AC power module for automation system
First Claim
1. An AC power module for setting the level of power supplied to a plurality of electrical devices according to control signals from a microprocessor comprising:
- at least one solid state relay coupling one of said plurality of devices to a high voltage AC power supply;
means for providing a low voltage reference signal having a phase synchronized with said high voltage AC power supply;
means for adjusting said low voltage signal in accordance with said control signals to provide a relay signal for controlling said solid state relay device, said relay signal determining the level of power supplied to said one of said plurality of devices; and
means for monitoring power supplied to said one of said plurality of devices, said monitoring means providing a digital signal to said microprocessor which indicates whether current is flowing through said one of said plurality of devices;
wherein said means for adjusting includes a counter which reads in said control signals from said microprocessor according to a clock pulse supplied by a multiplier circuit, said clock pulse having a frequency which is a multiple of the frequency of said high voltage AC power supply.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is an AC power module for controlling the level of power to multiple electrical devices such as lights and household appliances according to control signals supplied from a processor unit. The apparatus utilizes low voltage control signals which are synchronous with the standard AC power supply to control several solid state relay which in turn regulate the AC power supplied to the devices. Each relay is optically isolated from the module. The module incorporates additional terminals through which back-up switching or control of additional relays (with different power ratings) may be provided.
The module may be constructed on a single printed circuit board (PCB) to facilitate installation and removal. According to this embodiment, the PCB has pins which matably attach to a corresponding number of L-shaped tabs provided on a standard electrical box.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. An AC power module for setting the level of power supplied to a plurality of electrical devices according to control signals from a microprocessor comprising:
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at least one solid state relay coupling one of said plurality of devices to a high voltage AC power supply; means for providing a low voltage reference signal having a phase synchronized with said high voltage AC power supply; means for adjusting said low voltage signal in accordance with said control signals to provide a relay signal for controlling said solid state relay device, said relay signal determining the level of power supplied to said one of said plurality of devices; and means for monitoring power supplied to said one of said plurality of devices, said monitoring means providing a digital signal to said microprocessor which indicates whether current is flowing through said one of said plurality of devices; wherein said means for adjusting includes a counter which reads in said control signals from said microprocessor according to a clock pulse supplied by a multiplier circuit, said clock pulse having a frequency which is a multiple of the frequency of said high voltage AC power supply. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification