• • • LIGHTING & LIGHTING CONTROLS • • •
artificial lighting and monitor environmental conditions to create a comfortable environment for building occupants. As well as promoting health and wellbeing, this can help to drive higher productivity in workplaces.
As a lighting control system becomes increasingly sophisticated and advanced, with more functions, the possible energy savings will increase. To achieve this, suitable software that is intuitive and user-friendly is required, alongside straightforward controls and user interfaces that building occupants will be able to understand and use. In this environment, DALI’s role is to standardise the functionality of input devices such as switches, sliders and push-button devices.
A wireless future?
When it comes to the future-focused capabilities of DALI, there is a growing interest in wireless capabilities. Given the rising preference for wireless systems, it is important this is considered in the future-proofing of any system design. For this reason, two approaches have been developed that combine the DALI protocol with wireless technology. Firstly, the standardised gateways approach enables wired DALI networks or D4i/DALI-2 luminaires to be incorporated in certain wireless ecosystems, such as Zigbee and Bluetooth Mesh. Secondly, the DALI+ approach enables DALI to be used over wireless and IP-based networks, which increases choice and flexibility. The DALI Alliance is currently developing certification programs for both the standardized gateways and DALI+ with Thread as the carrier. With a wireless lighting control system, it’s possible to position wireless control devices without the restrictions of having to run network cables (although power is still required). This has the potential to increase flexibility while also making it easier to scale up systems and add new devices. With no new cabling, labour and material costs are reduced, and there’s less damage to the building.
In certain settings, hybrid solutions that bring together wired and wireless solutions may be desirable. DALI provides choice and keeps future options open by enabling wired and wireless networks to operate together. For example, wireless DALI+ networks can incorporate bridges that provide a link to a wired DALI network, with DALI used throughout as the communication language. DALI+ over an IP-based carrier such as Thread also opens the possibility to integrate the lighting system with other functions via a building’s IT infrastructure.
The power of data
The opportunities offered by smart, data-rich lighting systems can be capitalised on through the use of DALI. The standardised DALI protocol is built to enable smart, data-rich networks in which the feedback and exchange of data is enabled by two-way digital communication.
DALI control gear routinely report their output levels, lamp failure information, emergency test data and other information to application controllers, which are the decision-making devices in a DALI system.
DALI sensors and other input devices all provide valuable data that feeds into the lighting- control system and can trigger automated, real-time changes. Recently, several DALI data specifications have been developed to standardise the location and format of new types of data that can be stored in control gear such as LED drivers. This data, which relates to light sources, luminaires and the drivers themselves, can be used for asset management, energy monitoring, diagnostics, predictive maintenance, and many other applications. Perhaps most important is the capability of some drivers to report real-time energy usage and power consumption. To quantify the savings achieved through the effective use of a lighting- control system, effective monitoring of energy consumption is required. After all, savings must
be measured, not guessed. As well as measuring the overall energy usage, it’s important to get granular information of what’s actually happening in specific areas of a building, or even inside individual luminaires. Data of this nature can prove crucial in applying for energy rebates. In addition, LED drivers can report a wide range of operational and diagnostics data, which enables the system to proactively alert the manager to any faults. Data analysis can predict when individual components or fixtures should be replaced, rather than employing a comprehensive replacement schedule after a fixed period of time. Significant savings can be achieved by employing this data-driven ‘predictive maintenance’ strategy, which will contribute greatly to the overall sustainability of the lighting- control system.
DALI in-situ
There are a vast array of examples of successful implementation of DALI-based lighting control systems around the world. For example, at two Kühne+Nagel logistics hubs in Hamburg, Germany, the combination of DALI luminaires and controls has reduced the operating costs and CO2 emissions.
The project introduced the sophisticated use of data as the basis for predictive maintenance and heat mapping strategies. For predictive maintenance, operational data is collected from each light point in real time, allowing early-stage detection of the need for maintenance, while reducing associated costs.
Another example where DALI-based lighting control has seen huge rewards is the University of Warwick’s Faculty of Arts. The controls here are based on an open protocol to ensure longevity and interoperability. The DALI-2 system, which includes emergency lighting testing and monitoring, provides a level of granularity and flexibility not available from other protocols. DALI data was an essential requirement for energy-use monitoring and logging, as well as maintenance. The project was initiated with a view to improving sustainability, and the data obtained from the DALI-2 system is seen as a key factor in supporting the university to minimise its carbon footprint.
Thinking through all the different elements that must now be taken into consideration when introducing lighting systems, it’s easy to see how DALI can support many of those requirements. An advanced lighting-control system, based on a global standard such as DALI, will reduce energy usage and carbon footprint, as well as decreasing total cost of ownership – which are all strong benefits as we strive for a more environmentally- sound future, that also delivers cost savings.
28 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • SEPTEMBER 2023
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
