Car park owners and operators can now install energy efficeint technologies while helping their bottom line. Steve Arthur from Philips Lighting explains.

Connected lighting technologies have transformed the way we light spaces and the way we engage with light within spaces. In recent times we have seen how connected wireless lighting has transformed homes and offices, warehouses and even our cities.

One application where new wireless connected lighting technologies is anticipated to make a notable positive impact is in the thousands of car parking garages in cities, shopping centres, apartment buildings, hotels and transport hubs across the country, many of which utilise conventional fluorescent batten lighting that remains switched on all day, every day.

Until recently for car park owners and operators wanting to reduce energy consumption, retrofit options have come with high installation costs and unavoidable complexities in turn impacting Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) or payback periods. This is in particular due to nature of re-wiring in existing car parks with concrete ceilings.

However with the introduction of point-to-point wirelessly controlled LED lighting solutions from manufacturers including Philips, car park owners, operators and contactors now have a viable solution in comparison to fixed output fluorescent battens, that ticks the boxes – lighting plan flexibility, light source efficiency, switch and light control possibilities, ease of installation and commissioning.

Designed for efficiency and control

There are two key design aspects that differentiate the latest batten lighting options for car park lighting from common conventional car park lighting; luminaires are designed with inbuilt sensors for occupancy and daylight detection and wireless capabilities for additional functionality and controllability*.

Occupancy and daylight detection

There are busy times and quiet times in a car park environment but conventional lighting systems can’t tell the difference; they are always ‘on’.

With inbuilt occupancy sensors linked to controls, car park owners and operators are now able to, reduce overall car park lighting levels to, for example 30 per cent during quiet times, until the movement of a vehicle or person is detected by a presence sensor. When movement is detected, lighting levels can instantly return to 100 per cent for clearer movement, whilst other areas with no movement remain dimmed in power saving mode, reducing energy consumption.

Daylight harvesting sensors ensure a constant lux level enhancing the visual experience of visitors while at the same time also reducing energy consumption.

Mesh network and wireless zoning

Switching from conventional fluorescent battens to LED battens with controls in existing car parks has previously presented challenges particularly as car parks typically have concrete ceilings.

With wireless capabilities built into individual luminaires, car parking spaces can be easily divided into specified ‘zones of light’ by carefully positioning presence detectors that are wirelessly linked to the luminaires near by so that lighting is effectively ‘one step ahead’ of pedestrian and vehicle access. This also means more energy conscious use of lighting as light is only switched on when and where it is needed.

As an example, the Philips GreenPerform batten with G2 Actilume Wireless, utilises the ZigBee wireless communication protocol, which means up to 50 adjacent luminaires can be wirelessly programmed into one zone. It is important however to remember that the size, shape and location of zones should be designed to match the occupation and routing density of people and cars allowing optimum balancing of comfort and safety with energy savings.

Planning is key

When creating a wireless networked lighting plan there are a number of factors that need to be taken into account at the design stage.

Luminaire connections

The impact of blocking objects such as lift shafts with metal sidewalls, corridors, concrete beams and differences in ceiling heights that separate luminaires need to be considered when networking each light zone.

Luminaire positioning

Where luminaires are mounted can impede commissioning so it is essential to allow for recommended distances between wall and luminaire.

Sensor positioning

Where sensors are placed also impacts the success of a car park lighting installation. Whether a new build or retrofit, it is essential to analyse the car park area design and anticipated movements through the car park. Consider the direction of both cars and people throughout the area. This will inform how the area is to be lit, how lighting zones are to be created, how each zone is activated and how one zone flows to the next zone, and the next, around a entire car park.

 Zoning considerations

When it comes to network zoning with wireless lighting there are essentially three layout options contractors need to know about depending on the needs of the application: Flexible layout, Economical layout or Combinational layout.

• Flexible layout

For car parks installations where complete flexibility in terms of both lighting and control is required, grouping and connecting only ‘master luminaires’ offers the best approach.

Installing all ‘master luminaires’ means that each luminaire can function as an independent connected unit. This also enables simple pairing or re-zoning by application can be done easily by the contractor as a commissioning service or by the end user.

• Economical layout

Where less flexibility is required, consider zones that incorporate one ‘master luminaire’ connected to a group of ‘slave’ luminaires to form a wireless connected unit.

• Combinational layout

A combinational layout incorporates wireless ‘master luminaires’, standalone sensors, wireless terminals and ZigBee controls woven in a connected lighting network. With this type of layout, grouping and re-zoning can be achieved without changing the physical connection between the units.

A win-win lighting solution for contractors

Contractors today need to continually be on the look out for new lighting solutions that enable them to deliver greater value to existing customers and also expand their customer base.

With the introduction of wirelessly-controlled LED luminaires that offer a point-to-point retrofit replacement option for car park applications savvy electrical contractors will see this as a new business opportunity not only in replacing conventional luminaires, but also through the commissioning of each project.

To stay abreast of the latest lighting technologies contractors should regularly:

• Consult their local electrical wholesaler to find out about the latest lighting products and solutions
• Visit industry and manufacturer websites, and ask about product training. Most manufacturers will offer training in system design, installation, commissioning (zoning) and ongoing support

 * comparison to fixed output fluorescent battens