HDD).

[0065] Specifically, the storage unit 32 stores, for each switching plug 2 (electrical device 4), for example, an identification ID of the switching plug 2, a usage priority of the electric device 4, a name of the electric device 4, a power consumption of the electric device 4, whether the power consumption of the electric device 4 can be adjusted, and a power supply method of the electric device 4. This information stored in the storage unit 32 is registered in advance by a user or the like before using the power supply system 1.

[0066] The "usage priority of the electric device 4" is the priority when using the electric device 4 connected to the switching plug 2. Here, the usage priority is used to determine which electric device 4 to supply power to and whether to limit the power supply to when the total power consumption of the electric devices 4 exceeds a predetermined reference power consumption. In this embodiment, the smaller the usage priority value, the higher the priority. In other words, a usage priority value of 1 is the highest priority.

[0067] The "name of the electric device 4" is an arbitrary character string used to distinguish the electric device 4 when the user performs various settings and operations. "Power consumption of the electric device 4" is the power consumption when the electric device 4 connected to the switching plug 2 is in use. Here, the maximum power consumption of the electric device 4 when in use is used as the power consumption. "Whether the power consumption of the electric appliance 4 can be adjusted" is information indicating whether the power consumption of the electric appliance 4 can be adjusted in stages.

[0068] As the "energization method of the electric appliance 4", either energization during use or constant energization is set. Energization during use is an energization method in which the switch 25 is energized only when the electric appliance 4 is in use. Constant energization is an energization method in which the switch 25 is always energized to operate a timer or the like mounted on the electric appliance 4. Whether the electric appliance 4 is energized during use or constant energization is set according to the type of the electric appliance 4.

[0069] The server ECU 33 is an electronic control unit having a configuration similar to that of the opening / closing ECU 23 of the switching plug 2. The server ECU 33 issues various instructions to the switching plug 2 via the communication unit 31. The server ECU 33 functionally includes a status receiving unit (power supply state receiving unit) 33a, a power consumption obtaining unit 33b, and an instruction transmitting unit 33c.

[0070] The status receiving unit 33a receives an online notification transmitted from the switching plug 2 via the communication unit 31. The status receiving unit 33a receives status information transmitted by the status transmitting unit 23a of the switching plug 2 via the communication unit 31. In addition, the status receiving unit 33a receives a usage state switching notification (usage start notification, usage end notification) transmitted by the status transmitting unit 23a of the switching plug 2 via the communication unit 31.

[0071] Furthermore, the status receiving unit 33a receives the beacon signal transmitted by the status transmitting unit 23a of the switching plug 2 and the measured actual power consumption via the communication unit 31. In this way, the status receiving unit 33a can receive the power supply state of the electric device 4 transmitted from the status transmitting unit 23a of the switching plug 2 (the status information and the actual power consumption transmitted together with the beacon signal).

[0072] The power consumption acquiring unit 33b acquires the power consumption when the electric device 4 connected to the switching plug 2 is in use for each switching plug 2. In this embodiment, the power consumption acquiring unit 33b acquires the power consumption of the electric device 4 stored in the storage unit 32 as the power consumption when the electric device 4 is in use. The power consumption acquiring unit 33b acquires the power consumption for the switching plug 2 that has transmitted an online notification.

[0073] As described above, the actual power consumption of the electric device 4 measured by the measurement unit 24 may be transmitted from the status transmission unit 23a of the switching plug 2 together with the beacon signal. In this case, the power consumption acquisition unit 33b receives (acquires) the actual power consumption transmitted together with the beacon signal via the communication unit 31 as the power consumption when the electric device 4 is in use.

[0074] The instruction transmitting unit 33c first identifies an online switching plug 2 connected to the power supply system 1. The instruction transmitting unit 33c issues various instructions to the online switching plug 2 based on the power consumption of the electric device 4 connected to the online switching plug 2. Here, the instruction transmitting unit 33c identifies whether the switching plug 2 is online or not based on the online notification received by the status receiving unit 33a. Furthermore, if the beacon signal received by the status receiving unit 33a is interrupted for a certain period of time or longer (for example, if the switching plug 2 is pulled out of the wall outlet), the instruction transmitting unit 33c determines that the switching plug 2 has gone offline (stopped operating).

[0075] When a use start notification is received as the usage state switching notification, the instruction sending unit 33c sends a supply start instruction so that the switching plug 2 that sent the use start notification starts supplying power. However, as will be described in detail below, the supply start instruction is sent based on the total power consumption used by the electric devices 4 in the entire system. On the other hand, when a use end notification is received as the usage state switching notification, the instruction sending unit 33c sends a supply prohibition instruction so that the switching plug 2 that sent the use end notification stops supplying power.

[0076] In this embodiment, the instruction transmitting unit 33c can transmit a supply prohibition instruction in cases other than when the end of use notification is received. Specifically, the instruction transmitting unit 33c transmits a supply prohibition instruction for prohibiting power supply to at least one of the multiple electric devices 4 based on the power supply state (the actual power consumption transmitted together with the status information and the beacon signal) of the electric device 4 received by the status receiving unit 33a. Here, the instruction transmitting unit 33c transmits a supply prohibition instruction so that the power consumption used by the electric device 4 provided in the power supply system 1 does not exceed a predetermined reference power consumption. In the switching plug 2 that has received the supply prohibition instruction, as described above, the supply switching unit 23d prohibits the supply of power to the electric device 4. In addition, when it becomes unnecessary to prohibit the power supply, the instruction transmitting unit 33c transmits a supply prohibition release instruction to the switching plug 2 for releasing the prohibition of the power supply. In this way, in the power supply system 1, the power consumption used by the electric device 4 is controlled so as not to exceed the reference power consumption.

[0077] The reference power consumption is set, for example, as the power available in a power supply system to which the power supply system 1 is applied. For example, the reference power consumption may be determined based on the operating power value of a breaker provided in the power supply system to which the power supply system 1 is applied.

[0078] More specifically, the instruction transmitting unit 33c determines whether to transmit a supply prohibition instruction based on the use start notification of the electric appliance 4 received by the status receiving unit 33a in addition to the power supply state of the electric appliance 4 received by the status receiving unit 33a. Here, the instruction transmitting unit 33c transmits the supply prohibition instruction so as not to exceed the reference power consumption when the electric appliance 4 for which the use start notification has been received is used.

[0079] For this reason, the instruction transmitting unit 33c first calculates the total power consumption of the electric appliance 4 for which the use start notification has been transmitted and the power consumption of the electric appliance 4 in use, based on the power consumption acquired by the power consumption acquiring unit 33b and the energized state and use start notification acquired by the status receiving unit 33a. Then, the instruction transmitting unit 33c determines whether the calculated total power consumption exceeds a predetermined reference power consumption.

[0080] If the total power consumption does not exceed the reference power consumption, the instruction transmitting unit 33c transmits a supply start instruction to the switching plug 2 that transmitted the usage start notification.

[0081] On the other hand, when the total power consumption exceeds the reference power consumption, the instruction sending unit 33c sends a supply prohibition instruction to the switching plug 2 to prohibit power supply so that the total power consumption does not exceed the reference power consumption. Here, the instruction sending unit 33c sends the supply prohibition instruction to at least one of the switching plug 2 provided for the electric device 4 to which the use start notification was sent and the switching plug 2 provided for the electric device 4 in use.

[0082] When transmitting a supply prohibition instruction to the switching plug 2, the instruction transmission unit 33c transmits the supply prohibition instruction to the switching plug 2 having a low usage priority based on the usage priority stored in the storage unit 32. As a result, power supply to the electric device 4 having a low usage priority is prohibited.

[0083] Furthermore, the instruction transmission unit 33c can reduce power consumption in the entire system by transmitting a supply prohibition instruction, and can also reduce power consumption of the electric appliances 4 whose power consumption is adjustable in stages.

[0084] More specifically, the instruction transmitting unit 33c calculates the total power consumption of the electric appliance 4 for which the use start notification has been transmitted and the power consumption of the electric appliance 4 in use, based on the power consumption acquired by the power consumption acquiring unit 33b and the energized state and use start notification acquired by the status receiving unit 33a. Then, the instruction transmitting unit 33c determines whether the calculated total power consumption exceeds a predetermined reference power consumption.

[0085] If the total power consumption does not exceed the reference power consumption, the instruction transmitting unit 33c transmits a supply start instruction to the switching plug 2 that transmitted the usage start notification.

[0086] On the other hand, when the total power consumption exceeds the reference power consumption, the instruction sending unit 33c sends a power reduction instruction to the switching plug 2 to instruct the switching plug 2 to reduce the power consumption so that the total power consumption does not exceed the reference power consumption. Here, the instruction sending unit 33c sends a power reduction instruction to the switching plug 2 provided on an electric device 4 that can adjust the power consumption among the electric devices 4 in use.

[0087] When the instruction sending unit 33c sends a power reduction instruction to the switching plug 2, the instruction sending unit 33c sends the power reduction instruction to the switching plug 2 with a low usage priority based on the usage priority stored in the storage unit 32. As a result, the power reduction instruction is sent to the switching plug 2 provided for the electric device 4 with a low usage priority among the electric devices 4 whose power consumption can be adjusted. In the switching plug 2 that has received the power reduction instruction, the reduction control signal sending unit 23e sends a reduction control signal for reducing the power consumption to the electric device 4. As a result, the electric device 4 adjusts the power consumption so that the power consumption is reduced based on the reduction control instruction.

[0088] Furthermore, cases may occur in which the power consumption of the electric appliances 4 is not reduced (power consumption reduction fails) even though a power reduction instruction is sent from the control server 3 to the switching plug 2. If use of the electric appliances 4 for which a use start notification has been sent is started in this state, the total power consumption used by the electric appliances 4 in the entire system will exceed the reference power consumption.

[0089] Therefore, after transmitting the power reduction instruction to the switching plug 2, the instruction transmission unit 33c determines whether or not the power consumption has been reduced in the electric device 4. Here, the instruction transmission unit 33c determines whether or not the electric device 4 has reduced the power consumption based on the actual power consumption transmitted together with a beacon signal from the switching plug 2 that transmitted the power reduction instruction.

[0090] If the power consumption is not reduced, the instruction transmitting unit 33c transmits a supply prohibition instruction to at least one of the electric device 4 for which the use start notification was transmitted and the switching plug 2 provided for the electric device 4 in use, so that the total power consumption does not exceed the reference power consumption. In this case, the instruction transmitting unit 33c also transmits a supply prohibition instruction to the switching plug 2 with a low usage priority.

[0091] In this way, even if the instruction transmission unit 33c fails to reduce the power consumption of the power consumption adjustable electric appliance 4, the instruction transmission unit 33c transmits a supply prohibition instruction to any one of the electric appliances 4. This allows the instruction transmission unit 33c to reduce the total power consumption used by the electric appliances 4 in the entire system.

[0092] [Initial Settings] Next, an example of the initial settings of each part performed when using the power supply system 1 will be described. First, the initial settings performed for the switching plug 2 will be described. When using the switching plug 2 for the first time after its manufacture or when there is a change in the set items, the switching plug 2 needs to be set in order to use the switching plug 2 in the power supply system 1. This setting is performed, for example, from a personal computer or the like via a wireless communication device. The setting items for the switching plug 2 include, for example, an identification ID for the control server 3 to identify the switching plugs 2 from one another, connection information for connecting to the control server 3, authentication information for connecting to the communication network N existing between the control server 3, and the like.

[0093] These setting items are stored in a non-volatile storage area or the like provided in the switching plug 2. These setting items are set, for example, by using an internet browser or the like of a personal computer to access an interface provided in the switching plug 2. Alternatively, these setting items may be set by an application that is executed on a personal computer or a smartphone and automatically performs the above-mentioned operations.

[0094] We will now explain the initial settings made to the control server 3. The setting items of the control server 3 include setting information for each switching plug 2 used in the system (setting information for the switching plug 2 described above) and setting information for the entire system (such as the power allowed by the system). These setting items are set using an internet browser on a personal computer or the like by the internet server (web server) function of the control server 3.

[0095] [Basic operation example] Next, an example of a basic operation of controlling switching of the power supply of the switching plug 2 performed by the control server 3 will be described. When the switching plug 2 is connected to a wall outlet, various functions of the switching plug 2 are started. When the above-mentioned initial setting of the switching plug 2 has been completed, the switching plug 2 establishes a communication connection with the control server 3 based on the setting information. Thereafter, the status transmission unit 23a of the switching plug 2 transmits an online notification to the control server 3 as shown in FIG. 6 (S101). Upon receiving the online notification, the control server 3 adds the switching plug 2 that transmitted the online notification to the operating list of the system. The switching plug 2 can be identified by the above-mentioned identification ID.

[0096] After entering the online state, the status transmission unit 23a of the switching plug 2 transmits a beacon signal to the control server 3 at predetermined time intervals (S102). Furthermore, when the measurement unit 24 is measuring the actual power consumption of the electric device 4, the status transmission unit 23a transmits the measured power consumption together with the beacon signal. Note that, when the control server 3 is unable to receive a beacon signal from the switching plug 2 for a certain period of time, it removes the switching plug 2 from the operating list of the system. Furthermore, when the control server 3 receives the actual power consumption of the electric device 4 together with the beacon signal from the switching plug 2, it updates the total power consumption of all the electric devices 4 used in the system.

[0097] When the user operates the operation switch 27 to start using the electric appliance 4, the status transmission unit 23a of the switching plug 2 transmits a usage start notification to the control server 3 (S103). When the total power consumption of the electric appliance 4 for which the usage start notification was transmitted and the power consumption of the electric appliance 4 in use does not exceed the reference power consumption as described above, the instruction transmission unit 33c of the control server 3 transmits a supply start instruction to the switching plug 2 that transmitted the usage start notification (S104).

[0098] Upon receiving the supply start instruction, the supply switching unit 23d of the switching plug 2 controls the operation of the switch 25 to start supplying power to the electric device 4. Then, the status transmitting unit 23a of the switching plug 2 transmits status information (status (ON)) indicating that power is being supplied to the electric device 4 to the control server 3. This enables the control server 3 to know that the switching plug 2 that transmitted the supply start instruction has switched to a power supplying state.

[0099] The control server 3 also transmits various instructions to the switching plug 2 that is supplying power based on the total power consumption and usage priority of all the electric devices 4 used in the system (S106). Here, when the total power consumption used by the electric devices 4 exceeds the reference power consumption, the control server 3 transmits a supply prohibition instruction to prohibit the supply of power or a power reduction instruction to reduce the power consumption of the electric devices 4.

[0100] When a supply prohibition instruction is transmitted from the control server 3, the supply switching unit 23d of the switching plug 2 cuts off the power supply to the electric device 4. In this case, the notification control unit 23c notifies the surroundings of the switching plug 2 that the power supply has been cut off by the lamp 26. Furthermore, when a power reduction instruction is transmitted from the control server 3, the reduction control signal transmitting unit 23e of the switching plug 2 transmits a reduction control signal to the electric device 4 to reduce power consumption.

[0101] If the switching plug 2 is not supplying power when the supply prohibition instruction is transmitted from the control server 3, the supply switching unit 23d of the switching plug 2 prohibits (maintains the power non-supply state) the power supply to the electric device 4. In this case, the notification control unit 23c notifies the surroundings of the switching plug 2 by the lamp 26 that the power supply is prohibited.

[0102] Furthermore, when a supply prohibition cancellation instruction for canceling the prohibition of power supply is transmitted from the control server 3, the supply switching unit 23d of the switching plug 2 cancels the prohibition of power supply. That is, the supply switching unit 23d operates the switch 25 to enter a state in which power supply can be performed. Then, the reduction control signal transmitting unit 23e stops the notification by the lamp 26.

[0103] Here, a communication failure or the like may cause a case where communication between the switching plug 2 and the control server 3 cannot be established. In this case, the supply switching unit 23d of the switching plug 2 controls the operation of the switch 25 to switch the energized state of the electric device 4 to a non-energized state. Then, the supply switching unit 23d transitions to a safe mode in which the opening and closing operation of the switch 25 is switched, for example, every time the operation switch 27 is operated. That is, when the operation switch 27 is operated, the supply switching unit 23d switches the switch 25 to a non-energized state if it is in an energized state, and switches the switch 25 to an energized state if it is in a non-energized state. During this time, the switching plug 2 attempts to establish communication with the control server 3.

[0104] When communication is re-established, the supply switching unit 23d of the switching plug 2 transitions to the normal mode and performs the normal switching control described above. In the normal mode, the supply switching unit 23d does not switch the switch 25 just by operating the operation switch 27. Then, the status transmission unit 23a transmits a usage state switching notification to the control server 3 in response to the operation of the operation switch 27.

[0105] [Example of overall system operation] A specific operation example of power control using the power supply system 1 will be described. Here, an example in which the power supply system 1 is applied to a power supply system installed indoors will be described. In this indoor power supply system, as shown in FIG. 7(a), the leading end of a wiring L drawn into the house to supply power is branched by a distribution board 7 and connected to a plurality of wall sockets (outlets) 8. The other end of the wiring L is connected to a power source 5 (power station, electric wire, etc.) not shown. A main breaker 9 is provided on the wiring L on the near side of the power supply direction relative to the distribution board 7 (between the distribution board 7 and the power source 5). The distribution board 7 may be provided with an individual breaker for each of the plurality of wall sockets 8 or for each predetermined group of the plurality of wall sockets 8.

[0106] In this embodiment, an example will be described in which a first wall outlet 8A, a second wall outlet 8B, a third wall outlet 8C, and a fourth wall outlet 8D are provided as the multiple wall outlets 8.

[0107] As shown in Fig. 7(b), an electric device 4 is connected to a wall outlet 8 via a switching plug 2. More specifically, a plurality of power plugs 21 of the switching plugs 2 are connected to each of the first wall outlet 8A to the fourth wall outlet 8D. In this embodiment, the switching plug 2 connected to the first wall outlet 8A is referred to as a first switching plug 2A, the switching plug 2 connected to the second wall outlet 8B is referred to as a second switching plug 2B, the switching plug 2 connected to the third wall outlet 8C is referred to as a third switching plug 2C, and the switching plug 2 connected to the fourth wall outlet 8D is referred to as a fourth switching plug 2D.

[0108] An electric device 4 is connected to each of the first switching plug 2A to the fourth switching plug 2D. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which an electric water heater 4A, a microwave oven 4B, a hair dryer 4C, and a heater 4D are provided as the electric devices 4. Here, the power plug 41A of the electric water heater 4A is connected to the socket 22 of the first switching plug 2A. The power plug 41B of the microwave oven 4B is connected to the socket 22 of the second switching plug 2B. The power plug 41C of the hair dryer 4C is connected to the socket 22 of the third switching plug 2C. The power plug 41D of the heater 4D is connected to the socket 22 of the fourth switching plug 2D.

[0109] The control server 3 of the power supply system 1 controls the operation of the first switching plug 2A to the fourth switching plug 2D to control the power supply to the electric water heater 4A to the heating appliance 4D so that the power consumption does not exceed a predetermined standard power consumption. Here, the operating voltage of the main breaker 9 is set to 40A (amperes). Also, the power consumption of electrical appliances (not shown) other than the electric water heater 4A to the heating appliance 4D (for example, electric lights, televisions, and other appliances in standby mode) is set to 500W. In this case, the power that the system shown in FIG. 7(b) may use is 3500W. That is, the control server 3 uses 3500W as the predetermined standard power consumption. The control server 3 controls the power supply so that the total power supplied to the electric water heater 4A to the heating appliance 4D does not exceed 3500W.

[0110] As shown in FIG. 8, the power consumption of the electric water heater 4A and the heater 4D is 1200 W. The power consumption of the oven range 4B and the hair dryer 4C is 1500 W. The electric water heater 4A, the hair dryer 4C, and the heater 4D are devices that are energized only when they are in use. The oven range 4B is a device that is energized at all times in order to operate a timer or the like. In other words, the switch 25 of the second switching plug 2B to which the oven range 4B is connected does not cut off the power supply and is in a constantly energized state. In particular, the second switching plug 2B that is constantly energized is provided with a measuring unit 24. This second switching plug 2B can transmit the actual power consumption of the oven range 4B to the control server 3 together with a beacon signal.

[0111] Additionally, the microwave oven 4B and the heater 4D are devices whose power consumption can be adjusted in stages. Therefore, the second switching plug 2B to which the microwave oven 4B is connected can send a reduction control signal to the microwave oven 4B to reduce power consumption. The fourth switching plug 2D to which the heater 4D is connected can send a reduction control signal to the heater 4D to reduce power consumption.

[0112] Also, the use priority of the electric water heater 4A is set to "1", the use priority of the oven range 4B is set to "2", the use priority of the hair dryer 4C is set to "3", and the use priority of the heating appliance 4D is set to "4". The lower the number of the use priority, the higher the priority. In other words, the electric water heater 4A has the highest use priority. The information shown in Fig. 8 is set in the control server 3 during initial setup.

[0113] [First operation example] Next, a first operation example will be described when the control server 3 controls the power supply to the electric water heater 4A to the hair dryer 4C in the configuration shown in Fig. 7(b). Note that the heater 4D is also connected in Fig. 7(b), but it is assumed here that the heater 4D is not connected. As the first operation example, a case will be described in which the microwave oven 4B is used when the electric water heater 4A and the hair dryer 4C are in use.

[0114] 9, after communication with the control server 3 is established, the first switching plug 2A to which the electric water heater 4A is connected, the second switching plug 2B to which the oven range 4B is connected, and the third switching plug 2C to which the hair dryer 4C is connected each transmit an online notification to the control server 3 (S201). After that, the first switching plug 2A to the third switching plug 2C each transmit a beacon signal to the control server 3 at predetermined time intervals (S202).

[0115] To use the electric water heater 4A, the user operates the operation switch 27 of the first switching plug 2A. Based on this operation, the status transmission unit 23a of the first switching plug 2A transmits a usage start notification to the control server 3 (S203). The control server 3 determines whether the total power consumption of the electric water heater 4A for which the usage start notification was transmitted and the power consumption of the electric device 4 in use exceeds the reference power consumption (3500 W). In this case, the only device for which power consumption is counted is the electric water heater 4A, which is about to be started in use. The power consumption of the electric water heater 4A is 1200 W, which does not exceed the reference power consumption.

[0116] Therefore, the instruction transmitting unit 33c of the control server 3 transmits a supply start instruction to the first switching plug 2A to which the electric water heater 4A is connected (S204). Upon receiving the supply start instruction, the first switching plug 2A starts supplying power to the electric water heater 4A. Then, the status transmitting unit 23a of the first switching plug 2A transmits status information (status (ON)) indicating that power is being supplied to the electric water heater 4A to the control server 3 (S205).

[0117] After that, the user operates the operation switch 27 of the third switching plug 2C to use the hair dryer 4C. Based on this operation, the status transmission unit 23a of the third switching plug 2C transmits a usage start notification to the control server 3 (S206). The control server 3 determines whether the total power consumption of the hair dryer 4C for which the usage start notification was transmitted and the electric water heater 4A in use exceeds the reference power consumption (3500 W). In this example, the power consumption of the hair dryer 4C for which the usage start notification was transmitted is 1500 W, and the power consumption of the electric water heater 4A in use is 1200 W. The total power consumption of the hair dryer 4C and the electric water heater 4A is 2700 W, which does not exceed the reference power consumption (3500 W).

[0118] Therefore, the instruction sending unit 33c of the control server 3 sends a power supply start instruction to the third switching plug 2C to which the hair dryer 4C is connected (S207). Upon receiving the power supply start instruction, the third switching plug 2C starts supplying power to the hair dryer 4C.

[0119] If the microwave oven 4B is used in this state, the total power consumption (4200 W) of the electric water heater 4A, the microwave oven 4B, and the hair dryer 4C will exceed the reference power consumption (3500 W). Therefore, the instruction sending unit 33c of the control server 3 sends a supply prohibition instruction to the second switching plug 2B to which the microwave oven 4B is connected (S208).

[0120] Furthermore, the status transmitting unit 23a of the first switching plug 2A that has started supplying power transmits status information (status (ON)) indicating that power is being supplied to the electric water heater 4A to the control server 3 (S209).

[0121] The notification control unit 23c of the second switching plug 2B, which has received the supply prohibition instruction, notifies the user that power supply to the microwave oven 4B is prohibited by the lamp 26 of the second switching plug 2B. This allows the user to know that use of the microwave oven 4B is prohibited (that use of the microwave oven 4B will exceed the standard power consumption) by the illumination of the lamp 26 of the second switching plug 2B.

[0122] Here, the use priority of the oven range 4B is higher than that of the hair dryer 4C. Therefore, when a user issues an instruction to start using the oven range 4B, the control server 3 sets the oven range 4B to a usable state in priority over the hair dryer 4C.

[0123] Specifically, to use the microwave oven 4B, the user operates the operation switch 27 of the second switching plug 2B. Based on this operation, the status transmission unit 23a of the second switching plug 2B transmits a usage start notification to the control server 3 (S210). The control server 3 determines whether the total power consumption of the microwave oven 4B for which the usage start notification was transmitted and the electric water heater 4A and hair dryer 4C in use exceed the reference power consumption (3500 W).

[0124] Here, the power consumption of the microwave oven 4B for which the usage start notification was sent is 1500 W, the power consumption of the electric water heater 4A in use is 1200 W, and the power consumption of the hair dryer 4C in use is 1500 W. The total power consumption of the electric water heater 4A to the hair dryer 4C is 4200 W, which exceeds the reference power consumption (3500 W). For this reason, the instruction transmitting unit 33c of the control server 3 determines the electric appliance 4 to which power is to be supplied based on the usage priority. Here, the instruction transmitting unit 33c prioritizes the microwave oven 4B over the hair dryer 4C and sets it to a usable state.

[0125] Therefore, the instruction transmitting unit 33c transmits a supply prohibition instruction to the third switching plug 2C to which the hair dryer 4C is connected (S211). The supply switching unit 23d of the third switching plug 2C that has received the supply prohibition instruction cuts off the power supply to the hair dryer 4C. Then, the notification control unit 23c of the third switching plug 2C notifies the user by the lamp 26 of the third switching plug 2C that the power supply to the hair dryer 4C has been cut off. In addition, the status transmitting unit 23a of the third switching plug 2C transmits status information (status (OFF)) indicating that the power supply to the hair dryer 4C has been cut off to the control server 3 (S212).

[0126] When the status information is received from the third switching plug 2C, the instruction transmission unit 33c of the control server 3 transmits a supply prohibition release instruction to the second switching plug 2B to release the prohibition of power supply. When the supply prohibition release instruction is received, the notification control unit 23c of the second switching plug 2B stops the notification by the lamp 26 of the second switching plug 2B indicating that the power supply to the oven range 4B is prohibited. This allows the user to know that the oven range 4B is now in a usable state. The user can then use the oven range 4B. Note that the oven range 4B is a device that is always energized. For this reason, the control server 3 does not need to transmit a supply start instruction to operate the switch 25 to the second switching plug 2B.

[0127] Also, the oven range 4B etc. transmit a beacon signal to the control server 3 at predetermined time intervals. In particular, the second switching plug 2B to which the constantly powered oven range 4B is connected transmits the actual power consumption of the oven range 4B together with the beacon signal. This allows the power consumption acquisition unit 33b of the control server 3 to acquire the actual power consumption of the oven range 4B. The instruction transmission unit 33c of the control server 3 determines whether or not the use of the oven range 4B has ended based on the actual power consumption of the oven range 4B acquired together with the beacon signal. Here, the instruction transmission unit 33c determines whether or not the acquired actual power consumption of the oven range 4B has become 0 W (or whether or not it has become equal to or less than the minimum power set based on the standby power).

[0128] When the use of the oven range 4B is finished, the second switching plug 2B connected to the oven range 4B transmits the actual power consumption (0 W) of the oven range 4B together with a beacon signal to the control server 3 (S214). Because the power consumption is 0 W, the instruction transmission unit 33c of the control server 3 determines that the use of the oven range 4B is finished. Then, the instruction transmission unit 33c transmits a supply prohibition release instruction to release the prohibition of power supply to the third switching plug 2C to which the hair dryer 4C is connected (S215). Upon receiving the supply prohibition release instruction, the supply switching unit 23d of the third switching plug 2C transitions to a state in which power supply to the hair dryer 4C is possible. In addition, the notification control unit 23c of the third switching plug 2C stops the notification by the lamp 26 of the third switching plug 2C indicating that power supply to the hair dryer 4C is in a prohibited state.

[0129] In this way, when the operation switch 27 of the second switching plug 2B to which the microwave oven 4B is connected is operated, the control server 3 stops the power supply to the hair dryer 4C. This allows the user to use the microwave oven 4B without exceeding the standard power consumption of the entire system.

[0130] The oven range 4B is a device that is always energized. Therefore, the user can use the oven range 4B without operating the operation switch 27 of the second switching plug 2B. In this case, there is a state in which the electric water heater 4A, the oven range 4B, and the hair dryer 4C are used simultaneously for an instant. However, in such a case, the second switching plug 2B to which the oven range 4B is connected transmits the actual power consumption of the oven range 4B to the control server 3 together with a beacon signal. When the control server 3 receives the actual power consumption of this electric device 4, it transmits a supply prohibition instruction to 2c to which the hair dryer 4C, which has a low usage priority, is connected as described above. As a result, even if the electric water heater 4A, the oven range 4B, and the hair dryer 4C are used simultaneously, the power supply to the hair dryer 4C is immediately cut off. In this way, by cutting off the power supply to the specific electric device 4 by the control server 3 before the main breaker 9 is activated, it is possible to prevent the power supply to the electric devices 4 of the entire system from being cut off.

[0131] [Second operation example] Next, a second operation example will be described when the control server 3 controls the power supply to the electric water heater 4A to the hair dryer 4C in the configuration shown in Fig. 7(b). Although the heater 4D is also connected in Fig. 7(b), it is assumed here that the heater 4D is not connected. As the second operation example, the operation will be described when the electric water heater 4A and the oven range 4B are in use.

[0132] Steps S301 to S305 shown in Fig. 10 are the same processes as steps S201 to S205 described with reference to Fig. 9. This establishes communication between the first to third switching plugs 2A to 2C and the control server 3. In addition, power is supplied to the electric water heater 4A.

[0133] While the electric water heater 4A is being used, the user starts using the oven range 4B. As a result, the second switching plug 2B connected to the oven range 4B transmits the actual power consumption of the oven range 4B together with a beacon signal to the control server 3 (S306). Here, the actual power consumption of the oven range 4B is assumed to be 1500 W.

[0134] The instruction transmitting unit 33c of the control server 3 calculates the total power consumption of the electric water heater 4A and the oven range 4B that are currently being used. Here, the total power consumption is 2700 W. If the hair dryer 4C (1500 W) is used in this state, the power consumption will exceed the reference power consumption (3500 W). Furthermore, the hair dryer 4C has a lower usage priority than the electric water heater 4A and the oven range 4B. Therefore, the instruction transmitting unit 33c of the control server 3 transmits a supply prohibition instruction to the third switching plug 2C to which the hair dryer 4C is connected (S307).

[0135] The supply switching unit 23d of the third switching plug 2C, which has received the supply prohibition instruction, maintains the state in which power is not supplied to the hair dryer 4C. Furthermore, the notification control unit 23c of the third switching plug 2C notifies the user that the power supply to the hair dryer 4C is prohibited by the lamp 26 of the third switching plug 2C. This allows the user to understand that use of the hair dryer 4C is prohibited (that use of the hair dryer 4C will exceed the standard power consumption) by the illumination of the lamp 26 of the third switching plug 2C.

[0136] When the use of the oven range 4B has ended, the second switching plug 2B connected to the oven range 4B transmits the actual power consumption (0 W) of the oven range 4B together with a beacon signal to the control server 3 (S308). Because the power consumption is 0 W, the instruction transmitting unit 33c of the control server 3 determines that use of the oven range 4B has ended. Then, the instruction transmitting unit 33c transmits a supply prohibition release instruction to lift the prohibition on power supply to the third switching plug 2C to which the hair dryer 4C is connected (S309).

[0137] When the supply prohibition cancellation command is received, the supply switching unit 23d of the third switching plug 2C transitions to a state in which power supply to the hair dryer 4C is possible. The notification control unit 23c of the third switching plug 2C also stops the notification by the lamp 26 of the third switching plug 2C indicating that power supply to the hair dryer 4C is prohibited. This allows the user to know that use of the hair dryer 4C is not prohibited.

[0138] In this way, after the supply prohibition instruction is sent in S307, until the supply prohibition cancellation instruction is sent in S309, the supply switching unit 23d of the third switching plug 2C maintains the non-supply state of power to the hair dryer 4C so that the power is not supplied to the hair dryer 4C even if the operation switch 27 is operated. In other words, the control server 3 can prohibit the use of the hair dryer 4C, which has a low usage priority.

[0139] [Third operation example] Next, a third operation example will be described when the control server 3 controls the power supply to the electric water heater 4A to the heater 4D in the configuration shown in Fig. 7(b). As the third operation example, a case where the hair dryer 4C is used while the electric water heater 4A and the heater 4D are in use will be described.

[0140] 11, after establishing communication with the control server 3, the first switching plug 2A to which the electric water heater 4A is connected, the second switching plug 2B to which the oven range 4B is connected, the third switching plug 2C to which the hair dryer 4C is connected, and the fourth switching plug 2D to which the heating appliance 4D is connected each transmit an online notification to the control server 3 (S401). After that, the first switching plug 2A to the fourth switching plug 2D transmit beacon signals to the control server 3 (S402).

[0141] In order to use the electric water heater 4A, the user operates the operation switch 27 of the first switching plug 2A, and power supply to the electric water heater 4A is started (S403 to S405). Note that the processing of S403 to S405 is the same as the processing of S203 to S205 described using FIG.

[0142] Thereafter, to use the heating appliance 4D, the user operates the operation switch 27 of the fourth switching plug 2D. Based on this operation, the status transmission unit 23a of the fourth switching plug 2D transmits a usage start notification to the control server 3 (S406). The control server 3 determines whether the total power consumption of the heating appliance 4D for which the usage start notification was transmitted and the power consumption of the electric water heater 4A in use exceeds the reference power consumption (3500 W).

[0143] In this example, the power consumption of the heating appliance 4D for which the usage start notification was sent is 1200 W, and the power consumption of the electric water heater 4A in use is 1200 W. The total power consumption of the heating appliance 4D and the electric water heater 4A is 2400 W, which does not exceed the reference power consumption (3500 W). Therefore, the instruction sending unit 33c of the control server 3 sends a power supply start instruction to the fourth switching plug 2D to which the heating appliance 4D is connected (S407). Upon receiving the power supply start instruction, the fourth switching plug 2D starts supplying power to the heating appliance 4D.

[0144] If the microwave oven 4B is used in this state, the total power consumption (3900 W) of the electric water heater 4A, the microwave oven 4B, and the heater 4D will exceed the standard power consumption (3500 W). For this reason, the instruction sending unit 33c of the control server 3 sends a supply prohibition instruction to the second switching plug 2B to which the microwave oven 4B is connected (S408). The notification control unit 23c of the second switching plug 2B, which has received the supply prohibition instruction, notifies the user by the lamp 26 of the second switching plug 2B that power supply to the microwave oven 4B is prohibited. This allows the user to know that use of the microwave oven 4B is prohibited (that use of the microwave oven 4B will exceed the standard power consumption) by the illumination of the lamp 26 of the second switching plug 2B.

[0145] Similarly, when the hair dryer 4C is used, the total power consumption (3900 W) of the electric water heater 4A, the hair dryer 4C, and the heater 4D exceeds the reference power consumption (3500 W). Therefore, the instruction sending unit 33c of the control server 3 sends a supply prohibition instruction to the third switching plug 2C to which the hair dryer 4C is connected (S409). The notification control unit 23c of the third switching plug 2C, which has received the supply prohibition instruction, notifies the user by the lamp 26 of the third switching plug 2C that the power supply to the hair dryer 4C is prohibited. This allows the user to understand that use of the hair dryer 4C is prohibited (that use of the hair dryer 4C would exceed the reference power consumption) by the illumination of the lamp 26 of the third switching plug 2C.

[0146] Furthermore, the status transmitting unit 23a of the fourth switch plug 2D that has started supplying power transmits status information (status (ON)) indicating that power is being supplied to the heating appliance 4D to the control server 3 (S410).

[0147] Here, the electric water heater 4A and the heater 4D are being used. If the hair dryer 4C is used in this state, the total power consumption will exceed the reference power consumption as described above. In addition, in this operation example, the heater 4D, which has a lower usage priority than the hair dryer 4C, is being used. When the control server 3 receives a notification that the hair dryer 4C has started to be used, it performs control to supply power to the hair dryer 4C, which has a higher usage priority, rather than the heater 4D, which has a lower usage priority. In addition, the heater 4D is a device whose power consumption can be adjusted in stages. For this reason, the control server 3 can also perform control to reduce the power consumption of the heater 4D so that the total power consumption does not exceed the reference power consumption.

[0148] More specifically, in order to use the hair dryer 4C, the user operates the operation switch 27 of the third switching plug 2C. Although the lamp 26 of the third switching plug 2C is lit, if the user wishes to use the hair dryer 4C, the user can operate the operation switch 27 of the third switching plug 2C. However, the user can know in advance from the illumination of the lamp 26 that using the hair dryer 4C will exceed the standard power consumption and therefore a restriction will be placed on the use of any of the electric appliances 4.

[0149] Based on this user operation, the status transmission unit 23a of the third switching plug 2C transmits a usage start notification to the control server 3 (S411). The control server 3 determines whether or not the total power consumption of the hair dryer 4C for which the usage start notification was transmitted and the electric water heater 4A and the heating appliance 4D in use exceed the reference power consumption (3500 W).

[0150] Here, the power consumption of the hair dryer 4C for which a usage start notification has been sent is 1500 W, the power consumption of the electric water heater 4A in use is 1200 W, and the power consumption of the heating appliance 4D in use is 1200 W. The total power consumption of these is 3900 W, which exceeds the reference power consumption (3500 W). For this reason, the instruction sending unit 33c of the control server 3 determines the electric appliance 4 to which power is to be supplied based on the usage priority. Here, of the electric water heater 4A and heating appliance 4D in use, and the hair dryer 4C for which a usage start notification has been sent, the usage priority of the heating appliance 4D is the lowest. Also, the heating appliance 4D is an appliance whose power consumption can be adjusted.

[0151] For this reason, the instruction transmitting unit 33c of the control server 3 transmits a power reduction instruction to the fourth switching plug 2D to which the heating appliance 4D is connected, to reduce the power consumption of the heating appliance 4D. Here, the instruction transmitting unit 33c transmits a power reduction instruction to reduce the power consumption of the heating appliance 4D to 800 W or less so that the total power consumption of the electric water heater 4A, the hair dryer 4C, and the heating appliance 4D does not exceed the reference power consumption (3500 W) (S412). Upon receiving the power reduction instruction, the fourth switching plug 2D transmits a reduction control signal to the heating appliance 4D so that the power consumption is 800 W or less. The heating appliance 4D adjusts the power consumption based on the reduction control signal so that the power consumption is 800 W or less.

[0152] In this operation example, it is assumed that the heating appliance 4D has reduced its power consumption to 800 W. Then, the measurement unit 24 of the fourth switching plug 2D to which the heating appliance 4D is connected measures the actual power consumption of the heating appliance 4D. The status transmission unit 23a of the fourth switching plug 2D transmits the power consumption (800 W) measured by the measurement unit 24 together with a beacon signal to the control server 3 (S413). Since the power consumption is 800 W, the control server 3 can grasp that the reduction in power consumption of the heating appliance 4D has been successful.

[0153] Then, the instruction transmitting unit 33c of the control server 3 transmits a power supply start instruction to the third switching plug 2C to which the hair dryer 4C is connected (S414). The status transmitting unit 23a of the third switching plug 2C that has started supplying power transmits status information (status (ON)) indicating that power is being supplied to the hair dryer 4C to the control server 3 (S415).

[0154] In this way, the control server 3 transmits a power reduction instruction to the heating appliance 4D, which has a low usage priority and whose power consumption can be reduced, to reduce the power consumption. This allows the control server 3 to keep the total power consumption of the electrical appliances 4 being used within the reference power consumption while allowing the use of the hair dryer 4C, which has a higher usage priority than the heating appliance 4D.

[0155] If the electric water heater 4A is finished while the hair dryer 4C is in use, the instruction sending unit 33c of the control server 3 sends a power reduction release instruction to the fourth switching plug 2D to which the heating appliance 4D is connected, to release the power consumption reduction. Then, the fourth switching plug 2D sends a power reduction control release signal to the heating appliance 4D to release the power consumption reduction. Having received this power reduction control release signal, the heating appliance 4D can again operate at 1200 W of power consumption.

[0156] [Fourth operation example] Next, a fourth operation example will be described. The fourth operation example is an example of a case where the reduction of the power consumption of the heating appliance 4D has failed in the third operation example. S501 to S512 shown in FIG. 12 are the same processes as S401 to S412 shown in FIG.

[0157] 12, upon receiving the power reduction instruction sent from the control server 3 in S512, the fourth switching plug 2D sends a reduction control signal to the heating appliance 4D so that the power consumption is 800 W or less. In this operation example, it is assumed that the reduction control signal was sent from the fourth switching plug 2D, but the power consumption was not reduced in the heating appliance 4D due to some malfunction or the like. In other words, the heating appliance 4D continues to operate with a power consumption of 1200 W.

[0158] The status transmission unit 23a of the fourth switching plug 2D transmits the power consumption (1200 W) measured by the measurement unit 24 together with the beacon signal to the control server 3 (S513). Since the power consumption is 1200 W, the control server 3 can determine that the reduction in power consumption of the heating appliance 4D has failed.

[0159] In response to this failure, the instruction transmitting unit 33c of the control server 3 transmits a supply prohibition instruction to the fourth switching plug 2D to which the heating appliance 4D is connected, so as to cut off the power supply to the heating appliance 4D (S514). As a result, the fourth switching plug 2D cuts off the power supply to the heating appliance 4D. Then, the status transmitting unit 23a of the fourth switching plug 2D transmits status information (status (OFF)) indicating that the power supply to the heating appliance 4D has been cut off to the control server 3 (S515). As a result, the only electric appliance 4 currently being used is the electric water heater 4A (power consumption 1200 W).

[0160] After stopping the power supply to the heating appliance 4D that failed to reduce power consumption, the instruction sending unit 33c of the control server 3 sends a start supply instruction to the third switching plug 2C to which the hair dryer 4C that sent the start use notification in S511 is connected (S516). Upon receiving the start supply instruction, the third switching plug 2C starts supplying power to the hair dryer 4C. Then, the status sending unit 23a of the hair dryer 4C sends status information (status (ON)) indicating that power is being supplied to the hair dryer 4C to the control server 3 (S517).

[0161] In this way, when the control server 3 fails to reduce the power consumption of the heating appliance 4D, which has a low usage priority and is capable of reducing power consumption, the control server 3 stops the power supply to the heating appliance 4D. This enables the control server 3 to use the hair dryer 4C, which has a higher usage priority than the heating appliance 4D.

[0162] [Sending various instructions from the control server] Next, the flow of the process of transmitting various instructions such as a supply prohibition instruction performed by the control server 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 13. Note that the flowchart shown in Fig. 13 starts when the user operates the operation switch 27 to start or stop using the electric device 4, and the control server 3 receives a usage state switching notification (usage start notification or use end notification) transmitted from the switching plug 2.

[0163] When the electric appliance 4 connected to the switching plug 2 is a constantly powered appliance, the switch 25 of the switching plug 2 is in a constantly powered state to supply power for use with a timer or the like. Therefore, the user can use the constantly powered electric appliance 4 without operating the operation switch 27 to switch between on and off of the power supply. However, when the prohibition of use is notified by the lamp 26, the user operates the operation switch 27 when using the constantly powered electric appliance 4, as in the process of S210 in the above-mentioned operation example 1. When the prohibition of use is not notified by the lamp 26, the total power consumption does not exceed the reference power consumption even if the constantly powered electric appliance 4 is used, so the user can use the electric appliance 4 as usual.

[0164] 13, the status receiving unit 33a of the control server 3 determines whether the usage status switching notification received from the switching plug 2 is an end of use notification (S601). If the usage status switching notification is an end of use notification (S601: YES), the instruction sending unit 33c of the control server 3 sends a supply prohibition instruction to stop power supply to the switching plug 2 that sent the end of use notification (S602).

[0165] On the other hand, if the usage status switching notification is a usage start notification (S601: NO), the instruction transmitting unit 33c of the control server 3 calculates the total power consumption of the electric appliance 4 to which the usage start notification was transmitted and the electric appliance 4 in use. Then, the instruction transmitting unit 33c determines whether the total power consumption is equal to or less than the reference power consumption (S603). If the total power consumption is equal to or less than the reference power consumption (S603: YES), that is, if the total power consumption does not exceed the reference power consumption, the instruction transmitting unit 33c transmits a supply start instruction to the switching plug 2 that transmitted the usage start notification to start power supply (S604).

[0166] Also, when the total power consumption is not equal to or less than the reference power consumption (S603: NO), that is, when the total power consumption exceeds the reference power consumption, the instruction transmission unit 33c of the control server 3 determines whether or not the power consumption of the electric appliance 4 to which the use start notification has been transmitted can be secured based on the power consumption of the electric appliance 4 in use (S605). More specifically, the instruction transmission unit 33c extracts the electric appliance 4 having a lower use priority than the electric appliance 4 to which the use start notification has been transmitted from among the electric appliances 4 in use. The instruction transmission unit 33c determines whether or not the total power consumption of the extracted electric appliances 4 is greater than the power consumption of the electric appliance 4 to which the use start notification has been transmitted. When the total power consumption of the extracted electric appliances 4 is equal to or greater than the power consumption of the electric appliance 4 to which the use start notification has been transmitted, the instruction transmission unit 33c determines that the power consumption of the electric appliance 4 to which the use start notification has been transmitted can be secured. In other words, this case is a state in which power supply to the electric appliance 4 with a low use priority can be cut off, so that the total power consumption does not exceed the reference power consumption, and power can be supplied to the electric appliance 4 to which the use start notification has been transmitted.

[0167] If the power consumption of the electric appliance 4 to which the use start notification was sent cannot be secured (S605: NO), the instruction sending unit 33c of the control server 3 determines that the electric appliance 4 to which the use start notification was sent cannot be used, and ends this process. That is, since the supply start instruction is not sent to the switching plug 2 that sent the use start notification, the electric appliance 4 to which the use start notification was sent cannot be used.

[0168] On the other hand, if the power consumption of the electric appliance 4 to which the use start notification was sent can be secured (S605: YES), the instruction transmission unit 33c of the control server 3 determines whether the electric appliance 4 with the lowest use priority among the electric appliances 4 in use is an appliance whose power consumption can be adjusted (S606). If the power consumption can be adjusted (S606: YES), the instruction transmission unit 33c determines whether the power consumption of the electric appliance 4 to which the use start notification was sent can be covered by simply reducing the power consumption of this electric appliance 4 (S607). If the power consumption of the electric appliance 4 to which the use start notification was sent cannot be covered (S607: NO), the control server 3 performs the process of S610 described later.

[0169] On the other hand, if the power consumption of the electric appliance 4 for which the use start notification was sent can be covered (S607: YES), the instruction sending unit 33c of the control server 3 sends a power reduction instruction to the switching plug 2 to which the electric appliance 4 with the lowest usage priority and whose power consumption can be adjusted is connected among the electric appliances 4 in use (S608). Here, the instruction sending unit 33c may instruct a target value of the power consumption after reduction or a target value of the power consumption to be reduced so that the total power consumption of the electric appliances 4 used when the electric appliance 4 for which the use start notification was sent is used does not exceed the reference power consumption.

[0170] Thereafter, the instruction transmission unit 33c of the control server 3 determines whether or not the reduction in power consumption has been successful based on the actual power consumption value of the electric appliance 4 transmitted together with the beacon signal from the switching plug 2 that issued the power reduction instruction (S609). If the reduction in power consumption has been successful (S609: YES), the control server 3 performs the process of S613 described below. If the reduction in power consumption has failed (S609: NO), the control server 3 performs the process of S610 described below.

[0171] If it is determined in S606 that the power consumption of the electric appliance 4 with the lowest usage priority cannot be adjusted (S606: NO), the instruction transmitting unit 33c of the control server 3 performs the process of S610. As the process of S610, the instruction transmitting unit 33c transmits a supply prohibition instruction to the switching plug 2 to which the electric appliance 4 with the lowest usage priority among the electric appliances 4 in use is connected (S610). Then, the instruction transmitting unit 33c receives status information (status (OFF)) indicating that the power supply to the electric appliance 4 has been cut off from the switching plug 2 that transmitted the supply prohibition instruction (S611).

[0172] After receiving the status information indicating that the power supply has been cut off, the instruction transmission unit 33c of the control server 3 calculates the total power consumption of the electric appliance 4 to which the use start notification has been transmitted and the electric appliance 4 in use. Then, the instruction transmission unit 33c determines whether the total power consumption is equal to or less than the reference power consumption (S612). If the total power consumption is not equal to or less than the reference power consumption (S612: NO), the process returns to S606 described above. As a result, the above-mentioned process is repeated until the total power consumption of the electric appliance 4 to which the use start notification has been transmitted and the electric appliance 4 in use becomes equal to or less than the reference power consumption.

[0173] If the total power consumption is equal to or less than the reference power consumption (S612: YES), that is, if the total power consumption does not exceed the reference power consumption, the instruction transmitting unit 33c of the control server 3 performs the process of S613. As the process of S613, the instruction transmitting unit 33c transmits a supply start instruction to the switching plug 2 that transmitted the use start notification to start power supply (S613).

[0174] As described above, in the power supply system 1, a switching plug 2 is provided for each of the multiple electric devices 4. The control server 3 transmits a supply prohibition instruction to the switching plug 2 based on the power supply state of the electric device 4. The switching plug 2 that receives the supply prohibition instruction prohibits power supply to the electric device 4 connected to the switching plug 2. This allows the power supply system 1 to individually control the power supply to the multiple electric devices 4.

[0175] Therefore, according to the power supply system 1, for example, it is possible to eliminate the loss of data in computers provided as the electrical devices 4 caused by the main breaker 9 being tripped due to overpower, and the trouble required for recovery.

[0176] When the operation switch 27 is operated by a user to start using the electric appliance 4, the switching plug 2 transmits a usage start notification to the control server 3. The instruction transmitting unit 33c of the control server 3 determines whether the total power consumption of the electric appliance 4 for which the usage start notification was transmitted and the electric appliance 4 in use exceeds the reference power consumption. When the total power consumption exceeds the reference power consumption, the instruction transmitting unit 33c transmits a supply prohibition instruction to at least one of the electric appliance 4 for which the usage start notification was transmitted and the switching plug 2 provided for the electric appliance 4 in use so that the total power consumption does not exceed the reference power consumption. In this way, the power supply system 1 can prohibit power supply through the switching plug 2 so that the total power consumption does not exceed the reference power consumption, even if the total power consumption exceeds the reference power consumption when the electric appliance 4 for which the usage start notification was transmitted is used.

[0177] The electric appliance 4 may be able to adjust the power consumption based on an external instruction. When the total power consumption exceeds the reference power consumption, the instruction transmission unit 33c of the control server 3 transmits a power reduction instruction to the switching plug 2 connected to the electric appliance 4 whose power consumption is adjustable to reduce the power consumption so that the total power consumption does not exceed the reference power consumption. The switching plug 2 that receives the power reduction instruction transmits a reduction control signal to the electric appliance 4 to reduce the power consumption. As a result, the switching plug 2 transmits a reduction control signal to the electric appliance 4 based on the power reduction instruction, and the power consumption of the electric appliance 4 can be suppressed. Therefore, the power supply system 1 can reduce the power consumption so that the total power consumption of the electric appliances 4 used does not exceed the reference power consumption.

[0178] Furthermore, if the power consumption of the electric devices 4 does not decrease even after the power reduction instruction is given, the instruction sending unit 33c of the control server 3 sends a supply prohibition instruction to any of the switching plugs 2. This enables the power supply system 1 to control the total power consumption of the electric devices 4 in use so as not to exceed the reference power consumption.

[0179] The storage unit 32 of the control server 3 stores the power consumption when the electric device 4 is in use for each switching plug 2. The power consumption of the electric device 4 is set in advance in the storage unit 32 at the time of initial configuration or the like. In this case, the power consumption acquisition unit 33b of the control server 3 can acquire, from the storage unit 32, the power consumption of the electric device 4 when it is in use.

[0180] The switching plug 2 includes a measurement unit 24 that measures the actual power consumption of the electric device 4. The switching plug 2 transmits the measured power consumption of the electric device 4 to the control server 3. This allows the power consumption acquisition unit 33b of the control server 3 to acquire the actual power consumption of the electric device 4 from the switching plug 2.

[0181] The instruction sending unit 33c of the control server 3 sends a supply prohibition instruction to the switching plug 2 provided for the electric device 4 with a low usage priority. This enables the power supply system 1 to supply power to the electric device 4 with a high usage priority by giving priority to the electric device 4.

[0182] For example, the usage priority of electrical appliances 4 that do not need to be operated constantly, especially electrical appliances 4 that only need to be operated for a short period of time within a certain period (such as an ultra-fine bubble (UFB) pump for flushing toilet pipes), is set low. In this case, when the power consumption of the system is low, the power supply system 1 can operate these electrical appliances 4 that do not need to be operated constantly, thereby suppressing the peak power consumption of the entire system.

[0183] The switching plug 2 includes a lamp 26 that emits light to provide a notification. When the switching plug 2 receives a supply prohibition instruction, the switching plug 2 notifies the user by using the lamp 26. This allows the switching plug 2 to notify surrounding users that the supply of power is prohibited by using the lamp 26.

[0184] The switching plug 2, which switches the power supply to the electric device 4, includes a power plug 21 that is inserted into a wall outlet 8, and a socket 22 into which the power plug of the electric device 4 is inserted. This makes it possible for the switching plug 2 to easily change the electric device 4 to which the power supply is to be switched, simply by replacing the electric device 4 connected to it.

[0185] Moreover, since it is only necessary to provide the switching plug 2 between the wall outlet 8 and the power plug of the electric device 4, the switching plug 2 can be easily introduced into the power supply system 1. The switching plug 2 can switch between on and off the supply of power to the electric device 4. Therefore, by using the switching plug 2, the power supply system 1 can control the operating state of the electric device 4 even for an electric device 4 that has a simple structure in which a switch and a load are connected.

[0186] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the electric appliances 4 to which the control server 3 switches the power supply may be divided into a plurality of groups. The control server 3 may transmit a supply prohibition instruction or the like so that the total power consumption of the electric appliances 4 in the group does not exceed a predetermined power consumption, and may also transmit a supply prohibition instruction or the like so that the total power consumption of the electric appliances 4 in the entire group does not exceed a predetermined power consumption. In this way, the control server 3 may switch the power supply for each hierarchical level of the grouped electric appliances 4 so that the total power consumption does not exceed the reference power consumption.

[0187] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 14(a), an extension cord 10 may be connected to a third wall outlet 8C. The extension cord 10 includes a first outlet 11A, a second outlet 11B, and a third outlet 11C. In this embodiment, a usable predetermined standard power consumption for an extension cord (second standard power consumption) of 1500 W is set for the extension cord 10.

[0188] 14(b), the power plug 41A of the electric water heater 4A is connected to the first outlet 11A of the extension cord 10 via the first switching plug 2A. The power plug 41B of the oven range 4B is connected to the second outlet 11B of the extension cord 10 via the second switching plug 2B. The power plug 41C of the hair dryer 4C is connected to the first wall outlet 8A via the third switching plug 2C. The power plug 41D of the heating appliance 4D is connected to the second wall outlet 8B via the fourth switching plug 2D.

[0189] That is, the electric water heater 4A to the heater 4D are divided into a first group (hair dryer 4C, heater 4D) directly connected to the wall outlet 8, and a second group (electric water heater 4A, oven range 4B) connected to an extension cord 10. Hereinafter, the third switching plug 2C and the fourth switching plug 2D connected to the hair dryer 4C and heater 4D of the first group, respectively, are referred to as the switching plug 2 of the first group. The first switching plug 2A and the second switching plug 2B connected to the electric water heater 4A and oven range 4B of the second group, respectively, are referred to as the switching plug 2 of the second group. That is, the multiple switching plugs 2 provided in the power supply system 1 include the switching plug 2 of the first group and the switching plug 2 of the second group.

[0190] Here, the control server 3 switches the power supply so that the total power consumption of the electric appliances 4 in the first and second groups does not exceed the above-mentioned standard power consumption (3500 W). Furthermore, the control server 3 switches the power supply to the electric appliances 4 in the second group connected to the extension cord 10 so that the power consumption of the electric appliances 4 in the second group does not exceed the standard power consumption for an extension cord (1500 W).

[0191] Specifically, the instruction transmitting unit 33c of the control server 3 calculates the total power consumption of the electric appliance 4 to which the use start notification has been transmitted and the power consumption of the electric appliance 4 in use among the electric appliances 4 connected to the switching plugs 2 of the first and second groups. The instruction transmitting unit 33c determines whether the calculated total power consumption exceeds the reference power consumption. In other words, the instruction transmitting unit 33c determines whether the total power consumption of the entire system exceeds the reference power consumption.

[0192] If the total power consumption exceeds the standard power consumption, the instruction sending unit 33c sends a supply prohibition instruction to at least one of the electrical device 4 to which the usage start notification was sent and the switching plug 2 provided for the electrical device 4 in use, so that the total power consumption does not exceed the standard power consumption.

[0193] Furthermore, when the instruction sending unit 33c of the control server 3 receives a notification that the electrical appliance 4 of the second group has started to be used, it switches the power supply to the electrical appliance 4 of the second group so that the power consumption of the electrical appliance 4 of the second group does not exceed the standard power consumption for an extension cord (1500 W).

[0194] Here, the instruction transmission unit 33c calculates a second total power consumption, which is the total power consumption of the appliance that has received the usage start notification, either the electric water heater 4A or the oven range 4B, and the appliance that is in use. The instruction transmission unit 33c determines whether the second total power consumption exceeds a predetermined standard power consumption for an extension cord.

[0195] When the second total power consumption exceeds the extension cord standard power consumption, the instruction transmitting unit 33c transmits a supply prohibition signal to the switching plugs 2 of the second group so that the second total power consumption does not exceed the extension cord standard power consumption. Here, the instruction transmitting unit 33c transmits a supply prohibition instruction to at least one of the switching plugs 2 of the second group that is provided for the device in use and the switching plug 2 that is provided for the electric device 4 to which the use start notification has been transmitted.

[0196] For example, in the example shown in Fig. 14(b), while the electric water heater 4A (1200 W) with a usage priority of "1" is operating, the instruction transmission unit 33c of the control server 3 does not operate the oven range 4B at 1500 W. On the other hand, although the hair dryer 4C has a lower usage priority than the oven range 4B, it is not affected by the extension cord standard power consumption set for the extension cord 10, but is affected by the standard power consumption (3500 W) of the entire group. For this reason, even if the electric water heater 4A is in use, the instruction transmission unit 33c can start supplying power to the hair dryer 4C.

[0197] As a result, even if the total power consumption of the electrical devices 4 of the first and second groups exceeds the standard power consumption when the electrical device 4 of which the usage start notification is notified is used, the power supply system 1 can prohibit power supply through the switching plug 2 of the first and second groups so as not to exceed the standard power consumption. Furthermore, even if the second total power consumption of the electrical devices 4 of which the usage start notification is notified is exceeded when the electrical device 4 of which the usage start notification is notified is used, the power supply system 1 can prohibit power supply through the switching plug 2 of the second group so as not to exceed the standard power consumption for an extension cord when the electrical device 4 of which the usage start notification is notified is used. In this way, even if the electrical devices 4 (switching plugs 2) are grouped, the power supply system 1 can prohibit power supply through the switching plug 2 of the second group according to the group classification.

[0198] Furthermore, even if the switching plugs 2 are grouped, the instruction transmitter 33c can transmit a power reduction instruction to the switching plugs 2 as described in the above embodiment.

[0199] Specifically, the instruction transmitting unit 33c of the control server 3 calculates the total power consumption of the electric appliance 4 to which the use start notification has been transmitted and the power consumption of the electric appliance 4 in use among the electric appliances 4 connected to the switching plugs 2 of the first and second groups. The instruction transmitting unit 33c determines whether the calculated total power consumption exceeds the reference power consumption. In other words, the instruction transmitting unit 33c determines whether the total power consumption of the entire system exceeds the reference power consumption.

[0200] When the total power consumption exceeds the reference power consumption, the instruction transmitting unit 33c transmits a power reduction instruction to the switching plug 2 provided for the electric appliance 4 in use so that the total power consumption does not exceed the reference power consumption. The instruction transmitting unit 33c may transmit a power reduction instruction to the electric appliance 4 to which the use start notification has been transmitted. For example, when a heating appliance 4D capable of adjusting power consumption is in use, the instruction transmitting unit 33c can transmit a power reduction instruction to the switching plug 2 to which the heating appliance 4D is connected.

[0201] Furthermore, when the instruction sending unit 33c of the control server 3 receives a notification that the electrical appliances 4 of the second group have started to be used, the instruction sending unit 33c reduces the power consumption of the electrical appliances 4 of the second group so that the power consumption of the electrical appliances 4 of the second group does not exceed the standard power consumption for an extension cord (1500 W).

[0202] Here, the instruction transmitting unit 33c calculates a second total power consumption which is the total power consumption of the devices provided for the second group of electric devices 4 for which the usage start notification has been transmitted and the devices in use. The instruction transmitting unit 33c determines whether the second total power consumption exceeds a predetermined standard power consumption for an extension cord.

[0203] When the second total power consumption exceeds the extension cord standard power consumption, the instruction transmitting unit 33c transmits a power reduction instruction to the switching plug 2 of the second group so that the second total power consumption does not exceed the extension cord standard power consumption. For example, the instruction transmitting unit 33c can transmit a power reduction instruction to the second switching plug 2B of the second group to which the oven range 4B is connected.

[0204] As a result, even if the total power consumption of the electrical appliances 4 connected to the switching plugs 2 of the first and second groups exceeds the standard power consumption when the electrical appliances 4 for which the usage start notification has been notified are used, the power supply system 1 can transmit a power reduction instruction to the switching plugs 2 of the first and second groups so as not to exceed the standard power consumption. Also, even if the second total power consumption of the electrical appliances 4 of the second group exceeds the standard power consumption for an extension cord when the electrical appliances 4 connected to the switching plug 2 of the second group for which the usage start notification has been notified are used, the power supply system 1 can transmit a power reduction instruction to the switching plug 2 of the second group so as not to exceed the standard power consumption for an extension cord. In this way, even if the electrical appliances 4 (switching plugs 2) are grouped, the power supply system 1 can transmit a power reduction instruction to the switching plug 2 according to the group classification.

[0205] Furthermore, although the switching plug 2 notifies by using the light-emitting lamp 26, the method of notification is not limited to the method of using light emission. For example, the switching plug 2 may be provided with a sound output device (notification unit) such as a speaker, and may notify by sound using the sound output device. Furthermore, the switching plug 2 may notify by combining the light emission by the lamp 26 and the output of sound by the sound output device. In this case, the switching plug 2 can notify surrounding users that the power supply is prohibited by sound as well.

[0206] In addition, the switching plug 2 is used as a switching device that switches between the presence and absence of power supply to the electric device 4. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the switching device that switches between the presence and absence of power supply may be configured to be built into the electric device 4. Alternatively, the switching device may be provided in the distribution board 7, or may be configured to be provided on the wiring between the distribution board 7 and the wall outlet 8. [Explanation of symbols]

[0207] 1...power supply system, 2...switching plug (switching device), 3...control server (control device), 4...electrical equipment, 8...wall outlet (outlet), 21...power plug, 22...socket, 23a...status transmission unit (power-on state transmission unit), 23b...instruction receiving unit, 23d...supply switching unit, 24...measurement unit, 26...lamp (alarm unit) 32...memory unit (power consumption memory unit, priority memory unit), 33a...status receiving unit (power-on state reception unit), 33b...power consumption acquisition unit, 33c...instruction transmitting unit, 41A to 41D...power plug.

Claims

1. A power supply system (1) comprising: a plurality of switching devices (2) each provided for a plurality of electrical devices (4) connected to a power source (5) and capable of switching on and off the supply of power to each of the electrical devices (4); and a control device (3) for controlling the switching of the power supply in the switching devices (2), The control device (3) a power supply status receiving unit (33a) that receives a power supply status of the electric device (4) from the switching device (2); an instruction transmission unit (33c) that transmits a supply prohibition instruction to prohibit power supply to at least one of the switching devices (2) based on the power supply state received by the power supply state reception unit (33a); having Each of the multiple switching devices (2) a power supply state transmitting unit (23a) for transmitting the power supply state of the electric device (4) provided for the switching device (2) itself to the power supply state receiving unit (33a); an instruction receiving unit (23b) that receives the supply prohibition instruction transmitted from the instruction transmitting unit (33c) to the switching device (2) itself; a supply switching unit (23d) that prohibits power supply to the electric device (4) provided for the switching device (2) itself based on the received supply prohibition instruction; having the power-on status transmission unit (23a) of the switching device (2) further transmits to the power-on status reception unit (33a) a usage start notification for notifying the start of usage of the electric device (4) provided for the switching device (2) itself; The control device (3) further includes a power consumption acquisition unit (33b) that acquires, for each of the switching devices (2), power consumption during use of the electrical appliances (4) connected to the switching devices (2); The power-on state receiving unit (33a) receives the power-on state and the usage start notification transmitted from the power-on state transmitting unit (23a), The instruction transmission unit (33c) determining whether or not a total power consumption of the electric appliance (4) to which the use start notification has been transmitted and the electric appliance (4) in use exceeds a predetermined reference power consumption, based on the power consumption acquired by the power consumption acquisition unit (33 b), the power supply state acquired by the power supply state receiving unit (33 a), and the use start notification; When the total power consumption exceeds the reference power consumption, the power supply system (1) transmits the supply prohibition instruction to at least one of the switching device (2) provided for the electrical device (4) to which the notification of start of use was sent and the electrical device (4) in use, so that the total power consumption does not exceed the reference power consumption.

2. The plurality of switching devices (2) include a first group of the switching devices (2) and a second group of the switching devices (2), The instruction transmission unit (33c) determining whether or not a total power consumption of the power consumption of the electrical device (4) to which the usage start notification has been transmitted and the power consumption of the electrical device (4) in use among the electrical devices (4) provided for the switching devices (2) of the first group and the second group exceeds the reference power consumption; When the total power consumption exceeds the reference power consumption, the supply prohibition instruction is transmitted to at least one of the switching device (2) provided for the electrical appliance (4) to which the usage start notification was transmitted and the electrical appliance (4) in use, so that the total power consumption does not exceed the reference power consumption; Furthermore, the instruction transmission unit (33c) determining whether a second total power consumption, which is a total power consumption of the electrical appliance (4) to which the usage start notification has been transmitted, among the electrical appliances (4) provided to the switching device (2) of the second group, and the electrical appliance (4) in use provided to the switching device (2) of the second group, exceeds a predetermined second reference power consumption; The power supply system (1) of claim 1, wherein when the second total power consumption exceeds the second reference power consumption, the supply prohibition instruction is sent to at least one of the switching devices (2) of the second group provided for the electrical device (4) in use and the electrical device (4) to which the notification of start of use has been sent, so that the second total power consumption does not exceed the second reference power consumption.

3. A power supply system (1) comprising: a plurality of switching devices (2) each provided for a plurality of electrical devices (4) connected to a power source (5) and capable of switching on and off the supply of power to each of the electrical devices (4); and a control device (3) for controlling the switching of the power supply in the switching devices (2), The control device (3) a power supply status receiving unit (33a) that receives a power supply status of the electric device (4) from the switching device (2); an instruction transmission unit (33c) that transmits a supply prohibition instruction to prohibit power supply to at least one of the switching devices (2) based on the power supply state received by the power supply state reception unit (33a); having Each of the multiple switching devices (2) a power supply state transmitting unit (23a) for transmitting the power supply state of the electric device (4) provided for the switching device (2) itself to the power supply state receiving unit (33a); an instruction receiving unit (23b) that receives the supply prohibition instruction transmitted from the instruction transmitting unit (33c) to the switching device (2) itself; a supply switching unit (23d) that prohibits power supply to the electric device (4) provided for the switching device (2) itself based on the received supply prohibition instruction; having the power-on status transmission unit (23a) of the switching device (2) further transmits to the power-on status reception unit (33a) a usage start notification for notifying the start of usage of the electric device (4) provided for the switching device (2) itself; The control device (3) further includes a power consumption acquisition unit (33b) that acquires, for each of the switching devices (2), power consumption during use of the electrical appliances (4) connected to the switching devices (2); The power-on state receiving unit (33a) receives the power-on state and the usage start notification transmitted from the power-on state transmitting unit (23a), The instruction transmission unit (33c) determining whether or not a total power consumption of the electric appliance (4) to which the use start notification has been transmitted and the electric appliance (4) in use exceeds a predetermined reference power consumption, based on the power consumption acquired by the power consumption acquisition unit (33 b), the power supply state acquired by the power supply state receiving unit (33 a), and the use start notification; When the total power consumption exceeds the reference power consumption, a power reduction instruction is sent to the switching device (2) provided in the electrical device (4) capable of adjusting the power consumption among the electrical devices (4) in use, in order to prevent the total power consumption from exceeding the reference power consumption, the power reduction instruction instructing the switching device (2) to reduce the power consumption; The switching device (2) further includes a reduction control signal transmission unit (23e) that transmits a reduction control signal for reducing the power consumption to the electrical device (4), The instruction receiving unit (23b) further receives the power reduction instruction transmitted from the instruction transmitting unit (33c) to the switching device (2) itself, The reduction control signal transmitting unit (23e) transmits the reduction control signal to the electric device (4) when the power reduction instruction is received by the instruction receiving unit (23b).

4. The instruction transmission unit (33c) After transmitting the power reduction instruction, it is determined whether or not the total power consumption of the electrical device (4) exceeds the reference power consumption; 4. The power supply system (1) according to claim 3, further comprising: a power supply prohibition instruction being transmitted to at least one of the switching devices (2) provided for the electrical appliance (4) to which the notification of start of use was transmitted and the electrical appliance (4) in use, so that the total power consumption does not exceed the standard power consumption.

5. The plurality of switching devices (2) include a first group of the switching devices (2) and a second group of the switching devices (2), The instruction transmission unit (33c) determining whether or not a total power consumption of the power consumption of the electrical device (4) to which the usage start notification has been transmitted and the power consumption of the electrical device (4) in use among the electrical devices (4) provided for the switching devices (2) of the first group and the second group exceeds the reference power consumption; When the total power consumption exceeds the reference power consumption, the power reduction instruction is transmitted to the switching device (2) provided in the electrical device (4) capable of adjusting the power consumption among the electrical devices (4) in use so that the total power consumption does not exceed the reference power consumption; Furthermore, the instruction transmission unit (33c) determining whether a second total power consumption, which is a total power consumption of the electrical appliance (4) to which the usage start notification has been transmitted, among the electrical appliances (4) provided to the switching device (2) of the second group, and the electrical appliance (4) in use provided to the switching device (2) of the second group, exceeds a predetermined second reference power consumption; The power supply system (1) of claim 4, wherein when the second total power consumption exceeds the second reference power consumption, the power reduction instruction is sent to the switching device (2) provided to an electrical device (4) in use that is provided to the switching device (2) of the second group and whose power consumption is adjustable, so that the second total power consumption does not exceed the second reference power consumption.

6. The power supply system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the power consumption acquisition unit (33b) acquires the power consumption during use of the electrical device (4) from a power consumption memory unit (32) that is provided in the control device (3) and stores the power consumption during use of the electrical device (4) for each switching device (2).

7. The switching device (2) further includes a measurement unit (24) that measures the power consumption of the electrical device (4) provided for the switching device (2), The power supply status transmission unit (23a) transmits the power consumption of the electric device (4) measured by the measurement unit (24) to the power supply status reception unit (33a) as the power supply status, The power supply system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the power consumption acquisition unit (33b) acquires the power consumption transmitted from the power supply status transmission unit (23a) as the power consumption when the electrical device (4) is in use.

8. The control device (3) further includes a priority storage unit (32) that stores a use priority of the electrical device (4) connected to the switching device (2) for each of the switching devices (2), The power supply system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the instruction sending unit (33c) sends the supply prohibition instruction to the switching device (2) having a low usage priority based on the usage priority stored in the priority memory unit (32).

9. The switching device (2) further includes an alarm unit (26) that notifies the surroundings by at least one of light and sound, The power supply system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the notification unit (26) issues a notification when the instruction receiving unit (23b) receives the supply prohibition instruction.

10. The switching device (2) a power plug (21) to be inserted into a power outlet (8) connected to the power source (5); a socket (22) into which a power plug (41A) of the electrical device (4) is inserted; The power supply system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising:

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