When evaluating an existing lighting system, the owner can do nothing, something or everything. Doing nothing abandons operating cost savings. Doing something entails replacing lamps and installing some automatic controls. Doing everything involves installing a new lighting and control system. As many owners opt for the “something” option, demand for LED replacement lamps continues to […]
The Twisted Road of Dimming Curves
Guest post by Kevin Willmorth. Superficially, dimming seems to be a simple operation. Turn a knob, slide a bar, or touch a screen to change light levels – done and done. This simplistic form of dimming was once applicable to resistance loads (incandescent lamps) using rheostat controls. The combination creates a naturally feeling dimming profile, […]
Lighting Controls for Dummies
In “Lighting Controls for Dummies,” a presentation at 2016 LEDucation in NYC, Andrea Hartranft, LC, IALD, of Hartranft Lighting Design, LLC, attempts to demystify lighting control vocabulary and provide a better understanding of solid-state dimming. Lighting Controls for Dummies from LEDucation on Vimeo.
New Research Finds LEDs Favorable in Videoconferencing
According to new research by Lutron Electronics, lighting for video conferencing (VTC) applications must accommodate the visual requirements of the people and the camera, and provide visibility of any display materials, especially to remote participants. Achieving the proper lighting balance requires the right combination of fixtures and the right combination of control strategies. While linear […]
NEMA Publishes NEMA LSD 23-2016 Recommended Practice—Lamp Seasoning for Fluorescent Dimming Systems
The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has published NEMA LSD 23-2016 Recommended Practice—Lamp Seasoning for Fluorescent Dimming Systems. This paper provides a recommended practice to season lamps for fluorescent dimming systems. This paper is an update to NEMA LSD 23-2010, developed by the NEMA Lighting Systems Division. NEMA LSD 23-2016 may be downloaded at no […]
ENERGY STAR Consumer Guide to Dimmable LED Lighting
NEMA Publishes NEMA LSD 73-2015 Energy Savings with Fluorescent and LED Dimming
The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) published NEMA LSD 73-2015, Energy Savings with Fluorescent and LED Dimming. This new white paper describes the signal path from the user control input through the control wiring, ballast or driver, and lamp or LED module. It also explains factors that affect energy consumption and savings, efficacy and user […]
Market Research Suggests High Degree of Confidence with LED Lighting and Controls
Given current adoption of commercial building energy codes, conventional wisdom indicates that LED lighting is frequently specified with automatic lighting controls. However, there is little public data available concerning market penetration of LED lighting, how often it is specified as controllable and with lighting controls, owner preferences, and how satisfied specifiers and installers are with […]
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 […]
DOE’s Jim Brodrick on Phase-Cut Dimming of LEDs
Republication of Postings from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solid-State Lighting Program by Jim Brodrick, U.S. Department of Energy Solid-state lighting has proven that it can deliver high-quality light with substantial energy savings in many applications. But dimming can still be an issue, as CALiPER testing and GATEWAY demonstrations have shown. This concern was […]