Dimming a multi-lamp fluorescent light fixture by turning off an individual lamp using a wireless fluorescent lamp starter

摘要

A multi-lamp fluorescent light fixture includes a plurality of replaceable fluorescent lamp starter units. Each starter unit has a built-in microcontroller, an RF (Radio-Frequency) receiver, and communicates wirelessly with a master unit. The plurality of starter units can be wirelessly controlled to dim the multi-lamp fixture. Each starter unit receives a DIM command. Each starter unit identified as a dimmer starter unit responds to the DIM command by turning off coupled fluorescent lamps. Starter units not identified as dimmer starter units respond by leaving coupled lamps turned on, or alternatively, turning off and quickly restarting coupled lamps. Systems of existing light fixtures are retrofitted with such wireless starter units, and thereby made controllable by a master unit so that the master unit can dim the lights if room occupancy is not detected or if sufficient ambient light is available.

主权项

1. A method of dimming a multi-lamp fluorescent light fixture comprising:
(a) turning off a first fluorescent lamp using a first wireless fluorescent lamp starter unit, wherein the first fluorescent lamp is taken from a plurality of illuminated fluorescent lamps of the multi-lamp fluorescent light fixture.