Abstract: A supplemental arc maintenance electrical supply for a high density discharge (HID) lamp (L) for applying a high frequency supplemental arc voltage to maintain the arc during a period of unstable or intermittent AC supply in addition to or in lieu of the voltage or current being supplied to the lamp by the HID ballast (12). AC supply instability is identified in less time than the unstable or intermittent power will cause the lamp to arc to extingish and energize a supplemental arc maintenance electrical supply to maintain the arc of the lamp during the period of instability or interruption, so long as its internal, rechargeable battery is operational. The monitoring system (18) also recognizes the re-establishment of a stable (as by being a persistently repeating cycle but not necessarily a sinusoidal AC supply) repeating electrical power supply which is also of sufficient energy level to maintain operation of the HID lamp.

Abstract: A remote lamp control system for controlling the off/on status and dimming of the illumination in a high infrared and EMI noise environment is disclosed. The transmitted control signal is an infrared beam containing a selected pulse-time code which the receiving circuit can reliably receive, recognize and process in an environment of high infrared noise typically produced by fluorescent lighting. For the lighting fixture control, upon recognition and verification of the selected pulse-time code, the microcontroller outputs a signal to cause the lamp in the fixture to illuminate or go dark, or to change level of illumination. In preferred embodiments the detector for the infrared beam is in a grounded housing which is mounted in the lighting fixture, the cable connecting the detector to the microcontroller are all surrounded with an electrically conductive shielding which is grounded to the microcontroller.

Abstract: A detector assembly for a remotely controlled test system for testing the ready status of a fluorescent type emergency lighting fixture providing a 30 second or a 90 minute test of the battery operated fluorescent lamp upon command. The transmitted control signal is an infrared beam containing a selected pulse-time code which the receiving circuit can reliably receive, recognize and process in an environment of high infrared noise typically produced by fluorescent lighting. Upon recognition and verification of the selected pulse-time code, the microcontroller disenables the charging circuit to the battery for supplying power to the fluorescent lamp in the emergency mode to cause the emergency circuit to sense an AC power failure whereby the lamp illuminates in the emergency mode for the selected test period.

Abstract: A remote control system for testing the ready status of lighting fixtures such as emergency exit signs and for operating such fixtures as by controlling the off/on status and dimming of the illumination in a high infrared and EMI noise environment. The transmitted control signal is an infrared beam containing a selected pulse-time code which the receiving circuit can reliably receive, recognize and process in an environment of high infrared noise typically produced by fluorescent lighting. Upon recognition and verification of the selected pulse-time code, in the ready status testing, the microcontroller disenables the charging circuit to the battery for supplying power to the exit sign in the emergency mode to cause the emergency circuit to sense an AC power failure whereby the lamp illuminates in the emergency mode for the selected test period.

Abstract: A remote control system for testing the ready status of lighting fixtures such as emergency exit signs and for operating such fixtures as by controlling the off/on status and dimming of the illumination in a high infrared and EMI noise environment. The transmitted control signal is an infrared beam containing a selected pulse-time code which the receiving circuit can reliably receive, recognize and process in an environment of high infrared noise typically produced by fluorescent lighting. Upon recognition and verification of the selected pulse-time code, in the ready status testing, the microcontroller disenables the charging circuit to the battery for supplying power to the exit sign in the emergency mode to cause the emergency circuit to sense an AC power failure whereby the lamp illuminates in the emergency mode for the selected test period.

Abstract: A detector assembly for a remotely controlled test system for testing the ready status of a fluorescent type emergency lighting fixture providing a 30 second or a 90 minute test of the battery operated fluorescent lamp upon command. The transmitted control signal is an infrared beam containing a selected pulse-time code which the receiving circuit can reliably receive, recognize and process in an environment of high infrared noise typically produced by fluorescent lighting. Upon recognition and verification of the selected pulse-time code, the microcontroller disenables the charging circuit to the battery for supplying power to the fluorescent lamp in the emergency mode to cause the emergency circuit to sense an AC power failure whereby the lamp illuminates in the emergency mode for the selected test period.

Abstract: A remotely controlled test system for testing the ready status of a fluorescent type emergency lighting fixture providing a 30 second or a 90 minute test of the battery operated fluorescent lamp upon command. The transmitted control signal is an infrared beam containing a selected pulse-time code which the receiving circuit can reliably receive, recognize and process in an environment of high infrared noise typically produced by fluorescent lighting. Upon recognition and verification of the selected pulse-time code, the microcontroller disenables the charging circuit to the battery for supplying power to the fluorescent lamp in the emergency mode to cause the emergency circuit to sense an AC power failure whereby the lamp illuminates in the emergency mode for the selected test period.