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Steve Arthur
the other requires installers to transform
their business practices. A savvy installer
can increase their worth by acquiring skills
in deploying intelligent and connected
lighting systems, allowing them to attract
differentiated, higher-margin projects.
From a facility owner perspective, they
are already paying to install and maintain
the lighting infrastructures in the spaces
they manage. By moving to connected
lighting systems, business owners can
realise operational and energy cost savings
for a small incremental cost increase
relative to a traditional system.
Like installers, distributors have an
opportunity to embrace the digital
ceiling and become part of the intelligent
LED lighting revolution. Not every
application requires intelligent luminaires,
but developing expertise in this space
can extend distributors’ repertoire and
differentiate them from competitors. A
distributor that positions itself as a go-to
practice for the latest information about
cutting-edge lighting technology has a
distinct advantage over a traditional lamps-
only distributor.
APPLICATIONS FOR LED
LUMINAIRE-INTEGRATED
CONTROLS
One of the great advantages, and
also one of the challenges of intelligent
and connected lighting systems, is their
flexibility for a broad range of applications.
Systems can be any size, from a few lights
in a single enclosed office, to a network
of individually controllable light points
installed across a warehouse facility.
However, it is the retrofit market that is
driving growth in LED luminaire-integrated
control solutions. Facility managers
considering upgrading conventional
lighting fixtures are looking beyond a
simple switch to LED, to the benefits of LED
with wireless capabilities and controllability
without the complexities and installation
demands associated with traditional
controlled lighting systems.
Products showcased at SPARC, such
as the Philips GreenUp Highbay, provide
an integrated solution that combines
controller, sensor and luminaire in one.
Through these new market offerings,
electrical contractors are able to provide
a point-to-point retrofit replacement
of conventional fluorescent T5 and
conventional highbay light fittings with
energy savings of up to 75% compared
to traditional Philips HID 400W high-bays
and up to 54% versus traditional Philips
T5 HO 4x54W high-bays. Further energy
savings can be achieved with integrated
intelligent controls for occupancy and
daylight detection, as well as wireless
zoning (Zigbee facilitates wireless control
and mesh networking).
Savvy contractors will look to provide
services beyond initial installation of these
types of luminaires, including configuration
of warehouse zones to match occupation
and routing density for optimal space
design and utilisation. Re-zoning can be
managed by the electrical contractor, or
facility manager, using a simple remote
control, without the need for specialised
devices or technicians. This has the added
advantage of shortening design and
planning periods, and reducing overall cost
of ownership.
THE CONTRACTOR OPPORTUNITY
The opportunity for electrical contractors
to create value through lighting has never
been greater, but for many contractors,
this will mean evolving as the lighting
and power industries focus on delivering
integrated connected solutions.
Contractors today will need to consider
how to remain competitive in a continually
changing environment, particularly as
connected solutions will be second nature
to the today’s apprentices. Contractors
should consider:
>
Asking Australian manufacturers and
distributors about product training.
Most will offer training in system design,
installation, integration of technologies,
programming, commissioning and
ongoing support.
>
Building a network to supplement your
expertise and broaden your service
offering.
>
Regularly attending industry events and
visiting industry websites.
Steve Arthur has been involved in the
electronic component and lighting industry
for more than 15 years in Australia and
internationally. Steve has previously led the
OEM business for Philips Lighting in Australia
and is now bringing his expertise and passion
for lighting and energy efficient LED lighting
solutions to the Trade Channel.
A SNAPSHOT OF CONNECTED
LIGHTING PROTOCOLS
When considering luminaires with integrated
controls for a specific project, it is valuable to
first have an understanding of the pros and
cons of the various lighting systemprotocols.
Common types include: wireless, DALI and
Power over Ethernet (PoE).
Wireless
>
Pros:
Retrofit, potentially fewer wires.
Easy low cost installation in retrofit
application.
>
Cons:
Can be unreliable for high
bandwidth lighting control (for dynamic
and colour-changing effects and light
shows, for example) and can be subject
to interference from other competing
wireless signals within a space. A
comprehensive Radio Frequency (RF)
site survey is a very important part of the
planning process.
DALI
>
Pros:
Established digital lighting
standard (IEC 62386).
>
Cons:
requires recommissioning
on ballast replacement within an
existing system, limited data and slow
communication speed. Costly to retrofit,
as re-wiring is required.
Power-over-Ethernet (PoE)
>
Pros:
Easy installation, easy integration.
>
Cons:
Limited wattage per fixture, no
standards for lighting.