EP3666045B1 - Multi-channel dimmer - Google Patents

Multi-channel dimmer Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3666045B1
EP3666045B1 EP18739801.1A EP18739801A EP3666045B1 EP 3666045 B1 EP3666045 B1 EP 3666045B1 EP 18739801 A EP18739801 A EP 18739801A EP 3666045 B1 EP3666045 B1 EP 3666045B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
channel
dimmer
measuring
dimmer channel
control facility
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EP18739801.1A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3666045A1 (en
Inventor
Jakob Reislhuber
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Siemens Schweiz AG
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Siemens Schweiz AG
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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B47/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light sources in general, i.e. where the type of light source is not relevant
    • H05B47/10—Controlling the light source
    • H05B47/105—Controlling the light source in response to determined parameters
    • H05B47/14—Controlling the light source in response to determined parameters by determining electrical parameters of the light source
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B47/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light sources in general, i.e. where the type of light source is not relevant
    • H05B47/10—Controlling the light source
    • H05B47/155—Coordinated control of two or more light sources
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B47/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light sources in general, i.e. where the type of light source is not relevant
    • H05B47/10—Controlling the light source
    • H05B47/175—Controlling the light source by remote control
    • H05B47/18—Controlling the light source by remote control via data-bus transmission
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B47/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light sources in general, i.e. where the type of light source is not relevant
    • H05B47/10—Controlling the light source
    • H05B47/175—Controlling the light source by remote control
    • H05B47/185—Controlling the light source by remote control via power line carrier transmission
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B39/00—Circuit arrangements or apparatus for operating incandescent light sources
    • H05B39/04—Controlling
    • H05B39/041—Controlling the light-intensity of the source
    • H05B39/044—Controlling the light-intensity of the source continuously
    • H05B39/048—Controlling the light-intensity of the source continuously with reverse phase control
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B39/00—Circuit arrangements or apparatus for operating incandescent light sources
    • H05B39/04—Controlling
    • H05B39/08—Controlling by shifting phase of trigger voltage applied to gas-filled controlling tubes also in controlled semiconductor devices
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B45/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light-emitting diodes [LED]
    • H05B45/10—Controlling the intensity of the light
    • H05B45/14—Controlling the intensity of the light using electrical feedback from LEDs or from LED modules
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B45/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light-emitting diodes [LED]
    • H05B45/30—Driver circuits
    • H05B45/31—Phase-control circuits

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a dimmer, namely a device for controlling the electrical power consumption of an electrical load, in particular an integrated or connectable lighting device. Dimmers are well known and are used to vary electrical output.
  • phase control Such a power variation can preferably be carried out by phase control or phase control.
  • phase control the current is switched on with a delay after the alternating voltage crosses zero and flows until the next current zero crossing. It is preferred for inductive load behavior. With phase control, however, the current is switched on immediately after the zero crossing and switched off again before the next zero crossing. This is preferred for capacitive load behavior.
  • the dimmer In order to generate the necessary control commands to its switching components, the dimmer has a main control device.
  • the invention relates more specifically to so-called multi-channel dimmers. These have several individual dimmers, each of which controls part of the electrical load. To increase performance, these so-called dimmer channels can be switched on the output side in parallel, sequentially or mixed. Several physical channels are connected together to create a powerful logical channel. The dimmer channels can be in one device or in several devices.
  • German patent specification DE102006013518B3 discloses a multi-channel dimmer with a plurality of dimmer units, the multi-channel dimmer automatically checking whether load outputs have been connected in parallel, and in the context of this test mode, a dimmer unit takes on the role of a master dimmer and the other dimmer units take on the role of a slave dimmer.
  • the citation EP 2 925 095 A1 discloses a lighting controller comprising a power input for receiving alternating current, a master processor and one or more slave processors. Each slave processor is configured to use appropriate switching components to manipulate half-waves of alternating current to output a phase-cut alternating current.
  • the citation US 2004/0212325A1 discloses a load control system consisting of at least two triac devices connected in parallel to a load for supplying power to the load, at least one driver circuit connected to the at least two triac devices, and a controller connected to the at least one driver circuit is connected, wherein the controller controls the at least one driver circuit so that the at least two triac devices are actuated substantially at the same time.
  • EP 1 158 841 A2 a dimmer for brightness adjustment with an adjusting device for adjusting a dimming phase angle and with a control device for controlling a circuit breaker depending on a dimming phase angle set by the adjusting device.
  • each dimmer channel has its own channel control device, advantageously a simple processor, as well as a measuring device for measuring the electricity in the channel, which can also be partially formed by this processor. Thanks to the measuring device, the channel control device receives the information about the periodic behavior of the electricity in the channel necessary for detecting the phase angle or phase edge.
  • the control commands generated by the main control device are transmitted via a communication connection to the channel control devices of the dimmer channels and implemented on site in accordance with the information about the periodic behavior of the electricity in the channel.
  • the complexity of the measuring devices leads to high development costs and production costs. Inaccuracies in zero crossing detection can also arise due to component tolerances or aging of the components. The resulting time differences then lead to non-synchronous switching of the dimmer channels and to the problems described above. It is possible to replace the device or recalibrate its components, but not without costs and possibly consequential damage due to operational disruption.
  • the patent applicant has shown in a previous patent application how to solve many such problems. In short, this is achieved by the main controller also distributing synchronization signals to the channel controllers. These synchronization signals are based on information from the measuring device in a single dimmer channel, therefore called the measuring dimmer channel here. However, it has now been shown that an alternative path with optimization potential exists.
  • the dimmer according to the invention comprises at least a first measuring dimmer channel and two further dimmer channels (second and third dimmer channel), each with a channel control device.
  • the measuring dimmer channel includes a measuring device for measuring the electricity in the channel. Your information about the behavior of the electricity in the measuring dimmer channel is advantageously transmitted to the channel control device of the measuring dimmer channel.
  • the dimmer advantageously further comprises a main control device which can generate at least control commands for the dimmer channels, as well as a main communication connection which is at least suitable for transmitting such control commands from the main control device to the channel control device of a dimmer channel.
  • the dimmer further comprises at least one channel communication connection from the (first) measuring dimmer channel to the second dimmer channel, preferably with an element for electrically isolating the first dimmer channel from the second dimmer channel, preferably with an opto-coupler or alternatively with a transformer circuit.
  • This channel communication connection can transmit information, at least about the behavior, preferably the periodic behavior, of the electricity in the measuring dimmer channel, from the measuring device or from the channel control device of the first dimmer channel to the second dimmer channel, advantageously to the channel control device of the second dimmer channel.
  • the respective channel communication connection is preferably also suitable for transmitting information in the opposite direction.
  • channel communication connections between the channel control devices can be established with little additional effort, which even partially the communication connections between the channel control devices and the main control device of the dimmer.
  • the information about the periodic behavior of the electricity in a measuring dimmer channel is advantageously an indication of the time of at least one zero crossing of the voltage in the measuring dimmer channel.
  • the channel control device of the second dimmer channel can generate information about the periodic behavior of the electricity on site based on the information about the periodic behavior of the electricity in the measuring dimmer channel, with which it can switch the electricity in the channel precisely and synchronously with the other dimmer channels.
  • This stored data preferably contains a time value which is an estimate of the time for processing and transmitting the information from the measuring dimmer channel to the control device of the second dimmer channel.
  • the time value is a constant for each dimmer channel and may contain values about the time for the generation of the information by the measuring device, its transmission through the channel communication connection or through the channel communication connections from the measurement dimmer channel to the second dimmer channel and its processing in the dimmer channels. It can be determined for each dimmer channel, namely from a calibration with measurements on the dimmer or other dimmers from the same series or in a simulation using a computer.
  • the data has preferably been permanently stored in the channel control devices.
  • the information about the periodic behavior of the electricity in the measuring dimmer channel arrives at the channel control device of the second dimmer channel with a short delay, but especially with repetition and despite aging of the components with almost the same delay . It is noteworthy that this even applies to the total transmission delay when the signal is sent from the original channel control device of the measurement dimmer channel via some channel control devices and over the channel communication links therebetween. Accordingly, the first dimmer channel for a channel communication connection can be other than the measurement dimmer channel.
  • the channel communication connection can at least also transmit control commands from the main control device from the channel control device of the first dimmer channel (measuring dimmer channel) to the channel control device of the second dimmer channel.
  • control commands from the main control device from the channel control device of the first dimmer channel (measuring dimmer channel) to the channel control device of the second dimmer channel.
  • the measuring dimmer channel there are the two channel communication connections between the channel control devices of the measuring dimmer channel (first dimmer channel) and the second dimmer channel and between the channel control devices of the second and third dimmer channels.
  • the measuring dimmer channel therefore has a direct channel communication connection with several control devices of other dimmer channels. This may be implemented as as many individual channel communication connections, or as a single channel communication connection for bus communication or the like, according to which telegrams are received at the destination thanks to an individual address or a group address.
  • the main control device is a channel control device.
  • the Figure 1 shows the functional breakdown of a multi-channel dimmer D on the supply network N, L1.
  • the multi-channel dimmer D has several galvanically isolated dimmer channels K1, K2, Kx, each with a channel control device S1, S2, Sx.
  • the dimmer channels are connected in parallel to the load L on the output side via connection terminals A1, A2, Ax so that each can supply part of the current to it.
  • the dimmer D starts based on an external command B.
  • a main control device H generates control commands, which reach the channel control device S1 of the dimmer channel K1 via a communication connection V.
  • the dimmer channel K1 contains a measuring device M1 which is suitable for generating information about the behavior of the electricity at a point in the channel, namely information about the zero crossing of the voltage.
  • the dimmer channel K1 is therefore also called the measuring dimmer channel.
  • a communication connection transmits such information from the measuring device M1 to the channel control device S1.
  • a channel communication connection V12, V23, V(x-1)x leads from one dimmer channel to the next dimmer channel.
  • These channel communication connections V12, V23, V(x-1)x are preferably suitable for transmitting information about the behavior of the electricity in the measuring dimmer channel K1 to the channel control device S2, Sx of the next dimmer channel K2, Kx, here from the channel control device S1, S2 of one dimmer channel K1, K2 to the channel control device S2, Sx of the other dimmer channel K2, Kx.
  • these channel communication connections V12, V23, V(x-1)x also carry on the control commands from the main control device H.
  • the communication connections V, V12, V23, V(x-1)x between the galvanically isolated main control device H and the dimmer channels K1, K2, Kx each contain an optocoupler on both sides.
  • the channel communication connections V12, V23, V(x-1)x between the dimmer channels K1, K2, Kx link the measuring device M with the respective channel control devices S1, S2, Sx for very real-time transmission.
  • the channel communication connections V12, V23, V(x-1)x are designed to be unidirectional, which is why separate communication connections V deliver the control commands from the main control device H to each dimmer channel K1, K2, Kx and return any feedback.
  • the Figure 3 shows measuring dimmer channel K1, dimmer channel K2 and their channel communication connection V12 of the second multi-channel dimmer according to the invention, the circuits of the measuring device M, the channel communication connection V12 and the dimmer channel K2 being shown in simplified form.
  • An operational amplifier N11 of the measuring device M1 converts the mains voltage of 230 volts into a signal that is easier to process.
  • a comparator N12 of the measuring device M1 analyzes this signal for zero crossings. The zero crossings are passed on directly to the channel control device S1 but also to an optocoupler in the channel communication connection V12.
  • the optocoupler For galvanic isolation, the optocoupler contains a light-emitting diode and a light-sensitive resistor, which switches a current via the resistor R in the dimmer channel K2. Thus, the optocoupler transmits the information about the zero crossings with little delay to the channel controller S2 and to the next channel communication link.
  • control commands are sent to the main control device H in a similar way as in the variant of Figure 1 via a single communication connection V to the channel control device S1 of the dimmer channel K1.
  • the channel control device S1 passes it on to the next dimmer channel K2 via the channel communication connections V12, as in the variant Figure 2 .
  • Figure 3 sketched channel communication connections V12, V23, V(x-1)x, for example supplemented in front of the light-emitting diode with a switch and a resistor in a series with earth.
  • the switch for example a transistor, is switched between conducting and blocking by an output of the respective channel control device Sx.
  • the switch When the respective comparator Nx2 energizes the light-emitting diode, the switch can impose small voltage steps on the signal, which lead to small intensity steps in the light from the light-emitting diode.
  • a simple voltmeter can detect the corresponding resistance steps in the light-sensitive resistor on the receiver side. However, they do not trigger a zero crossing detection there. These steps thus encode the control commands of the main control device H and are passed on to the respective channel control device Sx+1 by the voltmeter.

Landscapes

  • Circuit Arrangement For Electric Light Sources In General (AREA)
  • Arrangements For Transmission Of Measured Signals (AREA)
  • Use Of Switch Circuits For Exchanges And Methods Of Control Of Multiplex Exchanges (AREA)
  • Remote Monitoring And Control Of Power-Distribution Networks (AREA)

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft einen Dimmer, nämlich ein Gerät zur Steuerung der elektrischen Leistungsaufnahme einer elektrischen Last, insbesondere einer integrierten oder anschliessbaren Leuchteinrichtung. Dimmer sind allgemein bekannt und sie dienen dazu, elektrische Leistung zu variieren.The invention relates to a dimmer, namely a device for controlling the electrical power consumption of an electrical load, in particular an integrated or connectable lighting device. Dimmers are well known and are used to vary electrical output.

Eine solche Leistungsvariation kann bevorzugt durch Phasenanschnittsteuerung oder durch Phasenabschnittsteuerung erfolgen. Bei der Phasenanschnittsteuerung wird der Strom verzögert nach dem Nulldurchgang der Wechselspannung eingeschaltet und fließt bis zum nächsten Stromnulldurchgang. Sie ist bevorzugt bei einem induktiven Lastverhalten. Bei der Phasenabschnittsteuerung hingegen wird der Strom nach dem Nulldurchgang sofort eingeschaltet und vor dem nächsten Nulldurchgang wieder ausgeschaltet. Diese ist bevorzugt bei einem kapazitiven Lastverhalten. Um die dazu benötigten Steuerbefehle an seine Schaltkomponenten zu erzeugen, weist der Dimmer eine Hauptsteuereinrichtung auf.Such a power variation can preferably be carried out by phase control or phase control. With phase control, the current is switched on with a delay after the alternating voltage crosses zero and flows until the next current zero crossing. It is preferred for inductive load behavior. With phase control, however, the current is switched on immediately after the zero crossing and switched off again before the next zero crossing. This is preferred for capacitive load behavior. In order to generate the necessary control commands to its switching components, the dimmer has a main control device.

Mehr spezifisch betrifft die Erfindung sogenannte Mehrkanaldimmer. Diese weisen mehrere einzelne Dimmer auf, welche je einen Teil der elektrischen Last steuern. Für eine Leistungssteigerung sind diese sogenannten Dimmerkanäle ausgangsseitig parallel, sequentiell oder gemischt schaltbar. Es werden mehrere physikalische Kanäle zusammengeschaltet und es entsteht ein leistungsstarker logischer Kanal. Die Dimmerkanäle können dabei in einem Gerät sein oder aber in mehreren Geräten.The invention relates more specifically to so-called multi-channel dimmers. These have several individual dimmers, each of which controls part of the electrical load. To increase performance, these so-called dimmer channels can be switched on the output side in parallel, sequentially or mixed. Several physical channels are connected together to create a powerful logical channel. The dimmer channels can be in one device or in several devices.

Es ist jedoch wichtig, eben wegen dieser Zusammenschaltung, dass die Ausgänge der Dimmerkanäle weitgehend synchronisiert sind. Wenn beispielsweise zwei Kanäle parallel geschaltet wurden und der zweite Kanal zu spät (bei Phasenanschnitt) oder zu früh (bei Phasenabschnitt) schaltet, wird der erste Kanal mehr überlastet, als wenn beide synchron falsch schalten. Dies kann zu einer übermäßigen Erwärmung oder einem Ausfall des ersten Dimmerkanals, oder sogar zum Abschalten des Dimmers führen.However, precisely because of this interconnection, it is important that the outputs of the dimmer channels are largely synchronized. For example, if two channels were connected in parallel and the second channel switches too late (with phase control) or too early (with phase control), the first Channel more overloaded than if both switched incorrectly synchronously. This can lead to excessive heating or failure of the first dimmer channel, or even the dimmer switching off.

Die deutsche Patentschrift DE102006013518B3 offenbart einen Mehrkanaldimmer mit einer Mehrzahl von Dimmereinheiten, wobei der Mehrkanaldimmer selbsttätig prüft, ob eine Parallelschaltung von Lastausgängen erfolgt ist, und wobei im Rahmen dieses Prüfmodus eine Dimmereinheit hierbei die Rolle eines Master-Dimmers einnimmt und die weiteren Dimmereinheiten die Rolle eines Slave-Dimmers.The German patent specification DE102006013518B3 discloses a multi-channel dimmer with a plurality of dimmer units, the multi-channel dimmer automatically checking whether load outputs have been connected in parallel, and in the context of this test mode, a dimmer unit takes on the role of a master dimmer and the other dimmer units take on the role of a slave dimmer.

Die Entgegenhaltung EP 2 925 095 A1 offenbart eine Beleuchtungssteuerung umfassend einen Leistungseingang zum Empfang von Wechselstrom, einen Master-Prozessor und einen oder mehrere Slave-Prozessoren. Jeder Slave-Prozessor ist so konfiguriert, dass er entsprechende Schaltkomponenten verwendet, um Halbwellen von Wechselstrom zur Ausgabe eines phasengeschnittenen Wechselstroms zu manipulieren.The citation EP 2 925 095 A1 discloses a lighting controller comprising a power input for receiving alternating current, a master processor and one or more slave processors. Each slave processor is configured to use appropriate switching components to manipulate half-waves of alternating current to output a phase-cut alternating current.

Die Entgegenhaltung US 2004/0212325A1 offenbart ein Laststeuerungssystem, bestehend aus mindestens zwei Triac-Vorrichtungen, die parallel zu einer Last geschaltet sind, zur Abgabe von Strom für die Last, mindestens einer Treiberschaltung, die mit den mindestens zwei Triac- Vorrichtungen verbunden ist, und einem Controller, der mit der mindestens einen Treiberschaltung verbunden ist, wobei der Controller, die mindestens eine Treiberschaltung so ansteuert, dass die mindestens zwei Triac-Vorrichtungen im Wesentlichen zur gleichen Zeit betätigt werden.The citation US 2004/0212325A1 discloses a load control system consisting of at least two triac devices connected in parallel to a load for supplying power to the load, at least one driver circuit connected to the at least two triac devices, and a controller connected to the at least one driver circuit is connected, wherein the controller controls the at least one driver circuit so that the at least two triac devices are actuated substantially at the same time.

Ferner offenbart die Druckschrift EP 1 158 841 A2 einen Dimmer zur Helligkeitseinstellung mit einer Einstelleinrichtung zum Einstellen eines Dimm-Phasenwinkels und mit einer Steuereinrichtung zum Ansteuern eines Leistungsschalters in Abhängigkeit von einem durch die Einstelleinrichtung eingestellten Dimm-Phasenwinkels.Furthermore, the publication discloses EP 1 158 841 A2 a dimmer for brightness adjustment with an adjusting device for adjusting a dimming phase angle and with a control device for controlling a circuit breaker depending on a dimming phase angle set by the adjusting device.

In bekannten Mehrkanaldimmern weist jeder Dimmerkanal eine eigene Kanalsteuereinrichtung auf, mit Vorteil einen einfachen Prozessor, sowie eine Messeinrichtung für das Messen der Elektrizität im Kanal, welche teilweise eben auch durch diesen Prozessors gebildet sein kann. Dank der Messeinrichtung bekommt die Kanalsteuereinrichtung die für die Erkennung des Phasenanschnitts oder des Phasenabschnitts nötigen Informationen über das periodische Verhalten der Elektrizität im Kanal. Die von der Hauptsteuereinrichtung erzeugten Steuerbefehle werden über je eine Kommunikationsverbindung zu den Kanalsteuereinrichtungen der Dimmerkanäle übertragen und Vorort im Einklang mit den Informationen über das periodische Verhalten der Elektrizität im Kanal umgesetzt.In known multi-channel dimmers, each dimmer channel has its own channel control device, advantageously a simple processor, as well as a measuring device for measuring the electricity in the channel, which can also be partially formed by this processor. Thanks to the measuring device, the channel control device receives the information about the periodic behavior of the electricity in the channel necessary for detecting the phase angle or phase edge. The control commands generated by the main control device are transmitted via a communication connection to the channel control devices of the dimmer channels and implemented on site in accordance with the information about the periodic behavior of the electricity in the channel.

Insbesondere die Komplexität der Messeinrichtungen führt zu hohen Entwicklungskosten und Produktionskosten. Auch können durch Bauteiletoleranzen oder durch Alterung der Bauteile Ungenauigkeiten bei der Nulldurchgangserkennung entstehen. Die daraus folgenden zeitlichen Unterschiede führen dann zu einem nicht synchronen Schalten der Dimmerkanäle und zu den oben beschriebenen Problemen. Ein Geräteaustausch oder eine Neukalibrierung dessen Bauteile ist zwar möglich, jedoch nicht ohne Kosten und gegebenenfalls Folgeschaden wegen Betriebsstörung.In particular, the complexity of the measuring devices leads to high development costs and production costs. Inaccuracies in zero crossing detection can also arise due to component tolerances or aging of the components. The resulting time differences then lead to non-synchronous switching of the dimmer channels and to the problems described above. It is possible to replace the device or recalibrate its components, but not without costs and possibly consequential damage due to operational disruption.

Der Patentanmelder hat in einer früheren Patentanmeldung gezeigt, wie man viele solche Probleme lösen kann. Dies wird, kurz gesagt, dadurch erreicht, dass die Hauptsteuereinrichtung auch Synchronisierungssignale an die Kanalsteuereinrichtungen verteilt. Diese Synchronisierungssignale basieren auf Informationen von der Messeinrichtung in einem einzigen Dimmerkanal, hier deswegen Messdimmerkanal genannt. Es hat sich nun jedoch gezeigt, dass ein alternativer Weg mit Optimierungspotential vorhanden ist.The patent applicant has shown in a previous patent application how to solve many such problems. In short, this is achieved by the main controller also distributing synchronization signals to the channel controllers. These synchronization signals are based on information from the measuring device in a single dimmer channel, therefore called the measuring dimmer channel here. However, it has now been shown that an alternative path with optimization potential exists.

Es ist die Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung die Nachteile aus den Stand der Technik zu mildern.It is the object of the present invention to mitigate the disadvantages of the prior art.

Die Aufgabe wird durch die Merkmale des ersten Patentanspruches gelöst.The task is solved by the features of the first patent claim.

Dementsprechend umfasst der erfindungsgemässe Dimmer mindestens einen ersten Messdimmerkanal und zwei weitere Dimmerkanäle (zweiter und dritter Dimmerkanal) mit je einer Kanalsteuereinrichtung. Der Messdimmerkanalumfasst eine Messeinrichtung für das Messen der Elektrizität im Kanal. Ihre Informationen über das Verhalten der Elektrizität im Messdimmerkanal werden zur Kanalsteuereinrichtung des Messdimmerkanals dabei mit Vorteil übertragen. Der Dimmer umfasst mit Vorteil weiter eine Hauptsteuereinrichtung die zumindest Steuerbefehle für die Dimmerkanäle erzeugen kann, sowie eine Hauptkommunikationsverbindung die zumindest geeignet ist, solche Steuerbefehle von der Hauptsteuereinrichtung an die Kanalsteuereinrichtung eines Dimmerkanals zu übertragen. Weiter umfasst der Dimmer mindestens eine Kanalkommunikationsverbindung von dem (ersten) Messdimmerkanal zu dem zweiten Dimmerkanal, bevorzugt mit einem Element zur galvanischen Trennung des ersten Dimmerkanals vom zweiten Dimmerkanal, bevorzugt mit einem Opto-Koppler oder alternativ mit einer Transformatorschaltung. Diese Kanalkommunikationsverbindung kann Informationen, und zwar zumindest über das Verhalten, bevorzugt das periodische Verhalten, der Elektrizität im Messdimmerkanal, von der Messeinrichtung oder aber von der Kanalsteuereinrichtung des ersten Dimmerkanals an den zweiten Dimmerkanal, mit Vorteil an die Kanalsteuereinrichtung des zweiten Dimmerkanals, übertragen. Bevorzugt ist die jeweilige Kanalkommunikationsverbindung auch geeignet, in umgekehrter Richtung Informationen zu übertragen.Accordingly, the dimmer according to the invention comprises at least a first measuring dimmer channel and two further dimmer channels (second and third dimmer channel), each with a channel control device. The measuring dimmer channel includes a measuring device for measuring the electricity in the channel. Your information about the behavior of the electricity in the measuring dimmer channel is advantageously transmitted to the channel control device of the measuring dimmer channel. The dimmer advantageously further comprises a main control device which can generate at least control commands for the dimmer channels, as well as a main communication connection which is at least suitable for transmitting such control commands from the main control device to the channel control device of a dimmer channel. The dimmer further comprises at least one channel communication connection from the (first) measuring dimmer channel to the second dimmer channel, preferably with an element for electrically isolating the first dimmer channel from the second dimmer channel, preferably with an opto-coupler or alternatively with a transformer circuit. This channel communication connection can transmit information, at least about the behavior, preferably the periodic behavior, of the electricity in the measuring dimmer channel, from the measuring device or from the channel control device of the first dimmer channel to the second dimmer channel, advantageously to the channel control device of the second dimmer channel. The respective channel communication connection is preferably also suitable for transmitting information in the opposite direction.

Weil eine Kommunikationsverbindung zwischen jeder Kanalsteuereinrichtung der Dimmerkanäle und einer Hauptsteuereinrichtung des Dimmers ohnehin benötigt ist, bevorzugt inklusive galvanischer Trennung, kann man mit geringfügigem Mehraufwand Kanalkommunikationsverbindungen zwischen den Kanalsteuereinrichtungen untereinander aufnehmen, welche sogar einen Teil der Kommunikationsverbindungen zwischen den Kanalsteuereinrichtungen und der Hauptsteuereinrichtung des Dimmers ersetzen können.Because a communication connection between each channel control device of the dimmer channels and a main control device of the dimmer is required anyway, preferably including galvanic isolation, channel communication connections between the channel control devices can be established with little additional effort, which even partially the communication connections between the channel control devices and the main control device of the dimmer.

Die Informationen über das periodische Verhalten der Elektrizität in einem Messdimmerkanal sind mit Vorteil eine Angabe über die Zeit von zumindest einem Nulldurchgang der Spannung im Messdimmerkanal. Aufgrund gespeicherter Daten kann die Kanalsteuereinrichtung des zweiten Dimmerkanals anhand der Informationen über das periodische Verhalten der Elektrizität im Messdimmerkanal Informationen über das periodische Verhalten der Elektrizität Vorort erzeugen, mit denen sie die Elektrizität im Kanal genau und synchron zu den übrigen Dimmerkanälen schalten kann. Diese gespeicherten Daten enthalten bevorzugt einen Zeitwert, welcher eine Abschätzung der Zeit für die Verarbeitung und die Übertragung der Informationen vom Messdimmerkanal bis zur Steuereinrichtung des zweiten Dimmerkanals gleicht. Der Zeitwert ist für jeden Dimmerkanal eine Konstante und mag Werte über die Zeit für das Erzeugen der Informationen durch die Messeinrichtung, deren Übertragung durch die Kanalkommunikationsverbindung oder durch die Kanalkommunikationsverbindungen vom Messdimmerkanal bis zum zweiten Dimmerkanal und deren Verarbeitung in den Dimmerkanälen enthalten. Man kann ihn für jeden Dimmerkanal ermitteln, nämlich aus einer Kalibrierung mit Messungen am Dimmer oder an sonstigen Dimmern aus derselben Baureihe oder in einer Simulierung mittels eines Rechners. Bevorzugt sind die Daten in den Kanalsteuereinrichtungen fest abgespeichert worden.The information about the periodic behavior of the electricity in a measuring dimmer channel is advantageously an indication of the time of at least one zero crossing of the voltage in the measuring dimmer channel. Based on stored data, the channel control device of the second dimmer channel can generate information about the periodic behavior of the electricity on site based on the information about the periodic behavior of the electricity in the measuring dimmer channel, with which it can switch the electricity in the channel precisely and synchronously with the other dimmer channels. This stored data preferably contains a time value which is an estimate of the time for processing and transmitting the information from the measuring dimmer channel to the control device of the second dimmer channel. The time value is a constant for each dimmer channel and may contain values about the time for the generation of the information by the measuring device, its transmission through the channel communication connection or through the channel communication connections from the measurement dimmer channel to the second dimmer channel and its processing in the dimmer channels. It can be determined for each dimmer channel, namely from a calibration with measurements on the dimmer or other dimmers from the same series or in a simulation using a computer. The data has preferably been permanently stored in the channel control devices.

Dadurch, dass das Signal ohne aufwendige Verarbeitung über eine kurze Distanz übertragen wird, kommen die Informationen über das periodische Verhalten der Elektrizität im Messdimmerkanal mit geringer, aber vor allem bei Wiederholung und trotz Alterung der Komponenten mit nahezu gleicher Verzögerung bei der Kanalsteuereinrichtung des zweiten Dimmerkanals an. Es ist bemerkenswert, dass dies sogar auch für die Gesamtübertragungsverzögerung gilt, wenn das Signal von der ursprünglichen Kanalsteuereinrichtung des Messdimmerkanals via einige Kanalsteuereinrichtungen und über die Kanalkommunikationsverbindungen dazwischen übertragen wird. Dementsprechend kann der erste Dimmerkanal zu einer Kanalkommunikationsverbindung ein anderer als der Messdimmerkanal sein.Because the signal is transmitted over a short distance without complex processing, the information about the periodic behavior of the electricity in the measuring dimmer channel arrives at the channel control device of the second dimmer channel with a short delay, but especially with repetition and despite aging of the components with almost the same delay . It is noteworthy that this even applies to the total transmission delay when the signal is sent from the original channel control device of the measurement dimmer channel via some channel control devices and over the channel communication links therebetween. Accordingly, the first dimmer channel for a channel communication connection can be other than the measurement dimmer channel.

In einer vorteilhaften Ausführung der Erfindung kann die Kanalkommunikationsverbindung zumindest auch Steuerbefehle aus der Hauptsteuereinrichtung von der Kanalsteuereinrichtung des ersten Dimmerkanals (Messdimmerkanal)an die Kanalsteuereinrichtung des zweiten Dimmerkanals übertragen. Somit werden auf demselben Weg gleich auch die Instruktionen zum Schaltverhalten an mehrere Dimmerkanäle verteilt, was direkte Kommunikationsverbindungen zur Hauptsteuereinrichtung des Dimmers erübrigt. Auch dies kann aus Kostengründen unidirektional stattfinden, obwohl eine bidirektionale Kommunikation Vorteile bringt.In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the channel communication connection can at least also transmit control commands from the main control device from the channel control device of the first dimmer channel (measuring dimmer channel) to the channel control device of the second dimmer channel. This means that the instructions for switching behavior are distributed to several dimmer channels in the same way, which makes direct communication connections to the main control device of the dimmer unnecessary. This can also take place unidirectionally for cost reasons, although bidirectional communication has advantages.

In einer Variante der Erfindung gibt es die zwei Kanalkommunikationsverbindungen zwischen den Kanalsteuereinrichtungen des Messdimmerkanals (ersten Dimmerkanals) und des zweiten Dimmerkanals sowie zwischen den Kanalsteuereinrichtungen des zweiten und dritten Dimmerkanals. Somit hat der Messdimmerkanal eine direkte Kanalkommunikationsverbindung mit mehreren Steuereinrichtungen von sonstigen Dimmerkanälen. Dies mag als ebenso viele einzelne Kanalkommunikationsverbindungen ausgeführt sein, oder aber als eine einzige Kanalkommunikationsverbindung für eine Buskommunikation oder Ähnliches, gemäss welcher Telegramme dank einer Einzeladresse oder einer Gruppenadresse am Ziel empfangen werden.In a variant of the invention, there are the two channel communication connections between the channel control devices of the measuring dimmer channel (first dimmer channel) and the second dimmer channel and between the channel control devices of the second and third dimmer channels. The measuring dimmer channel therefore has a direct channel communication connection with several control devices of other dimmer channels. This may be implemented as as many individual channel communication connections, or as a single channel communication connection for bus communication or the like, according to which telegrams are received at the destination thanks to an individual address or a group address.

Nach einer vorteilhaften Ausführung der Erfindung ist sogar die Hauptsteuereinrichtung eine Kanalsteuereinrichtung.According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, even the main control device is a channel control device.

Es zeigen

  • die Figur 1 die Funktionsaufteilung von einem ersten erfindungsgemässen Mehrkanaldimmer am Versorgungsnetz und eine Last,
  • die Figur 2 die Funktionsaufteilung von einem zweiten erfindungsgemässen Mehrkanaldimmer am Versorgungsnetz und eine Last, und
  • die Figur 3 einige vereinfachte Schaltkreise zweier Dimmerkanäle des zweiten erfindungsgemässen Mehrkanaldimmers und eine Kanalkommunikationsverbindung dazwischen.
Show it
  • the Figure 1 the functional division of a first multi-channel dimmer according to the invention on the supply network and a load,
  • the Figure 2 the functional division of a second multi-channel dimmer according to the invention on the supply network and a load, and
  • the Figure 3 some simplified circuits of two dimmer channels of the second multi-channel dimmer according to the invention and a channel communication connection between them.

Die Figur 1 zeigt die Funktionsaufteilung eines Mehrkanaldimmers D am Versorgungsnetz N, L1. Der Mehrkanaldimmers D weist mehrere, voneinander galvanisch getrennte Dimmerkanäle K1, K2, Kx mit je einer Kanalsteuereinrichtung S1, S2, Sx auf. Die Dimmerkanäle sind über Anschlussklemmen A1, A2, Ax zur Last L ausgangsseitig parallel geschaltet, damit jeder ihr ein Teil des Stroms zuführen kann.The Figure 1 shows the functional breakdown of a multi-channel dimmer D on the supply network N, L1. The multi-channel dimmer D has several galvanically isolated dimmer channels K1, K2, Kx, each with a channel control device S1, S2, Sx. The dimmer channels are connected in parallel to the load L on the output side via connection terminals A1, A2, Ax so that each can supply part of the current to it.

Der Dimmer D startet aufgrund eines externen Befehls B. Eine Hauptsteuereinrichtung H erzeugt Steuerbefehle, welche via eine Kommunikationsverbindung V an die Kanalsteuereinrichtung S1 des Dimmerkanals K1 gelangen.The dimmer D starts based on an external command B. A main control device H generates control commands, which reach the channel control device S1 of the dimmer channel K1 via a communication connection V.

Der Dimmerkanal K1 enthält eine Messeinrichtung M1 die geeignet ist, um Informationen über das Verhalten der Elektrizität an einer Stelle im Kanal zu erzeugen, und zwar Informationen über den Nulldurchgang der Spannung. Der Dimmerkanal K1 heisst deshalb auch Messdimmerkanal. In Betrieb überträgt eine Kommunikationsverbindung solche Informationen von der Messeinrichtung M1 zur Kanalsteuereinrichtung S1.The dimmer channel K1 contains a measuring device M1 which is suitable for generating information about the behavior of the electricity at a point in the channel, namely information about the zero crossing of the voltage. The dimmer channel K1 is therefore also called the measuring dimmer channel. During operation, a communication connection transmits such information from the measuring device M1 to the channel control device S1.

Ausgehend vom Messdimmerkanal K1 führt eine Kanalkommunikationsverbindung V12, V23, V(x-1)x jeweils von einem Dimmerkanal zum nächsten Dimmerkanal. In bevorzugter Weise sind diese Kanalkommunikationsverbindungen V12, V23, V(x-1)x geeignet, um Informationen über das Verhalten der Elektrizität im Messdimmerkanal K1 an die Kanalsteuereinrichtung S2, Sx des nächsten Dimmerkanals K2, Kx zu übertragen, und zwar hier von der Kanalsteuereinrichtung S1, S2 des einen Dimmerkanals K1, K2 an die Kanalsteuereinrichtung S2, Sx des anderen Dimmerkanals K2, Kx. Darüber hinaus können diese Kanalkommunikationsverbindungen V12, V23, V(x-1)x auch die Steuerbefehle der Hauptsteuereinrichtung H weitertragen.Starting from the measuring dimmer channel K1, a channel communication connection V12, V23, V(x-1)x leads from one dimmer channel to the next dimmer channel. These channel communication connections V12, V23, V(x-1)x are preferably suitable for transmitting information about the behavior of the electricity in the measuring dimmer channel K1 to the channel control device S2, Sx of the next dimmer channel K2, Kx, here from the channel control device S1, S2 of one dimmer channel K1, K2 to the channel control device S2, Sx of the other dimmer channel K2, Kx. In addition, these channel communication connections V12, V23, V(x-1)x also carry on the control commands from the main control device H.

Die Kommunikationsverbindungen V, V12, V23, V(x-1)x zwischen den galvanisch getrennten Hauptsteuereinrichtung H und den Dimmerkanälen K1, K2, Kx enthalten je beidseitig einen Optokoppler.The communication connections V, V12, V23, V(x-1)x between the galvanically isolated main control device H and the dimmer channels K1, K2, Kx each contain an optocoupler on both sides.

In der Variante in der Figur 2 verknüpfen die Kanalkommunikationsverbindungen V12, V23, V(x-1)x zwischen den Dimmerkanälen K1, K2, Kx die Messeinrichtung M mit den jeweiligen Kanalsteuereinrichtungen S1, S2, Sx für eine sehr zeitnahe Übertragung. Die Kanalkommunikationsverbindungen V12, V23, V(x-1)x sind unidirektional ausgeführt, weshalb separate Kommunikationsverbindungen V die Steuerbefehle der Hauptsteuereinrichtung H zu jedem Dimmerkanal K1, K2, Kx liefern und etwaige Rückmeldungen retournieren.In the variant in the Figure 2 the channel communication connections V12, V23, V(x-1)x between the dimmer channels K1, K2, Kx link the measuring device M with the respective channel control devices S1, S2, Sx for very real-time transmission. The channel communication connections V12, V23, V(x-1)x are designed to be unidirectional, which is why separate communication connections V deliver the control commands from the main control device H to each dimmer channel K1, K2, Kx and return any feedback.

Die Figur 3 zeigt Messdimmerkanal K1, Dimmerkanal K2 und deren Kanalkommunikationsverbindung V12 des zweiten erfindungsgemässen Mehrkanaldimmers, wobei vereinfacht die Schaltkreise der Messeinrichtung M, der Kanalkommunikationsverbindung V12 und des Dimmerkanals K2 dagestellt sind. Ein Operationsverstärker N11 der Messeinrichtung M1 verwandelt die Netzspannung von 230 Volt in ein besser zu verarbeitendes Signal. Ein Komparator N12 der Messeinrichtung M1 analysiert dieses Signal auf Nulldurchgänge. Die Nulldurchgänge werden direkt an die Kanalsteuereinrichtung S1 aber auch an einen Optokoppler in der Kanalkommunikationsverbindung V12 weiter gegeben. Zwecks galvanischer Trennung enthält der Optokoppler eine Leuchtdiode und einen lichtempfindlichen Widerstand, welche einen Strom via den Widerstand R im Dimmerkanal K2 schaltet. Somit überträgt der Optokoppler die Information zu den Nulldurchgängen mit geringer Verzögerung an die Kanalsteuereinrichtung S2 und zur nächsten Kanalkommunikationsverbindung.The Figure 3 shows measuring dimmer channel K1, dimmer channel K2 and their channel communication connection V12 of the second multi-channel dimmer according to the invention, the circuits of the measuring device M, the channel communication connection V12 and the dimmer channel K2 being shown in simplified form. An operational amplifier N11 of the measuring device M1 converts the mains voltage of 230 volts into a signal that is easier to process. A comparator N12 of the measuring device M1 analyzes this signal for zero crossings. The zero crossings are passed on directly to the channel control device S1 but also to an optocoupler in the channel communication connection V12. For galvanic isolation, the optocoupler contains a light-emitting diode and a light-sensitive resistor, which switches a current via the resistor R in the dimmer channel K2. Thus, the optocoupler transmits the information about the zero crossings with little delay to the channel controller S2 and to the next channel communication link.

In einer weiteren, nicht dargestellten Variante der Erfindung gelangen die Steuerbefehle der Hauptsteuereinrichtung H ähnlich wie in der Variante von Figur 1 über einen einzigen Kommunikationsverbindung V an die Kanalsteuereinrichtung S1 des Dimmerkanals K1. Die Kanalsteuereinrichtung S1 gibt sie jedoch am nächsten Dimmerkanal K2 weiter über die Kanalkommunikationsverbindungen V12, wie in der Variante der Figur 2. Dazu sind aber solche, in der Figur 3 skizzierten Kanalkommunikationsverbindungen V12, V23, V(x-1)x beispielsweise vor der Leuchtdiode mit einem Schalter und einem Widerstand in einer Reihe zur Erde ergänzt. Der Schalter, zum Beispiel ein Transistor, wird durch einen Ausgang der jeweiligen Kanalsteuereinrichtung Sx zwischen leitend und sperrend geschaltet. Wann der jeweilige Komparator Nx2 die Leuchtdiode bestromt, kann somit der Schalter kleine Spannungsschritte auf das Signal auferlegen, welche zu kleinen Intensitätsschritten im Licht der Leuchtdiode führen. Die entsprechenden Widerstandschritte im lichtempfindlichen Widerstand an der Empfängerseite kann ein einfacher Spannungsmesser wahrnehmen. Sie lösen jedoch dort nicht eine Nulldurchgangdetektion aus. Diese Schritte kodieren somit die Steuerbefehle der Hauptsteuereinrichtung H und werden durch den Spannungsmesser an die jeweilige Kanalsteuereinrichtung Sx+1 weitergegeben.In a further variant of the invention, not shown, the control commands are sent to the main control device H in a similar way as in the variant of Figure 1 via a single communication connection V to the channel control device S1 of the dimmer channel K1. However, the channel control device S1 passes it on to the next dimmer channel K2 via the channel communication connections V12, as in the variant Figure 2 . But there are those in which Figure 3 sketched channel communication connections V12, V23, V(x-1)x, for example supplemented in front of the light-emitting diode with a switch and a resistor in a series with earth. The switch, for example a transistor, is switched between conducting and blocking by an output of the respective channel control device Sx. When the respective comparator Nx2 energizes the light-emitting diode, the switch can impose small voltage steps on the signal, which lead to small intensity steps in the light from the light-emitting diode. A simple voltmeter can detect the corresponding resistance steps in the light-sensitive resistor on the receiver side. However, they do not trigger a zero crossing detection there. These steps thus encode the control commands of the main control device H and are passed on to the respective channel control device Sx+1 by the voltmeter.

Claims (7)

  1. Dimmer (D) for controlling the power consumption of a load (L) connectable to the dimmer (D), having a first dimmer channel (K1), referred to below as measuring dimmer channel (K1), a second dimmer channel (K2) and a third dimmer channel (Kx) each having a channel control facility (S1, S2, Sx), wherein
    the measuring dimmer channel (K1) comprises a measuring facility (M1) that is at least suitable for producing information regarding a time of a zero-crossing of a voltage at a site in the measuring dimmer channel (K1),
    a main control facility (HS) that is at least suitable for producing control commands for the measuring dimmer channel (K1), the second dimmer channel (K2) and the third dimmer channel (Kx), and
    a communications connection (V) that is at least suitable for transmitting such control commands from the main control facility (H) to the channel control facility (S1) of the measuring dimmer channel (K1),
    characterised in
    that the dimmer (D) comprises a first channel communications connection (V12) that is at least suitable for transmitting information from the measuring dimmer channel (K1) to the second dimmer channel (K2) and a second channel communications connection (V23, V (x-1)x), which is at least suitable for transmitting information from the second dimmer channel (K2) directly to the third dimmer channel (Kx), and
    that the two channel communications connections (V12, V23, V(x-1)x) are at least suitable for transmitting the information regarding the time of the zero-crossing of the voltage at the site in the measuring dimmer channel (K1),
    that the channel control facility (S1) or the measuring facility (M1) of the measuring dimmer channel (K1) is designed to transmit the information regarding the time of the zero-crossing of the voltage by means of the two channel communications connections (V12, V23, V(x-1)x) in each case to the channel control facilities (S2, Sx) of the second dimmer channel (K2) and the third dimmer channel (Kx), and
    that the channel control facilities (S2, Sx) of the second and third dimmer channel (K2, Kx) are designed in each case, based on the received information, to switch electricity in the respective dimmer channel (K2, Kx) accurately and in synchrony with respect to the remaining dimmer channels (K1, K2, Kx).
  2. Dimmer according to claim 1,
    wherein the channel control facility (S2) of the second dimmer channel (K2) owing to stored data is suitable, with the aid of the information with regard to the time of the zero-crossing of the voltage at the site in the measuring dimmer channel (K1), for producing information regarding the behaviour of the electrical voltage at a site in the second dimmer channel (K2).
  3. Dimmer according to claim 2,
    wherein the data includes a time value, which is the same as an estimation of the time for processing and transmitting the information from the measuring dimmer channel (K1) to the channel control facility of the second dimmer channel (K2).
  4. Dimmer according to one of claims 2 or 3,
    wherein the information regarding the behaviour of the electrical voltage at the site in the second dimmer channel (K2) includes a specification regarding the time of at least one zero-crossing of the voltage.
  5. Dimmer according to one of the preceding claims,
    wherein the first channel communications connection (V12) is at least also suitable for transmitting control commands from the main control facility (H) from the channel control facility (S1) of the measuring dimmer channel (K1) to the channel control facility (S2) of the second dimmer channel (K2) .
  6. Dimmer according to one of the preceding claims,
    wherein the first channel communications connection (V12) comprises an element for galvanically separating the measuring dimmer channel (K1) from the second dimmer channel (K2).
  7. Dimmer according to one of the preceding claims,
    wherein at least two channel communications connections are each suitable for transmitting information regarding the behaviour of the electrical voltage in the measuring dimmer channel (K1) from the measuring dimmer channel (K1) to at least two other dimmer channels.
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US5646490A (en) 1995-04-28 1997-07-08 The Genlyte Group Incorporated Phase independent signaling for multiple channel, multiple scene dimming system
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US6927546B2 (en) * 2003-04-28 2005-08-09 Colorado Vnet, Llc Load control system and method
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