Ground leakage power supply for dimming applications
First Claim
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1. A dimmer for controlling power to a load, the dimmer comprising:
- a phase input terminal configured to couple to an AC power source;
a ground terminal configured to couple to a ground connection of the AC power source;
a load output terminal configured to couple to the load;
a switching circuit electrically coupled between the phase input terminal and the load output terminal;
a controller configured to control the switching circuit such that power to the load is selectively controlled; and
a ground leakage power supply, wherein the ground leakage power supply is a switched mode power supply electrically coupled to the phase input and ground terminals, wherein the ground leakage power supply derives power only from the phase input and ground terminals;
wherein the controller receives power from the ground leakage power supply.
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Abstract
A dimmer is provided for controlling power to a load, the dimmer having a ground leakage power supply deriving power from a connection of the dimmer to ground. The power supply may be a switching-mode power supply that can be the sole or primary power supply to power operation of the dimmer, including operation of the controller.
22 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A dimmer for controlling power to a load, the dimmer comprising:
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a phase input terminal configured to couple to an AC power source; a ground terminal configured to couple to a ground connection of the AC power source; a load output terminal configured to couple to the load; a switching circuit electrically coupled between the phase input terminal and the load output terminal; a controller configured to control the switching circuit such that power to the load is selectively controlled; and a ground leakage power supply, wherein the ground leakage power supply is a switched mode power supply electrically coupled to the phase input and ground terminals, wherein the ground leakage power supply derives power only from the phase input and ground terminals; wherein the controller receives power from the ground leakage power supply. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18)
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13. A dimmer for controlling power to a load, the dimmer comprising:
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a phase input terminal configured to couple to an AC power source; a ground terminal configured to couple to a ground connection of the AC power source; a load output terminal configured to couple to the load; a switching circuit electrically coupled between the phase input terminal and the load output terminal, wherein the controller is configured to provide a signal to the switching circuit to selectively control power to the load, the signal provided starting at a firing angle of a half-cycle of the AC power source, and the signal comprising a plurality of pulses provided during the half-cycle of the AC power source; a controller configured to control the switching circuit such that power to the load is selectively controlled; and a ground leakage power supply, wherein the ground leakage power supply is a switched mode power supplyelectrically coupled to the phase input and ground terminals, wherein the ground leakage power supply derives power only from the phase input and ground terminals; wherein the controller receives power from the ground leakage power supply. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 19)
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16. A dimmer for controlling power to a load, the dimmer comprising:
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a phase input terminal configured to couple to an AC power source; a ground terminal configured to couple to a ground connection of the AC power source; a load output terminal configured to couple to the load; a switching circuit electrically coupled between the phase input terminal and the load output terminal, wherein the controller is configured to provide a signal to the switching circuit to selectively control power to the load, the signal comprising a plurality of pulses provided during a half-cycle of the AC power source, and the plurality of pulses having a duration of 8-12 microseconds and having a duration therebetween of 8-12 microseconds; a controller configured to control the switching circuit such that power to the load is selectively controlled; and a ground leakage power supply, wherein the ground leakage power supply is a switched mode power supply electrically coupled to the phase input and ground terminals, wherein the ground leakage power to supply derives power only from the phase input and ground terminals; wherein the controller receives power from the ground leakage power supply. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification