Maximum Demand
Managing Maximum Demand to avoid penalties
5 min read · Updated 2026
MD is a 15-minute average — small load staggering can save six-figure penalties.
How MD is measured
The DISCOM meter integrates load every 15 minutes; the highest value in the month becomes billing MD.
Staggering
Don't switch on all high-load equipment at shift-start. Stagger by 5–7 minutes to smooth the demand curve.
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