Visible light communication (VLC) is a wireless method that uses light emitted by LEDs to deliver networked, mobile, high-speed communication similar to Wi-Fi, leading to the term Li-Fi. It can be used as standalone solution or in a supplementary role to radio-frequency (RF) or cellular network communication. The basis of the technology, conceived by Professor […]
The Next LED Revolution is Control
With efficacy and service life steadily increasing and costs declining by about 18 percent each year (Memoori, 2014), the LED revolution continues to develop at a rapid pace. LED’s inherent compatibility with digital control, aided by other trends, is setting the stage for the next LED revolution: smart lighting control. Many LED products are sold […]
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 […]
Whitepaper from WattStopper and Durell Control Systems Focuses on System Integration in High-Performance Buildings
WattStopper and Durell Control Systems have published a new white paper examining best practices for control systems integration in high performance buildings. The paper uses case studies to explore how project partners can successfully collaborate with design and construction teams, focusing on two recently completed high performance buildings in London, Ontario, Canada. Building owners can […]
IES Publication Provides Information about Lighting Control Protocols
The Illuminating Engineering Society’s TM-23-11 publication serves as a technical resource for lighting specifiers integrating control into their projects, providing detailed information about lighting control protocols. Get it here.
LBNL Publishes Study of Responsive Lighting Systems
In September 2012, the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory published, Responsive Lighting Solutions for the General Services Administration (GSA). The report provides insight into the viability of highly responsive lighting control systems. It reports the results of installing advanced lighting controls in five Federal buildings. The existing lighting in these buildings was upgraded. A number of […]
ARCHITECTURAL LIGHTING Publishes Article on Luminaire-Controls Integration Trend
This feature article for ARCHITECTURAL LIGHTING, written by Craig DiLouie, LC, lighting journalist and acting education director for the Lighting Controls Association, explores the trend toward integration between lighting controls and luminaires. The article begins: “Lighting controls have always been an essential component of a lighting system, as they enable basic functionality: turning lights on […]
Delta Controls Unveils DHMI-7E Touch Screen Interface
The DHMI is a 7-inch diagonal, high resolution, wide-screen format, color LCD used for interfacing with the Delta Controls building Automation System. The Delta DHMI uses BACnet over Ethernet to communicate with controllers on a local area network. User created graphics allow the DHMI to be completely customized for a given application.
Niagara AX Driver Enhances Integration of Lighting with HVAC and Building Systems to Conserve Energy and Lower Operating Costs
In a solution made for these challenging economic times, Encelium Technologies has announced that building owners and management can expect lower operating costs and a better return on investment through technology that enables the integration of the company’s Energy Control System (ECS) with Tridium’s Niagara AX building automation software platform. The dramatically improved integration of HVAC and other embedded devices with lighting is made possible by the Niagara AX Driver, according to Tony Marano, President and CEO of Encelium.
Integrating Lighting and Building Control
Building automation systems (BAS) provide automatic control of electrical loads, such as HVAC, lighting and electric motors, and functions not related to energy management, such as security and fire safety systems. Energy management systems (EMS) provide automatic control of electrical loads to manage energy consumption either as a stand-alone system or as part of a BAS. While EMS may be capable of provide automatic switching of large blocks of lighting loads, only a fraction of installed EMS actually control lighting, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (2003). EMS that control HVAC are installed in about 5.6% of commercial buildings representing 24% of commercial floorspace—most commonly >100,000 sq.ft. office and education buildings—while EMS that control lighting are installed in 1.3% of buildings covering 7.4% of floorspace.