An electrical power cord includes intelligent switching capability. An electrical power input receives electrical power from a power source, and selectively conveys that power to an electrical power output only when certain occupancy or power usage criteria are met. The electrical power output conveys electrical power to an electrical consumer when a switch disposed along the power cord is closed. The switch is actuated in response to a signal received from a sensor, such as an occupancy sensor or a power consumption sensor, and breaks continuity along the power cord when signals received from the sensor indicate that the occupancy or power usage criteria are not being met, which criteria may be customized for a particular application. The electrical power cord is operable to automatically reduce or substantially eliminate power consumption at its power output end.