MODULE 18 – Engineering Utilities 1

Lighting Control & Management

January 24, 2022

Introduction

The capabilities of lighting-control systems have evolved beyond adjusting output and
turning lights on and off. Today’s systems can adjust light-source color, including shades
of white light, and generate data by measuring and monitoring. These key features deliver
a truly intelligent building responding to the specific lighting need based on occupancy,
functionality and available daylight. The advantages of lighting control systems are well-
documented. By reducing lighting time, intensity or zoning, lighting controls reduce both
demand and energy consumption.

A good lighting design includes a good controls design. Lighting controls play a critical role
in lighting systems, enabling users manually or automatically to:
 turn the lights ON and OFF using a switch; and/or
 adjust light output up and down using a dimmer.

Lighting control Methods - The Lighting control is a tool that performs and inspires, it’s
important that the right lighting is used at the right time. Lighting controls help ensure that
lighting is delivered at the right level for certain areas or workspaces. Lighting controls can
be used for a range of applications such as dimming, presence detection and to switch off
lights when there is sufficient daylight. Lighting control methods include;

1. local switching
2. dimming
3. presence detection
4. daylight linked and
5. time operated.
Manual controls - are either permanently
wired like a standard wall switch or ceiling
mounted pull switch that can either be used
for switching or dimming. Manual control
can be used in certain rooms that only require
manual switching to match the sites
activities.

Automatic controls - can be used to

automatically switch lights on and off as
people enter and leave an area or room.
Automation control can be preset to
manually switch lights on upon entry and
automatically switch lights off when
people leave an area or room. Automatic
rooms are suitable for infrequently used
like small rooms. They are low cost
presence detector that can also have
daylight sensor facilities.

A built in sensor in an automatic lighting control will help energy efficiency, as it

can be preset to natural light and detect when someone is entering or exiting. Time
control can be used to switch lights off when they are not required, such as at
lunchtime or the end of business hours that is a regular period the control can
automatically dim or turn off. The controls will automatically switch off when the
set level of daylight is reached with a short time delay in care of a temporary lower
level such as passing clouds.
Occupancy sensors - are devices that automatically turn the lights ON and OFF based on
whether the space is
occupied. By ensuring the
lights are ON only while the
space is occupied,
occupancy-based strategies
realize 24% average lighting
energy savings.

Occupancy sensors are

highly suited to smaller,
enclosed spaces that are
intermittently occupied,
such as private offices, classrooms, conference rooms, copy and break rooms, restrooms
and other spaces. They may be networked for larger spaces. If the sensor provides automatic
shutoff but requires manual-ON, it is commonly called a vacancy sensor. Alternately, the
sensor may automatically turn the load on to 50%, with manual operation via a switch
needed to turn the lights ON to full. These sensors are commonly called partial-ON
occupancy

Time Scheduling

Scheduling adjusts the output of the

lighting system based on a time event
implemented using a time-clock,
which may be implemented using a
microprocessor built into the control
system. At certain times, controlled
lights will turn ON, OFF or dim to
either save energy or support
changing space functions. Scheduling
is highly suitable for larger, open
spaces that are regularly occupied as
well as spaces that are intermittently occupied but where the lights must remain ON all day
for safety or security reasons.

Daylight Response

Daylight-responsive control (also called daylight harvesting) uses a light sensor (also called
a photosensor or photocell) with a power controller to switch or dim lighting in response to
available daylight. As light levels rise above a target threshold due to daylight contribution,
the photosensor signals the controller to reduce light output, thereby saving energy.
According to researches, daylight-responsive control can generate 28% average lighting
energy savings.
Figure 1

This strategy is highly suitable for lighting zones adjacent to windows and clerestories and
under skylights and roof monitors—anywhere daylight is consistent and plentiful.

Task Tuning –

Also called “institutional tuning” and “high-end trim,” task tuning involves reducing
lighting in a space based on IES-recommended maintained task light level requirements or
user preference for individual spaces rather than
the originally designed maintained light levels,
which may be higher than needed. According to
researches, task tuning generates 36% average
lighting energy savings.
Color Tuning

By separately dimming red, green, blue and potentially other color LEDs, virtually any color
can be produced. This is called color tuning. Color tuning is suitable for entertainment,
signage and similar applications. By separately dimming arrays of warm- and cool-CCT
white LEDs, luminaire CCT can be adjusted across a range, which is called tunable-white
lighting.

 Automatically shift to a very warm CCT during dimming to initiate incandescent

dimming
 Dynamically calibrate CCT across installed luminaires and maintain the designed
CCT over time.
 Adjust CCT after initial installation to fine-tune the appearance of spaces and objects
such as art.
 Adjust CCT to accommodate changing space use, displays, interior finishes and user
preference.
 Automatically adjust CCT to produce an idealized daylight cycle or optimally blend
with actual daylight.
 Imitate the color appearance of a popular traditional light sources and customize new
light sources.

What does RGB mean in lighting?

RGB LED means red, blue and green LEDs. RGB LED products combine these three
colors to produce over 16 million hues of light. Note that not all colors are possible. Some
colors are “outside” the triangle formed by the RGB LEDs. Also, pigment colors such as
brown or pink are difficult, or impossible, to achieve.
Hotel Key Card Switches –

Key Card Switches are generally used in hotels

and high-end condominiums. After checking in
verification in hotels, the front desk personnel
will give the key card to his / her assigned room.
Upon getting into the assigned room and
inserting the key card in a key card slot by the
main door of the room, all the lights and other
controlled circuits will automatically turn ON.
Upon leaving the room, guest remove the key
card and the lights and other controlled circuits
will turn OFF after a standby delay of a few
seconds.

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End of Module…. Thank you and stay safe.

Engr. GEORGE P. ALONZO

Professional Electrical Engineer