• • • LIGHTING & LIGHTING CONTROLS • • •
Smarter Lighting: How monitoring dashboards are
transforming building efficiency Monitoring lighting output, usage and performance across large buildings and campuses has always been a complex task
Let’s take a closer look at
each benefit in turn. In terms of improving energy efficiency, light monitoring dashboards have significant potential to help users cut down on unnecessary energy use. Once the collected data is reviewed, the systems can help users to identify inefficiencies across a building’s lighting infrastructure, such as, fittings left on in unoccupied areas, lights operating outside of scheduled hours, or luminaires running at higher outputs than needed. With this level of insight, building managers can make informed adjustments that optimise performance, reduce consumption and ultimately drive down operational costs. When it comes to maintenance and management procedures, the difference the addition of light monitoring dashboards can make is huge. By providing a central hub to track the performance of all smart lighting fixtures, they can highlight any fittings that have failed or are underperforming or nearing end-of-life. This in turn reduces and even eradicates the need for time-consuming manual inspections and can be used to predict maintenance needs before issues arise.
ut with rising pressure to meet cost reduction targets, energy efficiency goals and ongoing statutory maintenance requirements, it’s essential.
B
When designing any lighting installation, incorporating technology that simplifies monitoring and management is a must. One new solution promises to deliver exactly that and more. Chris Anderson, Technical Manager at Ansell Lighting explains how.
In an era of rising energy costs and increasing pressure to reduce carbon footprints, energy optimisation in buildings has never been more critical. Lighting, in particular, plays a significant role in this equation, not only in terms of energy consumption but also in how it affects operational efficiency and occupant comfort. However, managing lighting systems effectively can be a complex and time-consuming process. From ensuring optimal performance to meeting statutory maintenance and monitoring requirements, the burden often falls heavily on building users and facilities teams. For electrical engineers, incorporating technologies in lighting installations that can ease the load is a huge positive for customers, both in terms of building performance and client satisfaction. That’s where light monitoring dashboards come in.
36 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • JUNE 2025
Light monitoring dashboards have been specifically designed to give building operators a single point of reference to access critical information about their lighting performance, energy usage and system health.
Used alongside smart lighting systems, they collect real-time data and present it in a user-friendly interface, enabling facilities managers and other building users to monitor, manage and optimise lighting like never before. From energy use and operational settings, to testing and maintenance insights, light monitoring dashboards provide a comprehensive view of lighting systems across buildings and estates, making it easier to manage site performance.
This also has a positive impact on building
safety. With emergency lighting assets also under real-time surveillance, users can be alerted instantly if any component fails ensuring safety standards are consistently met.
The overall result here is a dramatically reduced maintenance and management workload which is not only less costly but less disruptive. Light monitoring dashboards can also help with another core requirement of building maintenance, emergency lighting reporting. As data is automatically stored in the convenient central hub, users can easily access and review testing records as required. This greatly simplifies reporting procedures, reduces the administrative burden typically associated with manual logbooks and reporting, and ensures accurate documentation is readily available whenever it is needed.
The specification of light monitoring dashboards as part of a smart lighting installation is a real must for electrical engineers. Not only do they add significant value for end users by simplifying day-to-day management, but they also futureproof installations by aligning with the growing demand for data-driven building performance. As technology continues to evolve, solutions like these will be key to delivering smarter, safer and more sustainable buildings.
electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
