The use of lighting control schemes in large commercial buildings is one of the finest ways to apply energy-efficient lighting models, as evidenced by hundreds of research articles from around the world. Systems for managing lighting are quite effective in assisting us in achieving optimal lighting control. Let’s examine the lighting control panel included in lighting management systems in this post, as well as the control features it provides.
What Is a Lighting Control Panel?
A lighting control panel is a tiny electrical cabinet that has a controller that helps with features for intelligent lighting settings. These are frequently used to control lighting in public spaces, on streets, in supermarkets, and even in private buildings. Thanks to these control systems, users may get the appropriate amount of light whenever and wherever they need it. While some systems allow for enterprise-level control, certain lighting control solutions simply permit localized control over lighting equipment.
The various common mechanisms that lighting control systems use are listed below. These rely on the sensors and other parts that were incorporated into its design.
Common Mechanisms of Lighting Control
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Occupancy Sensing Lighting Control
Occupancy sensing has been around the longest of all lighting control methods. Every light in this system has a particular occupancy sensor attached to it, which uses the ability to detect motion to turn on or off the lights in a specific area. To save energy, lights turn off automatically if there is a delay during which the sensors detect no movement. For each room, a single big occupancy sensor was fitted in the more basic kinds of occupancy systems. The lights switched off whenever someone entered the room; however, issues with false and reverse sensing were also present. The modern concept emphasizes having unique occupancy sensors for each lighting fixture in order to prevent such occurrences.
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Types of Occupancy Sensing
There are two different kinds of occupancy-based regulating methods. The motion-based switching control technique comes first. All of the typical justifications for occupancy sensing models that we have offered up to this point have been motion-based switching. As previously mentioned, in this case, the delay time determines when a room’s lights turn off. Naturally, the longer the delay, the more money you’ll save on electricity.
The issue with these conventional occupancy detection systems is that if a room has sporadic visitor frequency and a very short delay period is specified, it will eventually become highly annoying for everyone. Similarly to this, if you significantly extend the time after turning off, you defeat the objective of employing sensors for energy efficiency. Therefore, buyers should determine the user behavior for each room before choosing the occupancy sensing parameters, regardless of the situation.
The second occupancy sensing control strategy is motion-based dimming. Everything stays the same in this case, but lights automatically lower to a predefined intensity level following the wait. This is a better option for business locations where customers do not enjoy entering a completely dark space frequently.
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Daylight-Linked Lighting Control
Lighting control strategies can be matched to the intensity and duration of daylight available in structures and spaces with abundant sunlight. People can either use daylight exclusively or as a supplement to the lighting given by their lights when there is sufficient daylight penetration. In this manner, the strain on the lighting apparatus is lessened, which causes energy consumption to decrease.
Common area light lights and any outdoor light can benefit from these daylight-linked lighting controls. The best energy efficiency is provided by this control system in parking lots and athletic facilities. If enough daylight is available, these management systems should be used for indoor business applications, especially for office spaces. This is so because natural light is considered a key factor in visual comfort and productivity. As a result, it will allow office workers to concentrate completely while not placing too much stress on themselves.
What is Lighting Control System?
All of a home’s lighting may be regulated at once, thanks to lighting control systems. One button click, for instance, can activate eight different lights, providing an area with the proper amount of brightness for the task at hand. Lighting control systems let you create the ideal atmosphere for your occasion, whether you’re cooking, watching TV, or reading a book.
The ability to regulate more than one room or space is a key feature of lighting control systems. You can dim the lights throughout your entire house with only one button press if you have an intelligent lighting control system. For instance, you might use this to configure a “bedtime” mode that would turn out all of the lights in your house. By doing this, there is no longer a need to manually turn them off in each room.
The Basics of Lighting Control: Wired or Wireless?
You should consider both wired and wireless alternatives if you decide to integrate lighting control in your house.
Since the wiring is needed to connect your lighting fixtures and control switches, wired systems are more expensive because additional parts and installation work are required. You’ll have a dependable lighting control system for your house after it’s implemented.
Systems for controlling lighting wirelessly are less expensive and simpler to install. Why? Since the wire is not required, installation difficulty and time are both decreased. There is a limitation on the number of devices you may add to your system as a result. With the help of a lighting design professional, weigh the benefits and drawbacks of each system to find the one that best satisfies your requirements for the ideal home lighting management solution.
Benefits of Home Lighting Control
Energy Saving:
Your electricity cost will be cheaper because you’ll use less energy when your lights are off. It is simple to know that your lights are only on when they are required, thanks to lighting control systems.
With intelligent lighting, you can turn off the lights in your house using a smartphone or tablet. Perfect for leaving the house without turning out the lights. Additionally, timers and sensors can be customized to operate in accordance with your schedule to maximize energy savings. On weekdays, let’s say you leave for work at 7:30 a.m. With intelligent lighting controls, you can make sure all lights are turned off right away.
Don’t forget to utilize dimmers as well. Having light intensity control is helpful when trying to reduce your energy usage.
Scene Setting:
You may customize certain lights to create the optimal settings for your daily tasks using lighting control systems. You could set the ‘TV’ mode, which could be activated with a single button press, to dim the lights and illuminate the area behind your TV. You may customize your lighting controls for a variety of situations, such as:
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- Watching TV
- Cooking
- Dining
- Reading a book
Increased Light Life:
Energy savings go hand in hand with this advantage. You’ll be reducing overall usage because a single control panel allows you to dim and switch off all of the lights in your house. As a result, your lights will last longer, and you won’t need to replace them as frequently.
Enhanced Convenience:
With the help of intelligent lighting control systems, you can easily control your lights from a wall-mounted control panel, remote control, smartphone, tablet, laptop, or even desktop computer. This enables you to create the ambiance you want from the comfort of your couch or turn on/off your lights while you’re away from home.
Improved Safety:
You can go to the bathroom without risk in the middle of the night by using sensors or your smartphone. You won’t have to search in the dark for your light switch anymore.
Setting your lights to come on while on vacation is another way that lighting controls can be used to improve safety. You can discourage burglars from targeting your home by setting your lights to turn on for even an hour.
Conclusion
As was already said, lighting control systems enable you to adjust your lights for everyday activities like dining. What if, however, we informed you that more could be done?
Technology has come a long way. You can do this to give yourself more control and convenience over your lighting by integrating it with other systems. For instance, your “Dinner” scenario may turn on your favorite music through your speakers, drop your automated blinds, and turn on your artificial fireplace. It could even illuminate the task lights over your dining table. There are countless options.
Check out our product pages for the latest lighting control panels for all types of facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s in a lighting control panel?
An assemblage with a typical configuration of two or more parts, such as motor controllers and circuit breakers, and related control devices, such as timers and switches with necessary wiring, terminal blocks, and pilot lights, is commonly referred to as a lighting control panel.
What is the best method of lighting control?
Most businesses prefer dimmable drivers as a standard choice for intelligent and energy-efficient lighting. Dimmers increase energy savings by adjusting light brightness to the user’s preference. The most frequently used dimming technologies are the 0-10v analog and DALI dimming systems.
What are the four types of lighting?
- Ambient lighting
- Task lighting
- Accent lighting
- Decorative lighting
What is three-point lighting?
Three-point lighting is a common technique for lighting a subject in a setting with light sources coming from three different places. Key light, fill light, and backlight are the three different forms of lighting.
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