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LIGHTING
LIGHTING CONTROLS PRIMER
The selection of lighting controls is a complex task. If
chosen unwisely, the lighting will be ineffective and/or
difficult to maintain. The aim of this article is to provide
advice to inform those working in the public infrastructure
realm to enable them to check that their designer is
choosing a suitable lighting control system.
There are four types of dimming protocols:
• Phase dimming uses a simple phase chopping circuit
originally developed for incandescent lighting
controlled usually by a rotary switch or similar.
• Zero to 10V dimming works by running a set of two
control cables to each luminaire in addition to the
power cables.
• DALI dimming Digital Addressable Lighting Interface is
a protocol that allows each luminaire to be addressed
individually using a digital signal and is the most
modern dimming system being developed. It requires
two wires to each device in addition to the power
cabling. As each luminaire can be digitally individually
addressed it allows “scenes” to be created through third
party controllers that are programmed to achieve the
results required.
• DMX provides 512 channels per “Universe” that is very
useful for controlling lighting where there are large
numbers of RGBW lighting sources such as on a building
façade.
DIMMING CONTROL SYSTEMS
The choice of the dimming method is only one part of
the design. The second consideration is how the lighting
will be controlled.
Generally there are three options:
1. Local: The lighting is controlled from a local panel,
usually quite simply using rotary or similar controls.
ideal for smaller projects..
2. Centralised: The lighting is controlled from a central
point by a “head end” panel of some sort, ideal for
complex designs such as lighting the façade of major
buildings, complex catenary lighting or tunnel lighting
tasks. It allows very complex lighting designs such as
colour shift and special shows to be programmed. It can
be used for daylight harvesting and for remote control.
3. Distributed: Individual luminaires have intelligence and
link together usually using WiFi which is ideal for street
lighting and for office lighting within council buildings.
The most modern development, it allows ease of
extension to lighting plans and is the most flexible. In
the office environment, for instance the lighting can be
programmed at each desk position to suit the
GOVLINK » ISSUE 2 2018
participant using a hand held device by managers. It
doesn’t require a technician and doesn’t require
rewiring of existing lighting positions.
EXAMPLES
Webb Australia are responsible for designing a large
number of successful lighting installations using the
various dimming technologies. Some examples include:
The Ross Street path in Toorak: This installation uses
combined sensor controls and dimming with solar power
to provide non-grid connected path illumination with
reduced energy consumption thereby reducing solar
panel size and frequency.
Centralised system examples include the Melbourne
GPO and the Larissa underpass. Each involved complex
designs and programing to produce vibrant effects. Follow
the link to see the dynamic lighting of the Larissa
underpass. This very successful installation stopped
vandalism and made the underpass popular with local
commuters and residents. https://vimeo.com/64692959
A good example of distributed lighting is the Council
offices of the City of Kingston. The existing fluorescent
lighting was changed to LED with distributed control. The
final installation resulted in energy savings approaching
50% of previous use as well as greatly improving user
comfort for Council staff.
Barangaroo Headland Park: A safe, energy efficient and
visually attractive public environment was created for
people of all ages and mobility to enjoy the Park during
the day and night, with the space being accessible 24
hours a day. The installation comprised of specially
manufactured LED post top luminaires of a single type
and regular spacings provided a recognised standard for
development across Barangaroo. Narrow strip lights,
embedded at regular intervals, located within the ‘1836’
sandstone wall and central promenade sandstone provide
feature aesthetic. A distributed control system, in
conjunction wit