Lighting typically accounts for 20-30% of commercial building electricity consumption. Effective control significantly reduces this whilst maintaining appropriate illumination for occupants.
Control Strategies
Time scheduling provides basic control, switching lighting according to building occupancy patterns. Occupancy detection refines this by responding to actual presence within zones. Daylight harvesting dims artificial lighting when natural light suffices. Scene control recalls predefined lighting configurations for different activities.
Technology Options
DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) provides individual luminaire control with status feedback. KNX offers broader building automation integration, particularly popular in Europe. Proprietary systems from major manufacturers provide comprehensive solutions but limit future flexibility.
BMS Integration Benefits
Integrating lighting control with the BMS enables coordinated operation with HVAC and other systems. Shared occupancy data eliminates duplicate sensors. Central scheduling simplifies management across multiple systems. Unified alarming and reporting improves operational visibility.
Practical Implementation
Zone definition significantly affects both cost and functionality. Smaller zones offer finer control but increase complexity and expense. Perimeter zones benefit most from daylight harvesting. Circulation areas suit occupancy control with appropriate timeout periods.
Commissioning Considerations
Lighting control requires careful commissioning to achieve designed performance. Daylight sensors need positioning away from direct sunlight and artificial light sources. Occupancy sensor sensitivity and timeout settings require tuning to actual use patterns. User training ensures designed features are understood and accepted.