Networkable power controller

A method for networking a lighting controller that controls at least one ballast driving a lighting device, the lighting controller including an output signal line adapted to output an output signal, a first input signal line adapted to receive a first input signal, a second input signal line adapted to receive a second input signal, wherein the output signal, the first input signal, and the second input signal satisfy the same signaling protocol that defines a control signal for controlling an amount of power provided to the lighting device by the ballast, the method comprising:

• coupling an output of an additional lighting controller to the first input signal line of the lighting controller;
• coupling a user controllable voltage selector to the second input signal line of the lighting controller;
• and
• selecting a given mode among a plurality of modes, each mode determining which of the first input signal and the second input signal are conducted to the output signal line.

A power controller for controlling a driver circuit for driving a electrical device in a building control system, the power controller comprising:

• an output signal line adapted to output an output signal satisfying a signaling protocol, the signaling protocol defining a control signal for controlling an amount of power provided to the electrical building device by the driver circuit;
• an input signal line adapted to receive an input signal satisfying the signaling protocol;
• a communications interface receiving a digital command signal and converting the digital command signal to the input signal on the input signal line;
• and
• a selecting circuit conducting the input signal to the output signal line to control the driver circuit.

A method for networking a power controller that controls at least one driver circuit that drives an electrical device in a building control system, the power controller including an output signal line adapted to output an output signal, an input signal line adapted to receive an input signal, wherein the output signal and the input signal satisfy the same signaling protocol that defines a control signal for controlling an amount of power provided to the electrical building device by the driver circuit, the method comprising:

• receiving a digital command signal via a communications interface;
• converting the digital command signal to the input signal;
• and
• conducting the input signal to the input signal line of the power controller;
• and
• coupling the input signal line to the output signal line to output the input signal as the output signal to control the driver circuit.

A power controller for controlling at least one driver circuit driving a building automation device, the power controller comprising:

• an output signal line adapted to output an output signal satisfying a signaling protocol, the signaling protocol defining a control signal for controlling an amount of power provided to the building control device by the driver circuit;
• a first input signal line adapted to receive a first input signal satisfying the signaling protocol;
• a second input signal line adapted to receive a second input signal satisfying the signaling protocol;
• and
• a mode selector selecting among a plurality of modes, each mode determining which of the first input signal and the second input signal are conducted to the output signal line to control the driver circuit.

A method for networking a power controller that controls at least one driver circuit driving a building automation control device, the power controller including an output signal line adapted to output an output signal, a first input signal line adapted to receive a first input signal, a second input signal line adapted to receive a second input signal, wherein the output signal, the first input signal, and the second input signal satisfy the same signaling protocol that defines a control signal for controlling an amount of power provided to the building automation control device by the driver circuit, the method comprising:

• coupling an output of an additional power controller to the first input signal line of the power controller;
• coupling a user controllable voltage selector to the second input signal line of the power controller;
• and
• selecting a given mode among a plurality of modes, each mode determining which of the first input signal and the second input signal are conducted to the output signal line.