Master Your Energy: The New KES Geyser Load Control Timer (ISG1201)
Managing your home’s energy usage is more critical than ever. The new KES Geyser Load Control Timer (ISG1201)
is a specialized device designed to slash electricity bills by preventing your geyser from running during peak demand periods. Unlike standard digital timers, this unit focuses on "load control," specifically targeting the high-cost morning and evening peaks. Getting Started: Understanding the Indicator Lights
Before you start programming, it is helpful to know what the LEDs on your KES ISG1201 are telling you:
Green LED (Mains Power): Stays ON when the unit is receiving power.
Red LED (Geyser Status): Stays ON when the geyser is currently heating.
Flashing Blue LED (Timer Program): The number of flashes indicates which profile is active (e.g., 1 flash for Program 1). Quick Programming Guide The
simplifies energy saving by offering four pre-programmed profiles rather than requiring complex manual time-entry for every day. How to Select a Program
Locate the "Programme Select" button on the face of the unit. Press the button to cycle through the available options. Watch the Blue LED to confirm your selection:
Prog 1 (Default): Always ON, except during peak times (Mon–Fri: 06h00–08h00 and 18h00–20h00).
Prog 2 (Solar Friendly): Stays OFF from 08h00 to 15h00 and during peak times. Ideal for homes with solar geyser setups.
Prog 3 (Manual/Solar): Stays OFF at all times. Use this when you want to heat water only via solar or manual override.
Prog 4 (Maximum Saving): Stays OFF for most of the day and night, specifically 00h00–03h00, 08h00–15h00, 20h00–24h00, and all peak times. Manual Override Feature
If you find yourself without hot water unexpectedly, you can use the 1-hour override button.
To Activate: Press the override button to bypass the timer for 60 minutes.
Constraint: This feature is disabled during designated peak times (06h00–08h00 and 18h00–20h00) to ensure energy grid protection. Installation Safety For your safety, the KES Geyser Timer
should be installed by a licensed professional. It can be mounted directly onto a DIN Rail in your distribution board (DB) or surface-mounted in a ceiling cavity near the geyser. kes geyser load control timer manual new
Switch OFF the main power and geyser isolator before any work.
Wiring: The live wire (Red) and neutral wire (Black) from the geyser are connected to specific terminals (typically L2 and N2) on the timer.
Earth: Ensure the earth wire (Green/Yellow) is properly grounded to the earth bar.
For more technical details or to view the full diagram, you can refer to the official KES ISG1201 Guide on Scribd. Geyser Load Control Timer ISG1201 Guide | PDF - Scribd
The KES Geyser Load Control Timer (ISG1201) is an intelligent energy-saving device designed to automate water heating while avoiding high-tariff peak demand periods. Core Programming Profiles
The unit features four pre-programmed profile options, which you can cycle through using the "Programme Select" button:
Prog 1 (Default): The geyser is always ON but automatically switches OFF during morning and evening peak times (Monday to Friday).
Prog 2 (Solar Optimized): The geyser is OFF from 08:00 to 15:00 and during peak periods (Monday to Friday), making it ideal for solar-assisted systems.
Prog 3: The unit remains OFF at all times except when manually overridden.
Prog 4: The geyser is OFF during specific blocks: 00:00–03:00, 08:00–15:00, 20:00–24:00, and during standard weekday peak times. Manual Features & Indicators
Override Button: Provides a 1-hour manual bypass to heat water instantly. Note that this override is typically disabled during designated peak load times to prevent grid strain. LED Status Lights: Green: Mains power is connected. Red: Geyser is currently ON.
Flashing Blue: Indicates the active program (e.g., 2 flashes = Prog 2).
Battery Backup: Equipped with an internal battery that maintains settings for 7–10 years, ensuring the clock remains accurate even during power outages. Installation Highlights
The ISG1201 is designed for easy integration into existing or new distribution (DB) panels or via surface mounting in ceiling cavities.
Safety First: Always turn off the main power and geyser isolator before attempting installation.
Load Capacity: Rated for a maximum resistive load of 20A (approx. 4600W at 230V). Master Your Energy: The New KES Geyser Load
Real-Time Clock (RTC): To verify the current internal time, hold the "Override" and "Program" buttons simultaneously.
For full technical details, you can view the Geyser Load Control Timer ISG1201 Guide on Scribd or check local availability at Bob Shop. If you'd like, I can help you:
Identify the exact peak time slots for your specific region. Compare this model with WiFi-enabled geyser controllers.
Walk through a step-by-step wiring guide if you're doing a DIY setup. Geyser Load Control Timer ISG1201 Guide | PDF - Scribd
The ISG1201 comes with four selectable profiles indicated by a flashing blue LED:
Prog 1 (Default): Always "ON," but automatically switches "OFF" during peak times (Mon–Fri, 06:00–08:00 and 18:00–20:00).
Prog 2: "OFF" from 08:00 to 15:00 and during all peak times. Ideal for solar geyser setups.
Prog 3: "OFF" at all times by default, except for manual overrides. This is also suitable for solar applications.
Prog 4: "OFF" during specific blocks: 00:00–03:00, 08:00–15:00, 20:00–24:00, and all peak times. Key Controls and Indicators
Programme Select Button: Used to cycle through the four profile options.
Override Button: Provides a 1-hour manual bypass to heat water immediately using the geyser's standard thermostat.
Note: The override is only available outside of designated peak hours. LED Status Lights: Green LED: Mains power is present. Red LED: The geyser is currently receiving power ("ON").
Flashing Blue LED: Indicates the currently active profile (e.g., 2 flashes = Prog 2). Installation Basics
The unit can be installed on a DIN rail inside an electrical distribution (DB) panel or surface-mounted, often in a ceiling cavity near the geyser isolator.
Wiring: Requires a 220V connection to Live (L) and Neutral (N) terminals. The geyser's load wire is then connected to the "Load Out" terminal.
Professional Requirement: It is highly recommended that a qualified electrician perform the installation to ensure safety and insurance compliance. Mode A (Standard Timer): Geyser on 6-8 AM, 5-7 PM
For further detailed diagrams and technical specifications, you can view the full KES Geyser Timer Instruction Manual on Scribd. Geyser Load Control Timer ISG1201 Guide | PDF - Scribd
Here are a few options for an interesting post, depending on where you are posting (Instagram, Facebook, a Blog, or a Forum).
At 9 PM, with a headlamp and a screwdriver, Nina opened the old meter box. The old timer was indeed a KES—a rusted relic. She swapped in the new KES-LCT-9000.
Then came the programming.
The manual said: “To set Load Shedding Profile P1, press MODE for 3 seconds until ‘Prog’ flashes. Use UP/DOWN to set ON time. Press SET to confirm. Repeat for OFF time.”
Simple, right? Wrong.
She discovered that the KES had four overlapping modes:
At 10:17 PM, she accidentally enabled Mode D + Eskom-Sequencer. The geyser clicked on for 17 seconds, off for 43 seconds, then on again—a frantic staccato. The manual’s flowchart on page 27 showed a loop labelled: “If erratic cycling: Perform factory reset (see Appendix B: Prayer).”
Below is a simplified wiring description for the new KES LC timer (model KES-4M-LC):
| Terminal | Label | Connection | |----------|-------|-------------| | 1 | L (IN) | Live incoming from geyser breaker (top of DB) | | 2 | L (OUT) | Live to geyser element | | 3 | N | Neutral (common) | | 4 | R1 | Ripple receiver/load limiter input signal (NO contact) | | 5 | R2 | Common for ripple signal | | 6 | Earth | Earth ground |
Sequence of operation:
When the ripple receiver detects a load-shed command, it closes contacts between R1 and R2 → KES timer opens internal relay contact between L IN and L OUT → Geyser stops.
Do not attempt this wiring without a valid electrician’s license.
If you are upgrading from a mechanical or older digital KES, here is what the new model improves:
The KES geyser load control timer is an electronic time switch designed specifically to manage the load on your electric water heater. Unlike a simple timer that only switches on/off based on time, a load control timer interfaces with your utility’s ripple control system or internal load limiter. It prevents the geyser from drawing power during peak grid demand or when the household exceeds a pre-set load limit (e.g., 60A or 80A).
The new generation KES timers come with updated firmware, a larger LCD screen, and more intuitive buttons compared to legacy models.