INTELLIGENT DIMMER FOR MANAGING A LIGHTING LOAD

摘要

An intelligent dimmer (12) for managing a lighting load (172) coupled to an AC voltage source (174) is disclosed. In particular embodiments, the intelligent dimmer (12) may be incorporated into a system (10) and method (220 - 228) for managing lighting power density. In one embodiment of the intelligent dimmer (12), a control circuit (170) is coupled between the lighting load (172) and the AC voltage source (174). A threshold load current value is established for the lighting load (172). A line voltage sensor (178) reads the line voltage across the lighting load (172) and a load sensor (178) samples the load current being provided to the lighting load (172). The control circuit (170) compares the sampled load current to the threshold load current to determine the presence of a cutoff condition and, in response thereto, selectively adjusts the line voltage applied to the lighting load (172).