Ecmweb 22791 Connected Lighting 2018 Pr 0
Ecmweb 22791 Connected Lighting 2018 Pr 0
Ecmweb 22791 Connected Lighting 2018 Pr 0
Ecmweb 22791 Connected Lighting 2018 Pr 0
Ecmweb 22791 Connected Lighting 2018 Pr 0

Welcome to the Connected Lighting World

Nov. 16, 2018
The use of LEDs and smart technology components continues to help usher in the digital age.

LED luminaires are inherently electronic devices, offering unique opportunities to add features and to expand their role, especially in commercial applications. Taking advantage of the functionality of LED light sources to allow for greater control is a natural technical progression. Connecting lighting products and controls to one another or the Internet produces the potential for light sources to go beyond illumination. Leveraging the Internet of Things (IoT) as well as the electrical power and ubiquitous presence of lighting allows for lighting control systems to become a data collection and analysis platform that enables smart building management and facilitates a change in how people and organizations are communicating.

The specification of connected luminaires requires the inclusion of numerous participants and a heightened level of coordination to ensure that the products and systems selected will perform as desired. These digitally controllable elements require seamless communication between lighting specialists, contractors, tenants, and even IT professionals, blurring the lines of responsibility and expertise. Networked systems offer a powerful value proposition, and, as forecasted by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), half of the lamps in the commercial sector will be connected within 10 years — a clear indication that specifiers and contractors need to become more familiar with these systems.

The functionalities of connected lighting systems are made possible by IoT: the networking of devices enabled with electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and network connectivity that allow them to collect and exchange data, integrating with building control systems for monitoring and modulating light levels and temperature for tenant comfort and well-being. When networked together, these systems gather data that provides information and transfers knowledge relevant to the operation of large-scale systems, such as buildings, factories, highways, and cities. The main benefit of IoT is the creation of information exchanges and knowledge beyond the inwardly focused local networks, compounding the growth of knowledge and data utilization.

The introduction of LEDs and smart technology, enabled by the IoT, has allowed luminaires to go beyond controlled illumination, conserving energy, reducing operating costs, and increasing well-being. These benefits resonate with installers, building owners, and tenants alike.

Benefits of converting to connected luminaires 

Energy savings — With lighting representing between 15% and 30% of the total electrical energy consumed in a building, using lighting as a foundation for data collection and leveraging the power of connected controls can lead to significant energy savings. Connected luminaires have the potential to easily track the presence of artificial and natural light as well as to sense temperature and occupants’ movement, sending information back to a data hub to adjust the elements of the environment.

Unlike zoned sensor controls, a connected luminaire scheme, where each luminaire is controlled individually, provides a finer level of modulation, allowing to reduce light in unoccupied spaces to egress levels while maintaining full light output in occupied spaces, and maximizing the response to daylight detected throughout the space itself. Dimming/switching unnecessary loads not only reduces energy cost, but it also extends the service life of the lighting. Additionally, capturing zonal temperature data to decrease the use of unnecessary light energy reduces HVAC costs.

Code compliance — Rising electricity costs, combined with a growing number of increasingly stringent energy codes and requirements, have intensified the pressure to create greater operating efficiencies in commercial buildings. Over time, these mandates have evolved from basic power density requirements (watts per square foot) to include automatic controls requirements, primarily to shed loads in response to occupancy or the presence of natural light.

Legislation and codes, including Title 24, ASHRAE 90.1-2016, Seattle C401, and others, have expanded, mandating the use of controls in system designs. The increased demand to meet energy codes and requirements for high-performance buildings requires more flexible luminaires and control systems that may help future-proof buildings and reduce the future impact of retrofitting.

Personalized control — The emerging desire to realize improvements in the application of light to enhance human comfort, productivity, health, and well-being translates to numerous short- and long-term benefits for business owners and employees. Connected lighting supports human-centric environments by providing lighting controls that are responsive to occupant needs and to energy use criteria. The integration with window treatments, HVAC, and security systems creates the ideal environment on a real-time basis with greater accuracy. Networked lighting systems go beyond addressing the needs of those who occupy a space; they also support those who own and maintain the building.

Ease of installation and maintenance — Networked communication can provide operating condition information, allowing maintenance personnel to address situations without human observation — thus increasing efficiencies and reducing operating costs. The enhanced operational control allows for greater visibility of energy usage, system status and condition, data collection of all building operating systems, and the opportunity for off-site operation and monitoring. Integrating sensors into luminaires eliminates the need for additional sensors or hardware, also reducing installation costs.

Selecting the right solution

There is now more to consider with these rapidly advancing systems. Identifying the needs of the space and local energy codes or requirements should be considered when selecting luminaires. In addition, thought should be given to the control system that’s in place in the case of a remodel, or the one that’s been specified in the case of a new construction project. There are literally dozens of control systems available, and they can be broken down into four main categories: proprietary or open source, wired or wireless.

While avoiding proprietary systems — those that use a protocol unique to a manufacturer — may seem a strong strategy, this may not yield the most successful results. Open standards appear to offer the greatest latitude as it pertains to product selection; however, many have limited acceptance, resulting in a narrow selection of compatible luminaires. Proprietary products may appear limiting, but they generally offer increased reliability and the support of a manufacturer for customer service at the selection, installation, or commissioning stages. Not all controlled luminaires can be interconnected with other products (sensors or other luminaires), so careful selection is required.

Wired systems require hard wiring between all components of the network to transmit data as part of a bidirectional communication system, between luminaires, sensors, and controllers. Digital instructions may also be delivered to the luminaire via radio frequency antenna from wireless controllers. This comes in two basic forms. Local wireless control, such as Bluetooth, allows direct connection through the pairing of controls with a designated load. This provides a simple connection in small spaces, where global control is unnecessary.

Networked wireless controls use hubs to control traffic between controls, sensors, and loads. This provides the greatest flexibility in connections and the opportunity to control any luminaire from multiple points or interfaces, if they are commissioned to respond appropriately.

Wireless controls offer the opportunity to control lighting loads through a wide range of interfaces — from computers and smart devices to dedicated control stations located in individual spaces. Since there is no direct wired connection between luminaires and controllers, each control point can address any array of luminaires within reach, in any combination desired. This facilitates customization of user interfaces from local to global connectivity.

Networked wireless controls may also include mesh architectures called mesh networks. In these systems, controls information is relayed from controls through the luminaire, extending the range and strength of the control signals.

Learning resources

Two excellent resources are available to help specifiers and contractors better understand controls and select the system that will best suit the current and future state of a building.

The Lighting Controls Association (LCA), a council of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), is dedicated to educating the professional building design, construction, and management communities about the benefits and operation of automatic switching and dimming controls.

The DesignLights Consortium (DLC) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to drive efficient lighting by defining quality, facilitating thought leadership, and delivering tools and resources to the lighting market. It launched the Networked Lighting Controls (NLC) program in 2017, which is a suite of tools and resources designed to enable the widespread adoption of networked lighting controls in commercial buildings.

Lighting is a pathway

Per the DLC, on average, 47% of lighting-energy savings is derived from networked lighting control systems. This constitutes a clear confirmation that the digital age has arrived and that control systems are a key component of lighting schemes. Lighting is expanding beyond illumination to enhance environments for human comfort and even serve as a communication tool. Not only do controlled luminaires help achieve beautiful spaces, but they also change how people connect and interact with their environment. Ultimately, as the IoT gains greater traction, facilities owners and managers, as well as business operators, will be able to better track building performance, ensure timely maintenance, maximize the useful life of lighting equipment, and optimize occupants’ comfort.

Blakeley is VP, product & business development at Focal Point, LLC, Chicago. Reach him at [email protected].

About the Author

Matthew Blakeley | VP, product & business development

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