Feature Wireless Technology Stepping up a level W


hen most people think of automated lighting they think of movement sensors, light sensors, time switches and scene setting that adjust lights according to specific activities. However, this only scratches the sur- face of what can now be achieved with the new generation of indoor lighting control technology. This new technology is likely to change the way that we control indoor lighting in the future. Crucially, it does away with the messy and inconve-


Andy Davies, business development manager for indoor controls, Harvard Engineering, explains how the company’s new indoor lighting system, EyeNut, is now offering wireless control which can manage the lighting of not just a whole building but also extend to multiple buildings across multiple sites Right and below:


EyeNut’s


‘dashboard’ or Graphic User Interface allows users to monitor the performance of individual or groups of luminaires


come on at a level necessary to aug- ment levels of natural daylight. The system can also connect with passive infrared (PIR) detectors to switch lights on and off or dim them (depend- ing on occupancy), integrate with existing building management systems to collect occupancy data, and with fire alarm systems so


that lights


respond to emergency situations. Using the secure open protocol mesh network, Zigbee, EyeNut offers the possibility of multi-site or multiple building control from a single com- puter point. This opens up a number of opportunities for lighting manage- ment - for example, the lighting for multiple supermarket stores could be optimised from one hub.


nient process of wiring or rewiring which is inherent in the current gener- ation of controls such as DALI and Analogue 1-10V.


Given the fact that 80% of the build- ings that will be around in 2050 have already been constructed, this new wireless technology is hugely advanta- geous. Retro-fit is simple and installa- tion doesn’t call for a specialist engineer so there need be no redecora- tion costs due to new wiring and no hefty installation fees either.


Radio frequency identification EyeNut’s technology has been adapted from Harvard’s street light control system which wirelessly manages individual street lights or groups of lights using GPS and radio frequency. EyeNut achieves this same level of control by identifying lights via radio frequency identification chips. The solution is compatible with other con- trol gear and allows users to maximise energy efficiencies by dimming or switching off lights.


Lights can work in parallel with photocell sensors so that they only


Automation FEBRUARY 2014


Below: EyeNut’s technology has been adapted from Harvard’s street light control system which wirelessly manages individual street lights or groups of lights using GPS and radio frequency


The system is completely cus- tomisable - area groups can be easily created to manage control devices, as can logical groups which allow for virtual group creation and manage- ment of lighting through the EyeNut interface. The profiling tool then allows the logical groups to be con- trolled over a schedule. Assigned schedules can be simple or sophisti- cated - on, off or dimmed to different levels with variations possible every 15 minutes, 365 days a year. The mapping feature gives the operator a clear and complete view of all light points set over an imported image of their building layout. This makes it easy to see energy 'heat spots' and specific energy consumption. All of these aspects are controlled via EyeNut’s ‘dashboard’ or Graphic User Interface which is capable of con- trolling 500 light points from one wire- less gateway compared to DALI’s 64.


The dashboard allows users to monitor the performance of individual or groups of luminaires while also col- lecting energy consumption details, see the dim status of each light, and accurately predict lamp failure. This not only allows quick decisions to be made about system performance and usage parameters, but data can also be analysed to optimise the performance of the interior lighting.


Why it matters


The International Energy Agency recently reported that the installation of energy efficient lighting systems across the world could cut global energy consumption by as much as ten percent, providing huge opportunities for financial savings. Lighting is, on average, responsible for as much as 40% of electricity costs in offices and 50-60% in factories and warehouses, and we are all aware of the continuing hike in energy prices.


Of course, lighting is not only heavy on the pocket but also has a major impact on the environment. The amount of carbon dioxide pro- duced globally from generating elec- tricity for lighting is three times higher than the emissions produced by aviation. With carbon dioxide the largest of the trace gases and cur- rently responsible for 60% of the ‘enhanced greenhouse effect’, any- thing that contributes to lowering this figure is welcome.


The possibilities that are opened up by this new level of automated lighting - wireless, simple to install, commis- sion and operate - will help to address these challenges. We know that, of all the controllable lighting sold in Europe today, 75% is not controlled by anything other than the on/off switch. That is about to change.


Harvard Engineering www.harvardeng.com T: 0113 383 1000


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