Patent ID: 7906916

Claim:
A load control device with an adjustable high-end trim for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load from an AC power source, the load control device comprising: a semiconductor switch operable to be coupled in series electrical connection between the source and the load, the semiconductor switch having a control input for controlling the semiconductor switch; a timing circuit coupled in parallel electrical connection with the semiconductor switch for generating a firing voltage signal; a triggering circuit for rendering the semiconductor switch conductive each half-cycle of the AC power source in response to the firing voltage signal; and a user-accessible adjustment actuator for reducing the adjustable high-end trim of the load control device from a first level to a second level lower than the first level, the user-accessible adjustment actuator having substantially no affect upon a low-end trim of the load control device; wherein the adjustment actuator comprises a mechanical switch, and the timing circuit comprises: a first resistor; a capacitor coupled to the first resistor and operable to conduct a charging current from the power source through the first resistor such that the firing voltage signal is produced across the capacitor; and a transient voltage suppressor coupled in series electrical connection with the mechanical switch, the series combination of the transient voltage suppressor and the mechanical switch coupled in parallel electrical connection with the first resistor.