Scene Recall For Meeting Rooms

Each business or organization requires a meeting room, and probably a showroom as well.

A meeting room does not only serve as a place to exchange ideas, but more importantly it is the face of the organization to customers, to talk business and as a stage to show off the best parts of the company. It is very much like the living room to a house, in any interior renovation, the portion of the budget allowed to the meeting room is the most important one.

The larger an enterprise, the larger the meeting room, and also the more meeting rooms are needed; and they may even need to be flexibly combined in different ways to satisfy the different scale of meetings that can take place.

The atmosphere of a meeting room consist of not just the interior decor and the furnishings, just as important is the appropriate combination of lighting needed for each phase of a meeting.

The most typical usage scenes include having a meeting, discussions, presentations, lectures, and having the lights all on.

At each stage of an event, the right atmosphere is created not just by the right combination of lighting, but it also includes the curtains and projector screen as well. A modest budget is sufficient to transform a mundane meeting room to a technologically sophisticated meeting room.

A large selection of user interface devices is available, including touch panel screens, touch sensitive switches, digital switches, mobile phones, or even tablet computers, all of which can be mixed and matched.

Whichever device is used, just a single touch is needed to transform the atmosphere of the room by changing the lighting, the curtains and the projector screen. Each scene that is expected to be needed is first preset into the system in advance of the event so that they can be easily recalled with the touch of a button. This approach is preferable than having to muck the various switches to set the right lighting atmosphere.

Introduction to Lighting Energy Saving Switches

A good design should take the characteristics of the space into consideration, such as how often that space is occupied in order to determine the approach, which could be one of the following:

  1. Occupancy Mode
  2. Vacancy Mode
  3. Simple manual control using a wall switch
  4. Manual switching with delayed auto off

K15 Occupancy

The basic premise is to have people manually turn the lights on. Often used for places which are not occupied for very long, where people come and go but not very frequently. Places that are infrequently used such as restrooms, elevator lobbies late at night, storage rooms, laundry rooms and so on.

Method of Control: Manual on, auto off.

Normally, sensors are used for motion, with infrared types being the most common, but basement parking is quite warm, and restroom is partitioned into stalls both of which diminishes the effectiveness of IR sensors unless the delay time is somewhat prolonged.

Solution: Lights can be turned on from any wall switch or by the use of sensors, after which a delay starts:

  1. Wall switches may still be used to turn the lights off manually, the sensor will enter standby mode after 30 seconds.
  2. If after the 30 second delay is up and there is no motion such as a hand being waved over the sensor then it means that no one is around, then the lights are turned off and the sensor enters standby mode.

In the past, sensors are quite commonly used, but having the sensor turn the lights on and off too frequently will only harm both the lamps and the relays controlling them, by shortening their lifespans. But there are times where the lights does not need to be turned only, but the sensors turn them on anyway which results in unnecessary wastage of energy. If this were to affect an infrequently used small room with only a few lamps, then it wouldn’t matter much, but if it were for a large area such as an elevator lobby, hallway or a restroom, then the lifespan of the lamps would be substantially be reduced. In addition, large capacity lamps such as gas discharge lamps, streetlights, where a long start up time is needed, then sensors are also inappropriate.

Application Features
  1. Upon leaving, the occupant may manually turn the lights off; no need to wait for the delayed auto off to kick in.
  2. At night, from the bedroom to the bathroom, the lights will turn on automatically, but the lights can be turned off at the bedside manually (K15 with the push button switch)
  3. A long press on the push button connected to the K15 can have the lights remain on and temporarily ignore the sensor.

Vacancy Mode

Application Area: Public spaces that are occupied for prolonged periods such as reception rooms, offices, workshops, classrooms, libraries and labs.

This is a supplementary capability to help turn the lights off to avoid wasting energy for public spaces when they are not occupied.

Method of Control:
  1. Lights can only be turned on manually
  2. When the occupant leaves they can turn the lights off manually; but if they forget then the auto off kicks in.
  3. If the delay off time is almost up, one needs only to wave at the sensor to extend the delay.
  4. The lights can still be forcibly turned off in instances such as when doing a presentation or when taking a nap.
Mode:
  1. The lights need to be turned on manually from the switch.
  2. When the occupant leaves, they should turn the lights off manually, but if they forget, the controller will turn the lights off automatically. The purpose of vacancy mode is for when the occupant leaves and the room becomes vacant.
Application Features
  1. If someone is just passing through and has no actual intention to turn the lights on, then it won’t turn on.
  2. If the lights need to be turned off then it can be, such as when making a presentation or taking a nap.

K20 Delay Switch

Area of Use: Hallway or stairwells; their primary use is for controlling the lights in long passageways or corridors. Push button switches should be installed along the length of the passageway for the convenient operation by the occupant.

Equipment: Multiple push button wall switches are installed along the length of the passage and connected in parallel, this would allow the lights to be turned on from anywhere and turned off from anywhere; anywhere a switch is installed. If the user forgets, the lights will still turn off automatically.

Energy Management for Building Administrators

Schools, office buildings and commercial centers, once they have finished construction and are turned over to the building administrators, it is only then that issues with energy management is discovered. But since the building is already built, what approaches can be implemented to add some form of energy management retroactively.

  1. Different approach for different spaces:

    Each type of space has its own characteristics, and the energy management approach should be made appropriate for that space.

    1. User pays system:

      Any space where there is a specific and identifiable party who uses that space can institute a user pays approach, this applies to places such as classrooms, piano rooms, and similar types of rental spaces.

    2. Conditional use

      For places where it would be difficult to implement a tariff based system such as offices, lounges, meeting rooms, libraries and other public rooms. These places can make use of energy saving controllers, such as restricting use based on time, temperature or in combination with sensors.

    3. Automatic schedule or sensor based control

      Used appropriately for various types of spaces such as hallways, elevator lobbies, halls, outdoors and parking lots.

  2. A central control system is not all encompassing, local smart controls are more effective

    In the past, whenever there is an issue with energy management, the immediate solution that comes to mind to implement a central control system. But this is not only expensive, but it does not guarantee that it will solve the problem.

    1. Local automatic controls

      For certain types of spaces, where effective control can be achieved locally and does not require the intervention of the central control. In such cases, central control only places a support role.

    2. Types of conditional control
      1. Insert card to use

        Such as a teacher’s card or administrator card that are the only ones authorized.

      2. Restricted use based on the time of day or the temperature, especially applicable to air conditioning.
      3. Preset time reset

        There are designated times of the day where the power is reset by cutting off the power then restoring it. But restoring power does not turn the lights on.

  3. Automatic Energy Saving Control
    1. Auto off: When the lights are turned on, an automatic delay off countdown is started.
    2. Power supplied but lights does not turn on: The occupant needs to manually turn on the lights, the sensor is only responsible for the turning the lights off when the occupant leaves and forgets. When the occupant leaves they still have the option to manually turn the lights off.
    3. Scheduled on and off.
    4. Reduced power: Alternate lamp posts, dimming, temperature restricted.
    5. Sensor control: Interactive control using temperature sensor, photo sensor, occupancy sensor.

Energy Management for Administrators

In any school, office building or commercial center. Once the construction of the building is finished and turned over to the building management, problems with energy management begin to surface. What techniques can be applied to rectify this situation.

  1. Different types of spaces should make use of different techniques:
    1. User pays:
      Can be applied to classrooms, dormitories, piano rooms, and any other rental places where the user has the responsibility for using the space.
    2. Conditional use:
      Can be applied to open offices, meeting rooms, libraries and similar shared spaces where no tariff can be charged to any particular user. These spaces can make use of energy saving controllers that allow operation depending on conditions, such as the time of day, having temperature thresholds, or making use of sensors.
    3. Scheduled or sensor control
      Public areas such as hallways, elevator lobbies, halls, outdoors and parking lots could either be controlled through a schedule or by using sensors.
  2. A control center is not all knowing, and having local control would be more effective
    Some time ago, when an energy management issue arises, the knee jerk solution is to implement some form of centralized control, but such an approach is not only expensive, but it also doesn’t really solve the problem.

    1. Local automatic control
      For certain spaces, there are ways in which there would be conditions that would allow for local automatic control without having to rely on centralized control, central control would merely serve as a supporting role.
    2. What are some of the methods of conditional control?
      1. Insert card to use:
        Such as with a teacher’s card or a card borrowed from the administrator, only with this card inserted would use be allowed.
      2. Controlled time of use and temperature thresholds, this is especially suited to air conditioners.
      3. Preset time power reset
        This would prevent not turning off after use. Every day there would be specific times of the day where the power would be reset, this is accomplished by first cutting the power off, then after a short delay, the power is restored, but the equipment would remain off, the equipment could only be turned back on manually by the user.
  3. Automatic energy saving methods
    1. Delayed auto off: After the user turns the lights on, the lights would automatically turn off after a certain delay.
    2. Sensor based auto off: When the user enters a room, they need to manually turn on the lights, the sensor monitors the presence of the user, when the user leaves, they can turn the lights off, but if they forget after leaving, the sensor detects their absence and automatically turns the lights off after a certain delay.
    3. Scheduled on and off.
    4. Reduced consumption control: alternate lamps, dimmed lights, temperature restrictions.
    5. Sensor control: Such as temperature, lux sensor both indoors and outdoors, occupancy sensor.

Prepaid Card System Uncommon Questions

  1. If everything is based on a user pays system, wouldn’t this be too rigid? Is there any place for variation, wherein tariff can be conditional?Yes this is possible, one can make use of either of the two methods below:
    1. Certain conditions can be set within the card reader (ex: temperature limit, time constraints), tariff is free within certain designated conditions, when the conditions are not met then the it would be the normal insert card user pays system.
    2. A card can be provided with a certain tariff allowance that is free to use, but once the free allowance is used up then tariff will be deducted from the card as normal.
  2. What types of conditional control are there?
    1. Insert card to use:Such as the teacher’s card or a special card from the administrator which serves to restrict use.
    2. Prohibited time periods and temperature limits: especially for air conditioning equipment.
    3. At designated timesAutomatic turn off in case the user forgets after using. Automatic turn off can be set for certain times of the day, once the time comes, power is automatically turned off, and then control reverts back to local control.

Lighting and Air Conditioning Control for Factories

A factory has many different areas, each area has its own functionality and a different approach to energy management for each.

  1. Open offices: Due to the nature of the work in factories, many office workers are often not at their desks. There should be switches in each section, during work hours, the lights are turned on in their respective sections, after office hours, each section would have automatic controls, the last person to leave simply presses one switch to turn off all the lights.
  2. Small offices and workshops: press once to turn on and press again to turn off, the lights and air conditioning would be controlled at the same time.
  3. Meeting rooms: press one to turn on, press again to turn off, the lights and air conditioning would be controlled at the same time.
  4. Stock room and machine room: these occupy large areas, and should be divided into sections, each section should have its own sensor control with automatic delayed off, if the lights need to remain on for prolonged periods, a switch would be available nearby which can be pressed to keep the lights on indefinitely. Another press would then restore the operating mode to auto off. Or one can make use of digital switches and have them installed in multiple locations enabling multiple access.
  5. Hallways: whether the area will be lit or not during the day will depend on the location of the hallway. Or it could be equipped with sensor control with auto off. It could also have multiple switches along the length of the hallway and it could also be centrally controlled.
  6. Outdoor lighting: Depending on the location, each month would have its own schedule turn on time. They would also be centrally controlled.
  7. All the lights and air conditioning would be centrally controlled, each section would have timer control.
  8. Conference halls and briefing rooms: digital switches would be used to control patterns. Air conditioning would be controlled by digital switches.
  9. Workshop machinery: Low voltage switches would be used on site, and would be linked to the control panel via a digital wiring, which would allow the operator to control the machines from where they are instead of having to go back and forth to the machine room, and can reduce the unnecessary running of the machines when not in use.
  10. Workshop lighting: each section would be separately controlled and also centrally controlled. No need to have them all controlled as a group.
  11. Air conditioning: there would be local switches in the working areas which would work in conjunction with central control.
  12. Emergency power load control: during a power outage, the generator power would be utilized optimally among the various loads depending on their priority. Once utility power is restored, the loads would switchover back to the main power in the right sequence.
  13. Emergency help button: When there is an accident, the nearest emergency button can be pressed which would then light all the emergency lights, sound the alarm, and show the location of the emergency on the control panel.

Selecting the Right Smart Home System For Real Estate Developers

How should real estate developers select the right smart home system?
Many real estate developers have the impression that simply having a touch panel or mobile phone controlling the lights and curtains make up a smart home, they have completely neglected future considerations regarding actual use and maintenance. This essay means to address this subject from this point of view as the starting point.

  1. Classic switches as the basis for smart lighting control
    The classic switches installed within each room can be used not only for controlling single lights but can also be made to control entire groups or even activate patterns. There is no need to rely on the fixed touch panel in the living room, nor on the remote control, this is because:

    1. It is more practical for the user to be able to control the lights directly from within the room itself rather than having to go to the living room nor look for the remote control.
    2. There are a greater variety of choices when it comes to design and materials with classic switches, some motifs even come in an entire series with power outlets, phone outlets and even network outlets. The developer can select the appropriate switches depending on the purpose, environment, quality and budget, smart lighting control can be achieved regardless of the switch that is chosen.
    3. No training needed, so easy to use that even children and elders can do it. Which completely eliminates the dilemma of “Affordable but unusable, or usable but unaffordable”.
    4. With the aid of electricians, installation is easier than ever.
    5. Switches will need to be eventually replaced, with classic switches this is not a big concern.
  2. When the controller malfunctions, it should be possible to retain basic operation of each individual switch.
    Only with such a capability would the contractor, system integrator, and proprietor be reassured. Consider that the lights are used primarily at night, if for any reason a component or part of the system fails, then there would be great tension as there is no way to turn the lights on. But with the failsafe switch control mechanism of DAE’s lighting control, this is no longer a point to worry about, this is because basic manual operation is always guaranteed.
  3. The more the circuit wiring and switches is similar to the traditional approach, the easier and simpler it is expand the circuit and reduce the problems associated with eventual servicing.
    When the user will repartition the space or perform some lighting renovation, they should be able to expand or adjust the switches by themselves and should not necessitate the involvement of the original vendor. In addition, the wiring should be as similar to traditional wiring as much as possible, to make future servicing easier. At the same time, classical switches are already very familiar and easily accepted by the old and young alike.
  4. Other factors that should also be taken into consideration:
    1. It must be attractive
    2. It must be convenient and easy to use
    3. It should be affordable
    4. Maintenance and repair should be easy, especially for smaller proprietors who may need to do their own expansions or renovations.
    5. The product and the system must be reliable.
    6. It should not be that the failure of the central processor will cause problems for the contractor.

Energy Saving Control for Outdoor Lighting

Energy saving control for street lighting, parking lots, daylit hallways and building facade lights.

Public outdoor lights are on for long periods of time, they cover large areas and are very bright, and thus they often enormous amounts of power. But since they are in the public, they are very visible and noticeable, oftentimes they are already on even when there’s still light, which gives the public the impression that there is no effort to save on energy, and management is ineffective. Hence, this is a focal point for energy management.

Most traditional approaches to energy saving for outdoor lighting is by making use of automatic control to turn the lights on or off, which works in conjunction with light and dark to automatically turn the lights either on or off, but this approach has several shortcomings.

  1. The lights should come on when it becomes dark, but it doesn’t mean that the lights should remain on up until it is light before turning off. The best approach is to have a different time schedule for each light post depending on its location to turn the lights on at a designated time and to turn it off early. But if automatic control is dependent entirely on a daylight sensor, then the lights would only turn off when it is light. The correct approach would be to turn on at a certain time depending on the venue, and turn off at a designated time, it should not be that the  lights only turn off when it is light. This is not something that can be easily done using a simple daylight sensor. But if a timer is used, it cannot adjust its time to match seasonal changes, and can either turn the lights on too early or too late.
  2. It can often be seen in sidewalks, that even though it is already daylight, the street lights are still on, this is often caused by the daylight sensors when their calibration skews over time. Or it could also be caused by having its receptors obscured by trees, nearby buildings or plant overgrowths, which causes it to malfunction. This results in much wasted energy and also in reducing the lamp lifespan, constantly maintaining the street lights to ensure that they are operating in peak condition is labor intensive and costly for both its labor and materials.
  3. The sensitivity of daylight sensors can vary widely, which can be seen in some areas wherein a segment of lights being turned on, while another segment in the same vicinity remaining off. This appears inconsistent and gives a bad impression to the public and reduces the quality of service.
  4. Daylight sensors do not gauge dimness in the same manner as people do, which causes the daylight sensors to turn on the lights even though people still think it is still light. This of course results in unnecessarily wasted energy. The administrator is unable to make adjustments to and is entirely at the mercy of the daylight sensor in deciding when to turn on the lights.
  5. The location in which to install the daylight sensor is very finicky, if there are objects or structures close by that could potentially block its receptors, then it could cause it to make faulty decisions. If the daylight sensor is in an ideal location, it could be far from the switch that controls the lights, which means that additional wiring need to be laid out from the sensor to the switch, which of course means additional labor and material costs, not to mention the difficulty in the actual construction job.

Improved Approach

  1. Make use of the K40 monthly adjustable controller, each month would have its own turn on time, which solves the problem of indeterminate turn on time, and won’t turn on too early nor too late. Since there is no longer the need to install a daylight sensor, it also eliminates the problems associated with the laying of the conduit wiring. Thus, costs are reduced. Turn on times are not determinate and all lights could now be synchronized.
  2. Depending on the place and purpose, it is not always necessary to have the lights all turn off at the same time, as for example, the circuit could be arrange so that the light posts alternate, or grouping could be made into primary and secondary circuits, and each group could have their own turn off time. Applications for this such as for billboards, exterior building wall wash lighting, pathways, streetlights, parking lots.
  3. Late at night, when few people are about, such as in parking lots, one could make use of the LT3000 with motion sensors, so that instead of leaving the lights on all night, they will only turn on when there are people about. Which also helps to reduce wasted energy.

In Conclusion

Daylight sensors are simple in principle, and they are inexpensive. But the difficulties that they cause results in much energy wasted and also in reduced lamp lifespan. With the use of the K40 and the K90 in combination with push button wall switches can be used to adapt to the routine and also helps to reduce energy use at the same time. In addition, they can be adjusted to the venue and seasonal changes, with the ability to change the turn on and turn off times which allows the administrator to be in control at all times.

Energy Saving Control for School Computer Rooms

Some schools have computer rooms that are open for the students to use, after peak hours most of the students have left, and so most of the time the room is unoccupied, but the lights and air conditioning all remain on, which results in much energy wasted.

Computers rooms are divided into multiple sections and each section would have their own lighting and air conditioning energy saving switch.

  1. The student can manually operate the buttons to turn on the lighting and power outlets in a given section.
  2. The air conditioning would be restricted: only when a certain temperature threshold is reached would the air conditioning be allowed from being turned on.
  3. Once the students have left, there will be a period of time where the room is being observed by the sensor to make sure that everyone has truly left, then it will automatically turn off the lights and the air conditioning.

Energy Saving Control for Small Rooms

Most small rooms such as pantries, copy rooms, smoking rooms, restrooms have people coming and going frequently but staying only for a very short time; they only a single circuit and the K15 or K24 smart sensor switches would be suitable for delayed auto off control.

  1. The K15 or K24 is recommended for such applications.
  2. Operate using the occupancy mode; lights will turn on when people come, lights turn off when people leave.
  3. Since these spaces have small areas, the lighting load is also low; hence, the internal relays of the K15 or K24 can be directly connected to the lighting without reducing the lifespan of the relays.
  4. It is recommended that the delay time be set to about 10 minutes or so.
  5. The sensor should not be installed near windows or ventilation openings as to reduce the false triggering.