Apparatus for and method of inhibiting and overriding an electrical control device

A method of controlling power distribution in an electrical network having a plurality of input devices operable in an on state and an off state and an electrical control device responsive to the state of the plurality of input devices and used to control power distribution to the load, wherein said input devices and electrical control device are adapted to communicate over a communications network, said method comprising the steps of:

• inhibiting at least one of said plurality of an input devices from sending a message to said electrical control device to turn power on to the load in response to it being placed in the off state;
• transmitting an inhibit message from said at least one input device in the off state to said electrical control device;
• turning power to the load off in response to said inhibit message;
• inhibiting said electrical control device from responding to messages from any of said plurality of input devices to turn power on to said load until each of the plurality of input devices in the on state;
• transmitting a feedback inhibit message from said electrical control device to each of said plurality of input devices, wherein each input device responds to said feedback inhibit message by inhibiting the sending of the message to said electrical control device to turn power on to said load until each of said plurality of input devices are in the on state;
• maintaining a table of input device identifiers within said electrical control device;
• adding an identifier associated with each input device placed in the off state to said table when such input device has been placed in the off state;
• removing the identifier associated with such input device placed in the off state from said table when such input device has been placed in the on state;
• and
• enabling said electrical control device to turn power on to said load when all input device identifiers have been removed from said table.

An electrical network including a plurality of input devices operable in an on state and an off state, an electrical control device responsive to the state of said plurality of input devices, a load and a power control system capable of controlling power distribution to the load, said power distribution system comprising:

• means for placing at least one of said plurality of input devices into the off state;
• means for communicating from said at least one input device in the off state to said electrical control device a message representing that said at least one input device is in the off state, and wherein said electrical control device turns power to the load off when said message is received;
• means for inhibiting said electrical control device from turning power on to the load until each of said plurality of input devices are in the on state;
• a table for storing input device identifiers;
• means for storing an identifier associated with an input device to said table when an input device is placed in the off state;
• means for removing the identifier associated with an input device from said table when said input device is placed in the on state;
• and
• means for enabling said electrical control device to turn power on to said load when all input device identifiers have been removed from said table.