In designing and specifying a lighting control system, part of the work involves configuring control zones to meet code requirements. This is an incredibly important step for two reasons…


C. Webster Marsh Talks Written Specifications
Most new construction projects have various forms of documentation, but construction documentation often falls into one of two categories: Drawings or Specifications.

Wattstopper’s Charles Knuffke on Granularity in Controls
Lighting control design continues to evolve toward smaller control zones for flexibility, energy savings, and responsiveness. This is the topic of the most recent controls column that Charles Knuffke, Systems Vice President and Evangelist for Wattstopper and Chair of the Lighting Controls Association, contributed to LD+A Magazine.

Jeremy Day Talks Control System Design
Jeremy Day, Application Engineering Director for LumenPulse, wrote an interesting article laying out a simple process for designing a lighting control system.

Introduction to Automatic Plug Load Control
This article, based on the Lighting Controls Association’s new Education Express course EE202: Automatic Plug Load Control, provides an overview of approaches used to automatically control plug loads in commercial buildings.

Lighting Controls Association Announces New Course on Lighting Control Protocols
The Lighting Controls Association (LCA) now offers EE305: Protocols as a new course in its popular Education Express program.

C. Webster Marsh Talks Lighting Controls Documentation
Lighting Controls Designers work with many different types of documents, some of which may be created by the designer, some by the manufacturer, and others by third parties. This paper will quickly describe each document, why it is used, and who is often responsible for creating the document. There are four design phases in which these documents are utilized…

C. Webster Marsh on Manufacturer-Provided and 3rd-Party Integration Services
Whether it be an office building with a smart Building Management System (BMS), a dynamic color changing bridge, or a lobby with an interactive multimedia experience, architectural lighting controls systems need integration. A lighting controls systems integrator provides a unique service for lighting controls by identifying and overseeing the devices necessary for the unique needs of the project’s design. Some projects don’t use a dedicated lighting controls integrator and some projects experience challenges without the aid of a dedicated integrator. For project success, a lighting controls designer should know when to onboard and specify an integrator.

Guidance for Net-Zero K-12 and Office Buildings
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recently published guides on how to design buildings that achieve net-zero energy consumption without compromising quality.
Building upon previous guides targeting deep energy savings, the first two new guides were developed in partnership with the American Institute of Architects, Illuminating Engineering Society, and U.S. Green Building Council, and target K-12 and small to medium office buildings.

Designing a Lighting Control System
Robert J. Garra Jr., PE of CannonDesign recently contributed an article to CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER, in which he makes a case for the importance of emphasizing controls in a quality lighting design, while laying out principles for application.