Abstract: A load control device comprises a bidirectional semiconductor switch for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load, and the bidirectional semiconductor switch further comprises two field effect transistors (FETs) in anti-series electrical connection. In the event that one of the FETs fails in a shorted state, and if the load control device is using a phase control dimming technique to control the load, the load control device may provide an asymmetric waveform to the electrical load. In order to determine whether this asymmetric waveform is present, a microprocessor of the load control device use voltage thresholds and/or offsets to monitor the voltage across the FETs. Thus, the microprocessor is operable to detect a fault condition of the load control device wherein the fault condition may comprise an asymmetry condition, or more particularly, a failure condition of one of the FETs.

Abstract: A load control device comprises a bidirectional semiconductor switch for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load, and the bidirectional semiconductor switch further comprises two field effect transistors (FETs) in anti-series electrical connection. In the event that one of the FETs fails in a shorted state, and if the load control device is using a phase control dimming technique to control the load, the load control device may provide an asymmetric waveform to the electrical load. In order to determine whether this asymmetric waveform is present, a microprocessor of the load control device use voltage thresholds and/or offsets to monitor the voltage across the FETs. Thus, the microprocessor is operable to detect a fault condition of the load control device wherein the fault condition may comprise an asymmetry condition, or more particularly, a failure condition of one of the FETs.

Abstract: Power distribution systems that have a limited peak power capability or a high source impedance, such as site supply generators, are often susceptible to abnormal operation in response to the current drawn at power up from the loads connected to the power distribution system. The present invention provides a load control module for a lighting control system operable to start up a plurality of the lighting loads in sequence to reduce stress on the power distribution system. The lighting loads are each turned on as part of a startup sequence at predetermined times after an output voltage of the power distribution system has stabilized. The lighting control module is operable to wait for a predetermined amount of time for the startup sequence to begin before turning on the lighting loads.

Abstract: Power distribution systems that have a limited peak power capability or a high source impedance, such as site supply generators, are often susceptible to abnormal operation in response to the current drawn at power up from the loads connected to the power distribution system. The present invention provides a method of configuring a lighting control system to power up a plurality of the lighting loads in sequence to reduce stress on the power distribution system. The lighting control system includes a plurality of load control devices for controlling the electrical loads. The method comprising the steps of enabling a startup-delay mode in the load control devices, and determining a startup sequence having a plurality of event times for the electrical loads to turn on after the power distribution system has stabilized. A graphical user interface may be used to create a database defining the operation of the startup sequence.

Abstract: A load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load from a source of AC power comprises a controllably conductive device and a variable gate drive circuit. The controllably conductive device is coupled in series electrical connection between the source and the electrical load to control the amount of power delivered to the load. The variable drive circuit is thermally coupled to the controllably conductive device and provides a continuously variable impedance in series with the control input of the controllably conductive device. The impedance of the variable drive circuit is operable to decrease as a temperature of the controllably conductive device increases and vice versa. Preferably, the variable drive circuit comprises an NTC thermistor. Accordingly, the switching times of the controllably conductive device, i.e.

Abstract: Power distribution systems that have a limited peak power capability or a high source impedance, such as site supply generators, are often susceptible to abnormal operation in response to the current drawn at power up from the loads connected to the power distribution system. The present invention provides a lighting control system operable to power up a plurality of the lighting loads in sequence to reduce stress on the power distribution system. The lighting loads are each turned on as part of a startup sequence at predetermined times after an output voltage of the power distribution system has stabilized. The lighting control system is operable to begin the startup sequence in response to receiving a control signal representative that the power distribution system has stabilized. The lighting loads are each controlled by a lighting control module, which is operable to wait for a predetermined amount of time for the startup sequence to begin before turning on the lighting loads.

Abstract: Power distribution systems that have a limited peak power capability or a high source impedance, such as site supply generators, are often susceptible to abnormal operation in response to the current drawn at power up from the loads connected to the power distribution system. The present invention provides a lighting control system operable to power up a plurality of the lighting loads in sequence to reduce stress on the power distribution system. The lighting loads are each turned on as part of a startup sequence at predetermined times after an output voltage of the power distribution system has stabilized. The lighting control system is operable to begin the startup sequence in response to receiving a control signal representative that the power distribution system has stabilized. The lighting loads are each controlled by a lighting control module, which is operable to wait for a predetermined amount of time for the startup sequence to begin before turning on the lighting loads.

Abstract: Power distribution systems that have a limited peak power capability or a high source impedance, such as site supply generators, are often susceptible to abnormal operation in response to the current drawn at power up from the loads connected to the power distribution system. The present invention provides a method of configuring a lighting control system to power up a plurality of the lighting loads in sequence to reduce stress on the power distribution system. The lighting control system includes a plurality of load control devices for controlling the electrical loads. The method comprising the steps of enabling a startup-delay mode in the load control devices, and determining a startup sequence having a plurality of event times for the electrical loads to turn on after the power distribution system has stabilized. A graphical user interface may be used to create a database defining the operation of the startup sequence.

Abstract: Power distribution systems that have a limited peak power capability or a high source impedance, such as site supply generators, are often susceptible to abnormal operation in response to the current drawn at power up from the loads connected to the power distribution system. The present invention provides a load control module for a lighting control system operable to start up a plurality of the lighting loads in sequence to reduce stress on the power distribution system. The lighting loads are each turned on as part of a startup sequence at predetermined times after an output voltage of the power distribution system has stabilized. The lighting control module is operable to wait for a predetermined amount of time for the startup sequence to begin before turning on the lighting loads.

Abstract: A load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load from a source of AC power comprises a controllably conductive device and a variable gate drive circuit. The controllably conductive device is coupled in series electrical connection between the source and the electrical load to control the amount of power delivered to the load. The variable drive circuit is thermally coupled to the controllably conductive device and provides a continuously variable impedance in series with the control input of the controllably conductive device. The impedance of the variable drive circuit is operable to decrease as a temperature of the controllably conductive device increases and vice versa. Preferably, the variable drive circuit comprises an NTC thermistor. Accordingly, the switching times of the controllably conductive device, i.e.

Abstract: In an electric system that controls electrical or state variable devices through inputs received from device operators such as switches, buttons and the like, where some of the button control or set sequences for the electrical devices and others predefined “presets”, an automatic sequence tracking process monitors the system and adjusts the position of the sequence steps for buttons that are associated therewith, to ensure that they always track the current condition of the electrical devices. Thereby, actuation of sequence generating buttons will always choose the next step in a sequence for the corresponding electrical device.

Abstract: In an electric system that controls electrical or state variable devices through inputs received from device operators such as switches, buttons and the like, where some of the buttons control or set sequences for the electrical devices and others predefined “presets”, an automatic sequence tracking process monitors the system and adjusts the position of the sequence steps for buttons that are associated therewith, to ensure that they always track the current condition of the electrical devices. Thereby, actuation of sequence generating buttons will always choose the next step in a sequence for the corresponding electrical device.