RETROFIT AND NEW LIGHT-EMITTING DIODE (LED) LIGHT FIXTURES FOR REPLACEMENT OF A FLUORESCENT LIGHT FIXTURE

• US 20160138789A1
• Filed: 05/12/2014
• Published: 05/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Flow Lighting Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intellilum, Inc.
• Inventors: BROWN, Gregory A. M.
• Granted Patent: US 10,253,959 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/026 intended to be recessed in a ceiling or like overhead structure, e.g. suspended ceiling
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 15/01 Housings, e.g. material or assembling of housing parts F21V15/02 takes precedence housings forming signs or letters G09F13/04
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/04 Recessed bases
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/02 the elements being transformers, impedances or power supply units, e.g. a transformer with a rectifier
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0442 activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/045 the sensor receiving a signal from a remote controller
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0471 the sensor detecting the proximity, the presence or the movement of an object or a person
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/125 by using cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/13 by using passive infrared detectors
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/175 by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/195 the transmission using visible or infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/30 Semiconductor lamps, e.g. solid state lamps [SSL] light emitting diodes [LED] or organic LED [OLED]

Abstract

This disclosure includes kits for retrofitting, or replacing with new, light fixtures using an existing troffer, without using a troffer, and/or including a troffer. Some kits include a frame for a light fixture having a first end, a second end, and a frame length extending between the ends, a first mounting member coupled to the frame and configured to extend beyond the first end of the frame, and a second mounting member coupled to the frame and configured to extend beyond the second end of the frame, where the mounting members are configured to support the frame relative to the troffer. Others of the present kits have a trim configured to support the frame relative to a T-bar support of a suspended ceiling. Some kits have a processor configured to control the light fixtures, and some kits have one or more sensors configured to detect events or environmental characteristics.

Claims

1. A kit for retrofitting a light fixture into a rectangular troffer with first and second ends each having a vertical wall portion and a lower horizontal shelf portion extending inward from the vertical wall portion toward the other of the first and second ends, inner surfaces of the vertical wall portions separated by a first distance, the kit comprising:

a frame for a light fixture, the frame having a first end, a second end, and a frame length extending between the first and second ends;

a first mounting member coupled to the frame and configured extend beyond the first end of the frame and be coupled to the first end of the troffer to support the frame relative to the first end of the troffer; and

a second mounting member coupled to the frame and configured to extend beyond the second end of the frame and be coupled to the second end of the troffer to support the frame relative to the second end of the troffer.

2. The kit of claim 1, further comprising:

two or more mounts, each having a mounting surface and a protrusion extending to an inner end spaced from the mounting surface by a protrusion depth, each mount configured to be coupled to an inner surface of the vertical wall portion of one of the first and second ends of the troffer such that a distance between mounts on opposing ends of the troffer define a mount-opening length that is equal to or less than;

the first distance less twice the protrusion depth;

where the first mounting member is configured to contact the protrusion of one of the mounts coupled to the first end of the troffer to support the first end of the frame; and

where the second mounting member is configured to contact the protrusion of another one of the mounts coupled to the second end of the troffer to support the second end of the frame.

3. The kit of claim 2, where the protrusion depth of each mount is substantially the same or greater than a distance from which the lower horizontal shelf portion of each end of the troffer extends inward from the respective vertical wall portion.

4. The kit of any of claims 2-3, where at least a portion of the second mounting member is configured to move between an extended first position and a retracted second position in which a distance between the first end of the frame and a distal end of the second mounting member is less than the mount-opening length.

5. The kit of claim 4, where the second mounting member is biased toward the extended first position.

6. The kit of claim 5, where the second mounting member comprises a spring with an upper end fixed to the second end of the frame and a lower end movable relative to the second end of the frame.

7. The kit of claim 6, where the lower end of the spring extends through an end wall of the frame into an interior of the frame such that a user can pull the lower end of the spring toward the first end of the frame to move the second mounting member to the retracted second position.

8. The kit of claim 6, where the spring of the second mounting member has a flat cross-sectional shape.

9. The kit of any of claims 2-8, where the first mounting member is coupled in fixed relation to the frame and extends outward from the first end of the frame.

10. The kit of any of claims 4-8, where at least a portion of the first mounting member is configured to move between an extended first position and a retracted second position in which a distance between the second end of the frame and a distal end of the first mounting member is less than the mount-opening length.

11. The kit of claim 10, where the first mounting member is biased toward the extended first position.

12. The kit of claim 11, where the first mounting member comprises a spring with an upper end fixed to the first end of the frame and a lower end movable relative to the first end of the frame.

13. The kit of claim 12, where the lower end of the spring extends through an end wall of the frame into an interior of the frame such that a user can pull the lower end of the spring toward the second end of the frame to move the first mounting member to the retracted second position.

14. The kit of claim 12, where the spring of the first mounting member has a flat cross-sectional shape.

15. The kit of any of claims 4-14, where the two or more mounts each comprise first planar portion having a lower end and an upper end and defining the mounting surface on a first side between the upper and lower ends, and the protrusion extends outwardly from a second side and defines a shelf spaced from the lower end.

16. The kit of claim 15, where each end of the troffer includes an interior, second vertical wall portion extending upward from an inner end of the respective horizontal shelf portion, and the shelf of each mount is spaced above the lower end of the mount by a distance at least as great as the height of the inner vertical wall portions of the ends of the troffer.

17. The kit of any of claims 15-16, where the shelf is spaced from the lower end by a height of between 0.25 inches and 2.5 inches.

18. The kit of any of claims 15-17, where the shelf is spaced from the upper end.

19. The kit of any of claims 15-18, where each mount defines one or more holes extending through the first portion.

20. The kit of claim 19, where at least one of the one or more holes extends through the first portion between the shelf and the upper end.

21. The kit of claim 1, where the second mounting member includes:

a shaft portion slidably and rotatably coupled to the frame such that the shaft portion is movable between;

an extended first position in which the second mounting member extends outward from the second end of the frame, and

a retracted second position; and

a leg portion extending radially from the shaft portion such that, when the frame is disposed in the troffer with the first mounting member contacting the lower horizontal shelf portion of the first end of the troffer and the shaft portion of the second mounting member is in the extended first position, the shaft portion can be rotated to cause the leg portion to contact the lower horizontal shelf portion of the second end of the troffer to support the second end of the frame.

22. The kit of claim 21, where the shaft portion of the second mounting member is biased toward the extended first position.

23. The kit of claim 21, where, when the shaft portion of the second mounting member is in the second position, a length between the first end of the frame and a distal end of the second mounting member is less than the first distance.

24. The kit of any of claims 21-23, where the leg portion of the second mounting member defines a cam surface.

25. The kit of any of claims 21-24, where the leg portion of the second mounting member extends radially from a rotational axis of the shaft portion by a distance of at least 0.25 inches.

26. The kit of claim 25, where the leg portion of the second mounting member extends radially from a rotational axis of the shaft portion by a distance of between 0.25 and 1.0 inches.

27. The kit of any of claims 21-26, where the first mounting member includes a shaft portion and a leg portion, the shaft portion slidably and rotatably coupled to the frame such that the shaft portion is movable between an extended first position in which the first mounting member extends outward from the first end of the frame, and a retracted second position, the leg portion extending radially from the shaft portion such that, when the frame is disposed in the troffer with the first mounting member contacting the lower horizontal shelf portion of the first end of the troffer, the shaft portion of the second mounting member when in the extended first position can be rotated to cause the leg portion to contact the lower horizontal shelf portion of the second end of the troffer.

28. The kit of claim 27, where the shaft portion of the first mounting member is biased toward the extended first position.

29. The kit of claim 27, where, when the first mounting member is in the retracted second position, a length between the second end of the frame and a distal end of the first mounting member is less than the first distance.

30. The kit of any of claims 27-29, where the leg portion of the first mounting member defines a cam surface.

31. The kit of any of claims 27-30, where the leg portion of the first mounting member extends radially from a rotational axis of the shaft portion by a distance of at least 0.25 inches.

32. The kit of claim 31, where the leg portion of the first mounting member extends radially from a rotational axis of the shaft portion by a distance of between 0.25 and 1.0 inches.

33. The kit of any of claims 1-32, where the frame has nominal dimensions of 1 foot by 4 feet, 2 feet by 2 feet, or 2 feet by 4 feet.

34. The kit of any of claims 1-33, further comprising:

one or more safety and/or service cables configured to be coupled to the troffer and to the frame.

35. The kit of any of claims 1-34, where the frame defines an inverted channel having a cross-sectional shape that includes an upper end, a lower end that is wider than the upper end, and first and second sides between the upper end and the lower end, the frame configured to receive one or more light sources in the inverted channel, the kit further comprising:

a plurality of lens tabs coupled to the frame and extending into the inverted channel from each of the first and second sides between the upper and lower ends;

one or more shelves coupled to the frame and extending inward toward a vertical plane bisecting the inverted channel from a point that is at the lower end or between the lower end and the plurality of lens tabs;

where the lens tabs and shelves are configured to support a lens between any of;

the one or more shelves independent of the lens tabs;

one or more of the lens tabs and the one or more shelves;

or

the plurality of lens tabs independent of the one or more shelves.

36. The kit of any of claims 1-35, where the frame:

defines a plurality of inverted channels each having a cross-sectional shape that includes an upper end, a lower end that is wider than the upper end, and first and second sides between the upper end and the lower end, the frame configured to receive one or more light sources in each inverted channel; and

includes a sensor bay disposed between two of the inverted channels and having a mounting location configured to be coupled to one or more sensors;

where the frame is configured to be coupled to a plurality of lenses such that (1) each lens encloses at least a portion of a different one of the inverted channels, and (2) none of the lenses cover the mounting location.

37. The kit of claim 36, where at least a portion of one of the first and second sides of one of the inverted channels defines at least a portion of the sensor bay.

38. The kit of claim 36 or 37, where a single piece of sheet metal defines at least a portion of the inverted channels and the sensor bay.

39. The kit of any of claims 1-36, where the frame:

defines a plurality of inverted channels each having a cross-sectional shape that includes an upper end, a lower end that is wider than the upper end, and first and second sides between the upper end and the lower end, the portions of the frame defining the first and second sides of the cross-sectional shape having reflector surfaces facing the channel, the frame configured to receive one or more light sources in each inverted channel; and

includes a component bridge configured to be coupled to control components and/or driving components for the light sources.

40. The kit of claim 39, where the component bridge is spaced apart from the portions of the frame having reflector surfaces such that airflow is permitted between the component bridge and the portions of the frame having reflector surfaces.

41. The kit of claim 39, where the component bridge is configured to substantially enclose a volume defined at least in part by the sides of the inverted channels opposite the reflector surfaces.

42. The kit of any of claims 39-41, where the component bridge has a length extending substantially parallel to a length of the inverted channels.

43. The kit of any of claims 39-41, where the component bridge has a length extending substantially perpendicular to a length of the inverted channels.

44. The kit of any of claims 39-43, where the frame comprises:

a first piece of sheet metal defining the cross-sectional shape of the inverted channels;

second and third pieces of sheet metal enclosing first and second ends of the inverted channels; and

a fourth piece of sheet metal coupled to at least one of the second and third pieces of sheet metal and defining the component bridge.

45. The kit of any of claims 39-43, where the frame comprises:

a single piece of sheet metal that defines at least a portion of the cross-sectional shape of the inverted channels, encloses at least a portion of the first and second ends of the inverted channels, and defines at least a portion of the component bridge.

46. The kit of any of claims 1-44, further comprising:

a plurality of light-emitting-diodes (LEDs) coupled to the frame.

47. The kit of claim 46, further comprising:

a processor coupled to the plurality of LEDs to control the operation of the LEDs.

48. The kit of claim 47, further comprising an LED dimming power supply in electrical communication with the plurality of LEDs, the LED dimming power supply configured to receive control signals from the processor.

49. The kit of claim 47, further comprising:

one or more sensors coupled to the processor and configured to detect one or more events or environmental characteristics;

where the processor is configured to control the operation of the LEDs responsive to one or more events or environmental characteristics detected by the one or more sensors.

50. The kit of claim 47, where the environmental characteristics comprise at least an occupancy of an environment.

51. The kit of claim 50, where the one or more sensors comprise at least one camera configured to capture at least two images of the environment and the processor is configured to compare the at least two images to detect changes in the environment.

52. The kit of any of claims 47-50, where the one or more sensors comprise a motion sensor configured to capture data indicative of motion within the environment.

53. The kit of any of claims 46-49, further comprising:

a wireless transceiver configured to communicate with one or more of;

a second light fixture, a group or sub-group of light fixtures, a controller, a switch, an electrical outlet, a relay controlling a window shade, an HVAC damper or other controller, a computer, a tablet computer, and/or a cell phone or other mobile communications device.

112. The kit of any of claims 1-53, further comprising a switch of any of claims 98-111.

54. An apparatus comprising:

a frame for a light fixture, the frame defining an elongated, inverted channel having a cross-sectional shape that includes an upper end, a lower end that is wider than the upper end, and first and second sides between the upper end and the lower end, the frame configured to receive one or more light sources in the inverted channel;

a plurality of lens tabs coupled to the frame and extending into the inverted channel from each of the first and second sides between the upper and lower ends;

one or more shelves coupled to the frame and extending inward toward a vertical plane bisecting the inverted channel from a point that is at the lower end or between the lower end and the plurality of lens tabs;

where the lens tabs and shelves are configured to support a lens between any of;

the one or more shelves independent of the lens tabs;

one or more of the lens tabs and the one or more shelves;

or

the plurality of lens tabs independent of the one or more shelves.

55. The apparatus of claim 54, where the frame defines an enclosed space within which electronic components can be enclosed independent of a troffer.

72. The apparatus of any of claims 54-69, where the frame is configured to be coupled to a troffer.

73. The apparatus of claim 72, further comprising:

trim extending around at least a portion of the perimeter of the frame and coupled to a lower side of the frame, the trim configured to contact an upper surface of a T-bar support of a suspended ceiling frame such that the apparatus can be mounted in a suspended ceiling frame without a troffer.

74. The apparatus of claim 73, where at least a portion of the trim is unitary with the frame.

75. The apparatus of any of claims 73-74, where at least a portion of the trim is removably coupled to the frame.

76. The apparatus of any of claims 54-69, further comprising:

a cable coupled to the frame;

a tab having a first end and a second end, the tab coupled to the cable at a point disposed between and spaced apart from the first and second ends.

77. The apparatus of claim 76, where the tab includes a hole configured to receive a screw for coupling the tab to a troffer.

78. The apparatus of any of claims 54-77, where the frame defines a first hole extending through a portion of the frame, the apparatus further comprising:

a printed circuit board (PCB) including at least one light-emitting diode and defining a second hole through the PCB; and

a tree plug having a head portion and a shaft portion, the shaft portion having a flexible portion defining a maximum outer transverse dimension of the shaft portion, the flexible portion biased outwardly and configured to be compressed or deflected inward to reduce the outer transverse dimension of the shaft portion;

where the tree plug extends through the first hole of the frame and the second hole of the PCB couple the PCB to the frame.

79. A kit comprising:

an apparatus of any of claims 72-78; and

a troffer configured to be coupled to a T-bar frame of a suspended ceiling and to receive at least a portion of the apparatus such that the troffer supports the frame.

80. The kit of claim 79, where the troffer includes first and second ends, first and second sides extending between the first and second ends, a lower end configured to be coupled to a T-bar frame of a suspended ceiling, and an upper end spaced apart from the lower end, at least 25% of the upper end is open.

81. The kit of claim 80, where a majority of the upper end is open.

82. The kit of claim 81, where the troffer includes one or more sheets of metal defining the ends and sides, and portions of the one or more sheets of metal are bent inward to define an upper lip and downward to define an inner lip.

83. The kit of claim 82, where the upper lip includes triangular portions at corners between adjacent ones of the ends and sides.

84. The kit of any of claims 80-83, where the troffer includes one or more braces extending from the first side to the second side between the first and second ends.

85. The kit of any of claims 79-83, where:

the troffer includes first and second ends each having a vertical wall portion, a horizontal shelf portion extending inward from the vertical wall portion toward the other of the first and second ends, inner ends of the horizontal shelves separated by a first distance;

the frame has a first end, a second end, and a frame length extending between the first and second ends; and

the kit further comprises;

a first mounting member coupled to the frame and configured to contact the horizontal shelf portion of the first end of the troffer to support the frame relative to the first end of the troffer; and

a second mounting member coupled to the frame and configured to contact the horizontal shelf portion of the second end of the troffer to support the frame relative to the second end of the troffer.

97. A method comprising:

coupling a troffer of the apparatus of any of claim 92-96 to a T-bar frame of a suspended ceiling; and

coupling the frame of the apparatus of any of claim 55, 59, 65, or 67 to the troffer.

56. An apparatus comprising:

a frame for a light fixture, where the frame;

defines a plurality of inverted channels each having a cross-sectional shape that includes an upper end, a lower end that is wider than the upper end, and first and second sides between the upper end and the lower end, the frame configured to receive one or more light sources in each inverted channel; and

includes a sensor bay disposed between two of the inverted channels and having a mounting location configured to be coupled to one or more sensors;

where the frame is configured to be coupled to a plurality of lenses such that (1) each lens encloses at least a portion of a different one of the inverted channels, and (2) none of the lenses cover the mounting location.

57. The kit of claim 56, where at least a portion of one of the first and second sides of one of the inverted channels defines at least a portion of the sensor bay.

58. The apparatus of claim 56, where a single piece of sheet metal defines at least a portion of the inverted channels and the sensor bay.

59. The apparatus of any of claims 56-58, where the frame defines an enclosed space between the inverted channels within which electronic components can be enclosed independent of a troffer.

69. The apparatus of any of claims 56-60, further comprising:

a plurality of lens tabs coupled to the frame and extending into each inverted channel from each of the first and second sides between the upper and lower ends;

one or more shelves coupled to the frame adjacent each inverted channel and extending inward toward a vertical plane bisecting the inverted channel from a point that is at the lower end or between the lower end and the lens tabs extending into the inverted channel;

where the lens tabs and shelves are configured to support a lens relative to each inverted channel between any of;

the one or more shelves adjacent the inverted channel independent of the lens tabs extending into the inverted channel;

one or more of the lens tabs extending into the inverted channel and the one or more shelves adjacent of the inverted channel;

or

the plurality of lens tabs extending into the inverted channel independent of the one or more shelves adjacent to the inverted channel.

70. The apparatus of any of claims 56-69, where a space external to and between the upper ends of adjacent inverted channels is substantially enclosed.

71. The apparatus of claim 70, where a lower side of the frame is configured to be coupled to a T-bar frame of a suspended ceiling without a separate troffer.

60. An apparatus comprising:

a frame for a light fixture, where the frame;

defines a plurality of inverted channels each having a cross-sectional shape that includes an upper end, a lower end that is wider than the upper end, and first and second sides between the upper end and the lower end, the portions of the frame defining the first and second sides of the cross-sectional shape having reflector surfaces facing the channel, the frame configured to receive one or more light sources in each inverted channel; and

includes a component bridge configured to be coupled to control components and/or driving components for the light sources.

61. The apparatus of claim 60, where the component bridge is spaced apart from the portions of the frame having reflector surfaces such that airflow is permitted between the component bridge and the portions of the frame having reflector surfaces.

62. The apparatus of claim 60, where the component bridge is configured to substantially enclose a volume defined at least in part by the sides of the inverted channels opposite the reflector surfaces.

63. The apparatus of any of claims 60-62, where the component bridge has a length extending substantially parallel to a length of the inverted channels.

64. The apparatus of any of claims 60-62, where the component bridge has a length extending substantially perpendicular to a length of the inverted channels.

65. The apparatus of any of claims 60-62, where the frame defines an enclosed space between the inverted channels within which electronic components can be enclosed independent of a troffer.

66. The apparatus of any of claims 60-64, where the frame comprises:

a first piece of sheet metal defining the cross-sectional shape of the inverted channels;

second and third pieces of sheet metal enclosing first and second ends of the inverted channels; and

a fourth piece of sheet metal coupled to at least one of the second and third pieces of sheet metal and defining the component bridge.

67. The apparatus of claim 66, further comprising:

a fifth piece of sheet metal extending between the tops of the inverted channels of the first piece of sheet metal, and between the second and third pieces of sheet metal, to substantially enclose the space between the tops of the inverted channels independent of a troffer.

68. The apparatus of any of claims 60-64, where the frame comprises:

a single piece of sheet metal that defines at least a portion of the cross-sectional shape of the inverted channels, encloses at least a portion of the first and second ends of the inverted channels, and defines at least a portion of the component bridge.

86. A method of retrofitting a light fixture into a rectangular troffer with first and second ends each having a vertical wall portion and a lower horizontal shelf portion extending inward from the vertical wall portion toward the other of the first and second ends, inner surfaces of the vertical wall portions separated by a first distance, the method comprising:

coupling a first end of a frame for a light fixture to the first end of the troffer via a mounting member coupled to the frame and configured to extend beyond the first end of the frame to support the frame relative to the first end of the troffer; and

coupling a second end of a frame for a light fixture to the second end of the troffer via a mounting member coupled to the frame and configured to extend beyond the second end of the frame to support the frame relative to the second end of the troffer.

87. The method of claim 86, further comprising:

coupling a first mount to an inner surface of the vertical wall portion of the first end of the troffer;

coupling a second mount to an inner surface of the vertical wall portion of the second end of the troffer;

where each mount has a mounting surface facing the inner surface of the respective vertical wall portion and a protrusion extending to an inner end spaced from the mounting surface by a protrusion depth such that a distance between mounts on opposing ends of the troffer define a mount-opening length that is equal to or less than;

the first distance less twice the protrusion depth;

where the first mounting member is coupled to the first end of the troffer via contact with the protrusion of the mount coupled to the first end of the troffer, and the second mounting member is coupled to the second end of the troffer via contact with the protrusion of the mount coupled to the second end of the troffer.

88. The method of any of claims 86-87, where a cable is coupled to a frame and to a tab at a point between first and second ends of the cable, the method further comprising:

coupling the cable to the troffer.

89. The method of claim 88, where coupling the cable to the troffer includes inserting the tab through an opening in the troffer and rotating the tab to prevent the tab from being retracted through the opening.

90. The method of claim 88, where the tab includes a hole configured to receive a screw for coupling the tab to a troffer, and coupling the cable to the troffer includes inserting a fastener through the hole in the tab and into a portion of the troffer.

91. A method comprising:

inserting a tree plug through a first hole in a printed circuit board (PCB) and a second hole in a frame of a light fixture to couple the PCB to the light fixture;

where the tree plug has a head portion and a shaft portion, the shaft portion having a flexible portion defining a maximum outer transverse dimension of the shaft portion, the flexible portion biased outwardly and configured to be compressed or deflected inward to reduce the outer transverse dimension of the shaft portion.

92. An apparatus for mounting a light in a suspended ceiling, the apparatus comprising:

a troffer configured to be coupled to a T-bar frame of a suspended ceiling and to receive at least a portion of the apparatus such that the troffer supports the frame, the troffer including first and second ends, first and second sides extending between the first and second ends, a lower end configured to be coupled to a T-bar frame of a suspended ceiling, and an upper end spaced apart from the lower end, at least 25% of the upper end is open.

93. The apparatus of claim 92, where a majority of the upper end is open.

94. The apparatus of claim 93, where the troffer includes one or more sheets of metal defining the ends and sides, and portions of the one or more sheets of metal are bent inward to define an upper lip and downward to define an inner lip.

95. The apparatus of claim 94, where the upper lip includes triangular portions at corners between adjacent ones of the ends and sides.

96. The apparatus of any of claims 92-95, where the troffer includes one or more braces extending from the first side to the second side between the first and second ends.

98. A switch for controlling a light fixture comprising:

a junction box;

a transformer disposed in the junction box and configured to receive line voltage and transform the line voltage to low voltage, the transformer having at least two low voltage terminals; and

a low voltage user input device configured to be in direct electrical communication with at least two of the low voltage terminals and to receive user input indicative of a desired lighting condition;

where the switch is configured to control at least one light fixture at least based on the user input.

99. The switch of claim 98, further comprising a faceplate configured to secure the low voltage user input device relative to the junction box.

100. The switch of claim 98 or 99, further comprising at least one indicator configured to provide information indicative of the operational state of at least one of the switch and the at least one light fixture.

101. The switch of claim 100, where the at least one indicator comprises an LED.

102. The switch of any of claims 98-101, further comprising a wired communications link configured to communicate with the at least one light fixture.

103. The switch of any of claims 98-102, further comprising a wireless transceiver configured to communicate with the at least one light fixture.

104. The switch of any of claims 98-103, where the user input device comprises at least one of a button, knob, switch, slider, or touchscreen.

105. The switch of any of claims 98-104, where the switch is configured to dim the at least one light fixture.

106. The switch of any of claims 98-105, where the switch further comprises processor configured to control the at least one light fixture.

107. The switch of any of claims 98-106, further comprising one or more sensors configured to detect one or more events or environmental characteristics.

108. The switch of any of claims 98-107, where at least one of the one or more sensors comprises an optical sensor.

109. The switch of claim 107 or 108, where the environmental characteristics comprise at least an occupancy of an environment.

110. The switch of any of claims 107-109, as depending from claim 9, where the processor is further configured to control the operation of the light fixture responsive to one or more events or environmental characteristics detected by the one or more sensors.

111. The switch of any of claims 98-110 where the switch does not comprise any low voltage wires between the transformer and the user input device.

113. The apparatus of any of claims 54-77, further comprising a switch of any of claims 98-111.

114. The kit of claim 79, further comprising a switch of any of claims 98-111.

115. A system comprising:

a low voltage switch having a low voltage user input device configured to receive user input indicative of a desired lighting condition;

at least one slave light fixture; and

a master light fixture configured to receive line voltage and be in electrical communication with the low voltage switch, the master light fixture having a communications device configured to communicate with the at least one slave light fixture;

where the master light fixture is configured to receive the user input and vary a lighting condition based on at least the user input by controlling the at least one slave light fixture.

116. The system of claim 115, where the master light fixture is further configured to supply low voltage power to the low voltage switch.

117. The system of claim 115 or 116, further comprising CAT5E plenum cable configured to transmit at least one of power or electrical signals between the master light fixture and the low voltage switch.

118. The system of any of claims 115-118, where the master light fixture is closer in a physical proximity to the low voltage switch than any slave light fixture.

119. The system of any of claims 115-118, where the communications device comprises a wireless communications device.

120. The system of any of claims 115-119, where the communications device comprises a wired communications device.

121. The system of any of claims 115-120, where the switch does not comprise any line voltage components.

122. A method comprising:

replacing any line voltage components within a junction box with a low voltage switch having a user input device configured to receive user input indicative of a desired lighting condition;

providing at least one slave light fixture;

placing a master light fixture into electrical communication with the low voltage switch, the master light fixture having a communications device configured to communicate with the at least one slave light fixture; and

controlling the at least one slave light fixture with the master light fixture based on at least the user input.