elitedali Administrator – Leap Info Systems https://leapinfosys.com Convergent Lighting and Building Automation Technology Fri, 25 Mar 2022 08:27:52 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 Advantages of Having Convergent Lighting Controls & Automation https://leapinfosys.com/advantages-of-having-convergent-lighting-controls-automation/ https://leapinfosys.com/advantages-of-having-convergent-lighting-controls-automation/#respond Fri, 25 Mar 2022 08:19:08 +0000 https://leapinfosys.com/?p=7410

Advantages of Having Convergent Lighting Controls & Automation

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Building owners and facility management organizations are looking for solutions that will help them to

  1. Focus on sustainability
  2. Optimize the operational expenditure
  3. Equipment’s / Device’s life
  4. Availability and continuity

The current approach for these objectives is to make the best use of available technologies for remote monitoring, defect identification and notifications, energy monitoring and automation to the fullest possible extent. However, the challenge is to have various different vendors and suppliers for lighting controls, HVAC systems and installation of Internet-of-Things (IoT) technology separately.

The convergent lighting control and automation combine all of them using Niagara software powered technologies.

By implementing convergent lighting control solutions, the commercial complexes can be more energy efficient. With real-time data analytics system in place, monitoring energy consumption levels becomes a whole lot easier. Since the emergence and extensive adoption of IoT, solutions like lighting control systems have become the norm and a must-have solution in most projects.

Let us now explore the various benefits of having convergent lighting control and automation solutions:

Complete Access to Real-Time Data

With convergent lighting control and automation solutions in place, you can get a full picture of where the energy is being consumed the most, at what time of the day and allow you to make actionable decisions based on the data provided. The analytics provides you with overall energy usage data along with the condition of lighting and if any repairs as such are required. This makes it easy to identify places where energy can be utilized efficiently and if they require any attention from the maintenance team.

Easy-to-Understand Reports

The convergent lighting control and automation solutions generate tailor-made and simplified energy reports that help to provide you with all the information regarding what the energy consumption levels in a given commercial structure are. Data-driven decisions can be made for the future about how lighting consumption can be reduced to be more sustainable in nature. The reports also help you to showcase how much energy you have saved and provides suggestions on how you can be more energy-efficient in future.

Unlike in the traditional BMS approach, convergent lighting provides one compiled report that combines reports of HVAC systems and lighting using elitedali’s Niagara powered solutions.

Increased Energy Efficiency

Since the convergent lighting control and automation solutions, it can save energy on their own by dimming the light when there is no one in the lobby or reducing the consumption of light during the day. This makes energy consumption much more efficient. It is estimated that automated lighting solutions can reduce overall energy consumption by 30%. This is a clear indication that energy efficiency is higher if a convergent lighting control solution is used compared to a traditional lighting setup in a commercial complex.

Increased Cost Saving

As more energy is saved due to lighting automation, cost-saving increases too. Less energy consumed means less expenditure on it. Convergent lighting uses powerful and dynamic technology that helps to not only limit but also measure energy wastage. Therefore, it helps you to analyse how can you save costs in future as well. This means that by implementing convergent lighting control solutions, you are not only saving costs for today but you will also have the ability to measure and reduce costs in future using the data and reports generated from it.

Time-Saving

Convergent Lighting control solution means most of the light and energy-related operations are automated. This provides time for you to focus on other various core business activities. Just like how an organization can outsource hiring or handling accounts to an expert vendor, lighting solutions can be outsourced through convergent lighting automation. By dealing with just one vendor for all your building automation needs, convergent lighting solutions can also help you save time in terms of managing and following up with various vendors in case any issues arise.

Enhanced Uptime

Critical insights can be extracted from a large set of data. This can help in analyzing where the downtime is occurring more by focusing on those areas and therefore, improve the overall operational efficiency through convergent lighting control solutions. The convergent lighting solution also allows the overall insight into the asset &  equipment performance that is crucial for maintenance and service teams. Power generators among other such important assets are the ones that will help in improving the uptime.

Optimized Maintenance Time

Usually, the maintenance services are done even if they do not require one. This can be seen as a wastage of both resources, time and money. A better approach can be taken through convergent lighting control solutions wherein the maintenance schedules are created based on real-time data. This eliminates unrequired maintenance services as well as improve the overall efficiency of field visits by having only required personnel to resolve the issue. elitedali’s convergent lighting solution allows you to reduce the hassle of contacting various vendors as it merges BMS.

Conclusion

We at elitedali are revolutionizing lighting solutions for various organizations. We have certified partner integration with Niagara Software. We are also 100% DALI standard compliance and therefore, work with any available DALI lighting fixtures in the market. Our partnerships and compliance license allows us to broaden our distribution of automation lighting to all commercial infrastructure projects. If you are looking to get expert advice on automated lighting solutions, click here to get in touch with us.

]]> https://leapinfosys.com/advantages-of-having-convergent-lighting-controls-automation/feed/ 0 The Ins and Outs Of What is Daylighting In Lighting Control https://leapinfosys.com/what-is-daylighting-in-lighting-control/ https://leapinfosys.com/what-is-daylighting-in-lighting-control/#respond Tue, 22 Mar 2022 07:51:00 +0000 https://leapinfosys.com/?p=7389

The Ins and Outs Of What is Daylighting In Lighting Control

Controlling the amount of daylight entering into your room can be a great way to complement existing lighting systems. Natural daylight is vibrant and beneficial because of its impeccable intensity as well as nourishing advantages. More importantly, when you combine the effects of daylight with your lighting equipment, the energy demand reduces significantly, and you save a lot on electricity bills. Sunlight is an important determinant of human function as well. It is very closely linked to human physiology, and hence in commercial spaces, workers require controlled exposure to daylight for better optimization.

In this article, let us take a look at what is daylighting all about, and why people are stressing more on getting sunlight into our commercial systems more extensively.

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What is Daylighting And How Does An LMS Do It?

Daylight-based lighting control is nothing but the easy tweaking of light intensities on observing whether the daylight penetration is sufficient enough to illuminate all parts of a room. However, what remains to be understood here is how any lighting management system is able to implement this strategy? The smallest and the most important units of any lighting management system are its sensors.

Sensors are attached to every lighting equipment individually. Besides helping in changing the parameters remotely, they also deliver important information. This information can be regarding weather forecasts, ambient conditions, etc. Dynamic conditions can be analyzed very easily through the information received from sensors and subsequently, the parameters can be changed by users to increase or decrease the illumination of artificial lights. This way, artificial lights are made to complement sunlight at different points in a day, and this is what is daylighting all about.

What Is Daylighting Offering To Commercial Spaces?

●     Cut Your Business Expenses

Business managers are often looking for only cost-effective solutions to run their business. Reducing the energy consumption of the office, on the whole, is a great way of cutting a lot of expenses. If you are targeting long-term energy savings and a faster return on investment, daylighting can be a very good option for you. In fact, as per research papers published by researchers from across the globe, an expected 24 percent saving on the annual electricity expenditure can be expected with daylighting systems alone. So, what is daylighting trying to achieve? Simple, the target here is to use as much daylight as possible during office hours and keep the lights dim if not switched off.

●     Improved Employee Performance

It is no surprise that the office environment also plays a great role in deciding every employee’s productivity. When it comes to lighting and illumination, the contribution to employee performance and work optimization is immense. With bright and pleasant lighting in the office, the chances of workers suffering from eye strains get reduced by almost 50%. In the long run, this preserves eye function to a great extent. Moreover, working in a dark and gloomy environment often leads to drowsiness, headaches, and even depression.

Then what is daylighting’s tangible benefit, you may ask. Sunlight is a necessity for human existence, and it’s presence in every season is always uplifting for the mood as well as concentration. The body clock works according to the sun cycle, and hence, giving the body an exposure to the right sunlight intensity at the right is the most organic way of facilitating the mind.

●     Towards Sustainability

Climate change is real, and without a significant contribution from each of us, curtailing it won’t be possible. Big commercial spaces require several resources, among which the demand for electricity is simply massive. Therefore, adopting strategies like daylighting is important here because it gives some space to reduce electricity consumption. A reduced electricity consumption is linked to lesser air pollution as the need for burning more coal will primarily be less. Sustainability is an important agenda for 21st Century companies, and switching to daylighting could be the easiest way to start reducing your carbon footprint.

●     Interiors And Aesthetics

When you have a system that combines sunlight with artificial lights to illuminate a given space, you can expect some of the most aesthetically pleasing interior designs. Natural lighting usually makes a room look more spacious. Further, it helps release tight interior elements, making the space look larger. Interior designers are always keen on using more daylight to prepare designs that look fresh for a long time.

What is Daylighting: The Final Note

So, as you can see, the presence of a good amount of daylight in commercial spaces has multi-dimensional benefits. Taking advantage of modern lighting marvels and automated control systems to boost health, productivity, and aesthetics sounds like a useful plan. Since up to 90% of our time is spent indoors, it is crucial to keep services like daylighting in the foreground of building design. Intelligent and programmable lighting control systems allow users to make the best use of daylighting in their offices, shops, showrooms, etc.

elitedali is a renowned enabler for integrated lighting automation and control systems in commercial spaces. We specialize in delivering vendor-independent solutions that allow users to control and manage intelligent light fixtures. From the design and commissioning to the post-sales, we provide the complete solution for lighting control. We help users integrate lighting control panels into their BMS without requiring any third-party protocol converters. Thousands across the globe have sought our assistance to experience lighting automation. When are you planning to give us a chance? Still, find it hard to understand what is daylighting? Contact elitedali executives to know all the answers today.

]]> https://leapinfosys.com/what-is-daylighting-in-lighting-control/feed/ 0 Possibilities and Challenges In Smart Building Lighting Control https://leapinfosys.com/possibilities-and-challenges-in-smart-building-lighting-control/ https://leapinfosys.com/possibilities-and-challenges-in-smart-building-lighting-control/#respond Thu, 17 Mar 2022 07:47:45 +0000 https://leapinfosys.com/?p=7373

Possibilities and Challenges In Smart Building Lighting Control

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Perhaps the most revolutionary by-product of all experimentation done on Internet technology is the concept of the Internet of Things. Rendering the advantages of the internet network to everyday things was a unique and extraordinary concept in itself. But what is even more fascinating is the fast and rapid implementation that made us realize how IoT has the ability to touch our lives more profoundly than we imagined. The fact that the internet of things is strongly aligned with modern-day concern of energy conservation, makes it all the more important.

The Internet of Things being a generalized approach can be applied to many different objects in the environment. One prominent use case of IoT is its implementation in various aspects concerning a building. Interestingly, buildings are also one of the biggest consumers of electricity, and the cost of building operation is very difficult to manage and curtail.

It is this reason that forces building managers to look out for new technologies and services that can help in easing the lives of building owners, but also in taking care of the energy efficiency aspect. One department where the implementation of automation and control via IoT is gaining traction is lighting. Here in this blog, let’s check out the possibility of smart building lighting control and its key components.

Building Management Systems and Smart Building Lighting Control

Now that it is clear how important lighting control is for a smart building, it must be understood how this can be achieved. The problem with the existing building management systems is that they are not designed to access control over lighting systems fundamentally. Some attribute this shortcoming to the delayed rise of automation technologies in the lighting industry. Others suggest that the gross neglect of lighting as a source of convenience and savings may be at fault.

Anyhow, the solution for this problem is the external integration of lighting control panels with existing building management systems. While the concept is crystal clear, there are some challenges in this approach to access smart building lighting control. The use of third-party protocol converters which are expensive and complex is usually necessitated to solve this problem.  Also, establishing good degrees of interoperability between different systems within the building can be a challenge.

Despite these challenges, if building automation-based lighting control is enabled in a smart building, it has several benefits to offer. Firstly, detailed analysis and reports of occupancy data can be a game-changer when it comes to energy savings and cost reduction for commercial spaces. Similarly, the diagnosis of lighting system problems remotely is another advantage of having a central control on lighting systems by a BMS.

Direct Digital Control Modules For Lighting Control In Smart Buildings

If we look at the preparation of building management systems closely, it is notable that the technique of using distributed control networks for this purpose is more popular. When a distributed control network is prepared, then the scope of adding newer systems for automation is also enhanced significantly. Direct Digital Control is the technology used for distributed control network creation in Smart buildings.

If we take up the case of lights, then every lighting circuit that needs to be controlled is connected to a single direct digital control module. Here, every direct digital control module acts as a node on the distributed control network. This system is more beneficial than other models where a central automation processing unit was used. For those kinds of building automation systems, it was important for every new device to be connected to the central system for control and automation features.

As expected, achieving this on a large scale is next to Impossible. By using direct digital control modules, any new module that is added only needs to be connected with the adjacent existing model for it to become eligible for control via the building management software itself. Further, any computer with a direct digital control interface card can be utilized to establish a network or to monitor light activity. This forms the administration node.

The Communication Protocol Conundrum

BACnet, Modbus, and LonWorks have become synonymous with smart building control. Conventionally, the lack of any standard network control protocol was the reason why building automation systems did not pick up extensively among buyers.

Choosing among several systems from different manufacturers to fulfill our automation needs is a difficult task for a majority of buyers. This is where BACnet, Modbus, and LonWorks, the prominent open building automation protocols came into the picture. The problem with these open protocols is that most of them, especially BACnet, were specifically designed for HVAC networks. So, lighting control can be a very difficult add-on to smart buildings, considering that popular communication protocols themself do not cater to lighting needs.

The Way Out For Building Automation-based Lighting Control

Two things must have already become clear to you by now. Firstly, buying proprietary control solutions for every different system installed in a building is practically impossible. Secondly, making use of open communication protocols and purchasing additional third-party software to make smart building lighting control possible is not a practical solution.

For the second problem, it should also be noted that even though protocol converters are available for smart building lighting control. They are very complex to install and use in such situations. The need of the hour is to have vendor-agnostic solutions that enable lighting control irrespective of manufacturers. elitedali is a convergent smart building lighting control solutions provider. We offer an open standard framework that ensures interoperable lighting control features in all Niagara-based BMS solutions. Check out our host of other exciting offerings and contact for a consultation today.

]]> https://leapinfosys.com/possibilities-and-challenges-in-smart-building-lighting-control/feed/ 0 BMS Lighting Control For Future – Ready Buildings https://leapinfosys.com/bms-lighting-control-for-future-ready-buildings/ https://leapinfosys.com/bms-lighting-control-for-future-ready-buildings/#comments Tue, 15 Mar 2022 07:08:00 +0000 https://leapinfosys.com/?p=7359

Automated lighting solutions in one form or the other have become a household name already. These have emerged as one of the best ways commercial spaces can save big on energy expenditures. On the other hand, more people investing in construction projects are keen on having Building Management Systems installed for their space. These automation systems help in managing several aspects like heating, ventilation, circulation, etc.

Building management systems should undertake the responsibility of managing lighting control is what many users feel currently. While the demand for BMS lighting is quite right in its own place, the fact that making this happen involves a very complex process cannot be undermined. In this blog, let us take a look at how building management systems and lighting automation are being compiled to provide users with the kind of convenience that they desire.

Understanding Building Management System

The system that allows integration of all the electrical and mechanical processes going on in a building through a computer network is called a Building Management System. A building management system can be created in two possible ways. First, all existing systems on-premise can be integrated individually, and second, a new distributed control network can be established. For practical purposes, both these techniques are used in specific areas to create a bigger building management system. The best example of this situation is when a simple HVAC system is supplemented with lighting and security control features using special third-party software or protocols.

One thing to note is that since a building management system is entirely computer-dependent, it is only as good as its programming. The cost and expertise involved in the development of building management software decide the programming capabilities eventually. The simplest building management systems can only provide features like scheduling for control and automation. The more advanced versions can make use of fuzzy logic to better implement the benefits of intelligent automation and control.

BMS Lighting System: How Does It Work?

Entirely dependent on the kind of programming done to create the building management system is the manner in which it supports lighting control. The following techniques are popular for BMS lighting control:

●     Scheduling

Building management systems are traditionally capable of managing electrical loads via the technique of schedule creation. Schedules are created where certain electrical appliances or other equipment are only allowed to operate when the need arises. When the need is fulfilled, a mechanism is present that cuts off the circuit so that no energy wastage is possible. This was a good enough arrangement to provide a simple degree of automation and control. However, user demands and requirements from the lighting systems change spontaneously too. For this, no schedule can be created as such. But, there is no mechanism by which scheduling features could accommodate this requirement.

●     Manual Controlling

As consumers, we are already aware of manual controls for lighting systems. So, it won’t be hard for us to upgrade the same manual handling of lighting systems is the whole premise behind giving manual controls for lights in a BMS. This is different from just reaching out to the switchboard and switching the light off. Now, with BMS controls, you can install direct digital control modules that help you tune the lights as per your preference. So, if it’s a sunny day and the room is filled with sunlight, you can use the modules and switch off the light remotely.

●     Occupancy Sensors

This method works by using special sensors fit into your lighting systems that detect motion. So, whenever you enter and stay in a room, your lights will remain on for the entire length. As soon as you move away, and the sensors detect your absence, the lights will be turned off automatically. This automation is a great means of saving electricity and associated costs. Integrating occupancy data with the building management software will be beneficial in planning other services too. For instance, if only one part of the building is occupied and data is transmitted to the central system, other aspects like controlling the temperature automatically, or sending alerts to the security staff regarding this particular point can be initiated.

●     Wireless BMS Lighting

By using elaborate twisted-pair wiring, coaxial cables, or even routers, the dream of attaining wireless lighting control in buildings can be achieved. This control will be accessed via standard Internet Protocol networks like a corporate intranet or Global Intranet. Wireless BMS lighting setups can be expensive, so should be set up where instantaneous feedback mechanisms help with lighting control.

Bringing Lighting Control and BMS Together

Everybody wants their building management systems to perform lighting control, but the task is subject to a lot of challenges. Firstly, the cost and investment required initially for this project are on the higher side. Secondly, the final distributed network to be created in this arrangement is highly complex. Lastly, the lack of interoperability within the building systems is a great deterrent for the success of BMS lighting.

elitedali offers unique integration solutions to solve this problem. Since we do not make use of third-party software or protocol converters, the integration process becomes easy and affordable. We deal in specialized lighting control kits that are vendor agnostic solutions to help building members access lighting automation benefits. We already serve several Niagara framework-based BMS’ around the world. For detailed consultation, contact us today.

]]> https://leapinfosys.com/bms-lighting-control-for-future-ready-buildings/feed/ 1 The Future of Lighting Management Software https://leapinfosys.com/the-future-of-lighting-management-software/ https://leapinfosys.com/the-future-of-lighting-management-software/#respond Sat, 26 Feb 2022 05:00:00 +0000 https://leapinfosys.com/?p=7340

The Future Of Lighting Management Software

With a rising business interest in eco-friendly equipment and energy-saving, lighting control and automation have become a mandatory part of industrial facilities, workplaces and commercial spaces. Be it time sequencing of lighting systems or the installation of intelligent sensors for lighting management, all these technologies based on lighting management software have become commonplace in commercial spaces today.

One cannot deny that these technologies have had an impact on our daily lives, besides the monetary benefits, but the important question that now arises is what next? It is quite logical to question what is the future prospect of buying smart lighting management software for our buildings? Stick with us till the end to decode what the future holds for lighting management systems and control technologies.

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Taking A Look At The Ideological Shift

The backbone of the lighting automation industry in the initial years was the lighting management software itself. Under this purview, using the same software to facilitate the Internet of Things (IoT) services for lighting equipment placed remotely was a concept that fascinated many and gradually saw a rise in the number of buyers as well. However, the ideological shift that we are seeing now has much to do with the popularization of Building Management Systems.

The Internet of Things technology is all about finding multiple use cases out of these same existing equipment. Extrapolating that same concept with lighting control, it is now believed that not only automation of the luminaries installed in our small confined spaces is necessary, but the data obtained from the lighting control equipment should be used for multiple other purposes. This extensive availability and use of data are beneficial for overall building management.

For instance, occupancy sensors can not only be helpful in turning off lights when they are not in use but also to schedule maintenance and cleaning activities. Occupancy data analysis is useful such that when there is no person using a particular space, it would be easier to get the cleaning job done without disturbing anyone’s work. Daylight harvesting, leak detection, air quality sensors, and the use of automatic blinds are some very good applications of this new purpose-driven lighting automation.

If only this concept alone is considered, the chances of hitting saturation are very low. This is because lighting automation equipment is being innovated and released at a very fast rate today. With every product coming into the market, searching for multiple use cases and then implementing them within existing building management systems won’t be a big problem once all this is normalized. So, the future of lighting control and automation is definitely within the prism of building management only.

Future Concerns with Lighting Management Software

With the rising instances of cybercrime and data theft, security is definitely a future concern for lighting management software. This is because when we talk about making lighting management a value-added service for the bigger target of building management, then any loophole in the security of such software will put every other component of building management systems at risk.

 

Two trends are going to become much more important in the coming days when we talk about the security of lighting management software. The first is the increased hiring of expert cybersecurity professionals for developing robust security strategies. The second will be to use advanced security key systems to guard our Lighting management software. Security Keys allow secure bidirectional communication between all the subsystems of a large building management system. This is a form of authentication, which securely provides a gateway for communication that cannot be breached as such.

What Do Customers Expect from Lighting Management Software In The Future?

If we analyze key trends in customer behavior tracking, customers of lighting management systems are looking forward to passionately welcoming wireless lighting control. Wireless lighting control is the perfect addition to lighting management systems, considering how important it is for them to contribute to building management too.

The second most anticipated thing is the emergency light monitoring feature in commercial spaces. This involves regular testing and reporting of equipment health so that any major lapse can be prevented. Goes without saying that automating this frequent evaluation of systems to limit the risks associated with lighting control is the real deal.

elitedali: Future-ready Solutions For Lighting Management

If you could follow closely, the crux of the matter is that future lighting control options would be centered around the bigger goal of easing building management. But building management systems can leverage the benefits of lighting automation only when they are designed to support and accept this technology. At present, the problem lies in the limited jurisdiction of lighting automation solutions when it comes to commercial space management solutions.

elitedali offers the most comprehensive solution to integrate lighting management software to any Niagara framework-based BMS. We support existing lighting automation technologies to become more meaningful by becoming part of a BMS without needing protocol converters. Several leading enterprises have implemented this ideological shift in lighting management all thanks to elitedali and now it’s your turn. Contact our team today for a free consultation

]]> https://leapinfosys.com/the-future-of-lighting-management-software/feed/ 0 Getting The Basics of Adaptive Lighting Right https://leapinfosys.com/getting-the-basics-of-adaptive-lighting-right/ https://leapinfosys.com/getting-the-basics-of-adaptive-lighting-right/#respond Wed, 23 Feb 2022 05:30:00 +0000 https://leapinfosys.com/?p=7331

Getting The Basics Of Adaptive Lighting Right

The utility of lights and luminaires in a building has traditionally been to support illumination, aesthetics, and some degree of visual comfort. Naturally, since these three were quite convincingly fulfilled by conventional lighting equipment, only static lights were preferred until now in both commercial and residential spaces. However, there has been a paradigm shift in our approach towards living and working, and that’s the reason why our lighting requirements are also changing for the good.

Dynamic lighting solutions that are adaptive to our needs have become the norm today. Adaptive lighting comes across as a logical concept because both illumination and occupancy requirements keep changing even within a single day. Further, without dynamism in our lighting systems, we cannot achieve a satisfactory level of energy efficiency as well. With many other reasons why adaptive lighting is crucial for businesses today, let us take an in-depth look at the idea and what it holds for us in the future.

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What Is Light Adaptation And The Ideology Behind Adaptive Lighting

Since lights are so closely associated with our lives and our daily activities, it is imperative for them to be centered around the users. This means that the focal point of any lighting application or the plan to set up a lighting system should be the user. Building on the same ideology, the concept of adaptive lighting was popularized. A diverse set of photometric parameters have been analyzed to create adaptive lighting solutions. These parameters include the likes of illuminance distributions, vertical and horizontal luminance and illuminance, light source chromaticity color dispersion, and many more.

The early models for adaptive lighting were created to enhance visual comfort and ensure that all types of visual needs are catered to by existing lighting systems. As more smart solutions were developed in related industries, there was a rising demand to include certain parameters that could guide lighting systems to change illumination according to the changing intensity of daylight. This approach came to be known as human-centered lighting, because It is believed by scientists that our body clock is greatly influenced by the sequencing of sunlight. Thus, any good dynamic adaptive lighting system should cater to this particular need as well.

Levels of Adaptive Lighting

The adaptability of a lighting system can range between simple dynamic lighting to truly intelligent systems in technical terms. Based on such classifications, there are four levels of adaptive lighting that are available to us today.

Level 1:  The level 1 adaptive lighting solutions provide benefits of a technique called Sequencing. Here, time sequencing is done as per preset values. Therefore, lights in certain sections of the building will be turned on automatically when the right time as set by the user comes. Similarly, other lights at that moment will be turned off accordingly so that energy saving can be done effectively.

Level 2: The problem with level 1 adaptive lighting solutions is that the degree of dynamism is quite low. To upscale the technology, level 2 adaptive lighting solutions were invented. In these, the light adaptation can be witnessed by the user on demand, all thanks to local sensors that are installed in the luminaries individually.

Level 3: Level 3 adaptive lighting solutions are more about integrating lighting automation systems with other intelligent systems. The most common use case of level 3 adaptive lighting is when you integrate lighting control panels within an existing building management system.

Level 4: Level 4 adaptive lighting solutions are best described as a combination of level 2 and 3. Within the domain of level 4 adaptive lighting solutions, there are several different applications that users can avail. For example, Daylight harvesting is one of the best ways in which commercial spaces can make use of level 4 adaptive lighting.

When the sunlight is bright enough, the control system automatically dims the equipment lighting so that energy can be saved and asset life can also be preserved. As the sunlight starts dimming, the reverse procedure is initiated automatically, and therefore, a balance is maintained in daily energy consumption. Luminance monitoring, lighting-on-demand, and use of occupancy data for building management are other ways in which such solutions work.

But There’s A Problem

We are already living in times where adaptive lighting equipment and technologies are readily available in marketplaces. It is definitely an encouraging sign for the lighting industry. However, a big problem lies in the fact that the jurisdiction of such adaptive lighting systems is highly limited at present.

For instance, the Building Management Systems that are currently used for commercial spaces like malls, hotels, hospitals, etc., do not come with a lighting control panel in the first place. So, installing any compatible adaptive lighting product, like LED light adapter, but not having the desirable technical capabilities to achieve their benefits is a big loophole in this whole scenario.

elitedali: Making Adaptive Lighting Accessible

The adaptive lighting industry is faced by inadequacy of expertise which results in installations that do not serve the users well. In this existing turmoil, elitedali offers the best integrating solutions for adaptive lighting technologies. We offer vendor agnostic services that aim to establish convergent lighting. In simple words, we help in bringing lighting automation technologies and building management systems together, so that they can work in conjunction and make your lives easier.

The biggest hallmark of our services is that by knowing this industry in and out, we are capable of integrating lighting control panels with any Niagara framework BMS without making you pay for third-party protocol converters or software. So, to access the unimaginable benefits of adaptive lighting for your commercial space, contact elitedali today.

]]> https://leapinfosys.com/getting-the-basics-of-adaptive-lighting-right/feed/ 0 Exploring The Concept Of Smart Connected Buildings https://leapinfosys.com/exploring-the-concept-of-smart-connected-buildings/ https://leapinfosys.com/exploring-the-concept-of-smart-connected-buildings/#respond Mon, 21 Feb 2022 05:30:00 +0000 https://leapinfosys.com/?p=7321

Exploring The Concept Of Smart Connected Buildings

When you talk about smart connected buildings, three things that automatically come to mind are automation, communication, and energy efficiency. While these three, in a nutshell, are the biggest benefits of having connected buildings for commercial use, they are somewhat unable to justify the impact that smart buildings can have on business. Similarly, the installation of niche smart products is definitely part of the whole smart building concept, but there is much more to it which is not clearly explained to potential users.

In this blog, we shall describe what a connected building actually is, what are its important components, and how lighting automation fits in the idea of a smart building.

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What Are Smart Connected Buildings?

21st-century innovations are all about finding possibilities in existing solutions. As more and more daily use equipment and structures were being empowered with advanced technical abilities, there was a growing consensus that a modern-day building should not remain as a mere basic shelter framework only. A place where employees spend almost 12 hours every day or where people reside for their entire lives, should definitely offer more to make lives convenient. This premise was the single big triggering factor for the evolution of Smart Buildings. Today, a smart connected building is informally defined as a living organism that houses more living organisms within its vicinity.

The term connected is worth paying attention to. Automation has been introduced in many industries and services individually till now. However, since every individual desires to use all of these in his daily affairs, there needs to be a standard framework that brings everything under one roof. A place where people spend most of their time is surely the most suitable place for such amalgamations. Keeping this in mind, the concept of smart connected buildings solutions got shaped in its entirety.

Components of Smart Connected Buildings

●     IoT Sensors

Internet of Things is the technology that allows developers to make everyday equipment eligible for communication. This communication is particularly beneficial for its remote operation, controls and management. The IoT technology works based on special sensors called the IoT sensors. These sensors record and transmit real-time data to a computer processor, which is generally the access point created for a building. Data related to temperature, humidity

light, motion, etc. is generally used here.

●     User Interface

The ease of communication between the processing software and the user is determined by the user interface. In a connected building setup, automation facilities whose software has a favorable user interface are more readily used than the others. On a commercial level, building data can be huge. Thus, the processing software should support lesser complexity.

●     Building Management Software

The Building Management Software is the brain of a smart connected building. It is the control center for various building automation services, from HVAC control to lighting automation. A successful building management software needs to perform data processing rapidly, and should also support a diverse set of services too. It must be easy to integrate new services that users find beneficial to the existing solution. All in all, the BMS is the center of action in a smart building.

●     Connectivity

Finally, there should be a means to establish connectivity between systems as well. Internet connections that are secure, uninterrupted, and have no bandwidth constraints are desirable to keep a building connected. Cellular and WiFi-based networking options can be explored to support good connectivity.

Contribution of Lighting Automation In A Smart Building

At the beginning of this blog, we discussed how ‘smart’ building solutions have three main objectives. All of these are quite convincingly fulfilled by lighting automation systems as well, justifying their inclusion in the smart building concept. Lighting automation and control is a big-time energy saver in commercial settings and cuts down operational costs significantly. The convenience and productivity benefits are noteworthy too. Imagine a hospital setup where it takes the nursing staff too much time to find medical equipment and then use it. Bluetooth transceivers can be embedded in lighting systems to help in locating and tracking equipment for faster usage.

Another example of how lighting control data helps in creating a smart building setup with good management is by utilizing occupancy data. Occupancy data analysis can help floor staff like janitors to plan their routine efficiently. Areas that are not occupied during certain hours of the day would be completed in a particular shift and then the other areas can be cleaned too. These are small yet significant contributions that lighting control automation can have on making a building truly ‘smart’.

elitedali: Bringing Lighting Control Closer to Smart Buildings

Building Management Systems (BMS) usually do not have a lighting control panel by default. But as we saw earlier, lighting automation is absolutely necessary for a commercial space. So, elitedali decided to bridge the gap between BMS solutions and lighting automation in the most feasible way. Our services help all BMS’ based on the Niagara Framework to be empowered with lighting control panels without needing complex third-party software purchases. Furthermore, we offer vendor-agnostic solutions that help in integrating all compatible luminaires with the BMS irrespective of their manufacturer.

To know more about an ensemble of services that we provide, reach out to us today.

]]> https://leapinfosys.com/exploring-the-concept-of-smart-connected-buildings/feed/ 0 Exploring The Lighting Technologies India Trends In 2022 https://leapinfosys.com/lighting-technologies-india-trends-in-2022/ https://leapinfosys.com/lighting-technologies-india-trends-in-2022/#respond Fri, 18 Feb 2022 05:31:00 +0000 https://leapinfosys.com/?p=7306

Exploring The Lighting Technologies India Trends In 2022

Versatility, energy efficiency, and accessibility are at the forefront of lighting technology innovation in India. Catering to the Indian market is somewhat hard for the developers, owing to the traditional reluctance towards investing in something new. But it is gratifying to see customers showing greater interest in innovation that brings comfort with affordability. In this article, let us try and examine lighting technologies in India and what are the predictions for these offerings in the near future.

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Trendy Lighting Technologies India

●     Automated Lighting Control

Contactless products are already gaining a lot of traction in the Indian market today. Contactless lighting control is just another manifestation of the same, which is having a remarkable number of buyers too. The idea here is to install Network Powered Lighting Controllers that configure and remember lighting specifications. Further, with interfaces being accessible on mobiles, tablets, and computers, the same specifications can be modified by the users as per their preferences.

The remote management of lighting systems is gaining popularity, especially in a post-pandemic world. There is more demand for contactless options where you do not have to touch on the same switchboards that are contacted by several other people. The integration of artificial intelligence in contactless lighting control is something to watch out for. It will enable the controllers to remember and learn from user behaviors and then provide real-time customization. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning will also be beneficial in cultivating enriched user profiles.

The scope of research in the lighting technologies India domain is immense, especially in India. Aspects, like gesture control and application-based LED control are coming up too. Also, with bigger players entering this market in India, voice control and motion-detecting smart lighting solutions will just get better. A big challenge that needs to be resolved is the problem with bandwidth constraints. The Indian commercial sphere has very well adopted seamless Wi-Fi connectivity, however, the incorporation of faster speed with 5G and upscaling the operations with existing bandwidths will surely require some thorough research.

Where Does India Stand Compared to Other Nations?

Naturally, every country today has risen to the occasion and invested well enough to support lighting automation. While India is seeing a rising interest from the Government’s side, with several incentives and initiatives being offered in this domain, we are still facing some challenges that other nations have tackled effectively.

For instance, Singapore is already providing a mature market to automated lighting control products whereas India and other nations like Vietnam are still held back by cost constraints of lighting management systems.

However, India is still better placed than nations like Thailand and Vietnam. These nations are facing equipment supply shortage due to COVID, whereas India has kept this problem at bay till now. These countries are also faced by a global reluctance of key investors owing to security concerns and a general lack of interest among buyers, whereas India is still seen as an opportunity by lighting control vendors.

●     Solar Lighting

The demand for energy is only going to increase exponentially in the coming years. However, the availability of conventional resources for producing electricity will start becoming sparse sooner than we’ll realize. This means that a tropical country like India should utilize its bounty of sunlight to generate more solar energy. Solar lighting will become one of the most widely used streams of solar energy in India.

However, the optimization of existing software and hardware will be necessary to make this a reality. With the government providing more incentives to customers willingly migrating to solar energy, the cost of installing solar lighting setups will definitely be enticing. With predictions of a 12.9% CAGR growth during the period 2019-2027, the future of the solar lighting market looks promising in India.

●     Lighting For Smart City Campaigns

As per the Government’s initiatives, smart cities will be areas of sustainable and inclusive living that would guarantee the most advanced primary infrastructure to all locals and natives. A key component of a smart city will therefore be smart lighting. In fact, it will be seen as a part of the primary city infrastructure. The goals of smart lighting will be much beyond brighter illumination and energy efficiency.

When smart lighting setups will be installed as part of the primary city infrastructure, they will become a source of data gathering and sharing for in-depth demographic analysis. A single investment for smart lighting infrastructure will also serve as a space for establishing Wi-Fi connectivity, ML-based video surveillance for parking area monitoring, road accident identification, and even advertising.

The obvious benefits for drivers and pedestrians in terms of well-illuminated roads will also be there. Smart lighting will add to the aesthetics of the city too, thereby becoming an indispensable inclusion for municipal governments.

●     Li-Fi

A great means of saving big on power bills, Li-Fi is gradually coming up on a large scale in India. Light fidelity or Li-Fi is a technology where light, and not radio waves, transmit data between two endpoints. With the speed of light being so fast, one can imagine the speed benefits with Li-Fi connectivity. Now, even simple LED bulbs can be used for Li-Fi connectivity. So, investments in lighting hardware will serve a dual purpose for you. Since simple LED bulbs are extensively used across India, the possibilities of setting up fast Li-Fi connectivity are good. This visible-light technology even has security benefits. Its penetration through walls is visible, thereby alarming anyone of unwanted intrusions.

●     Built-in Lighting

By inserting lights within walls and ceilings, interior designers get to play a little with the aesthetics while manufacturers enjoy the greater demand for new innovation. The seamless look of built-in lights is making homeowners opt for the same. It is an upcoming trend in LED technology itself, leveraging benefits from the fact that LED lights last much longer than ordinary ones.

elitedali: Contributions To Lighting Technologies India

elitedali offers a plethora of services to make India achieve Smart Lighting targets seamlessly. Our solutions like the elitedali Lighting Control Component Software are a stepping stone for System Integrators to easily devise lighting control strategies for users. The elitedali Multidrop Connectivity Kit is an all-round solution for controlling, managing, and analyzing intelligent addressable DALI light fixtures. To help all commercial spaces realize the benefits of smart lighting, elitedali provides motion-detecting light sensors for DALI networks.

All this and more, make elitedali the number one choice for everyone looking to keep pace with the times and enjoy the benefits of lighting technologies, India.

]]> https://leapinfosys.com/lighting-technologies-india-trends-in-2022/feed/ 0 Lighting Control Techniques: Inside A Lighting Control Panel https://leapinfosys.com/lighting-control-techniques-inside-lighting-control-panel/ https://leapinfosys.com/lighting-control-techniques-inside-lighting-control-panel/#respond Wed, 16 Feb 2022 05:29:00 +0000 https://leapinfosys.com/?p=7294

Lighting Control Techniques: Inside A Lighting Control Panel

With the reserves of important global resources dwindling frequently, a lot of attention is being given to energy efficiency lately. Electrical engineering today is more focused on energy efficiency than convenience. Commercial buildings are great consumers of electrical energy, and therefore, directly put immense stress on our natural resources too.

Backed by evidence from hundreds of research papers from all over the globe, the utilization of lighting control schemes in big commercial buildings is one of the best ways to implement energy-efficient lighting models. Lighting Management systems are working very well to help us achieve lighting control in the best possible way. In this article, let us take a look at the lighting control panel present in lighting management systems, and the control features that it offers.

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What Is a Lighting Control Panel?

Lighting control panel is a small electrical cabinet comprising controller that aid in intelligent lighting controls features. These are very commonly used to control public area lighting, street lighting, supermarket lights, and even lighting equipment in residential buildings. These control systems help users obtain the right amount of light whenever and wherever required. Some lighting control systems will only allow localized control over lighting equipment, while others grant enterprise-level control.

There are several common mechanisms by which lighting control systems operate. These depend on the sensors and other components used in its design.

Common Mechanisms of Lighting Control

●     Occupancy Sensing Lighting Control

Among all lighting control strategies, occupancy sensing has been there for the longest time. Here, special occupancy sensors are attached to every light, which utilizes motion-sensing capabilities to trigger the switching on or off of the lights in a given space. Whenever there is a delay period in which the sensors do not sense any movement, lights go off automatically to save electricity. In the more primitive models of occupancy systems, only a single large sensor was installed for every room. However, problems like false sensing and reverse sensing (the lights used to turn off whenever a person entered the room) were encountered. To avoid such situations, the contemporary model focuses on having individual occupancy sensors for each lighting fixture.

●     Types of Occupancy Sensing

These occupancy-based controlling schemes can be of two types. The first is the motion-based switching control scheme. Whatever conventional explanation we have provided so far about occupancy sensing models is nothing but motion-based switching only. As stated before, here the delay period decides when the lights go off in a room. Naturally, smaller is the delay period, more are your savings on electricity bills.

The problem with these traditional occupancy sensing systems is that if you set a very small delay period for a room with an irregular frequency of visitors, it will eventually be very irritating for everybody. Similarly, if you prolong the turning off period extensively, you defeat the purpose of using sensors for energy efficiency. Hence, whatever be the case, buyers should first figure out the user behavior for every room and then select the occupancy sensing parameters.

Motion-based dimming is the second occupancy sensing control scheme. Here, everything remains the same, but after the delay period, lights automatically get dim to a preset intensity value. This is a better alternative in commercial spaces where visitors do not like returning to a pitch-dark room regularly.

●     Daylight-linked Lighting Control

In buildings and rooms with an ample amount of sunlight, lighting control schemes can be linked to the intensity and the duration of daylight availability. When adequate daylight penetration is available, people can either make use of daylight only or can use it to complement the illumination provided by their lamps. This way, the burden on the lighting equipment reduces, and consequently, the energy consumption also drops.

These daylight-linked lighting controls are also useful for common space light fixtures and any outdoor light. In sports facilities and parking lots, this control mechanism provides the best energy efficiency. For indoor commercial requirements, particularly for office spaces, if ample daylight is available, these control systems should definitely be put in place. This is because daylight in itself is considered a major driving force for visual comfort as well as productivity. Therefore, it will enable office workers to work with maximum focus, while not putting a major strain on themselves.

Over To You

Lighting control panel provides a modern, dynamic, and all-encompassing method for significant energy saving in lighting systems. A decline in the energy demands and the convenience of adjusting lights remotely is accessible through lighting control systems. elitedali is the leading enabler of lighting control and automation in the commercial sphere today! elitedali supports multi-sensors input devices with its Lighting Management System, thereby accommodating all kinds of usage requirements together. The in-built WebServer for managing lighting control interfaces makes it easy for us to monitor and provide assistance to customers comprehensively.

We offer a native solution for the Niagara Framework, the most popular building management system in the world. Thus, you don’t need any additional software to avail benefits of lighting control integration in your existing BMS. Lastly, by staying in touch with all major DALI manufacturers across the globe, we deliver the most advanced lighting control products to the Niagara community. Connected Lighting Controls, Daylight Harvesting, and Human Centric Lighting are the three areas of our prime expertise. To avail of our services and transform your commercial space, contact elitedali today.

]]> https://leapinfosys.com/lighting-control-techniques-inside-lighting-control-panel/feed/ 0 Decoding Benefits Of Automated Lighting Systems https://leapinfosys.com/decoding-benefits-of-automated-lighting-systems/ https://leapinfosys.com/decoding-benefits-of-automated-lighting-systems/#respond Mon, 14 Feb 2022 10:15:27 +0000 https://leapinfosys.com/?p=7279

Decoding Benefits Of Automated Lighting Systems

The concept of digitizing everyday use products is increasingly becoming popular with the convergence of different technologies in the product automation market. Pervasive computing can embed computational power in any equipment whatsoever, and lights are no exception. This technology helps lights in communicating and performing functions as per the user’s requirement. 

This, in a nutshell, forms the basis of automated lighting systems. But why do you really need automated lighting? Can the architecture of these seemingly complex systems merge into your building? Let’s find answers to all such burning questions in this article today.

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What Is A Smart Lighting System?

On the face of it, an advanced and modern way of lighting is known as smart lighting. The technical arrangement that makes it possible is referred to as a Smart Lighting System. A very common model of smart lighting is having smart LED bulbs installed at various places, which communicate via sensors with a smart software assistant or a mobile app. These allow you to automate your lights, and change them as per your preference remotely. A smart lighting system comes in handy in situations where you need to turn all lights off or on together, and instead of pressing every switch individually, a single click does the job.

Understanding The Design Of An Automated Lighting System

The automatic operation of lighting systems requires a set of sensors for every light. These sensors are the basic functional units that help in controlling decisions related to the switching on or off of these lights and also their illumination. However, the precision with which these sensors detect and transmit information is quite dicy. This is because the prevailing weather conditions greatly affect the sensor readings.

You can understand the difference and level of uncertainty associated with light and exposure in the morning, afternoon, and evening and also when the weather is a bit cloudy. Therefore, since sensors alone cannot handle the computational complexity of accommodating such uncertainty, automated lighting systems require a logic system too.

Every automated lighting system has a monitoring and control system. A common way of creating both these systems is via server computers and mobile devices, respectively. The communication between the mobile phone (microcontroller) and the computer server is established through a serial interface. So, for automatic control, the input from the sensors attached to every lamp is processed using a logic system and subsequently, an output is generated.

With the serial interface, users have a choice of controlling lighting manually through their phones. So, they can use their mobiles to simply switch a light on/off, or change the light intensity too.

Benefits of Having Automated Lighting Systems

Depending on how much you know about automated lighting systems, you might feel that it’s probably just a new luxury with an overwhelming cost. However, there are some solid benefits that lighting automation offers which are absolutely essential for any commercial space, etc. These include:

●     Less Wastage, Smaller Bills

We’ve all accepted that having LEDs installed is the best way of gaining energy efficiency and cutting operational costs. However, you should ask yourself whether the electricity bill has come down significantly till now or not? If the answer is no, then your solution lies in a lighting automation system only. Automated lighting control systems help in preventing energy wastage by automatically tuning lights according to your needs. This way, up to a 60% reduction in monthly bills can be achieved if not more.

●     Enhanced Safety

The automated lighting control of lamps, ballasts, LEDs, etc., is a major contributor to added safety. For instance, in industrial units the motion-sensing lights are best suited to illuminate places with possible spillage as soon as technicians visit the site. Other important uses are found in spaces like offices and workstations. By having brighter lights in areas dedicated to computer usage, you can help in preventing any visual strain. There can be many other similar examples of how commercial lighting automation can add safety to your life.

●     Biological Benefits

Automatic lighting control systems have provisions of seeking input from sensors and changing light parameters remotely. Bio-adaptive lighting is a manifestation of lighting automation where light temperatures, intensities, etc., are changed according to the body clock. Light in itself is a driver for biological processes, and when the artificial lighting around you emulates natural light, it tends to optimize physiological functioning too. Hence, for such minute biological benefits, automated lighting systems are important,especially at work places where concentration is key.

●     Better Aesthetics

With the lighting control panel and the microcontrollers, users can choose the color, intensity, and temperature of lights that they wish for a particular space. The automated lighting control systems will work towards the consistent implementation of the same. Moreover, by sensing changes in the ambient conditions, these systems will allow your lights to get dimmer or brighter, thereby preserving the aesthetics of your space at all times.

●     Pre-configured Lighting Scenes

Programmed scene-setting is one of the biggest advantages of having an automated lighting system. With just a push of a button, you can select pre-programmed modes and see the lighting change as per your needs in a second. For instance, the Cooking mode in an automation system will brighten the task lighting in your kitchen. The scope for such pre-set scene possibilities is immense, and a lighting designer can help you customize them easily.

elitedali Lighting Automation Offerings

Getting an automated lighting system installed is usually an uphill task, especially when you need to integrate it with a central building management system. This is because most people believe that without purchasing expensive third-party software or protocol converters you can’t get this integration done. This is where elitedali comes in. We offer seamless integration of lighting control systems into any BMS like the Niagara Framework without requiring any additional complex software.

So, to enjoy the benefits of lighting control without any hassles, contact elitedali today.

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