Lighting relay panel features for improved safety and reliability

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10757769-B2
Application number	US-201815909152-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 1, 2018
Priority date	Apr 26, 2017
Publication date	Aug 25, 2020
Grant date	Aug 25, 2020

Abstract

A lighting relay panel may include lower-cost features or components related to improved safety and reliability. In some cases, the relay panel includes a power supply capable of protecting the panel from high-voltage and high-current transients. A microcontroller may determine a power interruption based on a zero-cross signal received from the power supply, and may also configure latching relays during the interruption. In some implementations, the relay panel includes a relay sense circuit that is capable of receiving actuation signals from multiple relays connected to different phases of a power signal, and the microcontroller may synchronize or repeat the actuations based on a signal from the relay sense circuit. The microcontroller may generate relay addresses based on the relay positions within the relay panel. In some cases, the relay panel may include isolation circuits that are capable of providing an isolated control signal having an improved voltage range.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A protection circuit, comprising:
a first varistor configured for connection to an AC power source, wherein a first connector of the first varistor is configured for connection to a hot connection of the AC power source and a second connector of the first varistor is configured for connection to a neutral connection of the AC power source, and the first and second connectors of the first varistor are configured for connection to inputs of an EMI filter;
a second varistor configured for connection to a rectifier, wherein a first connector of the second varistor is configured for connection to a hot connection of the rectifier and a second connector of the second varistor is configured for connection to a neutral connection of the rectifier, and the first and second connectors of the second varistor are configured for connection to outputs of the EMI filter; and
a third varistor configured for connection to the AC power source, wherein a first connector of the third varistor is configured for connection to the neutral connection of the AC power source and second connector of the third varistor is configured for connection to a ground connection,
wherein the second connector of the first varistor is connected to the first connector of the third varistor at a connection point of (i) the neutral connection of the AC power source and (ii) one of the inputs to the EMI filter.

2. The protection circuit of claim 1 , wherein the first, second and third varistors are metal oxide varistors.

3. The protection circuit of claim 2 , wherein the third varistor has a higher voltage rating than the first varistor and the second varistor.

4. The protection circuit of claim 2 , wherein the third varistor has a lower peak current rating than the first varistor and the second varistor.

5. The protection circuit of claim 1 , further comprising a fuse connected to the first connector of the first varistor between the AC power source and the first varistor.

6. The protection circuit of claim 5 , wherein the fuse opens when both the first varistor and the second varistor fail short.

7. The protection circuit of claim 1 , wherein the first connector of the second varistor is further configured for connection to a first one of the outputs of the EMI filter, and the second connector of the second varistor is further configured for connection to a second one of the outputs of the EMI filter.

Assignees

• Abl Ip Holding Llc

Inventors

• Liu Shoumin
• Zulim Dalibor
• Norton Mark
• Westrick Jr Richard Lee
• Zaveruha Ryan
• Bierschbach Justin
• Pelliccio Frank
• Almasi Tiberiu

Classifications

• H05B47/25 Primary

  Circuit arrangements for protecting against overcurrent · CPC title

• H05B47/24

  Circuit arrangements for protecting against overvoltage · CPC title

• H05B47/165

  following a pre-assigned programmed sequence; Logic control [LC] · CPC title

• H02J9/061

  for DC powered loads · CPC title

• H02H3/22

  of short duration, e.g. lightning · CPC title