Hybrid dimming controller with multi-class outputs
AssigneeThe Watt Stopper, Inc.
InventorsJonathan P. Cartrette, Erick E. Betancourt-Ochoa
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A hybrid dimming controller for a lighting control system providing isolated class 1 and class 2 dimming outputs. The controller has two NEC class 1 outputs for providing independent low-voltage dimming-control signals for two lighting loads and two NEC class 2 outputs for providing the same two independent dimming control-signals for the lighting loads. Thus, the controller has both a class 1 and a class 2 outputs for delivering the same dimming-control signal for each of the two lighting loads while maintaining within the controller the isolation that is required between class 1 and class 2 circuits.
Claims8
A method for controlling a lighting load via a dimming controller comprising the steps:
- providing a dimming controller comprising:
- a class 1 power conditioner operable to provide a class 1 dimmer signal;
- and
- a class 2 power conditioner isolated from the class 1 power conditioner, the class 2 power conditioner operable to operable to provide a class 2 dimmer signal;
- providing a low voltage connector and operably connecting the low voltage connector to the class 2 power conditioner and providing the class 2 dimmer signal;
- providing output wires and operably connecting the dimming controller to the class 2 power conditioner and providing the class 2 dimmer signal;
- providing output wires and operably connecting to the class 1 power conditioner to provide the class 1 dimmer signal;
- and
- providing a relay and controlling power to the lightning load based on the dimmer signals.
A method for controlling lighting loads via a dimming controller comprising the steps:
- providing a dimming controller comprising:
- a first class 1 power conditioner operable to provide a first class 1 dimmer signal;
- a second class 1 power conditioner operable to provide a second class 1 dimmer signal;
- a first class 2 power conditioner operable to provide a first class 2 dimmer signal;
- and
- a second class 2 power conditioner operable to provide a second class 2 dimmer signal;
- providing two low voltage connectors and operably connecting the two low voltage connectors to the first and second class 2 power conditioners and providing the first and second class 2 dimmer signals to separate lighting loads;
- providing output wires operably connecting the dimming controller to the class 2 power conditioner and providing the class 2 dimmer signal;
- providing output wires and operably connecting to the first and second class 2 power conditioners and providing the first and second class 2 dimmer signals;
- and
- providing output wires and operably connecting to the first and second class 1 power conditioners and providing the first and second class 1 dimmer signals to separate lighting loads.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.