Distributed lighting system

An assembly for installation under a cabinet or shelf;

• said assembly including a pair of high-frequency input terminals, a high-frequency ballasting circuit, an enclosure and a lamp socket for a single-ended lamp;
• said enclosure completely enclosing the high-frequency ballasting circuitry, the interconnecting wiring between the high-frequency input terminals and the high-frequency ballasting circuit, and the interconnecting wiring between the high-frequency ballasting circuit and the lamp socket for a single-ended lamp;
• and
• said enclosure not enclosing the single ended lamp.

An arrangement suitable for mounting to a mounting surface comprising:

• a pair of input terminals, a ballasting circuit, a socket with output terminals that is capable of receiving, supporting and making electrical connection to a single-ended lamp, and an enclosure;
• the input to the ballasting circuit being connected to the pair of input terminals;
• the output of the ballasting circuit being connected to the output terminals within the socket;
• the ballasting circuit being capable of properly igniting and powering a gas discharge lamp when provided with high-frequency power on the pair of input terminals;
• the enclosure completely encapsulating the ballasting circuitry, the interconnection between the input terminals and the ballasting circuitry, the interconnection between the ballasting circuitry and the output terminals of the socket, and the portion of the output terminals to which the ballasting circuitry connects;
• and
• said enclosure not enclosing a single-ended lamp.

A high-frequency ballasting circuit comprising:

• a pair of input terminals, a capacitor, a transformer, and an inductor;
• the transformer having a primary winding, multiple low voltage secondary windings and a high voltage secondary windings;
• the capacitor being connected in series between one of the input terminals and the primary winding of the transformer;
• the low voltage secondary windings being suitable for powering the cathodes of a gas-discharge lamp;
• the high voltage secondary winding being suitable for connection across a gas-discharge lamp;
• the high voltage secondary proving sufficient voltage to ignite a gas-discharge lamp;
• the lamp current being limited by the capacitor in series with the input terminal and the primary winding;
• and
• the circuit arrangement resulting in a reduction of voltage across the cathodes after the gas discharge lamp has ignited.

An assembly for installation under a cabinet or shelf;

• said assembly including a pair of high-frequency input terminals, a high-frequency ballasting circuit, a lamp socket for a single-ended lamp, interconnecting wiring between the high-frequency input terminals and the high-frequency ballasting circuit, interconnecting wiring between the high-frequency ballasting circuit and the lamp socket for a single-ended lamp, and an enclosure;
• said high-frequency input terminals being provided with a high-frequency current;
• said high-frequency current having a frequency greater than 10,000 hertz;
• said enclosure completely enclosing the high-frequency ballasting circuitry, the interconnecting wiring between the high-frequency input terminals and the high-frequency ballasting circuit, and the interconnecting wiring between the high-frequency ballasting circuit and the lamp socket for a single-ended lamp;
• and
• said enclosure not enclosing a single-ended lamp.

An arrangement comprising:

• a pair of input terminals, a ballasting circuit, a socket with output terminals that is capable of receiving, supporting and making electrical connection to a single-ended lamp, interconnecting wiring between the input terminals and the ballasting circuitry, interconnecting wiring between the ballasting circuitry and the output terminals of the socket and an enclosure;
• the input to the ballasting circuit being connected to the pair of input terminals;
• the output of the ballasting circuit being connected to the output terminals within the socket;
• the ballasting circuit being capable of properly igniting and powering a gas discharge lamp when provided with a high-frequency voltage on the pair of input terminals;
• the enclosure completely encapsulating the ballasting circuitry, the interconnecting wiring between the input terminals and the ballasting circuitry, the interconnecting wiring between the ballasting circuitry and the output terminals of the socket, and the portion of the output terminals to which the ballasting circuitry connects;
• and
• said enclosure not enclosing a single-ended lamp.

A high-frequency under-cabinet lighting system comprising:

• a high-frequency power source, an interconnecting cable, and multiple luminaires;
• the high-frequency power source being connected to and powered from a standard utility power line and having a high-frequency power output;
• the interconnecting cable being connected to said high-frequency power output;
• said interconnecting cable not being a track of a track lighting system;
• the interconnecting cable being supplied from a manufacturing facility with no luminaires connected thereto;
• the system further characterized in that the system is installed by an installer;
• during installation, luminaires are connected to a single interconnecting cable at multiple points along the interconnecting cable using an insulation-displacement connection;
• and
• the locations of the luminaires being determined by the installer.

A method of providing under-cabinet lighting, comprising the steps of:

• passing a high-frequency output cord along the bottom of a cabinet or a shelf,
• placing a ballasted socket assembly over the high-frequency output cord,
• positioning a channel provided in the ballasted socket assembly directly over the high-frequency output cord, and
• mounting the ballasted socket assemblies to the under side of the cabinet or shelf.

A high-frequency under-cabinet lighting system comprising:

• a high-frequency power source, an interconnecting cable, and multiple luminaires;
• the interconnecting cable being supplied with no luminaires connected there to;
• and
• the system further characterized in that multiple luminaires can be powered from the same interconnecting cable without cutting the interconnecting cable.

A luminaire suitable for connection to and being powered from a high-frequency power source by way of an interconnecting cord;

• the interconnecting cord comprising a first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor encased within and separated from one another by a common insulating sheath;
• the luminaire including two channels intersecting at right angles;
• either channel being capable of receiving said interconnecting cord;
• the luminaire also including a first input terminal and a second input terminal;
• the input terminals being designed to pierce the insulation of the interconnecting cord;
• and
• the input terminals being located within the area of the intersection of the two channels and positioned, such that, the first input terminal making contact with a first electrical conductor and the second input terminal making contact with the second electrical conductor during the installation of the luminaire no matter through which channel the electrical cord is routed.