PROGRAMMABLE CONTROLLER FOR REMOTELY CONTROLLING INPUT POWERTHROUGH A SWITCH TO A LOAD AND AN ASSOCIATED METHOD OF OPERATION

摘要

A programmable controller (10) is provided that is capable of interfacing wi th a remote master controller (12), where the programmable controller is capabl e of controlling an input current to at least one load (14) that is proximate the programmable controller. The programmable controller includes at least o ne solid-state switch capable of controllably altering the input current to the loads. The programmable controller also includes at least one measuring element for measuring at least one parameter associated with the loads and t he solid-state switches, such as the current through the solid-state switches, the current through and voltage drop across the loads and/or the temperature at or around the solid-state switches. Additionally, the programmable controller includes a processing element capable of controlling the solid- state switches, such as by controlling the current through the solid-state switches to the loads.