Feature


at


ors etworks...


programmed to switch off, or to dim down when not needed. They can also work in relay, using motion detection to detect movement and lighting up the luminaires in front of, above and behind the person. This is a significant step- change to conventional streetlights, which stay lit up at the full output during specifically programmed times, or from dusk till dawn when the photocell detects that there is not enough light. Importantly,


these lighting sensors


gather information about the surrounding environment such as footfall and the public’s behaviour. The information is then shared via building or remote management systems to improve knowledge and performance. For the public, this means higher levels of safety and comfort. For owners, they benefit from reduced energy costs and improved data gathering to drive further efficiencies in maintenance.


A new ‘plug and play’ standard


While smart lighting will incur financial savings in the long run, the initial outlay of smart sensors may be difficult for investors, local authorities and building owners to justify. In order to combat this, the outdoor lighting industry must ensure these solutions are specified and future-proofed, so that return on investment (ROI) is recognised.


One of


the world’s


most


respected


manufacturers, Signify – formerly Philips Lighting, has established a new industry standard for outdoor lighting control. The Sensor-Ready Driver (SR) is paving the way to a smart city network, the SR driver accommodates technologies, components and gateways from SR partners such as CP Electronics, thereby increasing choice, minimising risk and ensuring a genuinely scalable approach for specifiers. In the words of Dervan Alleyne, Signify’s OEM Commercial Director for the UK and Ireland: ‘If you’re using SR today, you’re future proofing for where the industry is heading, such as multiple sensing and the demand for data’. At the heart of each system lies an


SR certified driver, such as Philips’ own Xitanium digital SR LED driver. This is a


version


Lighting Interface), the widely accepted standard for


of DALI (Digital Addressable the


lighting industry. This


driver essentially powers each sensor in its network, eliminating the need for a wired supply for each one.


The choice of sensor will be driven by the exact nature of the application and the desired benefits. For example, specifiers will need to consider whether the outdoor lighting or street lights operate as stand- alone units, or if they work together. Another factor is whether dimming is a requirement, or if they simply need to trigger when certain levels of light have been achieved. Thanks to the growing interest in smart


cities, a wide range of externally rated sensors are already available, all compatible with SR drivers, each offering a range of performance parameters. It’s certain that innovation will continue to drive advances, giving investors in the technology and installers a wealth of choice. A recent


development is Legrand’s


ground-breaking Wattstopper FDP-301 Series, shortly to be introduced into the UK


For more about CP Electronics, please visit www.cpelectronics.co.uk


fmuk 29


range


by CP Electronics. Externally rated and with a detection of 30m diameter,


Wattstopper sensors can be mounted up to 12m high, making them suitable for virtually all outdoor lights.


Installation is quick and easy too – the


sensors simply plug into the lighting unit and can be commissioned, monitored and controlled either locally or through the smart city network, giving engineers greater flexibility and control. Functionality in the series includes motion detection, ambient lighting levels and even dimming control so that the public never need to walk into a totally dark area. The firmware can also be upgraded, thus future-proofing the product and installation. Finally,


for commissioning or if any


settings need to be changed at a later date, the Wattstopper sensors can be easily programmed and managed via a smart device such as a smartphone or tablet.


Switching it up for smart cities


The fact is, the smart city is virtually here, and sensors are lighting the way forward. The key, as with all projects, is to ensure that when switching to new solutions, they deliver the benefits required at optimum cost in the area specified. Lighting up the outdoors will require a unique approach depending on the street or building in question. This will come down to factors such as footfall, costs, the needs of the people, whether it is a high-crime area, environmental issues, and budgets. However, with the SR platform and a


steadily increasing range of technologies, there is a solution that should fit most, if not all needs, that will take us into the next generation of connectivity.


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