Sparks Electrical News January 2022

LIGHTING

15

Get educated Networked lighting control solutions offer a spectrum of customisation, connectivity, benefits, and complexity and cost. Get familiar with these systems, what they offer in terms of owner value, and what’s involved to have the right expectations when specifying and installing them. Manufacturers are here to help When any building system reaches a customization level, it naturally becomes more complex. Any light- ing control system, networked or not, also features devices that must be applied to applications that may themselves be distinct. Manufacturers offer support

to designers, installers, and owners/operators.

cost premium and are more complex than more out- of-the-box connected systems. Connected Lighting Systems Stakeholders Re- search Study provides an interesting snapshot across a broad spectrum of stakeholders as to common chal- lenges in adopting connected lighting, along with op- portunities to address them. Key opportunities are in technological validation, education, clear communica- tion, enhanced tools, and acceleration toward stand- ardisation and ease of use.

systems. Additionally, DOE recommends standardi- sation of utility incentives, industry terminology, and system user interfaces. Contractors may need more help with installation, wiring, and startup Additionally, some contractors may have a negative impression of connected lighting sys- tems based on experience with first-generation products that have since improved, resulting in misconceptions regarding cost, complexity, and installation. In an industry driven by relationships and familiarity, new and advanced products and systems face a barrier to adoption in the mar- ket. DOE recommends reading installation ma- terials in advance to ensure they are clear, pre- installation meetings to reduce installation and configuration errors, better and more frequent communication among the construction team, and more visual instructions with diagrams and videos. Additionally, DOE recommends manu- facturers make configuration tools more intui- tive and continue development of self-commis- sioning connected lighting systems. Ways forward The Lighting Controls Association’s take: The networked lighting control revolution is similar to the LED revolution The market is in a phase where products and ben- efits are developing, requiring education and a disci- plined approach to design and installation. The supply chain is far more familiar than different to lighting professionals The supply chain is the same as with any lighting project, only it may also involve the building owner’s IT department, which will impose some requirements for the proposed system; an integrator, who can help make sure all lighting control and building systems can talk to each other; and a low-voltage contractor. As DOE points out, many solutions are distinct, but this is an advantage. The specifier has a choice of luminaire-, room-, or building-/campus-level sys- tems, each offering a distinct value proposition, cost level, and requirements. Designers should familiar- ize themselves with these systems to have the right expectations going into the project. Not all networked lighting control systems are equal Networked lighting control systems can be quite simple to install Plug and play with pre-configured energy code- compliant sequences of operation simplify installa- tion. As with any lighting project, more robust fea- tures and customisation add complexity. Either way, the project team should work with installers that understand the specified system. Talk to the building owner about what various types of networked lighting control systems can do so they gain the appropriate system and understand what’s involved with it, notably relative cost. Talk to the IT department to determine what the owner’s requirements are regarding networking, such as cy- bersecurity. More complex (more customized) networked light- ing control systems require a disciplined approach adhering to project best practices. This may involve more communication across the project team, dili- gence in selecting the right contractor and possibly an integrator, and engaging the owner’s IT depart- ment. The owner should be engaged to produce an Owner Project Requirements, resulting in a Basis of Design – a clear, written lighting controls narra- tive describing the desired control functionality that functions as a controls roadmap for the entire pro- ject team. Have conversations early on with the building own- er and IT department Take a disciplined approach to design with net- worked controls

Adoption snapshot Over the past 20 years, the general trend in lighting control has been toward greater sophistication and abilities coinciding with more detailed control require- ments imposed by energy codes. In the last decade, the technology underwent a revolution as extraordinary as the shift from traditional to LED lighting. The ultimate is a system that enables centralised programmability, means to improve occupant wellbeing, data that can be used to improve operations, and location-based services. The most robust systems naturally present a

Source: https://inside.lighting/news/21-11/connected- lighting-decision-making-process

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

JANUARY 2022