Remotely accessible power controller for building lighting
US6842668B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 3, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jan 11, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 23, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05B47/198
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A remotely accessible power controller communicates power reduction command signals by power line carrier (PLC) signaling over existing AC power distribution conductors for automatically disconnecting building lighting loads. Turn-off command signals from a local or remote controller automatically disconnect building lighting loads according to a time-of-day schedule to comply with mandated energy consumption codes applicable to the automatic shutoff of electrical lighting. Load shedding (selective turn off and/or dimming) command signals transmitted from public or private utility companies automatically disconnect or reduce building lighting loads in accordance with load curtailment agreements to limit total connected power consumption below an agreed level. The power controller is connected by a minimum amount of retrofit wiring into an existing end-user alternating current power distribution network, for example, a building power distribution network having AC power conductors that service multiple lighting loads interconnected in one or more power phase groups. Each dimming lighting load is equipped with an addressable dimming module for decoding and executing dimming and turn-…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.