Lighting Control System - Controlling Categories

Controlling Categories

Lighting control systems provide the ability to automatically power a device based on:

• Chronological time (time of day)
• Astronomical time (sunrise/sunset)
• Room or outdoor space occupancy (motion sensors)
• Presence of daylight (lighting costs and energy conservation, and daylight harvesting)
• Events
• Alarm conditions
• Program logic (any combination of events)

Chronological time is a specific time of day as pre-set timers use. Astronomical times includes sunrise, sunset, a specific day of the week or days in a month or year. Room occupancy might be determined with motion detectors or RFID tags, and is part of security and energy conservation programs. Artificial lighting energy use can be reduced by automatically dimming and/or switching electric lights in response to the level of daylighting, a technology known as daylight harvesting. Mobile phone operated controls can turn on a basic group of circulation—safety fixtures serving exterior—interior locations on approach, or to preheat a "water spa" in advance of returning. Events might include special fixtures for social occasions and holiday lighting, or overall brightness for cleaning. Alarm conditions can include doors opening and motion detected in a protected area, or manual "panic buttons-all lights on" for occupants sensing a possible intrusion. Program logic can tie all of the above elements together using constructs such as if-then-else statements and logical operators.