Patent ID: 6138241
Filing Date: 2000-10-24
Classification: H02J,Y02B,Y02E,Y04S,Y10S

Abstract:
A method of controlling power distribution to a load in an electrical network, the electrical network having a plurality of input devices operable in an on state and an off state, and an electrical control device responsive to the state of the plurality of input devices and used to control power distribution to the load, said method comprising:placing at least one of said plurality of input devices into the off state;communicating from said at least one input device placed in the off state to said electrical control device a status message that said at least one input device is in the off state, wherein said electrical control device turns power to the load off;inhibiting said electrical control device from turning power to the load on until each of said plurality of input devices are in the on state;maintaining a table of input device identifiers;adding the input device identifier associated with said at least one input device placed in the off state to said table;removing the input device identifier associated with said at least one input device placed in the off state from said table when said at least one input device placed in the off state is placed in the on state; andenabling said electrical control device to activate said load when each input device identifier has been removed from said table.