Outdoor lighting system controlled using motion sensor interface

Aspects are provided for controlling outdoor lighting systems using a photocontrol interface that can be connected to a motion sensor and a luminaire driver or ballast. In some aspects, a dimming control node is electrically and communicatively coupled to a motion sensor via wired connections to a photocontrol interface. The dimming control node is also communicatively coupled to a luminaire ballast or driver. The dimming control node receives sensor data from the motion sensor via one of the wired connections and provides power to the motion sensor via another one of the wired connections. The dimming control node can determine a sensor output state of the motion sensor from the received sensor data, and can select a dim-level configuration corresponding to the determined sensor output state. The dimming control node can configure the luminaire ballast or driver in accordance with the selected dim-level configuration.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure involves lighting control systems and more particularly relates to outdoor lighting systems that are controlled using a photocontrol interface for connecting to a motion sensor and a luminaire driver or ballast.

BACKGROUND

Control devices can be used to control operations of lighting devices and other lighting devices. For instance, control of outdoor lighting (e.g., street and area lighting) can include a timing mechanism disposed in a solid-state control device, known as a photocontrol. This control device can transmit control signals to the lighting device (or a lighting controller associated with the lighting device) that can cause the lighting device to change state (e.g., turn on, turn off, increase illumination, decrease illumination) in accordance with a schedule. Dimming street and area lights at times when there are no humans or vehicles in the area is a potential means of energy saving and also prolonging the life of lighting assets.

But existing control devices may present disadvantages for lighting systems that service outdoor environments having occasional traffic or other forms of occupancy during scheduled “off” or “low-illumination” periods. For example, streetlight photocontrols may lack the capability to dynamically adjust the controlled light level due to detected presence or lack of presence of humans in the area of interest.

SUMMARY

This disclosure involves outdoor lighting systems that are controlled using a photocontrol interface for connecting to a motion sensor and a luminaire driver or ballast. In some aspects, a dimming control node is electrically and communicatively coupled to a motion sensor via wired connections to a photocontrol interface. The dimming control node is also communicatively coupled to a luminaire ballast or driver. The dimming control node receives sensor data from the motion sensor via one of the wired connections and provides power to the motion sensor via another one of the wired connections. The dimming control node can determine a sensor output state of the motion sensor from the received sensor data, and can select a dim-level configuration corresponding to the determined sensor output state. The dimming control node can cause, via communications with the luminaire ballast or driver, the luminaire ballast or luminaire driver to be configured in accordance with the selected dim-level configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain aspects involve outdoor lighting systems that are controlled using a photocontrol interface for connecting to a motion sensor and a luminaire driver or ballast. For example, a dimming control node in an outdoor lighting system can include (or be connected to) a photocontrol that couples the dimming control node to a motion sensor and a luminaire ballast or driver. The photocontrol can include a photocontrol interface with a three-blade interface in an industry standard pattern (such as one complying with the ANSI 136.10-2010 standard) as well as additional terminals that can be used for powering and communicating with other devices (e.g., the motion sensor) and for controlling other devices (e.g., the luminaire ballast or driver). For example, the photocontrol interface can include contact terminals through which sensor data can be received from a motion sensor and through which control signals can be transmitted to a luminaire ballast or driver.

FIG. 1depicts an example of a motion-controlled lighting system100. The motion-controlled lighting system100includes a dimming control node102having a photocontrol interface104. In some aspects, the motion-controlled lighting system100is used to control one or more outdoor lighting fixtures (not shown). The outdoor lighting fixtures (e.g., luminaires) can be controlled using luminaire drivers or ballasts, such as the luminaire drivers110a,110b(e.g., electronic drivers for luminaires having light-emitting diodes).

The dimming control node102can be installed in any suitable manner (e.g., within a light fixture or on an exterior of the light fixture). The dimming control node102can be connected to other components through the photocontrol interface104. In one example, the photocontrol interface104can be a multi-conductor photo control receptacle that complies with the ANSI C136.41 standard.

The photocontrol interface104includes multiple terminals that can provide one or more wired connections between the photocontrol interface104and a motion sensor106, a luminaire terminal block108, and luminaire drivers110a,110b. Communications via these connections allow the dimming control node102to use sensor outputs from the motion sensor106to control operation of a lighting control device via the luminaire drivers110a,110bor other lighting control device (e.g., a ballast). A luminaire driver or ballast can include one or more devices, components, or combinations thereof that can control the power provided to one or more lighting elements of a luminaire. A non-limiting example of a lighting element is a light-emitting diode or a group of light-emitting diodes.

In some aspects, using the wired connections depicted inFIG. 1can avoid disadvantages associated with systems that use wireless interfaces to communicate with motion sensors. For example, the wired connections allow for a common point-of-interface between the dimming control node102and each of the motion sensor106and the luminaire drivers110a,110b. This reduces the need for additional wireless communication circuitry in the dimming control node102that would be used for communicating with the motion sensor106. Furthermore, a wired connection may be less susceptible to noise or ambient radio-frequency (“RF”) interference, which might trigger a false positive in wireless implementations (e.g., RF interference on a wireless interface to the dimming control node102being treated as a sensor output state indicating motion, even if no motion is present). Thus, the motion-controlled lighting system100can be effectively used in outdoor environments and other environments that are susceptible to RF interference or other electromagnetic interference that would disrupt operations of wireless motion sensors or other wireless communication devices.

In the example depicted inFIG. 1, the photocontrol interface104can be connected to the motion sensor106via a sensor power terminal118and a sensor input terminal120. An example of the photocontrol interface104and examples of the sensor power terminal118and the sensor input terminal120are depicted inFIG. 2. Power can be provided to the motion sensor106via the sensor power terminal118. In some aspects, the photocontrol interface104can also include a low-voltage common terminal that, in combination with the sensor power terminal118, can be used to power the motion sensor106. In one example, the dimming control node102can provide a 15 VDC power source to the motion sensor106. The photocontrol interface104can also receive sensor output signals from the motion sensor106via the sensor input terminal120. The photocontrol interface104can provide the received sensor output signals to one or more processing devices included in the dimming control node102or communicatively coupled to the dimming control node102. In one example, the dimming control node102can receive, as an input, a low-voltage output from the motion sensor106that indicates that motion has occurred in the field of view of the motion sensor106.

The photocontrol interface104can be connected to the luminaire terminal block108via a line terminal122and a neutral terminal124, examples of which are depicted inFIG. 2. The line terminal122and the neutral terminal124can allow an electrical connection to be formed that provides power to the luminaire terminal block108via alternating current. For instance, in the example depicted inFIG. 1, a line connection112abetween the photocontrol interface104and the luminaire terminal block108can include a wired connection to the line terminal122. A neutral connection114abetween the photocontrol interface104and the luminaire terminal block108can include a wired connection to the neutral terminal124. (For illustrative purposes, different wired connections are depicted inFIG. 1using different types of solid or dashed lines, such as a solid line for the line connection112a, different dashed lines for different wired connections between the dimming control node102and the motion sensor106, etc.)

The photocontrol interface104can be connected to the luminaire drivers110a,110bvia a line terminal126and the neutral terminal124. The line terminal126and the neutral terminal124can allow an electrical connection to be formed that provides power to a photocontrol (e.g., a luminaire ballast or luminaire driver) via alternating current. For instance, in the example depicted inFIG. 1, line connections112b,112cbetween the photocontrol interface104and the luminaire drivers110a,110b, respectively, can include wired connections to the line terminal126. Neutral connections114b,114cbetween the photocontrol interface104and the luminaire drivers110a,110b, respectively, can include wired connections to the neutral terminal124.

In some aspects, the photocontrol interface104can be connected to the luminaire drivers110a,110bvia communication terminals128,130. The photocontrol interface104can communicate commands (e.g., dimming commands) to the luminaire drivers110a,110bvia a communication interface provided by the communication terminals128,130.

In some aspects, at least two methods for providing dimming commands can be supported by the dimming control node102and the drivers110a,110b. The dimming methods include a 0-10 V analog dimming control (International Electrical Commission (“IEC”) 60929 Annex E) and Digitally Addressable Lighting Interface (“DALI”) (IEC 62386-20x) communications. DALI can be a 16 VDC system. Electrical conductors and contacts that are designed for 16 VDC at 250 mA can use both methods. Both DALI communications and 0-10 V analog dimming control can involve using two conductors for the physical layer (i.e., signal transmission medium) of the Open Systems Interconnection (“OSI”) model.

In one example, luminaire drivers or ballasts can have a dimmable range between 1 and 5, and can be controlled by suitable control signals (e.g., 0-10 V analog, DALI signals, etc.). The luminaire drivers110a,110can be installed in a manner in which they are supplied 120-480 VAC nominal through connections, which are all in phase, to a fixture system's neutral lead (e.g., a white-wire lead) and a photocontrol-switched line voltage lead (e.g., a red-wire lead).

In some aspects, the motion-controlled lighting system100may be included in (or be used to implement) a light management system in which intelligent luminaire managers are networked and provide for luminaire control and other functions. An example of a light management system in which certain aspects can be implemented is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,333,903 to Walters, et al., titled “Light Management System Having Networked Intelligent Luminaire Managers with Enhanced Diagnostics Capabilities.”

In some aspects, the dimming control node102can monitor and react to an output of the motion sensor106by adjusting the connected light fixture to a pre-determined dim level. For example, the dim level can be adjusted in response to initial signaling of motion detection and for a period defined by the length of the motion sensor output remaining in the active state. In some aspects, the dimming control node102can adjust the fixture's dim level regardless of other queued commands such as sniffer, scheduled operation, etc. In additional aspects, the sensor-triggered dim level is unable to override an auto-activation routine that takes control of the fixture upon initial registration for a short period.

FIG. 3is a timing diagram301that depicts an example of changes in lighting levels controlled by the motion-controlled lighting system100using sensor outputs from the motion sensor106. In this example, one or more processing devices, which can be included in or otherwise associated with the dimming control node102, can determine one of the sensor output states302,304, or308from sensor data that is received from the motion sensor106. The sensor data describing sensor output states302,304, and308is generated by the motion sensor106in response to sensing some type of motion in an area covered by the motion sensor106.

The processing device can identify a motion duration sensed by the motion sensor motion based on the sensor output states302,304, or308. The processing device can generate one or more control signals based on the identified duration. The processing device can transmit the control signals to one or more of the luminaire drivers110a,110bvia the communication interface provided by the communication terminals128,130. One or more of the luminaire drivers110a,110bcan modify the operation of one or more luminaires in response to receiving the control signals. Modifying the operation of a luminaire can result in a luminaire dim-level state corresponding to a detected sensor output state.

In this example, a duration303of the sensor output state302(i.e., t2−t1) is less than a minimum occupancy-detection pulse width. The dimming control node102can identify a minimum occupancy-detection pulse width, where the minimum occupancy-detection pulse width can be configured to have any suitable value (e.g., two seconds). The dimming control node102determines that the sensor output state302has a duration303that is less than the minimum occupancy-detection pulse width. Based on this determination, processing logic in the dimming control node102can output a decision in which no change occurs in the luminaire dim state, as indicated by the luminaire dim-level state remaining low following the sensor output state302. If this “maintain” decision is made, the dimming control node102does not transmit any commands to the luminaire drivers110a,110bto modify the luminaire operation.

In another example, the sensor output signal can have a duration that is sufficiently long to trigger synchronization of the sensor output signal and the luminaire dim-level state. For example, the sensor output state304has a duration305(i.e., t4−t3) that satisfies a minimum occupancy-detection requirement. The sensor output state304continues for a duration306(i.e., t5−t4). The dimming control node102can determine that the duration306is greater than or equal to a minimum response duration, which can be configured to have any suitable value (e.g., nine seconds). Based on this determination, processing logic in the dimming control node102can output a decision in which the luminaire dim state is synchronized with the sensor output signal. For instance, inFIG. 3, the luminaire dim-level state307is set to a high dim-level state at time t4after the minimum occupancy-detection pulse width (i.e., the duration305) has elapsed. At time t5, the processing logic determines that the dim-level state should be synchronized with the sensor output state based on the minimum response duration (i.e. the duration306) having elapsed. In accordance with this synchronization, the processing logic causes the dim-level state307to be set to a low dim-level state at time t6concurrently with the sensor output state304changing to a low state. If the “synchronization” decision is made, the dimming control node102transmits suitable commands (e.g., dimming signals or other control signals) to the luminaire drivers110a,110bto modify the luminaire operation and thereby obtain the luminaire dim-level state307.

In some aspects, the dimming control node102is configured to maintain a “high” dim-level state (e.g., lights are set to on and at full illumination) for a specified period of time (e.g., a minimum of 30 seconds) after the most recent detection of occupancy, assuming that the determined duration of occupancy satisfies a minimum response duration, as described above. In other aspects, the dimming control node102is configured to maintain a “high” dim-level state (e.g., lights are set to on and at full illumination) for a period of time sufficient to prevent short-cycling (e.g., nine seconds) if the determined duration of occupancy does not satisfy a minimum response duration.

In the example depicted inFIG. 3, the sensor output signal can have a duration that is sufficiently long to trigger a change in the luminaire dim-level state, but insufficiently long to trigger synchronization of the sensor output signal and the luminaire dim-level state. For example, the sensor output state308has a duration309(i.e., t8−t7) that satisfies the minimum occupancy-detection pulse width. Processing logic in the dimming control node102can determine that the duration309satisfies the minimum occupancy-detection pulse width and can output a decision in which the luminaire dim-level state311is set to high. The sensor output state304continues for a duration310(i.e., t9−t8). The dimming control node102can determine that the duration311is less than the minimum response duration. Based on this determination, the dimming control node102can output a decision to maintain the high dim-level state for a set period of time (e.g., the remainder of the minimum response duration) and then switch the dim-level state to a low state.

For instance, inFIG. 3, the luminaire dim-level state311is set to a high dim-level state at time t8after the minimum occupancy-detection pulse width (i.e., the duration309) has elapsed. At time t9, the processing logic determines that the dim-level state should be changed based on the minimum response duration elapsing. In accordance with this determination, the processing logic causes the dim-level state311to be set to a low dim-level state at time t10based on a minimum response duration312(i.e., t10−t8) elapsing without the sensor output returning to a high state. The dimming control node102implements these state changes to the dim level by transmitting suitable commands (e.g., dimming signals or other control signals) to the luminaire drivers110a,110bto modify the luminaire operation and thereby obtain the luminaire dim-level state311at time t8and a low dim-level state at time t10.

In the example depicted inFIG. 3, the dim-level state is switched from a low level to a high level without an intermediate dim level. But other implementations are possible. For example, the dimming control node102can use a ramped approach in which the dim-level state gradually increases from a low level to a high level, gradually decreases from a high level to a low level, or both. The dimming control node102can be configurable so that any type of ramping (e.g., ramp up only, ramp down only, or ramp up and down) is used or no ramping is used when transitioning between dim-level states.

The dimming control node102can be implemented with suitable computing hardware. For instance,FIG. 4is a block diagram depicting an example of the dimming control node102. In this example, the dimming control node102includes a processing device402, a bus404, a memory device406that stores a control algorithm408and dim-level configurations410, and an input/output (“I/O”) interface412.

The processing device402can include any suitable device or group of devices configured to execute code (e.g., the control algorithm408) stored on a computer-readable medium (e.g., the memory device406). Examples of a processing device402include a microprocessor, a mixed signal microcontroller, an application-specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”), a field-programmable gate array (“FPGA”), or another suitable processing device. The processing device402can be communicatively coupled to other components of the dimming control node102via the bus404. The bus404can include any suitable hardware (e.g., one or more traces of a printed circuit board) for communicating signals among components of the dimming control node102.

The memory device406can store the control algorithm408and one or more dim-level configurations410. The memory device406can include any suitable non-volatile memory device. An example of the memory device406is an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (“EEPROM”) device.

The dimming control node102can be communicatively coupled to the photocontrol interface104via the I/O interface412. The I/O interface412can include, for example, pins of a processing device402or other terminals that can form an electrical connection with corresponding terminals of the photocontrol interface104. As depicted inFIG. 4, the I/O interface412can be connected to the sensor input terminal120and the communication terminals128,130via the I/O interface412. Examples of an I/O interface412include an I/O interface suitable for communicating with a photocontrol interface that is compliant with the ANSI 136.10-2010 standard, interfaces described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,148,936 to Wagner et al., etc. For simplicity of illustration,FIG. 4omits other connections between the dimming control node102and the photocontrol interface104, such as the various connections for providing electrical power (e.g., connections with the neutral terminal124and line terminals122,126, etc.).

In some aspects, a cut-off hardware filter414may be included in the photocontrol interface104(as depicted inFIG. 4) or in the dimming control node102. The filter can prevent sensor data indicating a motion duration (i.e., sensor output duration) less than a minimum occupancy-detection threshold from being provided to the processing device402. For example, the cut-off hardware filter (e.g., a 10 KHz filter) can filter electric noise or other “nuisance” inputs (e.g., a sensor output state of that is less than a minimum output duration). In some aspects, the inclusion of a cut-off hardware filter can obviate the need for a dim-level configuration410corresponding to the sensor output state302ofFIG. 3. In additional or alternative aspects, the inclusion of a cut-off hardware filter can be used in combination with a dim-level configuration410corresponding to the sensor output state302ofFIG. 3.

The processing device402can receive electrical signals from the photocontrol interface104via the I/O interface412, such as signals from the motion sensor106that are received via the sensor input terminal120. The processing device402can execute the control algorithm408to determine a sensor output state based on the received electrical signals. Executing the control algorithm408can cause the processing device402to select one or more of the dim-level configurations410and to implement the selected dim-level configuration state. Implementing the selected dim-level configuration state can involve communications with one or more of the luminaire drivers110a,110bvia the communication terminals128,130.

For instance,FIG. 5is a flow chart depicting an example of a process500for using the dimming control node102and the photocontrol interface104to control operation of a luminaire driver or ballast based on communications with a motion sensor106. The process500is described with respect to the examples depicted inFIGS. 1-4and otherwise described herein. However, other implementations are possible.

At block502, the processing device402can receive sensor data from a motion sensor via a sensor input terminal. For example, the photocontrol interface104can receive one or more signals from the motion sensor106. The signals can include sensor data indicating motion that has been detected by the motion sensor106.

At block503, the processing device402can determine a sensor output state of the motion sensor. For instance, the processing device402can determine or otherwise identify a motion duration indicated by the sensor data received at block502. In some aspects, the sensor output state can be a waveform having one of the durations depicted inFIG. 3or other suitable durations.

In one example, the dimming control node102polls the status of the sensor input terminal120. The polling can be performed periodically (e.g., once per 100 milliseconds). The processing device402can shift the polled status into a 16-bit rolling status register in the memory device406. The processing device402can test the number of “1” values in the 16-bit rolling status register. If the 16-bit rolling status register value is greater than a threshold (e.g., more than twelve) and the current occupancy status (e.g., an “OCC” flag”) has a status of “FALSE,” the processing device can change the occupancy status to “TRUE.” If the 16-bit rolling status register value is less than a threshold (e.g., less than four) and the current occupancy status has a status of “TRUE,” the processing device can change the occupancy status to “false.” If the occupancy status changes from “FALSE” to “TRUE,” the processing device can start a timer, which is set to expire in accordance with the minimum-occupancy detection pulse width or other minimum-occupancy threshold. On expiration of the timer, if the occupancy status has not changed back to “FALSE,” then a dim-level state change can be implemented so that a specified dim level (e.g., an “occupied dim level” stored in the memory device406as a node profile) is obtained.

At block504, the processing device402can select one or more of the dim-level configurations410. A dim-level configuration410can be selected based on the sensor output state.

For instance, at block506, the processing device402can determine whether a motion duration indicated by the sensor data is less than a minimum-occupancy detection threshold. The minimum-occupancy detection threshold (e.g., the minimum-occupancy pulse width depicted inFIG. 3) can be stored in the memory device406. The processing device402can retrieve the minimum-occupancy detection threshold from the memory device406and compare the retrieved minimum-occupancy detection threshold with the motion duration determined at block503.

If the motion duration indicated by the sensor data is less than the minimum-occupancy detection threshold, the processing device402can select a “maintain” dim-level configuration, as depicted at block508. In some aspects, the “maintain” dim-level configuration can involve the processing device402maintaining a current dim-level state of a luminaire due to the absence of sufficient motion activity in the area serviced by the motion sensor106.

If the motion duration indicated by the sensor data is greater than or equal to the minimum-occupancy detection threshold, the process500can proceed to block510. At block510, the processing device402can determine whether the motion duration indicated by the sensor data is less than a minimum response threshold. The minimum response threshold (e.g., the minimum response duration inFIG. 3) can be stored in the memory device406. The processing device402can retrieve the minimum response threshold from the memory device406and compare the retrieved minimum response threshold with the motion duration determined at block503.

If the motion duration indicated by the sensor data is less than a minimum response threshold, the process500can proceed to block512. At block512, the processing device402can select a “transition” dim-level configuration. In some aspects, the “transition” dim-level configuration can involve the processing device402maintaining a current dim-level state of a luminaire (e.g., an “on” or “high illumination” state) for a specified period (e.g., the length of the minimum response duration) due to the motion activity satisfying the minimum occupancy-detection threshold. The “transition” dim-level configuration can also involve subsequently switching the dim-level state to a low dim-level state (e.g., an “off” or “low light” state) due to the motion activity failing to satisfy the minimum response threshold.

If the motion duration indicated by the sensor data is greater than or equal to a minimum response threshold, the process500can proceed to block514. At block514, the processing device402can select a “synchronize” dim-level configuration. In some aspects, the “synchronize” dim-level configuration can involve the processing device402matching a current dim-level state of a luminaire to a sensor state of the output sensor. For example, as depicted inFIG. 3, a luminaire can be switched to a high dim-level state (e.g., an “on” or “high illumination” state) and can be maintained at the high dim-level state if the sensor output state indicates motion activity. The “synchronize” dim-level configuration can also involve subsequently switching the dim-level state to a low dim-level state (e.g., an “off” or “low light” state) if the sensor output state subsequently indicates a lack of motion activity.

At block516, the processing device402can implement the selected dim-level configuration that corresponds to the sensor output state. For example, maintaining the current dim-level state of a luminaire can include deciding, by the processing device402, that no control signals should be sent to a driver or ballast that would cause a luminaire to switch from a low dim-level state (e.g., an “off” or “low light” state) to a high dim-level state (e.g., an “on” or “high illumination” state). Furthermore, transitioning the current dim-level state of a luminaire can include deciding, by the processing device402, that one or more control signals should be sent to a driver or ballast that would cause a luminaire to switch from a high dim-level state to a low dim-level state. Furthermore, synchronizing the current dim-level state of a luminaire can include deciding, by the processing device402, that one or more control signals should be sent to a driver or ballast that would cause a luminaire to switch from a high dim-level state to a low dim-level state if the sensor output state switches from a sensor state indicating the presence of motion activity to a sensor state indicating the absence of motion activity.

For dim-level configurations requiring changes in the dim-level state, the processing device402can implement block516by generating one or more control signals. The processing device402can cause the dimming control node102to transmit the control signals to a suitable driver or ballast via one or more of the communication terminals128,130. The control signals can cause the luminaire driver or ballast to increase or decrease the output illumination of a luminaire to correspond to the desired dim-level state.

For example, if a “minimum response” duration timer expires, the processing device402can check an occupancy status. If the occupancy status has transitioned to “FALSE” during a time period corresponding to the “minimum response” duration timer, the dimming control node102can revert the dim level to a previous level, subject to a schedule command or queued commands. If the minimum response timer expires and the occupancy status is still “TRUE,” the processing device402can reset the minimum response timer and iterate until the occupancy status transitions to “FALSE.”

The system depicted inFIGS. 1 and 4can be implemented in any suitable manner. In one example of an implementation, the depicted system can integrate a power DC power supply of a motion sensor. Such a power supply can exhibit a nominal voltage of 15.0 Vdc+/−2.0 Vdc. The power supply can source at least 10 mA (e.g., accommodate 4 mA consumed by the sensor and 6 mA of sink/source current used to provide a sensor output signal to the sensor input terminal). The power supply can be limited to source no more than 100 mA. The power supply can incorporate short circuit and over-voltage protection. The power supply can incorporate a shutdown mechanism to disable any connected sensor device completely. The sensor power supply can be referenced to a sensor input terminal120(e.g., an ANSI C136.41 terminal 4, which maps to the grey receptacle lead), where the conductor is shared between the luminaire driver dimming circuit and the sensor power circuit.

Continuing with an example involving an ANSI C136.41-compliant photocontrol interface104, the sensor power (and DC rail) and input terminals can be supported via ANSI C136.41 terminals 6 and 7 which map to the brown and orange leads. The sensor terminals can be galvanically isolated from mains (high voltage). The sensor terminals can be inherently power limited per UL definition (e.g., under UL916). The sensor terminals can withstand dielectric withstand (hipot) at 3,000 Vac to mains (high voltage terminals) with no more than 0.5 mA of leakage. The sensor terminals can be plated according to ANSI C136.41 requirements to provide adequate low-voltage contact resistance and inhibit fretting corrosion and metal migration over time.

Continuing with an example involving an ANSI C136.41-compliant photocontrol interface104, the sensor input terminal120may accept an input voltage range of 0 V to 30 Vdc. The sensor input terminal120may interpret an applied voltage 10 Vdc<Vin<30 Vdc as a logic high state. The sensor input terminal120may interpret an applied voltage Vin<10 Vdc as a logic low state. The sensor input terminal120may incorporate negative and over-voltage protection. The sensor input terminal120may limit input sink current in a logical “high” state to 4 mA. The sensor input terminal120may limit leakage source current in a logical “low state” to 25 μA.

In some aspects, the dimming control node102can use a node profile stored in the memory device406for a particular lighting system in a particular environment. The node profile can include one or more configurable parameters (e.g., ramping used in state transitions, length of minimum occupancy threshold, length of minimum response threshold, etc.). The node profile can also include one or more parameters such as, for example, a polarity setting (e.g., “0” or “1”) for the sensor input terminal120regarding signals received from the motion sensor106, an “enable” parameter for activating or deactivating the sensor or enabling/disabling use of the sensor input terminal120by the dimming control node, a specified dim level (e.g., 0-100) for each dim-level state, a parameter indicating the presence or absence of the motion sensor106, etc.

The foregoing description, including illustrated examples, has been presented only for the purpose of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Numerous modifications, adaptations, and uses thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Aspects and features from each example disclosed can be combined with any other example.