Dimming algorithms based upon light bulb type
A lighting control circuit for dimming a light is provided with different algorithms that are utilized to dim fluorescent and incandescent lights. Some method of identifying the type of light which is to be dimmed, reports to a control for the lighting control circuit, and the appropriate algorithm is then selected and utilized.
1. A lighting control circuit including: a dimmer circuit incorporating a MOSFET for dimming a lighting source associated with the dimmer circuit; and a control for controlling the dimming of the lighting source, with said control being provided with at least two different algorithms that are used to dim the lighting source dependent upon the type of the lighting source, said control identifying a type of lighting source associated with the dimming circuit, and selecting between the at least two different algorithms to dim the lighting source based upon the identification, wherein a switch is utilized to identify the type of lighting source being dimmed.
2. The lighting control circuit as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the control is provided with at least a first algorithm for dimming an incandescent lighting source, and at least a second algorithm for dimming a fluorescent lighting source.
3. The lighting control circuit as set forth in claim 2 , wherein the dimmer circuit utilizes a pulse width modulated signal to dim the lighting source.
4. The lighting control circuit as set forth in claim 3 , wherein in the second algorithm, a starting voltage and energy of the pulse width modulated signal is selected to be high enough that it will start the lighting source.
5. A lighting control circuit including: a dimmer circuit incorporating a MOSFET for dimming a lighting source associated with the dimmer circuit; and a control for controlling the dimming of the lighting source, with said control being provided with at least two different algorithms that are used to dim the lighting source dependent upon the type of the lighting source, said control identifying a type of lighting source associated with the dimming circuit, and selecting between the at least two different algorithms to dim the lighting source based upon the identification, wherein the lighting source reports to the control to identify the type of lighting source which is to be dimmed.