Abstract: Methods and corresponding systems for controlling a light fixture include a memory for storing data and software. A multi-tap capacitor has a plurality of tap capacitors integrated into a capacitor housing. A plurality of switches are each coupled to one of the plurality of tap capacitors for selectively coupling the tap capacitors together to produce a variable multi-tap capacitance. A processor is coupled to the memory and the switches to facilitate: detecting a trigger for changing a lumen level output by the light fixture; determining a new lumen level in response to the trigger; determining a capacitance value that corresponds to the new lumen level; and configuring the plurality of switches to produce the multi-tap capacitance that corresponds to the new lumen level. The processor can record data in the memory that represents times of lumen changes and switch settings, which data correlates to power consumption.

Abstract: A system for luminance characterization of a luminaire includes a ballast coil and a multi-tap capacitor connected in series with the ballast coil. The multi-tap capacitor has a plurality of tap capacitors integrated into a capacitor housing. A plurality of switches are each coupled to one of the plurality of tap capacitors for selectively coupling the tap capacitors together to produce a multi-tap capacitance corresponding to a configuration of the plurality of switches. A lamp is connected in series with the multi-tap capacitor and the ballast coil. A photometer is located to measure light intensity of the lamp and to produce a lumen output measurement. A memory is used to store a database having a plurality of lumen output measurements, each corresponding to a multi-tap capacitance corresponding to all configurations of the plurality of switches.

Abstract: A controller is configured for and a corresponding method of adaptive monitoring and control of a lighting system are suited for adaptively establishing lighting parameters on a fixture by fixture basis. The controller includes a communication interface configured to communicate with a multiplicity of light fixtures, a memory for storing software routines and information associated with each of the light fixtures; and a processor coupled to the memory and the communication interface and configured to execute the software routines and selectively communicate with at least one of the multiplicity of light fixtures to adaptively establish lighting parameters for the at least one of the multiplicity of light fixtures. A method of facilitating the monitoring and control of the light fixture includes controlling a lamp circuit to provide one of a multiplicity of light levels; assessing performance parameters of the light fixture; and communicating with a central server.