Guest post by Jim Brodrick, U.S. Department of Energy There’s a great deal of interest these days in occupancy sensors as a way to save energy in outdoor commercial lighting applications. Done right, they can increase the energy savings from a lighting system that’s already efficient – such as one based on LEDs, whose inherent […]
LBNL Estimates Average Energy Savings for Popular Lighting Control Strategies
Lighting accounts for about a third of electrical energy consumption in commercial buildings. As advanced energy-saving lighting controls still have a minority penetration in the existing building stock, building owners have a major opportunity to reduce energy costs with lighting control. Adoption of advanced lighting controls faces the usual hurdles affecting all energy-efficient lighting, including […]
NEMA Publishes NEMA WD 7 Occupancy Motion Sensors Standard
The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has published NEMA WD 7 Occupancy Motion Sensors Standard. Previously published as a guide and not a standard, WD 7 promotes uniformity for the definition and measurement of characteristics relevant to the use and application of occupancy motion sensors. This standard covers the definition and measurement of field of […]
Bilevel Stairwell Lighting Promises Up to 70-80 Percent Energy Savings
Stairwells account for about 2% of multistory commercial building floorspace, with an average of one light fixture for each 58 sq.ft. of stairwell, according to the International Facility Management Association. It is trafficked 3-5% of the average day. This application has emerged as a strong potential opportunity for energy-saving controls. In the near future, in […]
Sensor Switch Offers Whitepaper on High-Bay Occupancy Sensors
High bay lighting controls represent a significant opportunity to cut overall energy consumption. Learn more about how they can increase energy savings and reduce wasted energy consumption by downloading a free whitepaper, High Bay Occupancy Sensors: Delivering Energy Savings and Fast Return on Investment, from Sensor Switch free here (PDF).
Lighting Controls Association Updates Occupancy Sensor Course
The Lighting Controls Association is pleased to announce that it has updated Section 1: Occupancy Sensors of EE102: Switching Controls, a popular offering in the Association’s Education Express series of online distance education courses about lighting controls. The course, authored by Craig DiLouie, principal of ZING Communications, Inc. and LCA’s Education Director, provides an in-depth […]
NEMA Publishes NEMA 410-2011 Performance Testing for Lighting Controls and Switching Devices with Electronic Drivers and Discharge Ballasts
The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has published NEMA 410-2011 Performance Testing for Lighting Controls and Switching Devices with Electronic Drivers and Discharge Ballasts. NEMA 410 provides guidance for the design and testing of lighting controls and switching devices to be used with electronic drivers, discharge ballasts, and self-ballasted lamps to assist in establishing and verifying compatibility between products. This standard has been expanded to encompass additional types of lighting technology, and numerous figures and test circuit diagrams and designs have been added. NEMA 410 may be downloaded free here. To find other NEMA lighting standards, click here.
Manual-ON Occupancy Sensors Gain Recognition in ASHRAE Standard
While automatic shut-off provides increased savings for customers, research suggests implementing advanced strategies available with manual controls like switches can really turbocharge both energy savings and return on investment.
Line-Voltage Occupancy Sensors Provide Individual Fixture Control Option in Hi-Bay Lighting Retrofits
An additional 30-80 percent energy savings using occupancy sensors and 10-30 percent savings using daylighting controls can be achieved in a hi-bay fluorescent upgrade.
CLTC Study Demonstrates Major Energy Savings for Bilevel Occupancy Sensors
All energy codes require that general lighting be automatically turned OFF when it’s not used. Further, IECC says that if an occupancy sensor is used in an enclosed space such as a private office, light level reduction controls are not needed, suggesting an either/or choice. What if bilevel switching was combined with occupancy sensor functionality? Would this produce higher energy savings in a private office than bilevel switching or occupancy sensing alone. And: What combination of manual initiative and automation would produce the highest energy savings while also satisfying workers? The California Lighting Technology Center (CLTC) organized a study in eight private offices at the University of California – Davis in 2008 to attempt to generate useful data related to these questions.