At its simplest, lighting control is simply flicking a switch to turn lights on or off, or adjusting the light output up or down using a dimmer.

The development of technology in recent years however, has increasingly automated these functions and also allowed integration between the lighting and other systems such as blind control, AV, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, etc.

This has provided huge opportunities for energy saving, as well as increased levels of comfort and convenience for those who live or work in buildings with such control systems.

Any good lighting design these days, should certainly include a comprehensive controls design. Effective lighting control supports the goals of the lighting application: which is usually to provide a pleasing visual environment yet minimise energy wastage.

Lighting control principally has three elements:

1. It receives information;
2. It decides what to do with that information i.e. should lights switch on or off, dim up or down;
3. It takes the necessary action to ensure the lights respond accordingly.

Back to the simplest form of lighting control, the human interface:

1. On a cloudy afternoon, a worker finds it hard to see the work on his desk;
2. He decides the office lights should be on;
3. He gets up from his desk, walks to the light switch, and turns it on.

However when the clouds clear, and the sun comes out, it is unlikely that he will be as quick to turn the lights off!

With an automated control system, the lighting control would function this way:

1. The local light level sensor records the drop in level of natural light;
2. As it falls below a pre-set level, the system determines that increased artificial lighting is required;
3. The control system dims up the office lights to reach the pre-set preferred light level.

When the clouds clear, and natural light increases, the office lights automatically dim or turn off.

An effective control system ensures lighting only operates when needed. Significant savings on expenditure for energy can be made in this way.

Studies suggest that reductions of up to 50% can be made in lighting energy consumption in existing buildings, and 35% in new constructions.

Cost savings such as these ensure a short payback and a high rate of return for the initial investment in the new controls.

Lighting Control

The Purpose of Lighting Control