BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an implementation of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting an electrical power distribution system having one or more electrical fixture assemblies, each adapted to be modified to comply with a respective power usage limit in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2A is a block diagram depicting one embodiment of an electrical fixture assembly in FIG. 1 adapted to be modified to comply with a respective power usage limit in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2B is a block diagram depicting another embodiment of an electrical fixture assembly in FIG. 1 adapted to be modified to comply with a respective power usage limit in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2C is a block diagram depicting another embodiment of an electrical fixture assembly in FIG. 1 adapted to be modified to comply with a respective power usage limit in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 3 depicts one embodiment of a label suitable for use with each of the electrical fixtures assemblies shown in FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, and 2C to enable the respective fixture assembly to be modified to comply with a respective power usage limit in accordance with the present invention; and
FIG. 4 depicts another embodiment of a label suitable for use with each of the electrical fixture assemblies shown in FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, and 2C to enable the respective fixture assembly to be modified to comply with a respective power usage limit in accordance with the present invention; and
FIG. 5 depicts a process for modifying an electrical fixture to comply with a power usage limit assigned to the electrical fixture for operation in a circuit in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
As described above, compliance agencies and energy codes identify maximum allowable power usage limit or wattage per electrical fixture in a distribution branch circuit for a prescribed commercial facility (i.e., an entire building, or a defined space or room within the building). FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary electrical power distribution system 100 having one or more electrical fixture assemblies 102a-102n, 104a-104c, 106a-106c, and 108a-108n, each adapted to be modified to comply with a respective power usage limit in accordance with the present invention. The electrical power distribution system 100 may be implemented in a commercial building, a residential home, or other facility in accordance with applicable state or local electrical and energy codes. The electrical power distribution system 100 includes a main circuit breaker box 102 that distributes electrical power received from A/C power supply lines 104 to one or more branch circuits 112, 114, 116, or 118 (either directly or via one or more branch circuit breaker boxes 120A-120N) in accordance with an electrical distribution plan for the facility implementing the power distribution system 100. The electrical distribution plan for the facility may be prepared in whole or in part by an architect, a lighting designer, or other person adept at specifying electrical fixture types (e.g., types of lighting fixtures, ceiling fans, exhaust fans, heating fixtures, or other electrical fixtures) and corresponding locations within a facility in accordance with state, local, or other applicable electrical or energy codes or standards.
To comply with such codes or standards, each branch circuit 112, 114, 116, and 118 may have a respective maximum power usage limit (e.g., 200 Amps or 24 KWatts for 120 VAC service). In this implementation, to comply with the maximum power usage limit for a branch circuit, each electrical fixture assembly 102a-102n, 104a-104c, 106a-106c, or 108a-108n planned for and installed in the respective branch circuit 112, 114, 116, and 118 is assigned a corresponding power usage limit that is a fraction (e.g., 50 Watt, 75 Watt, or 90 Watt) of the maximum power usage limit of the respective branch circuit. As described in further detail below, each electrical fixture assembly 102a-102n, 104a-104c, 106a-106c, or 108a-108n in each branch circuit 102a-102n, 104a-104c, 106a-106c, or 108a-108n has a respective label 122a-122n, 124a-124c, 126a-126c, or 128a-128n that is adapted to be modified to enable the electrical fixture assembly 102a-102n, 104a-104c, 106a-106c, or 108a-108n to comply to its assigned power usage limit upon installation in the respective branch circuit 112, 114, 116, or 118. Accordingly, electrical fixture assemblies consistent with the present invention enable manufacturers (e.g., lighting manufacturers) to produce an electrical fixture 102a-102n, 104a-104c, 106a-106c, or 108a-108n adapted to be modified upon installation to comply with various assigned power usage limits and to avoid producing low volumes of special ordered labeled electrical fixtures each having a different maximum wattage or power usage limit. In addition, electrical fixture assemblies consistent with the present invention enable an architect, a lighting designer, or other person familiar with circuit loading to select the type and number of electrical fixture assemblies 102a-102n, 104a-104c, 106a-106c, or 108a-108n for a respective branch circuit 112, 114, 116, or 118 based on the assigned maximum power usage limit (e.g., 200 Amps or 24 KWatts for 120 VAC service) of the branch circuit, assign a corresponding power usage limit to each selected electrical fixture assembly in accordance with the assigned maximum power usage limit of the branch circuit 112, 114, 116, or 118, and then modify (or have modified) each label 122a-122n, 124a-124c, 126a-126c, or 128a-128n to enable the respective electrical fixture assembly 102a-102n, 104a-104c, 106a-106c, or 108a-108n to comply to its assigned power usage limit upon installation in the respective branch circuit 112, 114, 116, or 118.
Each electrical fixture assembly 102a-102n, 104a-104c, 106a-106c, or 108a-108n may be a lighting fixture assembly (such as a track lighting fixture assembly 204, 206, or 208 in a track lighting system 200 in FIG. 2A or a recessed lighting fixture assembly 250 in FIG. 2B), a ceiling fan fixture assembly 260, or other electrical fixture that has an interchangeable element (e.g., a lamp, trim, fan blade, or heating element) that may impact the power usage of the electrical fixture. As shown in FIG. 2A, a track lighting fixture system 200 consistent with the present invention has a track terminal 202 and one or more track lighting fixture assemblies 204, 206, and 208 each of which may include a track head and trim (neither of which is shown in the figures). Each track lighting fixture assembly has a label 210, 212, or 214 adapted to be modified to enable the track lighting fixture assembly 204, 206, and 208 to comply to its assigned power usage limit upon installation in the respective branch circuit 112, 114, 116, or 118. In FIG. 2A, each label 210, 212, or 214 is shown disposed on an internal surface 216, 218, or 220 (in cut-away view) of the respective track lighting fixture assembly 204, 206, and 208. The internal surface 216, 218, or 220 may be viewed by a user through an open end 222, 224, or 226 of the respective track lighting fixture assembly 204, 206, and 208 so that a user may reference the label 210, 212, or 214 as modified by an installer to identify an interchangeable element (e.g., a lamp or trim) in compliance with the power usage limit assigned to the respective fixture assembly 204, 206, and 208 in accordance with the present invention. However, the label 210, 212, or 214 may also be disposed on an external surface 228, 230, or 232 of the respective track lighting fixture assembly 204, 206, and 208. In another embodiment, a label 240 may be disposed on the track terminal 202 so that a user may reference the label 240 as modified by an installer to identify an interchangeable element (e.g., a lamp or trim) in compliance with the power usage limit assigned to each fixture assembly 204, 206, and 208 in the track system 200.
Similarly, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, a recessed lighting fixture assembly 250, a ceiling fan fixture assembly 260, or other electrical fixture assembly consistent with the present invention includes a label 252 or 262 adapted to be modified to enable the respective fixture 250 or 260 to comply to its assigned power usage limit upon installation in the respective branch circuit 112, 114, 116, or 118. Each label 252 or 262 may be disposed on an internal surface 254 or 264 visible through an open end 256 or 266 of the respective fixture assembly 250 or 260, or on an external surface 258 or 268 of the respective fixture assembly 250 or 260 so that a user may reference the label 252 or 262 to identify an interchangeable element (e.g., a lamp, trim, fan blade, or heating element) in compliance with the power usage limit assigned to the fixture assembly 250 or 260 in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 3 depicts one embodiment 300 of the modifiable label 122a-122n, 124a-124c, 126a-126c, 128a-128n, 210, 212, 214, 252, or 262 suitable for use with each of the electrical fixture assemblies 102a-102n, 104a-104c, 106a-106c, 108a-108n, 200, 204, 206, 208, 250, or 260 in the electrical power distribution system 100. The label 300 is adapted to be applied to a surface 216, 218, 220, 228, 230, 232, 240, 254, 258, 264, or 268 of the electrical fixture assembly. The label 300 has a plurality of sections 302, 304, and 306 where each section 302, 304, and 306 identifies a respective one of a plurality of power usage limits 308, 310, and 312 (e.g., 50 Watt, 75 Watt, or 90 Watt) for operating the electrical fixture in a circuit, such as in a branch circuit 112, 114, 116, or 118 of an electrical power distribution circuit 100. At least one of the sections (e.g., section 304 or 306 or both) is adapted to be removed from the label 300 by an installer when the power usage limit identified by the respective section exceeds another power usage limit associated with or assigned to the electrical fixture 102a-102n, 104a-104c, 106a-106c, 108a-108n, 200, 204, 206, 208, 250, or 260 when installed in the circuit 112, 114, 116, or 118.
In the implementation shown in FIG. 3, each of the sections 302, 304, and 306 correspond to a respective layer of the label 300 disposed in an order or sequence in accordance with the power usage limit 308, 310, or 312 identified by each layer 302, 304, and 306. Each layer 302, 304, and 306 are formed such that the power usage limit 308, 310, or 312 identified by each layer 302, 304, and 306 is visible to a user viewing the label 300. In this implementation, a first 302 of the sections is adapted to be disposed on, printed on or applied to the surface 216, 218, 220, 228, 230, 232, 254, 258, 264, or 268 of the electrical fixture assembly 102a-102n, 104a-104c, 106a-106c, 108a-108n, 200, 204, 206, 208, 250, or 260. A second layer 304 is disposed over or removably affixed to a portion of the first layer 302. A third layer 306 may be disposed over or removably affixed to a portion of the second layer 304. Thus, each layer 304 and 306 of the label 300, except for the first or lowest layer 302, is adapted to be removed from the label 300 when the power usage limit identified by the respective section exceeds the power usage limit assigned to the electrical fixture 102a-102n, 104a-104c, 106a-106c, 108a-108n, 200, 204, 206, 208, 250, or 260 when installed in the circuit 112, 114, 116, or 118. In the example implementation shown in FIG. 3, if the label 300 is applied to an electrical fixture assembly (e.g., 102a) having an assigned power usage limit of 50 Watts when installed in a circuit (e.g., branch circuit 112), then an installer or user may reference the label 300 and remove each layer 304 and 306 identifying a respective power usage limit 310 or 312 (e.g., 75 Watt and 90 Watt, respectively) that exceeds the assigned power usage limit of 50 Watts. Thus, the label 300, when applied to an electrical fixture assembly 102a-102n, 104a-104c, 106a-106c, 108a-108n, 200, 204, 206, 208, 250, or 260 enables the electrical fixture assembly to comply with different power usage limits that may be assigned to the electrical fixture upon installation in a branch circuit 112, 114, 116, or 118 in accordance with state, local, or other applicable electrical or energy codes.
Returning to FIG. 3, each section or layer 302, 304, and 306 may also identify an interchangeable element 314, 316, and 318 (e.g., a lamp, trim, fan blade, or heating element) in association with the power usage limit 308, 310, or 312 identified by the respective section or layer 302, 304, or 306 to reflect that the interchangeable element 314, 316, and 318 is adapted to be used with an electrical fixture assembly 102a-102n, 104a-104c, 106a-106c, 108a-108n, 200, 204, 206, 208, 250, or 260 when the interchangeable element 314, 316, and 318 is operated in the electrical fixture in accordance with the power usage limit 308, 310, or 312 identified by the respective section or layer 302, 304, or 306.
In the implementation depicted in FIG. 3, the label 300 is suitable for use with a lighting fixture assembly 200 or 250. Each section layer 302, 304, and 306 of the label 300 identifies a respective lamp selection as the interchangeable element 314, 316, or 318 capable of being operated in the lighting fixture assembly 200 or 250 in accordance with the power usage limit 308, 310, or 312 identified by the respective section or layer 302, 304, and 306. Each lamp selection 314, 316, or 318 includes a lamp type 320, 322, or 324 and a corresponding power limit or wattage 326, 328, or 330.
The first section or layer 302 may also identify the first lamp selection or interchangeable element 314 in association with a trim type 332 to reflect that the trim type 332 is adapted to mate to and be used with the lighting fixture to which the label 300 is applied, when the first lamp selection 314 is operated in the lighting fixture in accordance with the power usage limit 308 identified by the first section or layer 302. In addition, the label 300 may be arranged such that the second section or layer 304 identifies the second lamp selection or interchangeable element 316 in association with the same trim type 332 to reflect that the trim type 332 is also adapted to mate to and be used with the lighting fixture when the second lamp selection 316 is operated in the lighting fixture in accordance with the power usage limit 310 identified by the second section or layer 304. Similarly, the third section or layer 306 may be disposed relative to the first layer 302 such that the third layer 302 identifies the third lamp selection or interchangeable element 318 in association with the same trim type 332 to reflect that the trim type 332 is also adapted to mate to and be used with the lighting fixture when the third lamp selection 318 is operated in the lighting fixture in accordance with the power usage limit 312 identified by the third layer 306.
Accordingly, each layer 302, 304, and 306 may identify respective lamp selection 314, 316, 318 and trim type 332 combinations for use with a light fixture assigned a power usage limit that is equal to or lower than the power usage limit 308, 310, or 312 identified by the respective layer 302, 304, and 306 of the label 300.
To assist in removal of a section 304 or 306 from the label 300, a bottom edge 370 or 372 of each of the removable sections 304 or 306 may be color coded and/or omit an adhesive backing to assist in the start of the removal process for the respective section 304 or 306 of the label 300.
FIG. 4 depicts another embodiment 400 of the modifiable label 102a-102n, 104a-104c, 106a-106c, 108a-108n, 210, 212, 214, 204, 206, 208, 250, or 260 suitable for use with each of the electrical fixture assemblies 102a-102n, 104a-104c, 106a-106c, 108a-108n, 200, 204, 206, 208, 250, or 260 in the electrical power distribution system 100. The label 400 is adapted to be applied to a surface 216, 218, 220, 228, 230, 232, 254, 258, 264, or 268 of the electrical fixture assembly. The label 400 has a plurality of sections 402, 404, and 406 where each section 402, 404, and 406 identifies a respective one of a plurality of power usage limits 408, 410, and 412 (e.g., 50 Watt, 75 Watt, or 90 Watt) for operating the electrical fixture in a circuit, such as in a branch circuit 112, 114, 116, or 118 of an electrical power distribution circuit 100. At least one of the sections (e.g., section 404 or 406 or both) is adapted to be removed from the label 400 when the power usage limit identified by the respective section exceeds another power usage limit associated with or assigned to the electrical fixture 102a-102n, 104a-104c, 106a-106c, 108a-108n, 200, 204, 206, 208, 250, or 260 when installed in the circuit 112, 114, 116, or 118.
As shown in FIG. 4, the sections 402, 404, and 406 of the label 400 are disposed in an order or sequence in accordance with the power usage limit 408, 410, or 412 identified by each section 402, 404, and 406. In one implementation, the power usage limit 408 identified by a first 402 of the sections is lower than the power usage limit 410 identified by a second section 404 adjacent the first section 402. Similarly, the power usage limit 410 identified by the second section 404 is lower than the power usage limit 412 of a next section 406 adjacent the second section 404. Each section 404 and 406 may be detachable from the adjacent preceding section 402 or 404 via perforations or creases formed between sections 402, 404, and 406 as reflected by the dashed lines 405 and 407 in FIG. 4.
At least the first section 402 is adapted to be disposed on or applied to the surface 216, 218, 220, 228, 230, 232, 254, 258, 264, or 268 of the electrical fixture assembly 102a-102n, 104a-104c, 106a-106c, 108a-108n, 200, 204, 206, 208, 250, or 260 such that each section 404 and 406 of the label 400, except for the first section 402, is adapted to be removed from the label 400 by an installer when the power usage limit identified by the respective section exceeds the power usage limit assigned to the electrical fixture 102a-102n, 104a-104c, 106a-106c, 108a-108n, 200, 204, 206, 208, 250, or 260 when installed in the circuit 112, 114, 116, or 118.
Each section 402, 404, and 406 may also identify an interchangeable element 414, 416, and 418 (e.g., a lamp, trim, fan blade, or heating element) in association with the power usage limit 408, 410, or 412 identified by the respective section 402, 404, or 406 to reflect that the interchangeable element 414, 416, and 418 is adapted to be used with an electrical fixture assembly 102a-102n, 104a-104c, 106a-106c, 108a-108n, 200, 252, or 262 when the interchangeable element 414, 416, and 418 is operated in the electrical fixture in accordance with the power usage limit 408, 410, or 412 identified by the respective section 402, 404, or 406.
Similar to the label 300 in FIG. 3, the label 400 depicted in FIG. 4 is suitable for use with a lighting fixture assembly 200 or 250. Each section 402, 404, and 406 of the label 400 identifies a respective lamp selection as the interchangeable element 414, 416, or 418 capable of being operated in the lighting fixture assembly 200 or 250 in accordance with the power usage limit 408, 410, or 412 identified by the respective section 402, 404, and 406. Each lamp selection 414, 416, or 418 includes a lamp type 420, 422, or 424 and a corresponding power limit or wattage 426, 428, or 430.
In one implementation, the first section 402 also identifies the first lamp selection or interchangeable element 414 in association with a trim type 432 to reflect that the trim type 432 is adapted to mate to and be used with the lighting fixture to which the label 400 is applied, when the first lamp selection 414 is operated in the lighting fixture in accordance with the power usage limit 408 identified by the first section 402. In addition, the label 400 may be arranged such that the second section 404 identifies the second lamp selection or interchangeable element 416 in association with the same trim type 432 to reflect that the trim type 432 is also adapted to mate to and be used with the lighting fixture when the second lamp selection 416 is operated in the lighting fixture in accordance with the power usage limit 410 identified by the second section 404. Similarly, the third section 406 may be disposed relative to the first section 402 such that the third section 406 identifies the third lamp selection or interchangeable element 418 in association with the same trim type 432 to reflect that the trim type 432 is also adapted to mate to and be used with the lighting fixture when the third lamp selection 418 is operated in the lighting fixture in accordance with the power usage limit 412 identified by the third section 406.
Accordingly, each section 402, 404, and 406 of the label 400 may identify respective lamp selection 414, 416, 418 and trim type 432 combinations for use with a light fixture assigned a power usage limit that is equal to or lower than the power usage limit 408, 410, or 412 identified by the respective sections 402, 404, and 406 of the label 400.
To assist in removal of a section 404 or 406 from the label, a bottom edge 470 and 472 of each of the removable sections 404 or 406 may be color coded and/or omit an adhesive backing to assist in the start of the removal process for the respective section 404 or 406 of the label 400.
FIG. 5 depicts a process or method 500 for designing a load for a circuit (e.g., branch circuit 112) using electrical fixtures adapted to be modified to comply with a respective power usage limit (e.g., 102a) and for modifying the electrical fixture to comply with the power usage limit assigned to the electrical fixture for operation in the circuit. Initially, an architect, designer, or user identifies a branch circuit load limit for an area (step 502). For example, a lighting designer for a commercial building may identify that the branch circuit 112 is to provide power for track lighting in a specific room of the commercial building. The designer is able to request or recognizes that the branch circuit 112 has a load limit of, for example, 70 Amps (or 8.4 Kilowatts assuming 120 VAC service) for powering the track lighting fixture or assemblies to be operated in the branch circuit 112. The designer then selects one or more electrical fixtures or assemblies 102a-102n for installation in the branch circuit 112 based on the identified branch circuit load limit (step 504). To comply with applicable electrical codes and/or energy codes, the designer assigns each electrical fixture or assembly 102a-102n with a respective power usage limit based on the identified branch circuit load limit (step 506). For example, assuming the designer wanted to utilize 168 track lighting fixture assemblies 204, 206, and 208, the designer assigns each of the track lighting fixture assemblies 204, 206, and 208 to be installed in the branch circuit 112 a power usage limit of 50 Watts (i.e., 8.4 Kilowatts/168=50 Watts).
Subsequently, an installer or user receives or identifies the power usage limit to be assigned to an electrical fixture or assembly 102a (step 508) to be installed in the branch circuit 112. For example, the designer of the lighting in the commercial building having the branch circuit 112 may identify the planned track lighting fixture assemblies 102a-102n to be installed on the branch circuit 112 to the installer or user along with the corresponding power usage limit assigned to each lighting fixture assembly 102a-102n via a lighting layout plan or list (not shown in the figures). The installer or user then associates a label 300 or 400 with the electrical fixture 102a, where the label 300 or 400 has a plurality of sections 302, 304, 306 or 402, 404, 406 and each section identifies a respective one of a plurality of power usage limits 308, 310, 312 or 408, 410, 412 for the electrical fixture 102a (step 510). The label 300 or 400 may be provided with the electrical fixture 102a or applied during manufacturing to a surface 216, 218, 220, 228, 230, 232, 254, 258, 264, or 268 of the fixture 102a visible by the installer or user. Next, the installer or user removes from the label 300 or 400 each section identifying a respective one of the power usage limits 308, 310, 312 or 408, 410, 412 that exceeds the power usage limit assigned to the electrical fixture 102a (step 512). The installer or user may then identify on the label an interchangeable element 314, 316, 318, 332, 414, 416, 418, or 432 (e.g., a lamp or a trim) identified by one of the sections not removed from the label 300 or 400 (step 514). Finally, the installer or user may install the identified interchangeable element 314, 316, 318, 332, 414, 416, 418, or 432 in the electrical fixture (step 516). By performing process 500, an installer or user may substantially increase the likelihood that an electrical inspector will approve of the installation of the electrical fixture without requiring a new label for the electrical fixture governing the interchangeable elements of the electrical fixture to the power usage level assigned to the fixture.
While various embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents.
Patent Application
20070279221
