Below is my contribution to the April issue of tED Magazine, the official NAED publication. Reprinted with permission.
Networked lighting controls are control systems that use microprocessing (intelligence) and communication (hardwired or wireless connectivity) to enact layered and complex control strategies. This approach allows individually addressable control points, software-based setup and operation, simplified connections, and energy measuring and monitoring.
According to the DesignLights Consortium, these systems produce an average 47 percent lighting energy savings and are now covered by a growing number of utility rebate programs. If market barriers are addressed, the U.S. Department of Energy predicts one-half of commercial sector lighting will be connected by 2025.
As lighting and controls increasingly become networked and programmable, software is becoming more important in the category. Software plays a key role in setting up, operating, and pulling data from networked lighting control systems. Using software, technicians set up control zones, identify control points (nodes) and assign them to the zones, and set up schedules and control profiles (sequences of operation, including sensor calibration). Depending on the system, the software may then allow ongoing adjustment and data retrieval.
Software varies based on the type of networked control system and level of owner interaction. In recent years, manufacturers began to offer room- and luminaire-based systems that use software for setup but then run on autopilot, well suited to any-sized project but particularly small and medium-sized buildings. To better service the market, some simplified their commissioning software so that contractors can support owners in setup and, if needed, adjustments after installation, typically via a mobile app.
The most robust systems, meanwhile, are centralized, enabling the owner to globally manage their lighting via a web-based interface and operating software residing on an onsite server (no Internet connection required) or the Cloud (greater scalability and application support). Authorized operators interact with the software to adjust zoning, schedules, and control profiles. Depending on the system, they may be able to execute control strategies that go beyond the energy code-compliant default, such as color and task tuning. They may be able to measure energy consumption (and potentially power draw) presented on a graphical user interface. And they may be able to monitor the lighting, automatically adjusting operation based on the data and automatically generating maintenance alerts. As the Internet of Things (IoT) develops, these systems and their software may play an active role in generating even deeper analytics.
“Lighting control software has improved dramatically over the past few years,” said Jamie Britnell, Senior Product Manager, Synapse Wireless (www.synapsewireless.com).
He pointed out that controls have traditionally been problematic for the sales and distribution channels, resulting in avoidance of the technology. Due to energy codes, however, these solutions are increasingly required as part of standard applications. And with the advent of the IoT, new capabilities are being integrated into lighting control software.
Britnell added, “It’s important for the industry to understand that these products are coming and will become a critical part of many applications over the next few years.”
What to look for
“Key features that should be in any of these new software packages are simplicity, portability, and training,” said Paul Matthews, Product Marketing Manager, OSRAM (www.osram.com/ds). “When deciding between typical and more advanced capabilities in a light management system software package, balance the needs of the customer with the value of the added complexity, always keeping it as simple as possible.”
He added that understanding the customer is the key. “What would make them more productive?” Matthews said. “What are their overhead costs and what problems are they facing? These are all key to effectively selling a light management system. Light management system agents who focus on a segment—such as fit-outs for both offices and schools—and use the same sales pitch for both, often fail. Conversely, agents who tailor their approach to the customer’s problems sell the same product offering successfully.”
Britnell advised distributors to ask the right questions. Is the solution adaptable to many different applications, such as both indoor and outdoor? Is the solution reliable and secure, kept up to date with timely security patches, and not require daily maintenance and reconfiguration? Is it simple to use, allowing quick configuration and future adjustments?
It is critical, he pointed out, the manufacturer provide the right level of support. “When installing, recommending, and selling software-based systems, it is important to know the manufacturer is there to support their efforts,” he said. “Of course, there’s a technical aspect of just understanding a particular system, but nothing goes without problems arising from time to time. Having a support infrastructure in place is important and should be considered when promoting these options.”
Even before the project begins, he added, it’s important to work with a manufacturer that can provide contractors and distributors with project management and commissioning services.
Image courtesy of Lutron Electronics
IoT platform
One of the most exciting potential capabilities of networked lighting control systems is incorporation of additional sensors that can generate data useful for improving business processes. This is the promise of the nascent IoT. With sensors installed in a majority of spaces, connectivity, bandwidth, and software, networked lighting control systems are in an excellent position to act as a basic IoT platform. Some solutions already offer data such as thermal and traffic pattern mapping. Additional value may be driven by third-party partnerships, in which data produced by the control system is fed to various software packages for analysis and application to the given business.
“Light management systems that control lighting will enable IoT applications to become simpler,” Matthews said. “At first, this may be just reports and trend analysis, but eventually it will be machines talking to machines within the range of defined guidelines.” The key to implementing this type of systems integration is the application programming interface (API), a behind-the-scenes package of software.
“The capability of lighting control networks to collect data via sensors is going to make lighting companies more valuable in the data-driven future,” Britnell said. “Electrical distribution companies should position themselves to take advantage of this rising tide of income opportunity.”
He said distributors, for example, could experiment with a Lighting as a Service model based on monitoring.
Matthews added, “As lighting systems become the platform for IoT, sensors will be supplied by distributors and installed by electricians and contractors. The more they know about the sensors and platforms they are installing, the higher the value-added with they will be able to provide.”
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