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LIGHTING & LIGHTING CONTROLS FEATURE


With new technology comes new opportunities


Sam Woodward, customer education leader, Europe and Africa at Lutron Electronics, looks at how lighting control can benefit electrical engineers


O


ver the years, the role of the electrical engineer has taken on


greater responsibility. The job is as much about integration and programming as it is about design and equipment. Fortunately, elements of lighting control


can take some of the load off the electrical engineer’s shoulders, while at the same time create a wide variety of prospects.


THE ABILITY TO DO MORE JOBS User-friendly lighting control systems can simplify the electrical engineer’s job, allowing them to do more work in less time. Wireless systems, in particular, are a real asset in improving speed and accuracy, as they are much easier to set up than wired systems and, thanks to RF technology such as Lutron’s Clear Connect, are more robust and reliable than ever. Altogether, these systems take less time to design and install, and are more forgiving of last-minute changes, thus allowing electrical engineers to devote their energy to other issues.


EASE OF INSTALLATION Indeed, wireless lighting control is able to accommodate complex sequence of operation specifications that previously required tricky wiring. Their innate flexibility is a particular benefit with retrofits, since wireless lighting controls don’t require fishing


wire or punching holes in ceilings or walls. If a wired solution is selected, modern lighting control systems are conversant with a variety of protocols and building systems, allowing for more efficient design.


ENGAGEMENT WITH IOT Think of the building environment like a dynamic organism. Connected control systems – not least lighting control – can provide detailed information about how the building is used over the course of the day, arming facilities managers with information that helps improve the entire building environment, boost employee satisfaction and retention, and increase value, all while continuing to save energy and simplify building operations. With their knowledge of building systems, electrical engineers are a key force in making sure these systems work together (through BACnet and other protocols), playing a primary role in improving building efficiency and comfort for the benefit of end-users.


FUTURE-PROOFING Electrical engineers may need to accommodate older or historic buildings, new buildings, future buildings, parking garages, and other exterior spaces under a single design umbrella in their plans





Lighting control firms must stay on


top of trends, as well as continue to innovate


and oversight. With lighting control solutions that offer enterprise-level control under a single software protocol, electrical engineers are better able to meet varied space needs. Also, smart control enables the use of actionable data to ensure building systems can be adjusted accordingly, thus helping to reconfigure them in years to come and prevent problems as the buildings age and technologies change.


MANUFACTURER EDUCATION Lighting control firms must stay on top of trends, as well as continue to innovate. Companies such as Lutron offer continuing education on industry developments, suggest ideas for lighting control solutions, and make them available in a variety of media, whether in person at experience centres or through their websites. Reliable manufacturer support is not only a great resource, it is a vital means of communication in a fast moving business and a way for electrical engineers to expand their knowledge and prospects. Lighting control may be only part of


the job for electrical engineers, but it’s one that can provide a wealth of possibilities for their jobs and the future of the construction industry.


Lutron Electronics lutron.com ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING | JUNE 2019 25


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