The LED revolution produced many luminaires with built-in switching and dimming. This facilitated a trend of using the same luminaires for both general and emergency lighting, powered by battery, backup generator, or UPS. This eliminates emergency units but creates a control challenge. The dual-function luminaires must be controllable for energy management and visual needs, while overriding these inputs to power to full brightness during a power failure.
Steve Mesh on Control Protocols
Steve Mesh writes, “According to Wikipedia, a communication protocol is a ‘system of rules that allow two or more entities of a communications system to transmit information via any kind of variation of a physical quantity.’ That’s a mouthful! What does that mean in terms of networked lighting control (NLC) systems?”
Synergy Electrical Sales’ Paul Rudalavage on Fact Finding for Lighting Control Systems
In this guest post, Paul Rudalavage, Synergy Electrical Sales summarizes five key areas to understand and explore when purchasing a lighting control system.
Lighting Controls for Existing Buildings
FACILITIES MAINTENANCE DECISIONS recently ran an article contributed by the Lighting Controls Association on how to apply lighting controls to existing buildings.
Room- Versus Building-Based Control Systems: Pros and Cons
This guest article by Steve Mesh compares the pros and cons of room- versus building-based control systems.
Lighting Controls for Today’s Classroom
Commercial building energy codes contain detailed mandatory lighting control requirements related to buildings such as K-12 schools. The high-performance school design movement extends these requirements by demanding additional flexibility to support the contemporary learning experience in today’s classroom. This application guide by the Lighting Controls Association describes various control strategies that can be applied to […]
Lighting Controls Association Publishes K-12 Classroom Application Guide
The Lighting Controls Association has published a basic guide to applying lighting controls to K-12 classrooms. Energy codes are driving more detailed control solutions. New learning technology and guidelines such as CHPS are driving demand for greater flexibility and teacher control. This guide describes common requirements and provides a series of scenarios demonstrating successful application […]
Illuminating Engineering Society Publishes LEM-7 Guide to Energy-Saving Lighting Controls
The Illuminating Engineering Society, in partnership with the Lighting Controls Association, has published LEM-7, Lighting Controls for Energy Management, a detailed guide to energy-saving lighting controls. The publication was written by Craig DiLouie, LC in support of the IES Energy Management Committee. The 48-page 8.5×11 guide, which is available for $35 (IES members) and $50 […]
Exterior Lighting Control Strategies
The latest generation of energy codes and standards require that building exterior lighting be turned OFF and/or reduced when not in use, producing significant energy cost savings. This includes outdoor area/parking lot, bollard, entrance/exit canopy and wallpack lighting. The following decisions will ensure that energy consumption is minimized by turning lighting OFF or turning it […]
Estimating Energy Savings with Lighting Controls
A survey of two groups of professionals describing themselves as electrical contractors and energy consultants, conducted by the Lighting Controls Association from its lightingCONTROL newsletter database, suggests automatic lighting controls are becoming more popular in lighting retrofits. Respondents reported lighting controls were considered in over 50 percent and installed in over 30 percent of their […]