LIGHTING
Until recently , many local authorities have had to make a choice between the high cost quality illumination of LED lighting or a low cost alternative with poor colour rendering and high energy consumption that make the streets a far from inviting place . Therefore it ’ s no wonder that many local authorities resorted to the wholesale ‘ switch off ’ solution .
As the relative energy efficiency of LED luminaires has improved it has become possible to achieve a better quality of light at lower running costs throughout the lifetime of the product . As a result the attitude towards LED street lighting has dramatically shifted and new products have entered the market which are extremely versatile ; meeting the end user need for a cost effective solution and providing the necessary level of light to achieve a safe and secure environment after dark with significantly reduced energy consumption .
Controlling the light Today ’ s smart controls make saving energy and minimising light pollution simple and offer much more besides . Users can fine-tune light levels for different times and activities , reduce maintenance cycles and extend the life of luminaires by dimming or turning them off when they are not needed , create dynamic lighting displays that turn structures into living works of art and access their lighting remotely from anywhere . Control options range from simple local setups right up to sophisticated smart lighting systems .
Individual control Simple controls with time switches , photocells and motion detection , offer reliable savings with little effort . Thorn ’ s bi-power switch ( BPS ) solutions give the option of dimming to 50 % for eight hours at night or any project required combination Bi-power does not require external control wiring and its settings can be easily customised or deactivated . Optional photocells can save as much as 50 % by reacting to available daylight , while motion sensors offer the possibility of even bigger savings .
Group control Lighting control for a group of luminaires typically can use a local control cabinet or controls via wireless radio frequency ( RF ) communication , power-line communication , DMX or DALI . This allows the dimming of a group of lighting points according to predefined profiles or the detection of people and vehicles . Potentially without the need for extensive commissioning , this approach offers energy savings while still providing all the required light on demand . DMX allows precise and sophisticated control especially for colour-changing light installations .
Wireless control For larger installations , RF wireless control allows luminaires to be controlled and monitored remotely , giving lighting managers the power to check for faults , respond immediately to changing lighting needs , and make sure light is only used when it is needed . The ability to conduct preventive maintenance means more reliable service , as well as big savings of time and money . The added benefit of controls is the possibility of connecting lighting to other smart applications , potentially enabling features like integration with traffic and weather monitoring , or responding to emergencies . The opportunities are growing by the day as other smart services come on line , so the future applications are becoming ever more exciting .
With the introduction of new technology we are able to develop new products which provide a sensible and cost effective solution to the need for energy reduction and which vastly improves the aesthetics of our towns and cities . So whether you are looking at street lighting for a major city , a small housing development or a university campus , the same solutions can be applied .
www . thornlighting . co . uk / en-gb / solutions / urban-life-lighting
Follow us @ ludmagazine www . landud . co . uk 37