GB2447636A - A led lighting system that can handle large amounts of power and have multiple units separately addressable along a single cable - Google Patents

Abstract

A hard wired combined serial data and power LED lighting system that can handle large amounts of power and has multiple units separately addressable along a single cable but not the same conductor for both power and data. It does not use superimposed data over power communication lines but can use low cost mains cable and connectors. These are readily available and easy to connect. The system does not affect and is not affected by any other form of communication on the mains or airborne and is safe when used with all other forms of mains electrical appliances that may be plugged in by mistake. The system is intended to use standard mains type JEC connectors without risk of damage to the system from the mains or visa versa or any increase of risk to the end user.

Description

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Title -RAPIDLY INSTALLABLE MULTIPLE SLAVE LED SYSTEM

DESCRIPTION

There is a requirement to have a LED lighting system that can handle large amounts of power and have multiple units separately addressable that uses a single cable but not the same conductor for both power and data where the cable and it's connectors are low cost, readily available and easy to connect.

These kinds of cables tend to be mains cables which consist of three wires, Live, Neutral and Earth combined with some form of JEC connector (4) and (3).

00 It clearly needs some form of communication from a controller (1) to each slave (2) but it is not desirable to use any form of communication that would interfere or be interfered with by any existing form of communication such as but limited too Xl 0, mains LAN etc. Co The system needs to be hard wired and as such any form of non wired communication is also not desired.

It is important that the Earth wire remains firmly bonded to mains earth for safety and also that no signal is transmitted back down the mains Earth.

This system allows communication from one controller (1) to a number of slaves (2). The slaves (2) are coupled to controllers (I) using standard 3 core cable (5).

The controller receives its external differential communication into a line receiver (If), possibly but not limited to DMX. If requires, this could then be decoded and converted using a processor (1 k) and dip switch (lj) to a simpler protocol with a reduced number of channels to allow a slower protocol to be used for communication down the 3 core cable (5), thus allowing longer distance communication at low cost.

This serial data is then isolated via opto isolator (lg) so it can be sent using a floating differential line driver (Id). The differential line driver is floating as it has it's own isolated supply (Ic). This is not essential but maintains common mode rejection in the system.

The system uses the floating differential driver (Id) to drive a differential signal using the Earth and Neutral wires (5). To accomplish this, the Neutral wire (5) must also be isolated from the mains Neutral (6) using transformer (I b) or the signal would attempt to transmit into the input mains (6).

The power and data is then connected to a slave (1). The data might be isolated from the power using (2b) and the power transformed to a type suitable to drive 00 multiple LED's using (2d, 2a). The heads could be individually addressed using dip 0 15 switch (2c).

Claims (9)

1. A hard wired combined serial data and power lighting system that does not use superimposed data over power communication but can use standard low cost mains cable and connectors

2. A system that can transmit a differential signal down a 3 core cable that also carries power such as mains voltage AC and also maintains bonding to mains earth.

3. A system that contains the serial data to the devices that needs to communicate with each other.

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4. A system that maintains the continuity of mains Earth for safety reasons on Earthed systems and utilises the Earth wire on mains systems the do not have mains Earth such as in the USA

5. A system that inherently isolates the power down it's cable from the mains input to provide a safety isolation output.

6. The option of a processor to reduce the number of channels sent, therefore allowing a slower protocol to be used for communication down the mains cable, thus allowing longer distance communication at low cost.

7. A form of communication that will not effect or be affected by any other form of communication that may be used including air born and conducted.

8. A system that can work with the high voltages of mains 230V and with lower safety isolated voltages.

9. A slaved device that is immune from change of potential between mains Earth and Neutral whilst remaining safe.