Abstract: A coil has foil conductor windings which are formed into self leads and provide a stable mount to a printed circuit board or the like. End portions of the foil windings, having conductive opposite sides, are cut and formed into stacks. The stack configuration forms the self leads of the foil winding and facilitates the winding's exit from the coil. The self leads extend from the coil and are formed to reach to the printed circuit board (PCB). The self leads are strong enough to mount the coil to the PCB. The ends of the self leads are trimmed to fit through holes in the PCB. After insertion, the layers of the self leads are bent in opposing directions to substantially block the hole, prevent extraction, and prevent solder from flowing through the holes. The self leads are then soldered to the board. A bobbin having discontinuous flanges facilitates the exits of the self leads from the coil. The invention is useful in coils, inductors, transformers, and the like.

Abstract: A coil has foil conductor windings which are formed into self leads and provide a stable mount to a printed circuit board or the like. End portions of the foil windings are cut and formed into stacks. The stack configuration forms the self leads of the foil winding and facilitates the winding's exits from the coil. The self leads extend from the coil and are formed to reach to the printed circuit board (PCB). The self leads are strong enough to mount the coil to the PCB. The ends of the self leads are trimmed to fit through holes in the PCB. After insertion, the layers of the self leads are bent in opposing directions to substantially block the hole, prevent extraction, and prevent solder from flowing through the holes. The self leads are then soldered to the board. A bobbin having discontinuous flanges facilitates the exits of the self leads from the coil. The invention is useful in coils, inductors, transformers, and the like.

Abstract: An emergency lighting monitoring and control system controls and monitors the emergency lights in a building. A central control unit automatically schedules self tests for each of the emergency lights and stores the results of the tests in memory. The self tests include tests of the backup power source and the lamp. Some failures are predicted prior to actual failure. Failures are diagnosed and repairs are suggested. Light output is automatically monitored and adjusted. The central control unit generates a report of the self tests and notifies an operator of failures. An operator views test reports, controls the emergency lights, and schedules tests. The system automatically detects newly installed emergency lighting units.

Abstract: An emergency lighting test system and method automatically schedules self tests and uses novel test methods to thoroughly test an emergency lighting system. An emergency lighting system comprises a fluorescent lamp, an inverter circuit and a backup power source (e.g. a battery). A microcontroller controls testing of the system and tracks time of day and date for scheduling tests of the lighting system. After a test is performed, the test reports are stored in memory. Two novel tests are used to evaluate the lighting system. A first test determines backup power source condition. The test samples the high frequency signal generated by the inverter circuit to determine an average peak voltage. The average peak voltage is indicative of backup power source voltage. If the average peak voltage falls below a predetermined lower limit, it indicates a backup power source failure. The lamp is turned off and a failure is flagged. A second test determines lamp and inverter condition.

Abstract: A magnetic ballast circuit for a fluorescent lamp providing improved power factor, reduced harmonic content and increased efficiency. A ballast circuit with three inductances connected at a junction, preferably with the first and second inductances comprising a tapped autotransformer, with the third inductance connected between a line terminal and the tap, with the first inductance connected in series with a capacitance to the other line terminal, and with the second inductance connected to the load. The first inductance may be provided totally as part of the autotransformer, or may be supplemented with a second inductance in series. In an alternative embodiment, separate inductances may be utilized. Alternative lamp filament power sources and alternative functionally equivalent core and winding configurations are disclosed.

Abstract: A magnetic ballast circuit for a fluorescent lamp providing improved power factor, reduced harmonic content and increased efficiency. A ballast circuit with three inductances connected to a junction, preferably with the first and second inductances comprising a tapped autotransformer, with the third inductance connected between a line terminal and the tap, with the first inductance connected in series with a capacitance to the other line terminal, and with the second inductance connected to the load. The first inductance may be provided totally as part of the autotransformer, or may be supplemented with a second inductance in series. In an alternative embodiment, separate inductances may be utilized.