Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for electronic ballasts control and dimming of gas discharge lamps such as fluorescent lamps. Conventional wiring is used, thereby permitting ready retrofit of existing installations. Circuits are provided in the electronic ballasts (typically in the lamp) and in a conventionally operated dimmer switch (typically installed on a wall). A user adjusts the dimmer switch in a conventional manner to achieve the desired level of dimming of the lamp. Such adjustments apply a corresponding control voltage in the dimmer switch circuit, causing a small notch to appear in the output voltage from the dimmer switch. The notch is demodulated by the circuitry in the ballast, and is used to control the brightness of the lamp or lamps.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 29, 1997
Date of Patent:
January 30, 2001
Assignee:
EZ Lighting, LLC
Inventors:
Alexander D. Leslie, Dean Heesung Cha, Allen Wong Yung