Abstract: A load control system for controlling the amount of power delivered from an AC power source to a plurality of electrical load includes a plurality of energy controllers. Each energy controller is operable to control at least one of the electrical loads. The load control system also includes a first broadcast controller that has a first antenna and a second antenna. The first antenna is arranged in a first position and the second antenna is arranged in a second position that is orthogonal to the first position. The broadcast controller is operable to transmit a first wireless signal via the first antenna and a second wireless signal via the second antenna. Each of the energy controllers is operable to receive at least one of the first and second wireless signals, and to control the respective load in response to the received wireless signal.

Abstract: A dimmer switch coupleable to a circuit including a power source, load, and single-pole double-throw three-way switch that comprises a first and a second fixed contact, and a movable contact. The three-way switch has a first state in which the movable contact is contacting the first fixed contact and a second state in which the movable contact is contacting the second fixed contact. The dimmer switch comprises first, second and third load terminals coupled in series with the three-way switch. The dimmer switch comprises first and second controllably conductive devices, such that the first and second controllably conductive devices are operable to conduct load current to control the amount of power delivered to the load when the three-way switch is in the respective first and second states; and a controller coupleable to the first and second controllably conductive devices for rendering the first and second controllably conductive devices conductive and non-conductive.

Abstract: A dimmer switch coupleable to a circuit including a power source, load, and single-pole double-throw three-way switch that comprises a first and a second fixed contact and a movable contact. The three-way switch has a first state and a second state. The dimmer switch comprises first, second and third load terminals coupled in series with the three-way switch. The dimmer switch comprises a controllably conductive device. A sensing device is coupled to the third load terminal such that when the three-way switch is in the second state, the sensing device is operable to sense an electrical characteristic associated with the third load terminal. A controller is coupled to the controllably conductive device and to the sensing device for rendering the controllably conductive device conductive in response to the sensed electrical characteristic and so that power is delivered through the second load terminal of the third load terminal depending on the state of the three-way switch.

Abstract: A multiple location dimming system comprises a plurality of dimmers coupled between an AC power source and a lighting load. Each of the plurality of dimmers is operable to control the intensity of the lighting load and comprises a controllably conductive device, e.g., a triac. The triacs of the plurality of dimmers are coupled in parallel electrical connection. Only an active one of the dimmers is operable to conduct a load current to the lighting load at any given time. A passive dimmer is operable to monitor the voltage across its triac in order to determine when the active dimmer is firing its triac. Accordingly, the passive dimmer is operable to fire its triac before the active dimmer fires its triac in order to “take over” control of the lighting load from the active dimmer to become the next active dimmer. Further, the passive dimmer is operable to determine the amount of power being delivered to the load and display this information on one or more status indicators.

Abstract: A smart dimmer for control of a lighting load from an AC power source can replace any switch in a three-way or four-way lighting control system. The smart dimmer can be connected on the line-side or the load-side of a three-way system with a standard three-way switch in the other location. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the dimmer includes two triacs to control the intensity of the connected lighting load. The dimmer preferably includes two gate drive circuits coupled to the gates of the triacs for rendering the triacs conductive each half-cycle of the AC power source. The gate drive circuits include sensing circuits for detect whether the gates currents are flowing after the triacs are rendered conductive. A controller is operable to determine the state of the lighting load in response to whether the gate current is flowing or not flowing.

Abstract: A smart switch for control of a lighting load from an AC voltage source can replace any switch in a three-way lighting control system. The smart switch can be connected on the line-side or the load-side of a three-way system with a standard three-way switch in the other location. The switch includes two semiconductor switches to control the connected lighting load. The switch preferably includes two sensing circuits for detecting the voltages at two of the load terminals of the switch to determine the state of the connected three-way switch(s), and thus, the load.

Abstract: A multiple location dimming system comprises a plurality of dimmers coupled between an AC power source and a lighting load. Each of the plurality of dimmers is operable to control the intensity of the lighting load and comprises a controllably conductive device, e.g., a triac. The triacs of the plurality of dimmers are coupled in parallel electrical connection. Only an active one of the dimmers is operable to conduct a load current to the lighting load at any given time. A passive dimmer is operable to monitor the voltage across its triac in order to determine when the active dimmer is firing its triac. Accordingly, the passive dimmer is operable to fire its triac before the active dimmer fires its triac in order to “take over” control of the lighting load from the active dimmer to become the next active dimmer. Further, the passive dimmer is operable to determine the amount of power being delivered to the load and display this information on one or more status indicators.

Abstract: A dimmer switch adapted to be coupled to a circuit including a power source, a load, and a single-pole double-throw three-way switch, the three-way switch comprising a first fixed contact, a second fixed contact, and a movable contact adapted to be coupled to either the power source or the load, the three-way switch having a first state in which the movable contact is contacting the first fixed contact and a second state in which the movable contact is contacting the second fixed contact, the dimmer switch comprising a first load terminal adapted to be coupled to either the power source or the load to which the three-way switch is not coupled for conducting a load current through the load; a second load terminal adapted to be coupled to the first fixed contact of the three-way switch; a third load terminal adapted to be coupled to the second fixed contact of the three-way switch; a first controllably conductive device electrically coupled between the first and second load terminals, such that the first contro

Abstract: A lighting control device adapted to be coupled to a circuit including an AC power source, an electrical load, and a single-pole double-throw three-way switch, the three-way switch comprising a first fixed contact, a second fixed contact, and a movable contact adapted to be coupled to either the power source or the load, the three-way switch having a first state in which the movable contact is contacting the first fixed contact and a second state in which the movable contact is contacting the second fixed contact, the lighting control device comprising a first load terminal adapted to be coupled to either the power source or the load to which the three-way switch is not coupled; a second load terminal adapted to be coupled to the first fixed contact of the three-way switch; a third load terminal adapted to be coupled to the second fixed contact of the three-way switch; a controllably conductive device coupled to the first, second, and third load terminals to conduct a load current from the AC power source to

Abstract: A multiple location dimming system comprises a plurality of dimmers coupled between an AC power source and a lighting load. Each of the plurality of dimmers is operable to control the intensity of the lighting load and comprises a controllably conductive device, e.g., a triac. The triacs of the plurality of dimmers are coupled in parallel electrical connection. Only an active one of the dimmers is operable to conduct a load current to the lighting load at any given time. A passive dimmer is operable to monitor the voltage across its triac in order to determine when the active dimmer is firing its triac. Accordingly, the passive dimmer is operable to fire its triac before the active dimmer fires its triac in order to “take over” control of the lighting load from the active dimmer to become the next active dimmer. Further, the passive dimmer is operable to determine the amount of power being delivered to the load and display this information on one or more status indicators.

Abstract: A smart dimmer switch for control of a lighting load from an AC voltage source can replace any switch in a three-way or four-way lighting control system. The smart dimmer switch can be connected on the line-side or the load-side of a three-way system with a standard three-way switch in the other location. Further, the dimmer switch can replace a four-way switch in a four-way system and is operable to be coupled to two standard three-way switches. The dimmer switch includes either one or two semiconductor switches to control the intensity of the connected lighting load. The dimmer switch preferably includes a sensing circuit for detecting an electrical characteristic (i.e., either a voltage or a current) at a terminal of the dimmer to determine the state of the connected three-way switch(s) or four-way switch.

Abstract: A load control device for controlling the power delivered to an electrical load, the load control device comprising a controllably conductive device for controlling the power delivered to the electrical load, the controllably conductive device having a control input; a controller coupled to the control input of the controllably conductive device for control of the controllably conductive device; a transmitter and/or a receiver in communication with the controller; a substantially-planar mounting yoke adapted to receive a traditional-style faceplate mounted thereto; an actuator button for providing an input to the controller, the actuator button mounted relative to the yoke, such that the actuator button is adapted to extend through an opening of the traditional-style faceplate when the faceplate is attached to the yoke; and an antenna coupled to the transmitter and/or receiver, the antenna adapted to receive a first signal at a specified frequency from a remote control device and/or transmit a second signal a

Abstract: A dimmer control operable to adjust a status of a connected electrical lamp in response to a radio frequency control signal received from a remote control device, the dimmer control comprising a communication and control circuit comprising at least a radio frequency transmitter/receiver and an antenna operable to receive a radio frequency signal from the remote control device that includes control information for controlling the status of the electrical lamp; a manual actuator operable to change the on/off status of the electrical lamp; and a slider control operable to change the dimming status of the electrical lamp, wherein the slider control operates to dim the electrical lamp and the communication and control circuit is operable to transmit to the remote control device status information representing the changed status of the electrical lamp, or the setting of the slider control, or both.

Abstract: A smart dimmer for control of a lighting load from an AC power source can replace any switch in a three-way or four-way lighting control system. The smart dimmer can be connected on the line-side or the load-side of a three-way system with a standard three-way switch in the other location. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the dimmer includes two triacs to control the intensity of the connected lighting load. The dimmer preferably includes two gate drive circuits coupled to the gates of the triacs for rendering the triacs conductive each half-cycle of the AC power source. The gate drive circuits include sensing circuits for detect whether the gates currents are flowing after the triacs are rendered conductive. A controller is operable to determine the state of the lighting load in response to whether the gate current is flowing or not flowing.

Abstract: A multiple location dimming system comprises a plurality of dimmers coupled between an AC power source and a lighting load. Each of the plurality of dimmers is operable to control the intensity of the lighting load and comprises a controllably conductive device, e.g., a triac. The triacs of the plurality of dimmers are coupled in parallel electrical connection. Only an active one of the dimmers is operable to conduct a load current to the lighting load at any given time. A passive dimmer is operable to monitor the voltage across its triac in order to determine when the active dimmer is firing its triac. Accordingly, the passive dimmer is operable to fire its triac before the active dimmer fires its triac in order to “take over” control of the lighting load from the active dimmer to become the next active dimmer. Further, the passive dimmer is operable to determine the amount of power being delivered to the load and display this information on one or more status indicators.

Abstract: A smart switch for control of a lighting load from an AC voltage source can replace any switch in a three-way lighting control system. The smart switch can be connected on the line-side or the load-side of a three-way system with a standard three-way switch in the other location. The switch includes two semiconductor switches to control the connected lighting load. The switch preferably includes two sensing circuits for detecting the voltages at two of the load terminals of the switch to determine the state of the connected three-way switch(s), and thus, the load.

Abstract: A smart dimmer switch for control of a lighting load from an AC voltage source can replace any switch in a three-way or four-way lighting control system. The smart dimmer switch can be connected on the line-side or the load-side of a three-way system with a standard three-way switch in the other location. Further, the dimmer switch can replace a four-way switch in a four-way system and is operable to be coupled to two standard three-way switches. The dimmer switch includes either one or two semiconductor switches to control the intensity of the connected lighting load. The dimmer switch preferably includes a sensing circuit for detecting an electrical characteristic (i.e., either a voltage or a current) at a terminal of the dimmer to determine the state of the connected three-way switch(s) or four-way switch.

Abstract: A compact antenna for use in a load control device for controlling the power delivered to an electric load and operable to transmit or receive radio frequency signals at a specified frequency is presented. The antenna comprises a first main radiating loop of conductive material having an inductance and a capacitor forming a circuit being resonant at the specified frequency, and a second feed loop of conductive material having two ends adapted to be electrically coupled to an electronic circuit. The second feed loop is substantially only magnetically coupled to the first main radiating loop. The antenna is disposed in an actuator button, which is provided in an opening of a traditional-style faceplate. The antenna extends beyond the faceplate of the load control device.

Abstract: A ballast for a gas discharge lamp comprising a first circuit portion for providing power to a lighting load and a second circuit portion for processing data exchanged with a communication link, the first circuit portion receiving power from an AC main supply for conversion to a form suitable to supply power to the lamp, and the second circuit portion having a power supply supplied from the AC main supply, the power supply being coupled at the input of the AC main supply to the first circuit portion, further comprising a first protection circuit coupled in series with the AC main supply for protecting the first and second circuit portions in the event of an electrical circuit failure leading to an overcurrent condition, the power supply for the second circuit portion being coupled such that it is protected by the first protection circuit; further comprising a second protection circuit disposed in series with the first circuit portion and providing protection only in the event of electrical failure leading to