US3408537A - Lighting control system using switching means for selectively interrupting and completing a third wire circuit - Google Patents

Description

Oct 29, 1968 o. WILEY R. 3,408,537 LIGHTING CONTROL SYSTEM USING swncn MEANS FOR SE AND COMPLETING A RD WIRE CIRCU Oct 13, 1965 TIVELY INTERRUPTI Filed WITNESSES INVENTOR W 1am, Roy 0. Wiley ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,408,537 LIGHTING CONTROL SYSTEM USING SWITCHING MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY INTERRUPTING AND COMPLETING A THIRD WIRE CIRCUIT Roy 0. Wiley, Huntington, Conn., assignor to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Oct. 13, 1965, Ser. No. 495,410 7 Claims. (Cl. 315-313) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE lights.

The present invention relates to a versatile lighting control system which can be easily and inexpensively modified so that control locations may be moved, and the combinations of fixtures operated from a control location changed to comply with the rearrangement of rooms.

Many modern buildings are constructed with large open areas subdivided into rooms by non-load bearing partitions. Many schools, clubs, colleges, ofiice buildings and certain types of church buildings are constructed in this manner. As needs and requirements change within the building the non-load bearing partitions are rearranged to change the size and location of rooms. With the prevalence of room rearrangement schemes, a lighting system and control means is needed that will permit fixture control from any point in the building and separate control and operation of fixtures or groups of fixtures as partitions are rearranged and rooms created anew. Such a system and means would then generally be capable of controlling the lighting of any room size, configuration or location. With this type of flexibility and versatility the need remains to keep initial and modification costs down so that the system is inexpensive to install and safe and easy to modify. Costly rearrangement of current carrying conduits and junction boxes by skilled electricians does not meet the requirements of economy, and simplicity and safety of operation.

There presently exists no low cost, flexible lighting circuit and control means that will allow quick, easy and unskilled modification of room lighting modules so that control locations may be quickly moved and combinations of lighting fixtures operated from a control location easily changed to comply with room relocation. It is to this end, namely, the providing of a safe and inexpensive yet highly flexible lighting control means that the present invention is directed and which forms the principal object thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a flexible lighting circuit arrangement having a low initial cost and low changeover costs using simple means and unskilled labor.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a versatile lighting arrangement and control means in which the power wiring for lighting fixtures need not be moved or otherwise disturbed with the rearrangement of room partitions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lighting 3,408,537 Patented Oct. 29, 1968 system in which power need not be removed from the system to effect circuit changes.

A further object of the invention is to provide a portable lighting circuit control means which requires no electrical conductors in room walls and partitions.

In general these and other objects are accomplished by providing a series of light fixtures electrically connected together in a power circuit having two conductors with the light fixtures permanently connected to one of the conductors. A third conductor is provided to electrically connect the series of fixtures together. A switch means is provided to connect the other side of each fixture to the third conductor and to open the third line at predetermined points for the selective electrical isolation of light fixtures. The isolated fixtures can thus form lighting groups or modules, and each group may be energized separately by a control switch. The control switch is connected to the third conductor and to the other conductor of the power circuit. When the control switch is closed a power circuit is completed through the fixtures.

Only one control switch is needed for each lighting group, and the number of lighting fixtures controlled thereby is determined by the setting of the switch means connected in the third conductor. If each switch means is positioned to provide a current path between each fixture, then all the fixtures connected thereto will be energized.

The lighting fixtures may be disposed along a roof truss, beam or similar type of support structure with the conductors suitably supported therealong. Each fixture may be associated with a junction control box which may contain the third line switch means and the control switch. Since only one control switch is needed to energize a lighting group, each box can be provided with a receptacle means for receiving a control switch. Thus the control switch can be inserted or plugged into any convenient location or box in the group; and control switches can be added or removed as the number of lighting groups change in accordance with the rearrangement of room partitions.

The novel features characteristic of the invention both as to its organization and method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a general power wiring layout constructed in accordance with principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of one power circuit with control means constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a more detailed circuit diagram of a control box only representatively shown in FIGURES 1 and 2.

Throughout the figures, like numerals refer to like parts. In FIG. 1 there is representatively shown five roof trusses, ceiling beams or similar types of building support structures 12 supporting a plurality of electrical junction boxes 14 and power leads (FIG. 2) along the length thereof.

For purposes of illustration each truss 12 is used to support junction boxes and power leads. Obviously every other, or every third or fourth, truss may be used depending upon the distance between the trusses, the number of fixtures employed in each lighting area, the height of the ceiling and so on. Similarly, the lighting and control system disclosed herein is not limited to truss type building construction. To house and support power leads, the trusses or other support structures may be provided with raceways as an integral part thereof.

If a junction box is used, it can be provided with means to receive one or more lamps or lighting fixtures 16, or the leads thereof, depending upon the level of light required. It is assumed that the floor area of the building to be lighted will be divided into basic modules which will be saosparthe smallest area unit within which lights will be controlled separately. It is further assumed that the area of a module will be completely in one room, and it is possible that the module size will be the same as the distance between roof truss centers so that in FIG. 1 trusses 12 and partitions 18 constitute lighting module boundaries.

In FIG. 2 is shown applicants unique selection and control system which makes possible the complete flexibility of room arrangement with partitions 18. Four junction boxes 14 are shown in the line circuit and may be secured in line to a truss member only representatively shown in FIG. 1. The four boxes are commonly fed by three wires that may be disposed in the trusses as mentioned earlier. A first power wire 20 commonly connects one lead of each fixture 16 between boxes 14 as shown. A second power wire 22 extends into and out of each junction box commonly connecting the boxes together and commonly connecting one lead of control switching device 26 in each box. A third (feed) wire 24 extends through each box 14 via a selector switch 28 thereby connecting each box 14 disposed along a single truss. Switch 28 determines the current path through each junction box 14. In the two boxes on the left of partition 18 (FIG. 2) switches 28 are set to conduct current through the boxes and to fixtures 16. In the junction box immediately to the right of partition 18, selector switch 28 is set to conduct current only to the fixture; across the partition the circuit effectively is open so that the lights in the two rooms created by partition 18 can be separately controlled in a manner to be fully explained hereinafter.

Switch 28 may be a multiposition type designed to handle the line current, and should be capable of easy operation by janitorial or other unskilled personnel. Switch 28 may be disposed in an exposed face or portion of junction box 14 so that the front of the switch is exposed (preferably in a downward direction) for quick and easy access thereto. Where the ceiling or roof trusses are relatively high, switching could be accomplished by the use of a long rod with an appropriate fitting disposed on the switching end thereof.

Power is applied to the light fixtures by the closing of control switches 26 and 26' as shown in FIG. 2. The control switches apply power to the third or feed line 24. The number of light fixtures energized thereby will be determined by the setting of switch 28 which can open or close the circuit between adjacent control boxes 14.

In FIG. 2, control switch 26 takes the form of a relay which supplies current to both fixtures located to the left of partition 18, and if switch 28 were set to provide a current path therethrough (on the right of the partition) control relay 26 would also provide lighting current to fixtures 16' via line 24. In such a case, control relay 26' would not be needed. With switches 28 properly set in each of the junction boxes disposed along a single truss, one control switching device can control all the fixtures associated therewith through line 24. If it is desired to control fixtures disposed on adjacent trusses from one control switching device, light switch 30 and control relay 26 could become a master control unit with the solenoids of control relays associated with junction boxes disposed on adjacent trusses connected across the solenoid of relay 26 shown in FIG. 2.

The control device as shown in FIG. 2 simply uses the line voltage to operate control relay 26 through operation of a single pole, single throw switch 30. Switch 30 applies the line voltage on leads 20 and 22 across the solenoid of relay 26 used to close the switching contacts. Obviously, other means and power sources may be employed to operate the control device such as low voltage power sources, sonic transmitters and receivers, or photoelectric devices.

Light switch 30, as shown in FIG. 2, may be conveniently located on a door jamb, partition or wall, and two connecting wires can easily be disposed thereon to run between switch 30 and junction box 14. With the use of remote signalling devices without wire connectors, switch Y 30 could function'as a sensing device and could therefore be located anywhere within range of the signal transmitter.

FIG. 3 shows one possible arrangement of a junction box constructed in accordance with the principles disclosed herein. In FIG. 3, junction box 14 is provided with three receptacles 35 designed to receive a plug-in type light fixture or fixture leads 37 with a plug 36 connected to one end thereof. Any number of fixture receptacles or outlets may be provided in box 14, three being shown in FIG. 3 for purposes of illustration only. Plural outlets facilitate the use of either single or multiple fixtures depending upon lighting requirements, and receptacles facilitate removal of fixtures for replacement and change to comply with room rearrangement.

To provide for a plug-in type control device, box 14 is also provided with a control receptacle 40 which facili tates the insertion and removal of control switch devices. Each junction box can be provided with such a receptacle to given complete flexibility. In each box, fixture receptacles 35 are commonly connected together to one side of the line voltage by neutral wire 20 and commonly connected to the other side of the line voltage by hot wire 22 and control and selector switches 26 and 28 respectively when properly set and energized.

With the above system, when rearrangement of partitions is required, the changing of the lighting can be easily accomplished by setting selector switches 28 to the desired positions, plugging-in control switching devices 26 into appropriate boxes 14, running control wiring down the partition and installing light switch 30. Thus the changeover may be made in complete safety and without description of service elsewhere in the building since it is not necessary to open line circuits at power control panels.

The functions of the receptacles and selector switches may be dispensed with and the circuitry established by direct connecting of wires (wire nuts, for instance) or by provision of terminal blocks, The choice will be primarily an economic one. In the one case, a somewhat higher initial cost will be offset by lower cost when the times comes for rearranging the rooms. In the others, a lower initial cost results in considerably higher cost of rearranging because the time and skill involved in rewiring circuits, In any case, the circuitry remains essentially the same and new power wires do not have to be installed in order to rearrange the lighting controls.

From the foregoing description it should now be apparent that a unique lighting system has been devised that provides a quick, easy and inexpensive means and method for changing the control of lighting fixtures in compliance with the rearrangement of rooms. The applicants novel combination of inexpensive components gives complete room arrangement flexibility and electrical safety while simultaneously providing uninterrupted electrical service throughout the building. Thus the means disclosed herein guarantees a versatility, surety and ease of operation heretofore unavailable in the lighting circuit modification and control art.

Though the invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example only and that changes in details, combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, while the invention has been described with the use of trusses 12 as support means for junction boxes 14, obviously the boxes need not be supported thereon in order to carry out the intent of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:

1. A lighting control system comprising a power circuit having two conductors, a plurality of lighting fixtures connected to one of said conductors, a third conductor, means for connecting the lighting fixtures to said third conductor, said means including switching means for selectively interrupting the third conductor at predetermined locations therealong to divide the third conductor into electrically isolated circuit sections, and control means associated with each section of the third conductor for connecting the third conductor to the other conductor of the power circuit.

2. The control system of claim 1 wherein the interrupting means is manually operable.

3. The control system of claim 1 in which the interrupting means is a multiposition switch.

4. The control system of claim 1 wherein the control means is actuated by energy supplied by the power circuit.

5. The control system of claim 1 in which the control means is actuated by a source of energy remote from the system.

6. A circuit arrangement for controlling the application of power to a plurality of lamps or light fixtures having at least two terminals, the arrangement comprising a power circuit having at least two conductors, one terminal of each of said lamps or fixtures being permanently connected to one of said conductors,

a selector switch electrically connected to the other terminal of each of said lamp's or fixtures,

a third conductor serially connecting said selector switches together, said switches further connecting said third conductor to the other terminal of said lamps or fixtures, and

at least one master control switch serially connected between said selector switches and the other conductor of the power circuit for controlling the application of power to said lamps or fixtures.

7. A lighting control circuit comprising at least two junction boxes each containing a selector switch and at least one of said boxes containing a control switch, means for connecting a lighting fixture in each of said boxes, a power line feeding said boxes with one conductor thereof permanently connected to the lighting fixture connecting means associated with each box, said switches being connected to provide a single current path from another conductor of said line to the lighting fixture connecting means, and a third conductor connecting said selector switches together between said boxes.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,048,978 12/1912 Levison 315-321 X 1,170,924 2/1916 Matson 315-321 X 1,911,911 5/1933 Marsh 315-321 X 2,248,085 7/1941 Holcombe 315-321 X JAMES W. LAWRENCE, Primary Examiner. C. R. CAMPBELL, Assistant Examiner.

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