Getting the best possible light

The requirements being placed on control systems in buildings are becoming more and more complex. Bus systems can control the heating, air conditioning, blinds, timers, access systems, cameras and video machines and of course also the lighting.

Often, several hundred luminaires are combined into complex switching groups depending on the various ways in which rooms are used, and these luminaires can produce an extremely wide range of lighting moods in time or event-controlled scenes. Lighting control systems offer a high level of convenience, reduce operating costs and help conserve energy for the benefit of the environment.

A light sensor, for example, may be placed above a work area in a room. It will measure the total amount of light, comprising natural daylight and artificial light. The user can enter a set point value.

If this value is exceeded (when sun shines in for example) the artificial lighting will be turned down until the set point value is reached again. These "intelligent controllers" can save up to 75% in electricity costs compared with conventional systems.