Patent ID: 8659189

Claim:
A control module for controlling an output device in a control system, the control module including: a first enclosure containing a plurality of control terminals configured to carry control signals and a plurality of input/output (I/O) terminals for electrically connecting at least one low voltage I/O device; a second enclosure containing a controller operative to control operation of at least one high voltage output device based on the control signals, the at least one high voltage output device being electrically connected to at least one power connection housed in the second enclosure; and a communication interface configured to communicate the control signals from the control terminals of the first enclosure to the controller of the second enclosure to control the at least one high voltage output device, a maximum voltage in the first enclosure being less than or equal to a threshold voltage level, and a maximum voltage in the second enclosure being greater than the threshold voltage level, at least one of the plurality of I/O terminals in the first enclosure providing power to the at least one low voltage I/O device at a voltage level less than the threshold voltage level, and the at least one power connection in the second enclosure providing power to the at least one high voltage output device at a voltage level greater than the threshold voltage level.