As part of a new Lighting Controls Association series of short articles providing an in-depth introduction to new products, Craig DiLouie talked to Chad Watters, Product Manager Lighting Controls, mwConnect, about the company’s recently introduced Indoor Bluetooth NLC ZBD Sensor-Controller.
DiLouie: Please describe your new product!
Watters: Our Indoor Bluetooth NLC ZBD Sensor-Controller is Bluetooth NLC-certified and supports multiple standards for interoperability (DALI D4i-certified, Zhaga Book 20 compliant) in a form factor designed for luminaire level lighting control (LLLC). It offers occupancy detection, daylight harvesting, and grouping for flexibility in interior application layouts.
A Casambi-enabled version is also available.
DiLouie: What problems does this new product solve for lighting controls practitioners?
Watters: Because of its innate interoperability, the product enables practitioners to design and implement a best-of-breed control solution without being constrained by proprietary solutions. For instance, this sensor-controller will work within any Bluetooth NLC-certified network regardless of vendor sourcing. We also recognize that customers may choose to design within a specific ecosystem, therefore we also have a Casambi-enabled version available.
The sleek, low-profile form factor enables the device to fit easily in virtually any contemporary LED fixture.
DiLouie: What otherwise makes this a standout product among this year’s offering by the lighting control industry?
Watters: This product was accepted into the IES 2024 Progress Report, a recognition of its innovative nature and value to the marketplace. The entire mwConnect team is proud of this accomplishment.
DiLouie: What applications does this product serve?
Watters: The sensor-controller is designed to achieve LLLC in interior applications, such as private and open offices, classrooms, small conference rooms, and numerous other interior applications.
DiLouie: How does this product fit in your company’s overall control offering?
Watters: This sensor-controller is an addition to a substantial portfolio of wireless mesh control solutions.
As one of the industry leaders for interoperable wireless mesh control solutions, mwConnect continues to build out a comprehensive portfolio of solutions with individual components for these solutions. The company has one of the largest DLC-qualified offerings for both indoor and outdoor wireless mesh control. In addition, the company is proud to offer an extensive range of interoperable solutions qualified to exacting industry standards, including DALI D4i, Zhaga Book 18 & Book 20, Bluetooth mesh and NLC qualified.
DiLouie: What is your company’s philosophy regarding new product development?
Watters: mwConnect is committed to continuing its long tradition of innovation and excellence, particularly in achieving interoperable solutions that advance customer choice. We are active members of several industry product development consortia, including Bluetooth SIG, DALI Alliance, and Zhaga Consortium. In addition, our products are DLC-listed.
We have a full development team in the US that is close to our customers. We emphasize innovation as well as a fast pace of product development and deployment to the marketplace.
DiLouie: How is the product installed?
Watters: The controller mounts in a 1/2” knockout and is secured by the included optional clips or via the threaded body.
DiLouie: How is it configured and used?
Watters: Configuration of the device (and accompanying mesh network) is accomplished via the TruBlu web portal or iOS mobile app. The app is used for initial setup and subsequent parameter adjustment. Advanced functionality such as energy monitoring, and demand response is available with the addition of an optional gateway. The controller provides a single channel of D4i compatible DALI output for driver control.
DiLouie: What support services does your company offer for this new product?
Watters: mwConnect offers a North American-based team with decades of combined lighting control experience that provides full pre- and post-sales services and support. Our design services can engineer, document, and provide custom Bill of Materials for new construction or retrofit projects in partnership with project design authorities and building owners. Channel documentation such as submittals and O&M manuals are included as part of the design scope. Turnkey services include on-site pre-wire training for installers, factory certified technicians for onsite commissioning, and owner training. Factory remote technical support is available to owners of commissioned systems 8AM – 5PM PST, or onsite technical support is also available.
We also continue to develop educational resources, including application guides by market segment, case studies, white papers, energy code compliance guides for ASHRAE 90.1, Title 24, and IECC, and an extensive video library devoted to our TruBlu system. In addition, we provide extensive product documentation such as data sheets, wiring diagrams and more.
Leave a Reply