Lighting Controller Can Reduce Lighting Costs
EG Energy Controls is the manufacturer of a patented lighting controller called the Volt Miser Lighting Controller
. These systems have been installed in over 300 locations. They are manufactured within North America and use industrial grade electronics.
How Does Lighting Controller Work?
The concept of HID lamp dimming is very simple but effective. Using an autotransformer the patented Volt Miser Lighting Controller can select up to 4 power levels to achieve the reduced power level.
By having multiple power levels, the system can work in conjunction with the existing building automation system schedule or photo sensor to optimize savings during light harvesting or meet a specific lumen light level for the facility.
The autotransformer is custom designed to provide a perfect sine wave to the ballast and lamp ensuring the max life of the lamp. In addition, the use of the autotransformer does not add any harmonics to the electrical system.
What is Lighting Control?
Lighting Control for HID and HPS lights is the reduction of power to the lamp ballast by means of a multi-tap auto transformer that is connected to a dedicated lighting panel. The Volt Miser HID Lighting Controller uses patented technology to automatically select the mult-tap power reductions on the auto transformer and reduce the voltage to the lighting panel by 13%, 18% and 25%.
This reduction in voltage means the lights are using less energy and the ballasts are running cooler since they perform better on reduced voltage. Lumen reduction is not noticeable when proper power reduction is performed
Technologies > INTRODUCTION TO LIGHTING CONTROL
Introduction: Lighting controls play a critical role in electric lighting systems, providing the function of:
Turning the lights on and off using a switch; and/or
Adjusting light output up and down using a dimmer
In recent decades, technological development has increasingly automated these functions and allowed integration of devices into larger, more flexible systems. The result is significantly expanding energy-saving opportunities, flexibility, reliability and interoperability between devices from different manufacturers.
The Lighting Control System: Lighting control systems contain three components linked by communication wiring, which is used to transmit control signals, and power wiring, which supplies power.
ComponentSensing Device Logic Circuit Power Controller
FunctionProvides information to logic circuitDecides whether to supply lighting, and how muchChanges the output of the lighting system
We can therefore view a lighting control system or device as an apparatus that 1) receives information, 2) decides what to do with that information, and 3) changes the operation of the lighting system. In other words, we can look at lighting control devices based on inputs and outputs. Below are three examples.
Control Input Decision-making Output
Occupancy sensorSensor detects presence or absence or peopleDecide whether to turn on or shut off lightsSends signal to relay, which closes or opens circuit
Control station and dimming panelUser presses button to recall preset sceneControl station recalls scene from memory and sends signal to dimmer at dimming panelDimmer adjusts light output to desired level
Dimmable ballastController provides signal to dimBallast is instructed to dim, and by how muchBallast alters the current to the lamps, dimming them
Below is an example of a robust lighting control system with a control station, occupancy sensor, photo sensor and time switch or centralized switching system providing a variety of inputs to the master lighting controller? The lighting controller can be a switching panel, dimming panel or both linked together. The controller in turn controls the lighting load with a variety of outputs based on decisions made by the logic circuits. Since different control strategies may have overlapping device requirements, control synergies can be gained by building a system of simple components.
Purpose of Lighting Controller: In many applications, the overall purpose of the lighting controller system is to eliminate waste while providing a productive visual environment. This entails:
Providing the right amount of light
Providing that light where its needed
Providing that light when its needed
The Right Amount of Light Control systems provide the right amount of light. This lighting decision is based on the type of tasks being performed in the space. Lighting controls support this goal in two ways.
Lighting controller provides flexibility in adapting the lighting system to different uses. For example, a school auditorium, which is home to a diverse range of activities, would need different light levels for these activities.
Lighting controller provides the ability for users to adjust light levels based on changing needs or individual preference, either through dimming or through bi- or multi-level switching. Dimming provides the greatest amount of flexibility in light level adjustment.
By enabling the lighting controller to deliver the right amount of light to the task, the control system can eliminate energy waste while providing a productive visual environment.
Where Its Needed Lighting controller support the lighting system putting light where its needed. This entails establishing control zones, which is a light fixture or group of fixtures controlled simultaneously as a single entity by a single controller. Zones are typically established based on types of tasks to be lighted, lighting schedules, and types of lighting systems, architectural finishes/furnishings, and daylight availability.
The greater the resolution of the control zonesthat is, the smaller they arethe greater the precision the control system can provide. For example, a control system can turn the lights on automatically when a person enters a building during non-operating hours. Only the areas to be used should be lighted, however, and not the entire floor. A zone can also be as small as single ballast or light fixture, which enables the greatest amount of control resolution. For example, each user in an open office can be given capability via PC or handheld remote to dim his or her own lighting to personal preference.
Generally, the smaller the control zone, the greater the control resolution and potential utility cost savings and the greater the opportunity to enable the lighting system to support visual needs.
And When Its Needed: An effective control system ensures that the lighting system operatesand consumes energy which costs the owner moneyonly when its needed. Determining when the lighting system should be operating depends on how the space is occupied. This will entail whether a time-based or a threshold event should be the deciding factor in whether the lights should be turned on or shut off.
If occupancy is predictable, a time-based strategy can be considered. For example, a switching system can be scheduled to automatically shut off the lights by area, by floor or in an entire building if a buildings occupancy is predictable.
If occupancy is not predictable, a threshold-event-based strategy can be considered. For example, occupancy sensors can be used to automatically turn on and shut off lights in areas depending on whether the sensor detects the presence or absence of people in the monitored area.
By ensuring the lighting system provides light only when its needed, the control system can significantly reduce wasted energy and generate utility cost savings for the owner.
Energy Management: Advanced lighting control devices and systems can be used to reduce ongoing costs for the owner and thereby increase profitability and competitiveness. According to the New Buildings Institute, lighting controls can reduce lighting energy consumption by 50% in existing buildings and by at least 35% in new construction.
Lighting energy: Controls can reduce the amount of power drawn by the lighting system during operation and also the number of operating hours, thereby reducing utility energy charges.
Lighting demand: Controls can reduce the amount of power drawn by the lighting system, reducing utility demand chargesparticularly during peak demand periods, when demand charges are highest.
These cost savings can produce a short payback and a high rate of return for the investment in the new controls. In new construction, the rate of return is often higher because only the premium, not the total installed cost, will be recouped before positive cash flow is realized.
Visual Needs: The project may be driven by business benefits other than energy savings by providing increased performance and flexibility:
Adapt the lighting for multiple uses of a space, such as a conference room or gymnasium.
Adapt the lighting to evolving space needs resulting from employee churn and office strategies such as hoteling and hot-desking.
Mood-setting for restaurants and similar applications.
Increasing worker satisfaction by providing personal control of their lighting systems in office and other environments.
Enhanced aesthetics and image, greater space marketability, and pollution prevention.
These business benefits are often more difficult to calculate than energy savings, but tangibly contribute to the bottom line.
Studies, for example, have shown that personal lighting control can increase worker satisfaction, a major contributor to productivity, while providing energy savings. According to the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA), energy costs run about $2/sq.ft. in a typical commercial building while worker salaries and benefits can run to $130/sq.ft. or more. While reducing energy costs by a large percentage can be profitable, increasing productivity by even a very small percentage can be much more profitable.
Defining the Application Goals: The first step in determining the right control strategy is to
Switching or Dimming? The first primary decision after defining the load and the application goals is whether to switch or dim the load. Switching and dimming are stand-alone strategies but are often used in the same facility, and may be integrated in the same control system.
MethodSwitching Dimming
Primary UseEnergy managementVisual needs
Basic FunctionTurn lights on or offChange light output with smooth transitions between light levels
BenefitsUtility cost savingsOccupant satisfaction, flexibility, utility cost savings
AdvantagesRelatively inexpensive and simple to commissionCan set light output at any level within available range, greater user acceptance due to smooth transitions between light levels
DisadvantagesLower user acceptance in occupied spaces with stationary tasks due to abrupt, noticeable changes in light levelHigher installed cost, and can require more sophisticated commissioning
Local or Central Control? The next step is to determine the amount of local vs. central control that is needed from the lighting control system.
Control Method
Divide the building into series of control zones, each zone constituting a lighting load controlled by a single controller
Localized Centralized
Each zone operated by its own point of control independently of other zonesAll zones operated by single point of control
Lower cost, less sophisticated commissioningGreater capabilities, flexibility, potential cost savings
The control scheme can be designed with local systems and a centralized system working together as layers. Both local and centralized systems can be integrated into building automation systems for control of lighting and HVAC.
by: Johanson
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