Basics of Lighting Controls

U.S. Department of Energy Rebuild America

And Novitas, Inc.

Reasons to Include Lighting Controlsin a New Building or Renovation

Cost-effective Help the Environment Increase Tenant

Productivity and Satisfaction

6 Main Types of Controls

On/Off Controls Manual Dimming Controls Light-Level Sensors Occupancy Sensors Clock Switches Centralized Controls

Saving Energy withOn/Off Controls

Proper circuiting allows for: Half the lamps in each fixture to

be switched together. Every other fixture switched together. Lighting near windows switched off.

Saving Energy withManual Dimming Controls

Slider Switches: Simplest manual controls Allows occupant to change lighting over

complete output range. Preset Dimming:

The press of a button changes dimming settings for various lights simultaneously.

Occupant can preset various patterns. Ideal for retrofits. Minimizes re-wiring.

Saving Energy withLight-Level Sensors

Can greatly reduce energy consumption by automatically dimming or turning off lights when daylight levels are adequate.

Allow for utilization of a lumen maintenance strategy: Keep light levels constant throughout the life of luminaires.

Luminaires are dimmed when they are new and put out extra light.

Power supplied to them is gradually increased as they age to compensate for light loss over the life of the lamp.

Saving Energy withOccupancy Sensors

Automatically turn lights on when someone enters a room.

Keep lights on without interruption while the room is occupied.

Turn lights off within a preset time period after the space has been vacated.

Can be combined with dimming controls to ensure adequate lighting when a space is occupied, and conservation of lighting when a space is vacated.

Three Types of Occupancy Sensors

Passive Infrared Ultrasonic Dual-Technology (a

combination of PIR and Ultrasonic)

Passive Infrared Occupancy Sensors Triggered by the movement of a heat-emitting

body through their field of view. Best suited for

small, enclosed spaces.

Occupants must be in direct line-of-site view of the sensor.

Ultrasonic Occupancy Sensors Emit an inaudible sound pattern and re-read

the reflection. Triggered by changes

in the reflected sound pattern.

Detect minor motion better than most infrared sensors.

Occupant does not have to be within line-of-sight since sound pattern is reflected off surfaces.

Dual-Technology Occupancy Sensors

Combine passive infrared and ultrasonic technologies.

The pairing of these two technologies helps eliminate false activations, increasing energy savings.

Saving Energy with Clock Switches Equipped with an internal clock, these switches turn

lights on or off at preset times.

Saving Energy with Centralized Controls Centralized building control systems automatically

turn on, turn off or dim lights throughout a building. Lack the flexibility of an occupancy sensor:

Lights may go out on employees working late who are not

provided with a warning or access to controls.

Lighting Control Cuts Your Electric Bill

HVAC40%

Lighting40%

Misc20%

Typical Building Electrical Costs

Lighting Control Cuts Costs About half of your lighting bill goes to wasted

lighting.

Lighting control can also reduce the need for cooling, leading to reduced HVAC costs.

Daily Lighting Period

Hours of Lighting

Hours Wasted

8am – 12 noon 4 1

12 noon – 2pm 2 1

2pm – 6pm 4 1

6 pm – Midnight 3* 2.8

Daily Hours 13 5.8

Percent of Total Daily Hours

100% 45%

*Assumes cleaning crew turns out lights as they complete each floor