Abstract: An emergency lighting system includes an electrical panel board having a phase layout that includes consecutively arranged phases wherein one or more pairs of consecutively arranged phases are of the same phase. A 2-pole branch circuit breaker may be electrically connected to a consecutive pair of same phases, and a 1-pole remotely-operated-relay may be electrically connected to one pole of the 2-pole branch circuit breaker. The emergency lighting system may further include an emergency lighting fixture having a normal power input and an emergency power input. The normal power input may be electrically connected to the 1-pole remotely-operated-relay such that the normal power input is connected to one phase, and the emergency power input may be electrically connected to the 2-pole branch circuit breaker such that the emergency power input is electrically connected to a consecutive pair of same phases.

Abstract: An emergency lighting system includes an electrical panel board having a phase layout that includes consecutively arranged phases wherein one or more pairs of consecutively arranged phases are of the same phase. A 2-pole branch circuit breaker may be electrically connected to a consecutive pair of same phases, and a 1-pole remotely-operated-relay may be electrically connected to one pole of the 2-pole branch circuit breaker. The emergency lighting system may further include an emergency lighting fixture having a normal power input and an emergency power input. The normal power input may be electrically connected to the 1-pole remotely-operated-relay such that the normal power input is connected to one phase, and the emergency power input may be electrically connected to the 2-pole branch circuit breaker such that the emergency power input is electrically connected to a consecutive pair of same phases.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems are provided for operating a motor control center. The invention includes determining a hardware configuration of functional modules within a motor control center; downloading the hardware configuration to a programmable logic controller; configuring a program to run on the programmable logic controller based on the hardware configuration; and executing the program. Numerous additional aspects are disclosed.

Abstract: An electrical distribution system for selectively connecting an electrical power source to load devices comprises a plurality of panels. Each panel comprises a plurality of load control devices each for connection in a branch circuit to a load device, and an input/output (I/O) controller operatively connected to each of the load control devices for controlling operation of the load control devices. The I/O controller includes a communication port. A programmed system controller is provided for commanding operation of the I/O controllers and includes a communication port. A bus operatively connects the I/O controller communication ports to the system controller communication port.

Abstract: An emergency lighting system comprising an electrical panel board comprising a two-pole switched breaker with one pole controlled using an Emergency Remote Operated Relay. Each of the poles of the circuit breaker is fed by a single phase. The controlled pole feeds normal power to the lighting ballast operating under normal conditions. The non-controlled pole feeds constant power to at least one battery which provides back-up power to the light(s) in an emergency/power failed condition. The Emergency Remote Operated Relay further comprises a two pole circuit breaker (BQD 2P) with one of the poles connected to a Remote Operated Relay that is remotely controllable.

Abstract: An electrical distribution system is provided for selectively connecting an electrical power source to load devices, comprising a panelboard having load circuit positions. A remote operated device is mountable in the panelboard comprising a load control device, a programmed controller for operating the load control device and a communication circuit. An input/output (I/O) controller is mounted in the panelboard for controlling operation of the remote operated device, the I/O controller comprising a programmed controller, and a communication circuit for communication with the remote operated device communication circuit. The communication circuits are adapted to communicate using an asynchronous communication protocol comprising transfer of data in two directions.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention a configurable electrical distribution system is provided for selectively connecting an electrical power source to load devices. The system comprises a panel and a plurality of switching devices mounted in the panel, each switching device for connection in a branch circuit to a load device for selectively delivering electrical power to the load device. A panel controller is mounted in the panel and is operatively connected to each of the switching devices. The panel controller comprises a programmed controller for controlling operation of the switching devices and a panel memory connected to the programmed controller storing configuration data relating to operation of the switching devices. A port is provided for operatively connecting an external memory device to the programmed controller. A user interface is operatively associated with the programmed controller to transfer configuration data between the external memory device and the panel memory.

Abstract: An electrical distribution system is provided for selectively connecting an electrical power source to load devices comprising a plurality of panelboards each having a plurality of load circuit positions. A plurality of pairs of circuit breakers and switching devices are each mounted in one of the load circuit positions. Each pair is electrically connected between an electrical power source and a load device for selectively delivering electrical power to load devices. An I/O controller is mounted in the panelboard for controlling operation of the switching devices. The I/O controller includes a communication circuit. A system controller is connected to each I/O controller communication circuit and comprises a programmed controller for commanding operation of the I/O controllers.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems are provided for operating a motor control center. The invention includes determining a hardware configuration of functional modules within a motor control center; downloading the hardware configuration to a programmable logic controller; configuring a program to run on the programmable logic controller based on the hardware configuration; and executing the program. Numerous additional aspects are disclosed.

Abstract: An electrical distribution system includes a database manager using a query stack, comprising a panel with a plurality of remote operated devices mounted in the panel. Each remote operated device is for connection in a branch circuit to a load device. A panel controller is operatively connected to each of the remote operated devices. The panel controller comprises a programmed controller for controlling operation of the remote operated devices. A database is operatively associated with the programmed controller storing configuration data relating to operation of the remote operated devices. The panel controller is programmed to implement a database manager for accessing data in the database responsive to requests of the programmed controller, comprising storing a cache of data queries and responsive to a received request for data determining if a query relating to the received request is stored in the cache and returning the stored query, and operating the returned query to access data in the database.

Abstract: An emergency lighting system comprising an electrical panel board comprising a two-pole switched breaker with one pole controlled using an Emergency Remote Operated Relay. Each of the poles of the circuit breaker is fed by a single phase. The controlled pole feeds normal power to the lighting ballast operating under normal conditions. The non-controlled pole feeds constant power to at least one battery which provides back-up power to the light(s) in an emergency/power failed condition. The Emergency Remote Operated Relay further comprises a two pole circuit breaker (BQD 2P) with one of the poles connected to a Remote Operated Relay that is remotely controllable.

Abstract: An emergency lighting system comprising an electrical panel board comprising a phase layout comprising a plurality of consecutively arranged phases wherein a pair of consecutive phases are of the same phase, a 2-pole branch circuit breaker electrically connected to the pair of consecutive phases that are of the same phase, and a 1-pole remotely-operated-relay electrically connected to one pole of the 2-pole branch circuit breaker. The emergency lighting system further comprises an emergency lighting fixture comprising a normal power input electrically connected to the load side of the 1-pole remotely-operated-relay such that the normal power input is connected to one phase of the plurality of phases, an emergency power input electrically connected to the load side of the 2-pole branch circuit breaker such that the emergency power input is electrically connected to the two consecutive phases of the same phase.

Abstract: A dynamically configurable electrical distribution system is provided for selectively connecting an electrical power source to load devices. The system comprises an electrical distribution panel and a plurality of switching devices mounted in the panel each electrically connected between an electrical power source and an associated load device for selectively delivering electrical power to the associated load device. A control system is mounted to the panel for controlling operation of the switching devices. The control system comprises a programmed controller for commanding operation of the switching devices. A memory stores configuration information relating to operation of the switching devices. The control system further comprises a user interface device. The program controller is programmed to implement a configuration routine enabling a user to define operation of the switching devices using the user interface.

Abstract: An electrical distribution system for selectively connecting an electrical power source to a load device uses astronomical calculations. The system comprises a switching device electrically connected between an electrical power source and a load device for selectively delivering electrical power to the load device. A control system controls operation of the switching device. The control system comprises a programmed controller for commanding operation of the switching device in accordance with a scheduling routine stored in a memory. The scheduling routine enables control of the switching device based on sunrise and sunset time. The memory further comprises a database of a plurality of geographic locations and coordinate information for the plurality of geographic locations.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention a configurable electrical distribution system is provided for selectively connecting an electrical power source to load devices. The system comprises a panel and a plurality of switching devices mounted in the panel, each switching device for connection in a branch circuit to a load device for selectively delivering electrical power to the load device. A panel controller is mounted in the panel and is operatively connected to each of the switching devices. The panel controller comprises a programmed controller for controlling operation of the switching devices and a panel memory connected to the programmed controller storing configuration data relating to operation of the switching devices. A port is provided for operatively connecting an external memory device to the programmed controller. A user interface is operatively associated with the programmed controller to transfer configuration data between the external memory device and the panel memory.

Abstract: An electrical distribution system includes a database manager using a query stack, comprising a panel with a plurality of remote operated devices mounted in the panel. Each remote operated device is for connection in a branch circuit to a load device. A panel controller is operatively connected to each of the remote operated devices. The panel controller comprises a programmed controller for controlling operation of the remote operated devices. A database is operatively associated with the programmed controller storing configuration data relating to operation of the remote operated devices. The panel controller is programmed to implement a database manager for accessing data in the database responsive to requests of the programmed controller, comprising storing a cache of data queries and responsive to a received request for data determining if a query relating to the received request is stored in the cache and returning the stored query, and operating the returned query to access data in the database.

Abstract: An electrical distribution system for selectively connecting an electrical power source to load devices comprises a plurality of panels. Each panel comprises a plurality of load control devices each for connection in a branch circuit to a load device, and an input/output (I/O) controller operatively connected to each of the load control devices for controlling operation of the load control devices. The I/O controller includes a communication port. A programmed system controller is provided for commanding operation of the I/O controllers and includes a communication port. A bus operatively connects the I/O controller communication ports to the system controller communication port.

Abstract: An electrical distribution system is provided for selectively connecting an electrical power source to load devices, comprising a panelboard having load circuit positions. A remote operated device is mountable in the panelboard comprising a load control device, a programmed controller for operating the load control device and a communication circuit. An input/output (I/O) controller is mounted in the panelboard for controlling operation of the remote operated device, the I/O controller comprising a programmed controller, and a communication circuit for communication with the remote operated device communication circuit. The communication circuits are adapted to communicate using an asynchronous communication protocol comprising transfer of data in two directions.

Abstract: An electrical distribution system is provided for selectively connecting an electrical power source to load devices comprising a plurality of panelboards each having a plurality of load circuit positions. A plurality of pairs of circuit breakers and switching devices are each mounted in one of the load circuit positions. Each pair is electrically connected between an electrical power source and a load device for selectively delivering electrical power to load devices. An I/O controller is mounted in the panelboard for controlling operation of the switching devices. The I/O controller includes a communication circuit. A system controller is connected to each I/O controller communication circuit and comprises a programmed controller for commanding operation of the I/O controllers.

Abstract: An electrical distribution system for selectively connecting an electrical power source to a load device uses astronomical calculations. The system comprises a switching device electrically connected between an electrical power source and a load device for selectively delivering electrical power to the load device. A control system controls operation of the switching device. The control system comprises a programmed controller for commanding operation of the switching device in accordance with a scheduling routine stored in a memory. The scheduling routine enables control of the switching device based on sunrise and sunset time. The memory further comprises a database of a plurality of geographic locations and coordinate information for the plurality of geographic locations.