A
dimmer control system has a
communication control loop that connects a master unit in series with a plurality of remote units, and it is superimposed in series on the
dimmer load line so as to allow two-way communication between the master unit and remote units without affecting the operation of the load. Communications from the master to the remote units are encoded in loop current fluctuations, whereas communications from any remote to the master unit are encoded in loop
voltage fluctuations. The master unit has a switched power supply, for use during
normal LOAD ON operation, in tandem with a
capacitive power supply, for use during LOAD OFF operation of the control units so as to minimize
hum. The master unit power supply circuit provides an output rail
voltage comprised of a reference
voltage for the load superimposed with a control loop voltage for the
voltage drop across the series-connected remote units. The master unit has a POWER OFF detection circuit and a non-
volatile memory for storing
system status information, so that when power is restored, the
system can be restored to its former
power level. The switch units are formed with a cover frame mounting a switch plate on a hinge axis allowing ON / OFF movement of an opposing side thereof. An array of LED light pipes is mounted in the switch plate aligned with the hinge axis, in order to minimize displacement of the light pipes during
actuator movement.