What term refers to the highest demand measured over a specified period?

The correct term for the highest demand measured over a specified period is "Maximum Demand." This term is commonly used in electrical engineering and utility management to quantify the greatest level of electrical power that a facility or system has drawn during a given timeframe. Understanding maximum demand is crucial for efficient energy distribution and resource planning, as it helps utilities assess the capacity needed to reliably serve customers while also ensuring that infrastructure can handle peak loads without failure.

In contrast, "Peak Demand" typically refers to times when the electrical load is at its highest but may not strictly adhere to a defined measurement period like maximum demand does. "Declared Demand" often involves a user-stated demand level for billing purposes, which may not represent the actual peak usage. "Average Demand," meanwhile, represents the total consumption divided by time, which does not capture the extremes of usage that maximum demand addresses. Hence, maximum demand is the most precise term for identifying the highest demand within a specified timeframe.