> >> an unknown number of street's of homes suddenly had no
> >> hot-water power as all the relays dropped out.
> >
> > NZ has centralized hot water?  Or separate power for water heating?
> > How ... different!
> 
> I'm assuming Russell is talking about gas water heaters, and the
> temporary dip in the voltage caused the pilot light circuits to shut
> down (turn off the gas supply)

I assumed the relays were for ripple control

http://forums.pcworld.co.nz/archive/index.php/t-33157.html

Occassionally used when demand exceeds supply, as an alternative
to rolling blackouts for example, domestic water heaters being something
that can be done without for a period

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