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topologies are used, with the most common being
a bus (basically the same as a computer network).
All control devices are connected using a single
pair of low voltage wires or using Ethernet or
proprietary cabling. For greater flexibility, some
wired systems incorporate wireless accessory
devices (for example, switches and sensors) that
communicate with the system using one or more
central gateways. Alternatively, the system may
be completely wireless, with the majority using a
self-healing mesh or star topology.
The system is designed in accordance with
a common protocol. The protocol may be open,
such as DALI and ZigBee, allowing products from
different manufacturers to mix in the same net-
work. Or it may be proprietary to a manufacturer.
For the control system to integrate with a building
automation system (BAS), the two systems must
share the same native protocol (such as BACnet);
alternatively, one can use a gateway and/or pro-
gramming that can translate data crossing between
the systems.
The system is set up and operated using soft-
ware that resides on the server and is accessed
remotely from a workstation.The programmer can
create zones, discover devices, assign the devices
to zones, set up schedules and control profiles,
create user/access levels and calibrate sensors.
The operator can change any of this during the life
of the system. The system operator accesses the
server remotely from a webpage or program on a
computer.
Intelligent lighting control systems are changing
lighting as we know it from fixed, dumb systems
into highly flexible, responsive and controllable
systems. These solutions will continue to gain in
popularity as energy codes become increasingly
complex and LED lighting becomes increasingly
common.
AJ Glaser, chairman of LCA, contributed to this
article, which appeared in the May 2015 issue of
LD+A, and is reprinted with the kind permission
of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North
America.