Programmable electrical control device

A programmable electrical control device adapted to be programmed by an external programming device, the programmable electrical control device for controlling electrical power supply in cooperation with an electrical switching device, the electrical switching device having a body, an electrical power supply input, at least one electrical power supply output and a manual switch for each electrical power supply output, the manual switch having on and off positions, the programmable electrical control device comprising:

• a data connection module for communicating switching time data and/or duration data between the programmable electrical control device and the external programming device;
• memory for storing the switching time and/or duration data;
• a timing module for providing one or more of a clock time, a calendar date and a duration;
• a processor for processing the switching time data and/or duration data in accordance with one or more of the clock times and the calendar dates to provide switching time and/or duration;
• and
• a switching module controlled by the processor in accordance with the switching time and/or duration, and in cooperation with the manual switch for controlling electrical power supply through the electrical power supply output,
• wherein the switching time and/or duration include at least one supply on period during which the electrical power supply output is able to supply electrical power when the respective manual switch is in the on position, and at least one supply off period during which the electrical power supply output is unable to supply electrical power, when the respective manual switch is in either the on position or the off position, and
• wherein at least a part of the programmable electrical control device is capable of being integrated within the body.