GB2164443A - Lighting control device - Google Patents

Lighting control device Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2164443A
GB2164443A GB08423537A GB8423537A GB2164443A GB 2164443 A GB2164443 A GB 2164443A GB 08423537 A GB08423537 A GB 08423537A GB 8423537 A GB8423537 A GB 8423537A GB 2164443 A GB2164443 A GB 2164443A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
lighting
control device
lighting control
lamp
switch
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB08423537A
Other versions
GB8423537D0 (en
GB2164443B (en
Inventor
Robert Anthony Smedley Kay
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
HOME AUTOMATION Ltd
Original Assignee
HOME AUTOMATION Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by HOME AUTOMATION Ltd filed Critical HOME AUTOMATION Ltd
Priority to GB08423537A priority Critical patent/GB2164443B/en
Publication of GB8423537D0 publication Critical patent/GB8423537D0/en
Publication of GB2164443A publication Critical patent/GB2164443A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2164443B publication Critical patent/GB2164443B/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • H05B47/11—Controlling the light source in response to determined parameters by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B20/00—Energy efficient lighting technologies, e.g. halogen lamps or gas discharge lamps
    • Y02B20/40—Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Landscapes

  • Circuit Arrangement For Electric Light Sources In General (AREA)

Abstract

A lighting control device 1 for inclusion in a lighting circuit 3 includes a photo-electric cell 13 responsive to ambient light and a relay 19 having a contact 23 disposed in the lighting circuit. When the level of ambient light rises above a predetermined amount; current through the photo-electric cell increases, this dissipating heat in resistor 17 to close switch 21 and thus actuate relay 19 opening the lighting circuit. The circuit is arranged so that the lighting circuit remains open until power thereto is interrupted, by means of switch 11. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Lighting control device This invention relates to a lighting control device. Lighting circuits, for household and other uses, conventionally use a light source e.g. a lamp powered by a source of electricity, the lamp being turned on or off by a conveniently positioned switch manually operated by a user. It is a disadvantage of existing lighting circuits that power is often wastefully consumed when the lamp is left on in conditions where the additional lighting which the lamp provides is not required.
According to the invention in a first aspect, a lighting control device is provided comprising light sensitive means, for sensing ambient light and relay means responsive to the light sensitive means for breaking a lighting circuit, when the ambient light sensed exceeds a predetermined level.
According to the invention in a second aspect, a lighting control device is provided which is connectable in series with a lighting circuit, the control device including light sensitive means for providing a control signal in response to a level of sensed light, and means responsive to said signal for breaking the lighting circuit.
It is an advantage of the described embodiment of the present invention that a lighting control device is provided which can be readily connected to the power leads of a lighting circuit, thus allowing the device to be used added as a modification to existing lighting equipment.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows a circuit diagram of the lighting control device of the invention.
With reference to the drawing, a lighting control device, generally designated 1, is shown connected to a conventional lighting circuit, generally designated 3.
The lighting circuit includes a light source e.g. a lamp 5, power supply terminals 7, 9, a switch 11 and a normally closed relay contact 23. Closure of the switch 11 normally connects the power supply to the lamp 5.
The lighting control device 1 includes a photo electric cell 13 connected between power supply 9, 7 via a normally closed relay contact 15 and a resistor 17. A relay actuation coil 19 and a normally open thermal switch 21 are connected across the photo electric cell 13, relay contact 15 and resistor 17. The resistor 17 and thermal switch 21 are placed physically adjacent, so that increase in current flow and consequent increase in heat dissipation in resistor 17 will be sensed by the thermal switch 21. Relay coil 19 controls the relay contacts 15, 23.
In operation, when the switch 11 is switched on, current is supplied from the power supply, 9, 7 to the lamp 5 through the lighting circuit. When the ambient light level is low, the photo electric cell resistance is high, so that negligible current flows therethrough.
When the ambient light level rises, the resistance of the photo electric cell 3 becomes low. This increases the dissipation in the resistor 17, which in turn operates the thermal switch 21, which closes. Power is thus supplied to the relay coil 19 which moves the contacts 15, 23 to their respective positions 25, 27.
As contact 23 has moved to position 27, power is cut from the lamp 5. As contact 15 is open, the power supply is also cut from the photo electric cell 13 and resistor 17, so that the thermal switch 21 opens. However, as contact 23 is now engaged in position 27, power to the coil 19 continues to be supplied from power supply terminals 9, 7 though contact 23, so that the relay continues to be energized and the power supply to the lamp 5 continues to be cut.
The lamp 5 can be repowered by turning the switch 11 off and on again. This is turn cuts the power to the coil 19 thus returning the contacts 15, 23 to their normally closed positions.
This sequence, required for repowering the lamp 5, is considered to be particularly advantagous in practice particularly where the control device is used in schools, hospitals or the like as well as in household use.
It is an advantage of the described embodiment that the lighting control device 1 can be connected to an existing lighting circuit 3. Before connection of the lighting control device 1, the lighting circuit 3 would be connected across terminals L1, L. All that is required to fit the device 1 would be for the power lead terminals 29, 31 of the lighting control circuit 1 to be connected to terminals L1, L, respectively, the existing connection therebetween being removed, and a further power supply connection 33 attached to power supply terminal 9.
Thus the existing switch 11 and associated wiring can be left substantially undisturbed.
The lighting control circuit 1 is preferably located near the lamp 5.
1. A lighting control device for connection in a lighting circuit comprising light sensitive means for sensing ambient light and switching means responsive to the light sensitive means for breaking the circuit when the ambient light sensed exceeds a predetermined level.
2. A lighting control device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the light sensitive means comprises a device in which the flow of current therethrough is dependent upon the level of light sensed and the switching means is responsive to said flow of current.
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (9)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Lighting control device This invention relates to a lighting control device. Lighting circuits, for household and other uses, conventionally use a light source e.g. a lamp powered by a source of electricity, the lamp being turned on or off by a conveniently positioned switch manually operated by a user. It is a disadvantage of existing lighting circuits that power is often wastefully consumed when the lamp is left on in conditions where the additional lighting which the lamp provides is not required. According to the invention in a first aspect, a lighting control device is provided comprising light sensitive means, for sensing ambient light and relay means responsive to the light sensitive means for breaking a lighting circuit, when the ambient light sensed exceeds a predetermined level. According to the invention in a second aspect, a lighting control device is provided which is connectable in series with a lighting circuit, the control device including light sensitive means for providing a control signal in response to a level of sensed light, and means responsive to said signal for breaking the lighting circuit. It is an advantage of the described embodiment of the present invention that a lighting control device is provided which can be readily connected to the power leads of a lighting circuit, thus allowing the device to be used added as a modification to existing lighting equipment. An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows a circuit diagram of the lighting control device of the invention. With reference to the drawing, a lighting control device, generally designated 1, is shown connected to a conventional lighting circuit, generally designated 3. The lighting circuit includes a light source e.g. a lamp 5, power supply terminals 7, 9, a switch 11 and a normally closed relay contact 23. Closure of the switch 11 normally connects the power supply to the lamp 5. The lighting control device 1 includes a photo electric cell 13 connected between power supply 9, 7 via a normally closed relay contact 15 and a resistor 17. A relay actuation coil 19 and a normally open thermal switch 21 are connected across the photo electric cell 13, relay contact 15 and resistor 17. The resistor 17 and thermal switch 21 are placed physically adjacent, so that increase in current flow and consequent increase in heat dissipation in resistor 17 will be sensed by the thermal switch 21. Relay coil 19 controls the relay contacts 15, 23. In operation, when the switch 11 is switched on, current is supplied from the power supply, 9, 7 to the lamp 5 through the lighting circuit. When the ambient light level is low, the photo electric cell resistance is high, so that negligible current flows therethrough. When the ambient light level rises, the resistance of the photo electric cell 3 becomes low. This increases the dissipation in the resistor 17, which in turn operates the thermal switch 21, which closes. Power is thus supplied to the relay coil 19 which moves the contacts 15, 23 to their respective positions 25, 27. As contact 23 has moved to position 27, power is cut from the lamp 5. As contact 15 is open, the power supply is also cut from the photo electric cell 13 and resistor 17, so that the thermal switch 21 opens. However, as contact 23 is now engaged in position 27, power to the coil 19 continues to be supplied from power supply terminals 9, 7 though contact 23, so that the relay continues to be energized and the power supply to the lamp 5 continues to be cut. The lamp 5 can be repowered by turning the switch 11 off and on again. This is turn cuts the power to the coil 19 thus returning the contacts 15, 23 to their normally closed positions. This sequence, required for repowering the lamp 5, is considered to be particularly advantagous in practice particularly where the control device is used in schools, hospitals or the like as well as in household use. It is an advantage of the described embodiment that the lighting control device 1 can be connected to an existing lighting circuit 3. Before connection of the lighting control device 1, the lighting circuit 3 would be connected across terminals L1, L. All that is required to fit the device 1 would be for the power lead terminals 29, 31 of the lighting control circuit 1 to be connected to terminals L1, L, respectively, the existing connection therebetween being removed, and a further power supply connection 33 attached to power supply terminal 9. Thus the existing switch 11 and associated wiring can be left substantially undisturbed. The lighting control circuit 1 is preferably located near the lamp 5. CLAIMS
1. A lighting control device for connection in a lighting circuit comprising light sensitive means for sensing ambient light and switching means responsive to the light sensitive means for breaking the circuit when the ambient light sensed exceeds a predetermined level.
2. A lighting control device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the light sensitive means comprises a device in which the flow of current therethrough is dependent upon the level of light sensed and the switching means is responsive to said flow of current.
3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the light sensitive means comprises a photoelectric cell.
4. A device as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, further comprising a resistor disposed physically adjacent to a thermal switch for actuating the switching means, the resistor being arranged to pass said flow of current and dissipate heat in response thereto so as to close the thermal switch and thus actuate the switching means when the level of light sensed exceed said predetermined level.
5. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the switching means comprises a relay, a contact of which is arranged to be connected in the circuit.
6. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the switching means remains actuated after the light sensitive means senses the predetermined level of ambient light irrespective of the level of light sensed thereafter.
7. A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the switching means is deactuated when power to the device is cut.
8. A lighting circuit comprising a power supply connected to a light source via a switch and a device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, connected in series with the switch and the light source.
9. A lighting control device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
GB08423537A 1984-09-18 1984-09-18 Lighting control device Expired GB2164443B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08423537A GB2164443B (en) 1984-09-18 1984-09-18 Lighting control device

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08423537A GB2164443B (en) 1984-09-18 1984-09-18 Lighting control device

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8423537D0 GB8423537D0 (en) 1984-10-24
GB2164443A true GB2164443A (en) 1986-03-19
GB2164443B GB2164443B (en) 1988-04-07

Family

ID=10566873

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB08423537A Expired GB2164443B (en) 1984-09-18 1984-09-18 Lighting control device

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2164443B (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2750482B1 (en) * 2012-12-27 2017-03-01 Schneider Electric Industries SAS Electric device

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB100365A (en) * 1915-04-28 1916-11-16 Eugen Steiger Improvements in Electric Devices for Automatically Turning Lights on and off.
GB418252A (en) * 1933-09-09 1934-10-22 Weston Electrical Instr Corp Improvements in and relating to electrical relay systems
GB439209A (en) * 1934-05-10 1935-12-02 Weston Electrical Industrument Improvements in control devices particularly for use in the time control of lightinginstallations
GB1116081A (en) * 1964-03-10 1968-06-06 Anthony Powell Improvements in or relating to electric switches
GB1197639A (en) * 1967-11-08 1970-07-08 Ass Elect Ind Improvements in Thermally Operable Electric Switches.
GB1254964A (en) * 1969-04-10 1971-11-24 Horstmann Gear Co Ltd Light-sensitive switch
US4042853A (en) * 1976-01-28 1977-08-16 Area Lighting Research, Inc. Fail-off photo control circuit for night lighting
GB2135771A (en) * 1983-02-23 1984-09-05 Lutron Electronics Co Excess light turn-off circuit

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB100365A (en) * 1915-04-28 1916-11-16 Eugen Steiger Improvements in Electric Devices for Automatically Turning Lights on and off.
GB418252A (en) * 1933-09-09 1934-10-22 Weston Electrical Instr Corp Improvements in and relating to electrical relay systems
GB439209A (en) * 1934-05-10 1935-12-02 Weston Electrical Industrument Improvements in control devices particularly for use in the time control of lightinginstallations
GB1116081A (en) * 1964-03-10 1968-06-06 Anthony Powell Improvements in or relating to electric switches
GB1197639A (en) * 1967-11-08 1970-07-08 Ass Elect Ind Improvements in Thermally Operable Electric Switches.
GB1254964A (en) * 1969-04-10 1971-11-24 Horstmann Gear Co Ltd Light-sensitive switch
US4042853A (en) * 1976-01-28 1977-08-16 Area Lighting Research, Inc. Fail-off photo control circuit for night lighting
GB2135771A (en) * 1983-02-23 1984-09-05 Lutron Electronics Co Excess light turn-off circuit

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2750482B1 (en) * 2012-12-27 2017-03-01 Schneider Electric Industries SAS Electric device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8423537D0 (en) 1984-10-24
GB2164443B (en) 1988-04-07

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PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee