Not surprisingly, the introduction of LED Lighting has given a major boost to smart lighting controls right across the globe; but we are now entering a new phase of its development, when LED will be dependent upon smart wireless controls, if it is to open up the vast retrofit market in the commercial and industrial […]
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 […]
Outdoor Lighting Controls: The State of the Art
Outdoor lighting controls is undergoing a mini-revolution that offers new design and selling opportunities while challenging electrical professionals to stay on top of technological change. Traditionally, outdoor lighting control was relatively simple. A typical scheme featured a controller providing automatic ON/OFF based on time of day (using an astronomical time switch) or daylight (photosensor). The […]
Visible Light Communication
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 […]
LCA RF Wireless Controls Survey
Radio-frequency (RF) wireless lighting controls are control devices such as manual switches, occupancy sensors and photosensors that communicate via radio waves. Eliminating control wiring may reduce total installed cost while facilitating application of automatic lighting controls in existing construction where installing new wiring would be costly or problematic. As investment has favored existing over new […]
ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR Publishes Feature on Wireless Lighting Control
ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR recently published a feature article about wireless radio-frequency (RF) lighting control written by Craig DiLouie, LC. “This approach promises a number of benefits compared with hardwired solutions. First is flexibility; devices can be placed where needed, installed faster and moved more easily. Electrical planning may be shortened, and irregular applications can be better […]
ELECTRONIC HOUSE Analyzes Pros and Cons of 13 Smart LED Lamps
Intelligent, controllable LED lamps offer a new paradigm for home lighting control. Julie Jacobson, editor of ELECTRONIC HOUSE, analyzes the pros and cons of 13 products implementing WiFi/Internet of Things, 6LoWPAN, ZigBee, Z-Wave and Bluetooth. Read it here.
Navigant: Worldwide Shipments of Wireless Controls for Smart Buildings Will Exceed 36 Million Units by 2020
New research by Navigant suggests wireless technology is entering the mainstream of the commercial buildings controls market. While building automation and controls have been used for decades, wireless networks are enabling more granular control over building systems without many of the design and labor challenges involved with running traditional cabling to support communications and/or power. […]
Interview with Hubbell’s Mike Crane on Wireless RF Lighting Control
Craig DiLouie, LC recently interviewed Mike Crane, product manager for Hubbell Building Automation, for ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR on the topic of wireless RF lighting control. The interview is published here in its raw form. DiLouie Please describe what wireless RF lighting control is, how it works, and its intended purpose. Crane: Wireless RF lighting control is […]