Load control and switching circuits and remote/local control systems using such circuits

摘要

Apparatus facilitating the switching and control of the power consumption level of at least one power-consuming load remotely located from a central facility. Load switching and power-consumption control commands are sent from the central facility to each of the remote locations to provide an analog signal having a programmable amplitude or programmable pulse-width thereof to an intelligent load control and switching circuit. The load control and switching circuit not only controls the coupling of a power source to a power-consuming load, but also controls the portion of the source waveform cycle during which the load is coupled to the source, to control the average power consumption thereof. Several embodiments of load control and switching circuitry, as well as power supplies for providing operating potential thereto, are disclosed.