Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for dimming light emitting diode (LED) lamps. A control unit is coupled to a dimmer and LED lamp. The dimmer receives power from an AC source and determines a phase angle of the AC power. The dimmer provides DC power to the lamp based on the phase angle. The control unit sends a control signal to the dimmer during a first portion of each half sine-wave of the received AC power. The control signal causes the dimmer to modify at least one function of the lamp. A plurality of LED lamps may be associated with a single dimmer, and the dimmer may individually instruct the lamps to modify their operational characteristics. The dimmer may send an operational signal back to the control unit. The operational signal may represent end of life information for the associated LED lamp. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A system and method provide fail-safe operation of a lighting system. A lighting level detector is used to obtain a baseline lighting level for a low-intensity light. If the detector measures less than the baseline level when an occupancy sensor determines the space is unoccupied, a high-intensity light is energized and an indication is provided to a user that the low-intensity light has failed. A method provides daylighting operation of a lighting system. An occupancy sensor can have Wi-Fi functionality to enable remote configuration of the sensor. A line voltage occupancy sensor can include an interface with low voltage devices. An occupancy sensor can include an integral interface to enable an external control system to override the sensor's normal logic under emergency conditions. An occupancy sensor can include an active temperature compensation feature. An occupancy sensor can also incorporate an automatically adjustable coverage area.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing fail-safe operation of a lighting system. A lighting level detector is used to obtain a baseline lighting level for a low-intensity light. If the detector measures less than the baseline level when an occupancy sensor determines the space is unoccupied, a high-intensity light is energized and an indication is provided to a user that the low-intensity light has failed. A method is also disclosed for daylighting operation of a lighting system. An occupancy sensor can have Wi-Fi functionality to enable remote configuration of the sensor. A line voltage occupancy sensor can include an interface with low voltage devices. An occupancy sensor can include an integral interface to enable an external control system to override the sensor's normal logic under emergency conditions. An occupancy sensor can include an active temperature compensation feature. An occupancy sensor can also incorporate an automatically adjustable coverage area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an illuminated receptacle. In one particularly preferred embodiment, the receptacle preferably includes a body, a cover for coupling to said body, said cover having one or more sockets for receiving a plug, a tamper resistant (TR) platform associated with each of the one or more sockets, each of the TR platforms being disposed between the body and the cover, each of the TR platforms including a cavity and an aperture extending thru said platform in said cavity, a slider disposed within each of the cavities of the platform and aligned with the openings of a respective socket, and a light source disposed within each of the apertures formed in the platforms, the light sources operatively coupled to electrical power for generating light to illuminate said slider, the light sources being positioned to directly transmit light to the sliders.

Abstract: A system and method provide fail-safe operation of a lighting system. A lighting level detector is used to obtain a baseline lighting level for a low-intensity light. If the detector measures less than the baseline level when an occupancy sensor determines the space is unoccupied, a high-intensity light is energized and an indication is provided to a user that the low-intensity light has failed. A method provides daylighting operation of a lighting system. An occupancy sensor can have Wi-Fi functionality to enable remote configuration of the sensor. A line voltage occupancy sensor can include an interface with low voltage devices. An occupancy sensor can include an integral interface to enable an external control system to override the sensor's normal logic under emergency conditions. An occupancy sensor can include an active temperature compensation feature. An occupancy sensor can also incorporate an automatically adjustable coverage area.

Abstract: A method of sensing motion in a predetermined area is provided. The method may include using a digital output motion sensor to produce a digital output signal indicative of the presence of motion in the predetermined area. The method may further include transmitting the digital output signal along a signal path independent of analog amplification and filtering. The method may also include using a microprocessor coupled to the signal path to receive the digital output signal and to process the digital output signal.

Abstract: A wire clamp is presented including a body having a face surface and an opposing back surface; a front end, a back end, and side ends; at least one tab positioned on an edge of the back end and an opening disposed substantially centrally on the body, the opening extending from the face surface to the back surface. The wire clamp also includes a plurality of gripping members positioned on edges of the side ends and a raised ridge extending a width of the clamp, the raised ridge adapted to grip a wire.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing fail-safe operation of a lighting system. A lighting level detector is used to obtain a baseline lighting level for a low-intensity light. If the detector measures less than the baseline level when an occupancy sensor determines the space is unoccupied, a high-intensity light is energized and an indication is provided to a user that the low-intensity light has failed. A method is also disclosed for daylighting operation of a lighting system. An occupancy sensor can have Wi-Fi functionality to enable remote configuration of the sensor. A line voltage occupancy sensor can include an interface with low voltage devices. An occupancy sensor can include an integral interface to enable an external control system to override the sensor's normal logic under emergency conditions. An occupancy sensor can include an active temperature compensation feature. An occupancy sensor can also incorporate an automatically adjustable coverage area.

Abstract: Threshold-based zero-crossing detection is provided. A power phase threshold detector detects when absolute value of a voltage level of the electrical power rises above a non-zero voltage threshold and outputs a zero-crossing signal to a controller to indicate occurrence of the zero-crossing. Delaying the zero-crossing signal to the point when the absolute value of the voltage level of the electrical power rises above the non-zero voltage threshold ensures completion of the zero-crossing of the power phase prior to signaling the controller. The controller provides signals to a switching circuit for controlling switching of electrical power to a load based on the zero-crossing indications.

Abstract: A controllable electrical receptacle is disclosed. The electrical receptacle includes a housing having a pair of sockets suitable for receiving electrical plugs. The receptacle includes an antenna disposed beneath a cover portion of the receptacle. The antenna is configured to receive wireless signals from an occupancy sensor or other controller and to control power to the sockets based on the received signals. The antenna is also configured to transmit wireless signals. The antenna may be routed around the sockets to minimize interference caused by metal components of the receptacle. The antenna may be sandwiched between a pair of non-metal layers of the housing to avoid direct exposure to the environment while maintaining a desired performance. In one embodiment the antenna is a wire member received within a routing groove formed in a portion of the housing. The routing groove includes features for retaining the wire member in the groove.

Abstract: Electrical load controls are provided which include an electrical switch assembly and a fault protection device within a common housing. The switch assembly includes an actuator, and is responsive to actuation of the actuator to switch ON or OFF electricity to the load. The protection device automatically responds to a fault condition by overriding the switch assembly by automatically blocking electrical connection between phase input and output terminals and neutral input and output terminals of the load control. The actuator includes a single external interface element. In one embodiment, actuation of the actuator switches ON or OFF electricity via control of the fault protection device, and in another embodiment, movement of the interface away from the housing exposes within the housing an internal user interface for the fault protection device.

Abstract: Circuit interrupting devices are provided. One circuit interrupting device includes a fault sensor configured to output a sensor signal; a voltage sensor configured to sense a reference voltage; and a controller configured to determine an occurrence of an actual fault based on the sensor signal and the reference voltage. The circuit interrupting device further includes an amplifier configured to receive the sensor signal and the reference voltage and output an amplified signal; an analog-to-digital converter configured to receive the reference voltage and the amplified signal and output respective digital signals corresponding to the reference voltage and the amplified signal; and a line interrupt assembly configured to interrupt current flow through a conductive path when a characteristic of the sensor signal exceeds an actual fault threshold.

Abstract: Timer-based switching circuit synchronization in an electrical dimmer is provided. The energizing of a switching circuit in a dimmer is synchronized with an AC wave to facilitate providing by the dimmer electrical power to a load. The synchronizing includes starting a timer having a predetermined timeout, responsive to receipt of a zero-crossing signal. Responsive to receipt of a subsequent zero-crossing signal prior to reaching the timeout, the timer is restarted, and responsive to expiration of the timeout, a switching circuit is energized at a predetermined firing angle with respect to the zero-crossing signal to supply electrical power to the load.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing fail-safe operation of an occupancy sensor so that a load associated with the sensor will be energized in the event that the sensor malfunctions. Short voltage pulses are applied to a signal line by an occupancy sensor. A load control device recognizes the pulses as an indication that the sensor is in a healthy condition. If the load control device does not recognize the voltage pulses, it assumes the sensor is faulty and energizes the load (light) associated with the monitored space. The voltage pulses are different from the normal signals sent by the sensor to the load control device that indicate an “occupied” condition of the space. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for adjusting a field of view of an image sensor to correspond to an outer dimension of a monitored space. The image sensor may be part of an occupancy sensor configured to sense movement within the space and to adjust lighting in the area accordingly. The occupancy sensor includes an image sensor coupled to a processor, an input device for adjusting the field of view in a plurality of dimensions. By knowing the height at which the sensor will be mounted above the space, a user can employ the input device to adjust the field of view of the sensor so that when the sensor is mounted the field of view corresponds to at least one outer dimension of the monitored space. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A wiring system includes a wiring module and a functional module. The wiring module in at least one embodiment includes elongated holes or openings which are configured to engage or lock with prongs on a functional module to create a lockable connection. The wiring module and the functional module form both a physical and an electrical connection. In another embodiment, there is an adapter which is configured to connect the wiring module and the functional module or unit together.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, there is an electrical device comprising a functional module comprising a housing having a front face and a back face, and at least three arcuate blades extending out from the housing. At least one of the arcuate blades has a locking section. The functional module can be used in a wiring system comprising at least one wiring module. The wiring module can include a housing having a front face and a back face and at least one opening for receiving at least one of the at least three arcuate blades. The disclosure can also include a wiring module which can be used separately from the functional module wherein the wiring module includes a housing having at least one movable arm. Inside the wiring module is a plurality of contacts disposed in the housing, wherein these contacts are configured to couple to electrical wiring.

Abstract: An arc fault circuit interrupter is disclosed. This arc fault circuit interrupter can include any one or more of three different sensors such as a high frequency sensor, and any one of lower frequency sensors such as a current sensor or a differential sensor. The arc fault circuit interrupter can be configured as an in line arc fault circuit interrupter installed in a wall box. In addition, the arc fault circuit interrupter can include a processor configured to determine any one of a series arc fault, or a parallel arc fault.

Abstract: LED light fixtures and methods of manufacturing same are provided. In one embodiment, a LED fixture assembly includes at least one cover configured to be disposed in a fluorescent light troffer, the at least one cover including at least one first cavity and a second cavity; at least one LED lamp module disposed in the first cavity; and a driver module disposed in the second cavity such that the driver module is visibly concealed and electrically coupled to at least one LED lamp module. Various embodiments of LED lamp modules have also been provided and are configured to provide light via direct and/or indirect lighting methods.

Abstract: A self testing fault circuit interrupter device comprising a fault circuit comprising at least one line monitoring circuit, at least one line interrupting circuit and at least one fault detector circuit which is configured to selectively operate said at least one line interrupting circuit when a fault is detected. This fault circuit also includes at least one test circuit configured to initiate a self test on the fault circuit and at least one timing circuit for controlling the time period for a self test being performed on said at least one self test circuit. The timing circuitry can be in the form of external circuitry which comprises a transistor which controls the discharge rate of a timing capacitor. The timing capacitor is present to prevent any false triggering of a fault circuit. A fault circuit test condition does not stop until the capacitor is fully discharged.