Actually – this isn’t just for electrical contractors!  Just about anyone can learn how to commission a networked lighting control system (NLC), writes Steve Mesh.

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) recently announced it welcomed the news that congressional leaders have reached an agreement on an omnibus spending package that also includes important energy and tax policy provisions. 

While “circadian lighting” varies in definition, it generally refers to design that uses intensity and spectrum of light for a non-visual effect—namely, to support regulation of circadian rhythms. A new study suggests that by enabling intensity and spectral adjustment and optimizing exposure based on time of day, designers and owners can minimize the energy tradeoff imposed by associated typically much-higher light levels. This would entail use of an advanced lighting control system capable of scheduled dimming and perhaps spectral emission adjustment.

A U.S. Department of Energy-funded Pacific Northwest Energy Laboratory (PNNL) study found that hospital nurses value controllability in lighting and that this controllability can translate to greater satisfaction among patients.

Jeremy Day, Application Engineering Director for LumenPulse, wrote an interesting article laying out a simple process for designing a lighting control system.

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)  recently announced the creation of its new Industrial Control Panel Council to promote the proper installation of industrial control panels, provide guidance and recommendations on installation practices for various jurisdictions, advocate for Standards and best practice documents for the industry, and develop educational materials. 

McWong International, a leading innovator in Bluetooth® mesh technology, collaborated with LEDRAbrands and Casambi to create a unique, responsive commercial lighting environment for LEDRAbrands’ new corporate headquarters in Irvine, California. The project, detailed in the partners’ new white paper, focused on several objectives.

The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) and the DesignLights Consortium (DLC) recently released results of a new study that strengthens the case for expanding use of networked lighting controls (NLC) to significantly drive energy savings in commercial and industrial buildings. The report found that energy savings possible by adding NLCs to LED lighting projects approach 70 percent for some building types, with savings across various categories of buildings averaging 49 percent.

The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) recently published a study seeking to compare one-for-one luminaire level lighting control (LLLC) retrofits with a comprehensive networked lighting controls (NLC) redesign. Conducted by the University of Oregon, the study found that a one-for-one LLLC upgrade produced comparable energy savings and lighting quality at a competitive cost.

“In my latest education express course, Integration and Building Automation, I discuss basic uses for a Building Automation System (BAS). One use not mentioned is Contact Tracing, which has been brought to the foreground primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic (also known as Coronavirus). Contact tracing is potentially an essential part of safely re-opening businesses during Coronavirus and since lighting fixtures and lighting controls are necessary wherever people occupy a building, building management can make use of intelligent lighting control systems to improve their contact tracing methods to ensure their occupants are safe.”

This educational video, produced by the Lighting Controls Association, introduces the building industry to McWong International’s TruBlu commissioning tool for SIG-qualified Bluetooth mesh lighting control networks.

Presented by Craig DiLouie, LC, CLCP, education director for the Lighting Controls Association, this 30-minute webinar provides a deep overview of tunable-white lighting, a relatively new dimension of LED lighting control that is pioneering new capabilities and applications.

Intermatic recently released a video describing its safety measures during the pandemic, resulting in the company back to operating at 100% capacity.

Endeavor Business Media and the Lighting Controls Association (LCA) are pleased to announce their collaboration agreement on Strategies in Light and its Sapphire Awards program. The Sapphire Awards will be held on June 23, 2021 at the Club Auto Sport in San Jose, CA.

Based on its recent analysis of the North American building Internet of Things (IoT) platforms market, Frost & Sullivan recently recognized Enlighted, Inc., a Siemens company, with the 2020 North America Company of the Year Award.

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association  (NEMA) recently launched its new website, showcasing a fresh look for the Association with its mobile-responsiveness and easy-to-navigate design. The revamped website encompasses many features to help users get faster search results, filter by news type or topic, and customize personal newsfeeds with a new preference center.

With increasing frequency, lighting control systems are tasked to interoperate with other building systems such as building automation systems (BAS) to share information and automate building functionality. Ensuring communication and smooth interoperability is called integration, a potentially challenging undertaking during a project. This is the topic of a new Education Express course developed for the Lighting Controls Association by C. Webster Marsh, HLB Lighting Design.

This month, we explore a dynamic, complex, and award-winning lighting controls installation at Jewel Changi Airport in Singapore.

The Lighting Controls Association (LCA) now offers EE115: Integration and Building Automation as a new course in its popular Education Express program.

The previous post on Tunable-White Building Blocks talked about differences between using low-level analog control technology as opposed to networked lighting control (NLC) systems that employ digital communication between components. Analog technology such as 0-10V dimmers can in fact be used to control certain color-changing luminaires. Let’s be specific about which types. There are actually three main types of color-changing lighting systems – “dim-to-warm”, “tunable-white”, and “RGB.”

“Tunable-white and other forms of color-changing lighting have added an extra dimension of capability, flexibility, and complexity to the lighting industry,” writes Mesh. “It’s almost as though we’ve gone from a 2-dimensional world to a 3-dimensional world based on the added complexity of controlling the luminaire’s coloration (typically measured by Correlated Color Temperature ) separately from the luminaire’s lumen output. Don’t be scared! Even though this has exponentially increased the complexity of the equipment and technology, you still don’t need a PhD in lighting to understand this new landscape.”

Produced by Intermatic, this very clever video modeled after the introduction to HBO’s GAME OF THRONES show illustrates how the company’s lighting control and HVAC/R solutions can improve occupant comfort, reduce maintenance costs, and deliver lasting value for a variety of application types.

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has announced the establishment of its Healthcare Facilities Council (HFC) to help improve healthcare delivery environments while expanding market opportunities for manufacturers serving the healthcare facilities market. The HFC creates a forum for professionals to share knowledge and best practices in the area of healthcare delivery environments and execute projects that improve outcomes for the healthcare, electrical, and medical imaging industries.

This educational video, produced by the Lighting Controls Association, introduces the building industry to Eaton’s Pow-R-Command, a microprocessor-based programmable lighting and plug load control system.

Leviton recently announced that it is now accepting applications for My Leviton Pro – a new support and rewards program geared toward professional installing contractors. The program is available through the My Leviton app for Decora Smart Wi-Fi devices, which has been updated on iOS and Android platforms. The app now includes a special login for professional electricians and integrators, an exclusive 1-800 support number, and easy-to-earn rewards.

In a recent issue of LD+A, editor Paul Tarricone evaluated three examples of leading-edge control projects, including a Lexus dealership, manufacturing plant, and a corporate office, examining the value today’s advanced controls can deliver to spaces and business operations that go far beyond energy cost savings.

In this article published in LD+A, Chris Davis talks about how collaboration, not technology, is key to implementing smart cities that solve problems and satisfy users.

Leviton recently announced a new online and robust product support center on their website for customers to access at any time. Leviton.com/support is a one-stop resource for contractors or DIYers to watch product installation videos, download instruction sheets, get pro tips, and search frequently asked questions.

Leviton recently announced the opening of its Leviton LIVE experience center in Chicago. The state-of-the-art facility will allow customers to experience first-hand how Leviton’s innovative products can transform any space via private in-person or virtual tours.

Authored by Craig DiLouie, LC, CLCP, education director for the Lighting Controls Association, this webinar provides an overview of approaches used to automatically control plug loads in commercial buildings. Topics include code requirements, strategies, devices, system integration, and key decision-making points.

Out of 685 submissions, 11 designers were recognized for outstanding lighting design projects, with 288 designers receiving an Award of Merit. Two projects received an Award of Excellence in a special category, Lighting Control Innovation, sponsored by the Lighting Controls Association.

The Lighting Controls Association is pleased to welcome EiKO, LLC as a new member.

Leviton Lighting Brands recently announced a partnership with BIOS® to expand its offering of humancentric lighting solutions. Birchwood, Intense, ConTech, and Viscor will integrate BIOS SkyBlue technology into existing product offerings.

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) joined nine other Standards developing organizations to file a “friend of the court” legal brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, for copyright protection in the Standards development process. The case, Milice v. Consumer Product Safety Commission, involves a claim that industry Standards lose their copyright protection when referenced in Federal regulations.

Watch this video for an introduction to how GE Current, a Daintree company is enabling intelligent industrial environments with an innovative combination of LED lighting, sensors and controls, energy management applications, and an open architecture that supports the implementation of the Internet of Things.

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) recently announced that American National Standard for Light-Emitting Diode Drivers—Methods of Measurement is now available. This standard describes the procedures to be taken in measuring performance of LED drivers.

With Lutron’s lighting designer app for the Athena System, one can program and personalize scenes in real-time, right in the space from an iOS device.

This article, based on the Lighting Controls Association’s new Education Express course EE202: Automatic Plug Load Control, provides an overview of approaches used to automatically control plug loads in commercial buildings.

Douglas Lighting Controls®, a member of the Panasonic family of companies, recently announced its Dialog® eco-system has been approved by DesignLights® Consortium and in their Qualified Products List (QPL) under Network Lighting Controls (NLC). The Dialog listing covers all Douglas Dialog products, including Dialog Centralized and Distributed Systems, Bluetooth Network System, and CheckLight® Energy Management System.