Sparks Electrical News August 2017

LIGHTING

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INNOVATIONS THAT LIGHT UP THE PATH TO PROSPERITY FOR MORE PEOPLE O ver the last year, following Philips’ listing on the Amsterdam stock exchange as a standalone company, it has delivered innovations that unlock the extraordinary potential of light to information viamobile apps to people in illuminated spaces. In addition, connected lighting provides businesses with greater customer insight, a superior customer experience, and creates personalised workspaces by adding a layer of intelligence to the environment, which responds and adapts to people’s preferences and needs.

and digital technologies, data sharing and analysis, and intelligent de- sign to make cities more liveable, resilient, economically sound, and sustainable. However, smart cities do not always have to equate to employing the latest and greatest technology or trends like IoT or big data analytics to affect change. For instance, conventional street light- ing can account for as much as 40% of a city’s total energy budget. By switching to LED street lights alone, cities can reduce the energy consumed by street lights by 30% or more. Switching on to new thinking around lighting To achieve sustainability, efficiency, and user experience goals, compa- nies require professional, world-class luminaires and powerful, flexible controls, all of which have been integrated into a single system. By integrating wireless communications into the lighting system, organisations can deliver location-based services and in-context

bring about brighter lives and a better world. So says Reggie Nxumalo, GM, Philips Lighting Southern Africa, who explains some of the in- novations below. Philips manages one of the world’s largest and strongest IP portfolios and has established various research & innovation hubs around the world that deliver region-specific innovations to address key challenges facing local communities, where the relevant hub is located. Lighting the way to change by helping to eliminate light poverty For more than a billion people around the world, electric light seems like an unobtainable luxury. Without reliable access to it, entire com-

Light at the end of the non-productivity tunnel Philips connected lighting systems can precisely manage the lighting in a facility with a combination of control strategies, allowing organisations to deliver the optimum light levels for performing tasks safely and ef- fectively. By integrating luminaires with sophisticated controls and com- prehensive management systems, companies can streamline business activities, while saving energy and ensuring employee satisfaction.

Enquiries: www.lighting.philips.co.za

munities across Africa, as well as places like India, are plunged into darkness at sunset. Unable to work or study after dark, inhabitants are deprived of oppor- tunities to build a better future. Philips has designed a range of solar lanterns as well as home lighting systems that enable off-grid communities to access safe, renewable lighting after dark. With this technology, social and business life no longer has to stop when the sun goes down, while light becomes a catalyst for recreation, productivity and economic growth. Enabling a smart way of using fewer city resources Smart cities use recent advances in communications

SPACE DIMMER: DIMMING LED STRIP LIGHTING

D imming LED strip lighting can be a chal- lenge and, when attempting to do so, one can sometimes feel that it would surely be less tricky to put a man on Mars. LED strip lighting is becomingmore efficient. It is also getting brighter and is more commonly used, not only for cove accent lighting,but also for general illumination. As a result, proper control and dimming are important for this increasingly popular LED light source. With the new Intellibus SPACE Dimmer, Triac has taken some of the mystery out of dimming. Virtually all constant voltage LEDs are dimmable with the SPACE Dimmer, even if the power supply is ‘non-dimmable’. The SPACE Dimmer allows for a perfectly smooth and stable dimming curve - right down to 0.5%, providing stable light output even if there are changes in main supply voltage or frequency. The technology reduces the lumen variation – associated with conventional phase control dimming – from LED to LED. It also largely solves the problem of colour shift common with other conventional dimming methods. Last, but by no means least, the SPACE Dimmer ensures users will not see the 100 Hz flicker or stroboscopic effect that is often evident with forward or reverse phase control dimming. The SPACE Master Dimmer is rated for maximum of 5 A; adding a 5 A Slave SPACE Dimmer can easily increase this capacity to cope with much larger loads. The dimmer works with any conventional push button, or can be incorporated into an intelligent Intellibus digital lighting controlled system. The SPACE Dimmer is affordable and ex stock, and carries a three year guarantee. #Lightcontrolledright

Enquiries: +27 (0)11 462 6207

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

AUGUST 2017