Lighting &

Lighting Controls
SPR ING ED I TI O N
Contents

3 — Health care building electrical, lighting design model shifts

9 — Athena Lighting Control System – 2022 System

Enhancements

10 — Designing lighting system controls with the user in mind

26 — An Engineer’s Guide to Luminaire Level Lighting Control

36 — Navigating the route to more sustainable mission

critical power

42 — Your questions answered: Lighting and lighting

control design

47 — Case study: Cost comparison of power feeder installations

2
Health care building electrical,
lighting design model shifts  Back to TOC

As hospitals and health care facilities evolve, the lighting, power and
electrical systems within them must change

Tanner Burke, PE, Senior Fire Protection Engineer, ACS Group, Austin, Texas; Derek
Cornell, Senior Associate, Certus Consulting Engineers, Dallas, Texas; Beth Gorney,
PE, Assistant Project Manager, Dewberry, Raleigh, North Carolina; Sierra Spitulski,
PE, LEED AP BD+C, Associate Principal/Studio Leader/Mechanical Engineer/Project
Manager, P2S Inc., Long Beach, California; Kristie Tiller, PE, LEED AP, Associate, Team
Leader, Lockwood Andrews & Newnam Inc. (LAN), Dallas, Texas.

3
Health care building electrical, lighting design model shifts

Describe any issues unique to designing electrical/power systems for  Back to TOC
these types of facilities

Derek Cornell: The codes that govern emergency power systems for health care fa-
cilities are very prescriptive, dictated by multiple codes that are applicable within the
same project. Items such as requirements for three separate emergency branches (life
safety, critical and the equipment), strict wiring and separation requirements, as well as
dictated receptacle quantities are specifically unique to health care facilities that are
not applicable to other types of facilities.

Kristie Tiller: Reliability and redundancy are key factors in design. Some hospital sys-
tems are adding tertiary power systems based on renewable energy sources to reduce
their carbon footprint and energy costs. Tertiary controls can take into account the
system’s usage and capacity and use that information to reduce power losses.

What types of unusual standby, emergency or backup power systems

have you specified for such facilities?

Kristie Tiller: Co-generation power is becoming more widely used. Several of our
clients are using gas-fired turbines and heat recovery steam generators for the produc-
tion of both electricity and steam for use in the chiller cycle. Overall system efficiency
is good, utility costs go down and redundancy is achieved. In smaller, sometimes more
rural installations where cost and total demand preclude the use of combined heat and
power, we are seeing larger, conventional, diesel backup generators taking on larg-
er portions of the facility. These facilities are moving away from providing only code
mandated EPSS requirements and providing a more comprehensive system allowing
4
Health care building electrical, lighting design model shifts

the facility to operate “nor-  Back to TOC

mally” during the event.
The trend also requires the
installation of larger and
more robust fuel storage
and delivery systems.

Derek Cornell: While

not necessarily unusual, it
does present its own set
of unique challenges when
connecting the HVAC cool-
ing loads to emergency
power within a health care
facility. Hospitals are different from many other This shows a low power mode that provides
constant disinfection without disrupting
types of facilities in that there will likely be simul- the critical functions in an operating room.
taneous heating and cooling peak loads due to Courtesy: Certus
the air change requirements that the mechanical
designers must adhere to. There are not the same diversities that can be taken when
dealing with these larger loads. It requires creativity and close coordination with the
mechanical design team. On a recent project, we put a design in place to connect
two 2,000-ton centrifugal chillers and their associated 250 horsepower primary chilled
water pumps, cooling towers, condenser water pumps and controls to the EPSS. The
hospital’s EPSS only has sufficient load to connect one of these chillers and associat-
ed equipment, but the system design allows for them to choose between one of two
chillers providing that added level of redundancy.
5
Health care building electrical, lighting design model shifts

In the aftermath of several recent severe weather events, owners of  Back to TOC
such projects are increasingly interested in electrical/power resiliency
features. How are you meeting these demands?

Derek Cornell: Design for ultimate resiliency is at the forefront of early project discus-
sions. We are working with one client that realizes that having a dual utility feed routed
in entirely independent paths is no longer enough. We are working on upgrading their
power to originate from two separate commercial substations located in separate geo-
graphical regions. That is just one example. Everyone has a heightened awareness of
just how vulnerable this country’s infrastructure may be. We are being asked to design
systems with more capacity, more on-site fuel storage, cooling on emergency power
and more redundant equipment.

Kristie Tiller: In our recent projects for clients, it’s been mostly about hardening gen-
erator locations and distribution equipment and pathways. In our part of the country,
Texas, flooding is the biggest threat. That means the first step is elevating equipment
20 to 25 feet above mean sea level. With our proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, hurricane
force wind resistant structures are also required here.

What are some of the challenges when designing high-voltage power

systems in hospitals, health care facilities and medical campus projects?

Kristie Tiller: The critical factor in dealing with medium-voltage distribution systems
is the maintenance. The electrical staff must be trained specifically on 4,160 V equip-
ment. It may be different from what they are used to using, which is 480 V gear. Some
institutions choose to contract out the medium-voltage work to ensure the system is 6
Health care building electrical, lighting design model shifts

regularly maintained, which requires addi-  Back to TOC

tional expense and management. Routine
testing and certification of the system re-
quires different equipment as well.

How does your team work with the

architect, owner’s rep and other
project team members so the elec-
trical/power systems are flexible
and sustainable?

Kristie Tiller: We work as a cohesive unit.

We work with the owners to understand any
future growth that may require additional
electrical capacity. We collaborate with the
architects and space planners to ensure we
have the floor space to expand the electrical
gear when needed. For some owners, the cost of down- The is what an operating room looks
time to its operation outweighs the cost of installing and like in high power disinfectant mode.
Courtesy: Certus
having unused switchgear available for future expansion.
This is often the case in areas like research laboratories.
In these instances, we help the owners determine the best time-sensitive, cost-effective
solutions and then work with the architects to make sure they are implemented.

Derek Cornell: To make sure that the electrical system design is flexible and sustain-
able we must understand the current and future goals of the user/owner. From the 7
Health care building electrical, lighting design model shifts

beginning of any project, we strive to create an atmosphere of teamwork and collabo-  Back to TOC
ration. Through this, we have open, sometimes hard conversations with the stakehold-
ers about electrical system flexibility or even limitations. Understanding future growth
plans of the facility allows for right-sizing equipment while working through a delicate
balance of oversizing equipment that will support the longevity of the facility versus
focusing solely on first cost.

When designing lighting systems for these types of structures, what

design factors are being requested? Are there any particular technical
advantages that are or need to be considered?

Derek Cornell: UV-C LED light fixture technology has really taken off in the lighting
market as well as the use of Kenall Indigo-Clean fixtures, which use light in the 405 nm
wavelength. Both types use the light fixtures themselves for disinfection. One project
incorporated the UV-C technology into all of the housekeeping, soiled and clean utili-
ty and both staff and patient toilet rooms. Another project incorporated Indigo-Clean
fixtures into the surgical lighting design of the operating rooms to provide continuous
environmental disinfection. The Indigo-Clean light operates as the ambient (white) sur-
gical lighting, mixing in a lower level of indigo (antimicrobial) light when the room is in
use and then, using motion detection, can switch over to full indigo disinfection when
room is unoccupied. The UV-C fixtures are designed to completely switch off the UV
function upon sensing of occupant whereas the indigo simply reduces to a low-power
mode such that at all times there is some level of antimicrobial environmental disinfec-
tion taking place within these spaces.

Consulting-Specifying Engineer
8
Athena Lighting Control System – 2022 System Enhancements

 Back to TOC


Athena Lighting Control System – 2022
System Enhancements
More Flexible, More Intelligent, More Connected. The highly
awarded lighting control solution —Athena — just got even
better. Experience the latest 2022 system enhancements at
lutron.com/Athena

9
Designing lighting system
controls with the user in mind  Back to TOC

With a heightened awareness of the physiological effects of light, tunable

lighting systems are being developed with the intent to foster healthy
circadian cycles.

S ophisticated lighting systems have become the new standard, with increasing
options for light fixtures, light sources and lighting controls. Though the intricate
nature of modern lighting systems often requires additional, specialized expertise,
numerous benefits can be achieved through a careful approach to lighting planning,
programming and design.

Advanced lighting controls can ensure lighting turns on/off automatically during
scheduled times, determine when spaces are unoccupied or occupied and assess
available daylighting. To maximize energy savings, ANSI/IES LP-16-22 Standard Light-
ing Practice: Documenting Control Intent Narratives and Sequences of Operation,
published in July 2022, serves as an excellent tool for the development of any lighting
control system.

The standard clearly outlines the purpose that both a control intent narrative and se-
quence of operations, play in the specification and programming of a control system.
The CIN is typically documented by the electrical engineer and is developed in col-
laboration with the architect, interior designer and/or lighting designer in response
to owner requirements and proposed designer control intent. It is documented early
as part of the project basis of design that describes the overall intentions for the
specified system.
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Designing lighting system controls with the user in mind

 Back to TOC

Because the intent is to give the owner Figure 1: Occupancy sensors determine the vacancy
of a room and turn off lights when the room is empty.
and end user a high-level overview of
Courtesy: Affiliated Engineers Inc.
various system attributes for review and
comment, the CIN cannot be relied on
for project details. It should include elements such as:

• System scale: whole building or single room.

• General information about user interfaces and sensors, wired or wireless.

• Key infrastructure or network requirements.

• Specific requirements that may lead the project down a sole-sourcing path.
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Designing lighting system controls with the user in mind

Continual refinement of the CIN is performed simultaneously with the development of  Back to TOC
the SOO. The SOO provides contractually enforceable language to inform the installer
how to program the system to meet design intent, focusing on the programming and
functional requirements of the equipment. The language of the SOO becomes pre-
scriptive as specific requirements and expectations are outlined.

For instance, where the CIN may generally indicate that keypads or touchscreens will
be required, the SOO includes the specific engraving or graphic details of each sta-
tion. Or, regarding sensors for occupancy or vacancy response, the CIN may note that
sensors provide on/off or partial dimming while the SOO includes specific setpoints,
timing and methods.

As clearly noted in the standard, walking the design through a series of steps will en-
sure that each element is clearly developed. For the CIN, the steps include answering
the following questions:

• What does the owner want and consider important for end-user needs?

• What are the spaces involved?

• How do various devices interface to provide control?

• What are code-required and certification-required functions?

• How does the system function? Is there specialized control or automatic program-
ming?
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Designing lighting system controls with the user in mind

• Is the lighting in the environment expected to change?  Back to TOC

• What are the specific conditions in which the system will react?

For the SOO, a similar list of steps is included, but with more detailed specification of
how to achieve the CIN. In general, the SOO should:

• Define the devices and equipment required to enable the system to meet design
intent and code-required functions.

• List the spaces integrated with the control system, including exterior environ-
ments.

• Define actions and functional responses in typical use cases including the start and
end points of each operation. This includes system on/off programming for large
areas as well as specific device responses.

Lighting system controls

The abbreviated narrative and table below exemplify this progression from general
control information in narrative form to a table format providing concise direction and
documentation. Note that every project has its own set of requirements. The informa-
tion noted below is for example only.

General overall system narrative indicates that the lighting system shall:

• Facilitate configuration, monitoring and reporting via a computer software interface.

13
Designing lighting system controls with the user in mind

• Be networked together,  Back to TOC

enabling communica-
tion between devices.

• Be capable of central-
ized and distributed
intelligence.

• Use 0- to 10-volt con-

trol protocol.

• Be a fully wired system

(no wireless control is
Figure 2: Final programming included warm
allowed).
lighting at 3,000 K to start the day, high light level
at 5,000 K from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and a gradual
• Include occupancy, vacancy and photo- return to 3,000 K from 7 to 9 p.m. Courtesy:
Affiliated Engineers Inc.
sensors as required that carry 0- to 10-
volt control signals for communication.
• Be connected to the building automation system; BAS shall provide time clock
function to the lighting control system and all configuration and monitoring shall
be accomplished through the lighting control system software.

• Control exterior building illumination, main entry lobby, public corridors and con-
ference room.

General control intent for a couple of the areas noted may include the content below.
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Designing lighting system controls with the user in mind

Main entry lobby shall have:  Back to TOC

• Timeclock scheduling for programmed daytime/nighttime illumination and auto-

matic off.

• Low-voltage manual interface for after-hours override.

• Photocell interface for daylight harvesting where daylight is present.

• Normal power and emergency power lighting controlled together.

• Emergency lighting programmed to remain on at the level required for eqress illu-
mination at any point when normal lighting is turned off.

Conference room shall have:

• Four unique preset scenes.

• Vacancy sensors for manual on/auto off control with low-voltage manual interface.

• Photocell interface for daylight harvesting where daylight is present.

Identifying lighting spaces

The design guideline also includes verbiage for foundational strategies for typical
space types such as private offices, open office, corridor, classrooms, conference
rooms, multipurpose rooms, religious worship spaces, etc. While many examples have
15
Designing lighting system controls with the user in mind

been provided, strategies per-  Back to TOC

taining specifically to health care
design and circadian lighting
have been understandably omit-
ted due to their complexity and
the many variables and metrics
that must be considered.

The LED revolution has paved

the way for products that include:

• Multiple white color tem-

peratures, tunable white and
Figure 3: Indirect illumination throughout the
targeted spectra. day provides circadian support in the windowless
neonatal intensive care unit rooms. Courtesy:
Affiliated Engineers Inc.
• Complex lighting systems used to set a
mood through the use of color.

• Conveyance of the passage of time through gradual color and/or intensity changes.

• Circadian stimulation through a spectrally tuned system.

For each, it is important to understand that correlated color temperature, expressed in

Kelvins, is a description of light source color appearance. For example, 2,700 K light is
generally described as “warm” (yellowish), 3,500 K is a more neutral white and 5,000 K
or greater is “cool” (bluish).
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Designing lighting system controls with the user in mind

While this single number is an industry standard to convey the appearance of a “white”  Back to TOC
light, it does not provide important information on the spectral content of that light,
referred to as spectral power distribution. A light’s SPD indicates the amount of power
it contains at each wavelength along the electromagnetic spectrum.

For luminaires that offer color or spectrum adjustment, there are three primary strate-
gies by which the luminous flux and/or spectral power distribution of a lamp or lumi-
naire is adjusted: warm dim, white tuning and color tuning. The appropriate strategy is
selected based on spatial needs and is implemented using luminaires that permit the
necessary control of spectral power distribution. Manufacturers use different names for
these, but most strategies of color/spectrum adjustment fit within one of these three
categories.

Warm dim, also known as “dim to warm,” is the simplest of the three. As the control
level is reduced from the maximum level, the color temperature shifts to a lower value
(appears warmer) and intensity are reduced. This approach enables the user to mimic
the dimming behavior of incandescent lamps without requiring the complexity of sepa-
rately adjustable CCT and intensity.

White tuning, often referred to as tunable white, is the mixing of two or more inde-
pendently controlled white LED boards — warm white and cool white, typically with a
color temperature difference of 1,000 K or more. Resultant color temperature variation
can be achieved by changing the relative intensity of the boards.

Color tuning (or spectral tuning) uses a combination of multiple LEDs typically with
narrower wavelength ranges to achieve more saturated colors and/or tailored spectral
17
Designing lighting system controls with the user in mind

distributions. Color tuning lights may be used to emulate the appearance of daylight  Back to TOC
throughout the day or to provide efficient circadian stimulation when daylight is not
available.

Circadian lighting
A related concept is circadian lighting. Circadian lighting is designed to have a biolog-
ical impact on the human circadian system — sending signals to the master clock in the
brain, regulating various biological functions based on daytime and nighttime hours. If
one is outside for significant portions of the day, this calibration in the body happens
automatically in response to natural daylight.

However, based on a study by UC Berkeley and the Environmental Protection Agency

in 2001, nearly 90% of our day is spent inside. As a result, we are often missing the day-
time circadian signals that our bodies need. Research has shown a sustained exposure
to low-quality daytime stimulus can have long-term adverse effects. Circadian light-
ing systems are developed with the intent to provide benefits that could help reduce
chronic health conditions related to our indoor lifestyle by improving mood, sleep and
overall sense of well-being.

Although there are a variety of metrics used to determine the circadian stimulus of a
lighting system, these are not fully agreed upon by the lighting community. There is,
however, a consensus that spectrum, timing and duration are a few of the critical con-
siderations leading to successful system design.

While the spectrum is an element inherent to the luminaires being used, the control
system must be able to operate the luminaire per the manufacturer’s control protocol.
18
Designing lighting system controls with the user in mind

For some luminaires, this may require a proprietary system. If a space has luminaires  Back to TOC
with different sources and in particular, sources with different color qualities, a standard
protocol is beneficial and allows for a wider variety of potential control systems.

An effective circadian system is reliant on a repeated daily lighting cycle with consis-
tent timing and duration, thus, the lighting on/off schedule and transitions throughout
the day must be considered. If the system is deployed in a standard office environ-
ment, the schedule may be based on typical office hours, but for a health care envi-
ronment that operates 24/7, the system should consider staff shift schedules, visiting
hours and quiet hours.

While some projects may be focused on creating a circadian-effective design, others

may use a white tuning or color tuning system for a psychological response. In lieu of
an automated system with a rigorous schedule, these systems may instead be focused
on a change in the lighting to create a mood or respond to user preferences.

Although schedule may be important in mood creation in a restaurant environment,

defined operation and intuitive user interfaces enabling each person to select their
personalized and preferred color becomes far more important. When working through
project design parameters with the design team, each of these elements factors into
the final control narrative. Given the consideration required and the potential system
complexity to address each, it is critical that the owner supports the design approach
during the early programming and schematic phases of the project.

This support may be derived based on specific project programming (i.e., windowless
spaces), their inherent support of wellness initiatives for employees in the work envi-
19
Designing lighting system controls with the user in mind

ronment (pursuing WELL certifica-  Back to TOC

tion) or because of education by
the design team. Initial discussion
and education early, will provide the
understanding required when the
initial BOD is developed, reviewed
and inevitably priced.

Lighting system examples

Through the following project ex-
amples — with a focus on a higher
education and a health care project expertise — Figure 4: Simple labels on the primary
control stations require thoughtful
ranging from a simple manually selectable tunable
consideration of each setting. Courtesy:
white system to a circadian system in a hospital Affiliated Engineers Inc.
environment, the insight required for these com-
plex systems is explored.

The Ryan Walter Athletic Center in Evanston, Illinois, is a versatile practice, competition
and recreation facility for Northwestern University. The center provides a central training
location for athletes and coaches, complete with meeting rooms and a sports perfor-
mance center. The performance center features an office for the team psychologist spe-
cializing in individual counseling and mental health services for student athletes.

When a circadian lighting system was requested, a variety of questions and concerns
arose. Based on further dialogue with the NU staff, the request was to provide the
team psychologist the ability to change the color and intensity of his office lighting,
20
Designing lighting system controls with the user in mind

creating an environment to help calm or energize patients based on individual need. A  Back to TOC
standard tunable white linear suspended pendant was selected.

When considering the CIN, the CIN for this application would simply be “the linear
suspended luminaire will allow for manual selection of color temperature and intensity
separately.” However, for further explanation in the SOO, the description should in-
clude “the ceiling mount vacancy sensor shall require manual on operation.”

In addition, “separate wall-mount dimmers, controlling color temperature and intensity

shall allow users to select levels of each.” Note that while tunable white applications
may often be associated with a costly system, understanding the exact owner request
allows the design team to provide the flexibility required with minimal added cost.

In contrast to the simple system above, at the Kentucky Children’s Hospital in Lexing-
ton, Kentucky, a circadian lighting system was requested for the neonatal intensive care
unit renovation and expansion. All patient rooms had to be designed without windows
due to the existing floor plan and configurations. The planned lighting configuration
included single rooms featuring day and night cycles and the elimination of shared,
dark rooms.

For this project, the design parameters and the CIN included a 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. “day-
time” schedule that appeared simple and straightforward. The planned system includ-
ed white tuning capability between 3,000 K and 5,000 K. The lighting system’s color
and intensity parameters were programmed for scheduled transitions at specific inter-
vals in morning, evening and nighttime hours.

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Designing lighting system controls with the user in mind

When issued for construction, the project control specifications included a CIN that  Back to TOC
indicated two different color temperatures of static white with programmed daytime/
nighttime fades at sunrise and sunset. Manual override was to be provided by select
button stations within each patient room. Some manual overrides were to allow raise/
lower of light intensity without affecting color selection. Others were to provide full-
on illumination for emergency procedures, while other override conditions required a
minimal amount of light for nighttime rounds.

Because the lighting was programmed for different color temperatures at different the
times of day, the override programming became quite complex. To provide a SOO that
fully detailed the programming required and fully considered the users and their in-
teractions with the space, the initial half page description exploded to five pages and
multiple iterations.

As the SOO was developed, a series of events was created to describe preset scenes
through the day. Each scene required setting not only luminous intensity, but also color
temperature (using cool white and warm white LED boards) based on the time of day
and careful consideration was required to ensure that button activation at any time
would respond appropriately.

Through tedious collaboration with the lighting control manufacturer and their on-site
system programmer, the details were ironed out and an initial round of programming
was completed. At this point, the design team visited the site and the initial design
intent was given a visual review. While the initial controls description indicated a high
color temperature from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., it was quickly noted that waking up to a very
cool color temperature in the early morning hours would not be welcomed by family
members who had stayed overnight with their infant. 22
Designing lighting system controls with the user in mind

 Back to TOC

As a result, an early morning scene beginning with Figure 5: Standard patient room
programming shown at the top of this
a warmer color temperature was created. Each
graphic is a stark contrast to actual system
scene required the definition of both color tem- use, shown through operational overrides
perature and intensity, with timing noted to ensure during one week of use. Courtesy:
Affiliated Engineers Inc.
that the transition was relatively smooth. Once the
scene definitions were complete, the local over-
rides were addressed. Although the system was running throughout the day, overrides
of any of the preset scenes were required for procedural reasons.

The “exam” control, providing the highest level of lighting possible by turning all
lights on, was located both at the room entry door and at the headwall. Two adjacent
button stations at the room entry controlled only the downlights, giving nurses access
to lower illumination for night checks.

The final written SOO for each button of the “exam” scene indicated:

• If program button setting is active, the automated sequence will change lighting
color and intensity automatically through the day and night.
23
Designing lighting system controls with the user in mind

• If the off button setting is active, the automated sequence will be disabled.  Back to TOC

• If the on button setting is active, the automated sequence will be disabled and all
lights will remain on at 5,000 K color at 100% intensity.

Writing a SOO for the ceiling and soffit downlight zones was quite simple with only
on, off and raise/lower buttons required at each. However, because the system was
programmed for different colors throughout the day, definition was required to ensure
that whenever an override occurred, the lighting would come on to the appropriate
color temperature. When overriding patient downlights to on, the on button must be
pressed before the raise/lower buttons, otherwise the color temperature of the lighting
would be out of sync with the schedule.

Note that understanding the detailed way in which a control system will be able to
address manual override while color and/or spectrum is changing in the background
should be part of the initial system selection and development of the CIN.

While significant thought went into the programming of each button for this applica-
tion, it became clear that there were still some risks with the final approach. For in-
stance, if when leaving the room after a nighttime check, the staff pushed the off but-
ton, the lighting would remain off until the “program” button was reactivated.

Alternatively, if the on button was pushed, the lighting may remain on at full for far
longer than intended. Given the intent for the system to provide cycled lighting that
would promote circadian support, incorrect use of the manual overrides allowing the
lighting remain in either given state (on or off) would jeopardize the design intent of
the cycled system. 24
Designing lighting system controls with the user in mind

Fortunately, the design team was able to stay connected to the project and, by working  Back to TOC
with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, has been tracking the frequency with which
those overrides occur. The technical paper “Lighting System Control Data to Improve
Design and Operation: Tunable Lighting System Data from NICU Patient Rooms“ in
the May 2022 edition of IES research journal LEUKOS provides insight into the installed
operation of the system.

The two examples provided here illustrate a stark contrast in the complexity that may
be required for the control of a color/spectral tuning project. It is understandable that
the new lighting practice standard did not include a full exploration of these parame-
ters, but the thought and time required to develop a fully designed SOO for a complex
health care environment should not be underestimated.

While not always straightforward to design, new lighting and control technologies
open up a world of possibilities to deliver light to occupants in a more tailored and
refined way than ever before. When all of the relevant parameters are carefully con-
sidered and documented, tunable lighting systems have the potential to make a real,
positive, impact on people’s lives.

Lauri Tredinnick, LC, IALD, LEED AP, Pivotal Lighting Design, Chicago
Lauri Tredinnick, LC, IALD, LEED AP, leads Affiliated Engineers Inc.’s in-house architec-
tural lighting studio, Pivotal Lighting Design, collaborating with project teams to create
aesthetically impactful, efficient and functional spaces for the people within them.

25
An Engineer’s I t is hard to overstate the impact of LED lighting. Over
the last 20 years, LEDs became the standard for commer-
cial luminaires, with several U.S. states and Canada recent-

Guide to ly enacting regulations that effectively ban the use of older

fluorescent lamps. As LEDs have made lighting smarter

Luminaire and increasingly efficient, the systems that control them

have also become more capable and versatile.

Level Lighting Now, digital, flexible LED control solutions give engineers,
lighting designers, and end users almost unlimited oppor-

Control tunities to specify lighting systems that support changing

energy codes, accommodate budget constraints, and
interpret client control requirements on each project. And,
control options scale easily, offering both zone-based con-
trol for large, open areas and individual fixture control for
enhanced capability, comfort, and design freedom. While
wired, fixture-level control has been possible for more than
a decade, wireless technology now puts individual fixture-
control well within reach for most projects from both bud-
getary and scheduling perspectives.

Smart, connected Luminaire Level Lighting Controls

(LLLCs) magnify the power of LEDs, integrating the bene-
fits of a large, networked control system directly into the
individual LED fixtures. The technology helps redefine the
way we think about lighting control in applications from a
An Engineer’s Guide to Luminaire Level Lighting Control

small office space to classrooms, retail stores, boutique hotels, conference rooms and  Back to TOC
large, multi-use commercial buildings.

By ensuring the lighting system design can adapt and evolve to accommodate chang-
es during and post construction – even when the system is fully programmed – LLLCs
help make the project engineer’s job easier and less risky. This versatility is equally
important to the owner and tenant who can now use fixture-level occupant data to im-
prove the comfort, efficiency, and even value of their space.

What is Luminaire Level Lighting Control?

LLLCs are wireless devices integrated directly
into a lighting fixture, typically by the fixture
manufacturer. Equipped with this device,
the fixture can be individually controlled or
digitally grouped together to create lighting
zones that meet the specified design vi-
sion and specific customer needs – all with-
out requiring unique, zone-by-zone wiring
schemes. LLLCs put advanced intelligence
in the fixture, making the lighting system
more amenable to changes pre-, during, and
post-construction.
The ultra-small, Lutron Athena wireless
node is an individual, wireless fixture control
Depending on the specified fixture, occupancy
engineered to fit a standard fixture knockout;
sensors and daylight sensors can be designed it allows you to adjust light settings by

27
directly into the LLLC device, or the fixture can fixture, zone, or a combination of both.
Photo courtesy of Lutron Electronics
An Engineer’s Guide to Luminaire Level Lighting Control

communicate with system sensors in each building area or zone to automatically adjust  Back to TOC
lighting in repsonse to sensor data. System software can then use that data to help the
facilities team manage energy use, make the most of natural daylight in a space, and
inform building management decisions.

LLLCs offer benefits at every stage of a project, starting with

system design.
The granular control provided by LLLCs simplifies system design. For example, exact
zone configurations, lighting scenes, and even control locations are often not available
in the early stages of project design. With control at each fixture, engineers can design
the system with less up-front information and still be confident the lighting will meet
customer needs, even when they inevitably change their minds or rethink space design
and layout. Design is almost as easy as counting the number of fixtures on the project.

Lighting levels, scenes, and zones can be fine-tuned at any time without impacting
the original system specification, budget, or timeline. Additional lighting zones can
be added at the last minute with no risk to the project schedule, and no surprise wir-
ing costs or other lighting system complications. There are significant benefits for the
building owner or tenant since LLLCs expand design options, and can provide valu-
able, fixture-level data to improve the quality, comfort, and efficiency of their building.

Fixture-level control supports code compliance and helps lower energy use while
ensuring space occupants won’t be left in the dark. Occupancy and daylight sensors
facilitate energy-efficient design without the additional overhead of separate sensors
on the project, and lighting can automatically be turned off or dimmed when it is not
in use.
28
An Engineer’s Guide to Luminaire Level Lighting Control

Improved light quality makes a space more comfortable and may help boost productiv-  Back to TOC
ity. By specifying high-performance LED sources and controls, color temperature and
light intensity can be precisely specified for each project, making it easier to put the
right light, in the right space, at the right time, and over the life of the building.

Specifying LLLCs Solutions – Wired and Wireless Options

To some extent, all lighting control systems are wired; power must be delivered to the
fixtures via line voltage wiring. Wired LLLCs solutions that use low voltage wiring to
each control have been possible for more than a decade with technologies such as
DALI, and some engineers still consider this the go-to spec for new building construc-
tion. However, a traditional, panel-based system is often impractical for retrofits or
renovations and is typically more costly in either scenario due to more wire runs back
to the electrical closet.

Compared to wired options, wireless lighting control is more flexible and less ex-
pensive, putting adjustable, smart control well within reach of most projects. Power
wiring is required only to fixtures. Controls communicate to each other, and to the
master controller, via over-the-air radio frequency signals – no wiring necessary, and
with some manufacturers’ systems you won’t even need to take up coveted electrical
closet space.

System security and signal strength/interference are the most commonly cited reasons
for specifiers placing their trust in wired systems. Some clients are more comfortable
with the perceived confidence in connectivity, responsiveness, and security provided
by the low voltage wiring between the fixtures and controls, but wireless technologies
have largely overcome these objections.
29
An Engineer’s Guide to Luminaire Level Lighting Control

Today’s wireless system manufacturers can provide more than 20 years of evidence that  Back to TOC
their communications protocols are highly reliable, and there is virtually no difference
in response time between wired and wireless controls. Wired systems provide familiar,
reliable control, but wireless systems add greater design flexibility, support tremen-
dous fixture choice, minimize risk, and can be installed up to 70% faster than a wired
solution. The end user gets exactly the lighting they want, when they want it, without
getting pigeon-holed into a design that can’t accommodate changes to their space
layout over time. In the end, the wired vs. wireless decision often comes down to bud-
get, timeline, and client choice.

Wireless LLLC devices amplify the

benefits of a wireless system by
providing individual fixture control
and digital programming. There
are a range of ways in which fix-
tures – or fixture groups – can be
controlled, and LLLC models have
varying sensing capability. LLLCs
are available with or without
integrated sensors and can often
be mixed and matched within a
system ensuring the customer
only pays for the technology they
LLLC models are available with or without
need in the space and giving the contractor great- integral sensors and can be mixed and
er control over the job bid. For example, an open matched within a system to provide the right
light, in the right space, at the right time.
office space with ample daylight may benefit from
Photo credit Eric Laignel
30
An Engineer’s Guide to Luminaire Level Lighting Control

smart fixtures with integrated daylighting capabilities, but a conference room may be  Back to TOC
more functional with uniform lighting controlled with a standard, area-based daylight
sensor associated with one large zone of light.

Like daylight sensors, energy codes require an occupancy sensor in most areas, which
can either be included as part of the LLLC or as a separate wireless sensor added to
the bill of materials. Regardless, with LLLCs the fixtures can be grouped together in
any configuration, and easily regrouped if space use changes.

Looking Ahead: The Future of LLLCs and Digital Control Systems

The future of smart buildings and smart lighting control system is flexibility. Picture
this: your building meets the design spec, easily accommodates small changes that
help your client tailor their system to the way it’s actually used and can be updated
over time to take advantage of new and emerging technologies. LEDs have already re-
defined the lighting landscape. Now, LLLCs are elevating it again with smart, connect-
ed, individual fixture control powering human-centric, energy efficient buildings.

FROM DESIGN TO CONSTRUCTION: HOW LLLCs HELP SIMPLIFY

INSTALLATION AND ACCOMMODATE CHANGE
For the electrical contractor, a digital LLLC solution can save time and significantly reduce the
amount of material required on the job. Power wiring can be run independent of control wiring, and
with a wireless LLLC-enabled system, wires do not have to be run to the fixture. Fixture zoning can be
determined at any time – even after the installation is complete – and can be just as easily adjusted
from an app or dashboard with no new wiring. Ultimately, wireless means greater peace-of-mind for
everyone: engineer, contractor, and end-user alike. Not only is it easier to design and install, but the
client is not locked into a lighting design that made sense in theory, but not in practice.
31
An Engineer’s Guide to Luminaire Level Lighting Control

 Back to TOC
When a project uses wired,
0-10V drivers, contractors need
to know exactly how the fixture
will be zoned before the job is
installed. For the engineer, it is
a challenge to forecast exactly
how lighting zones should be
defined without the benefit of
the occupant experience. If the
lighting needs to be rezoned as a
result of requested project changes, the only solution is With LLLCs, wiring mistakes are minimized,
rewiring and additional cost. Wireless gives engineers and zoning decisions can be made after
the fixtures are installed. Photo courtesy of
the opportunity to anticipate the unknown and design
Lutron Electronics
with expansion in mind.

When the LLLC devices incorporate

sensor options – occupancy and/or
daylight sensors – the fixtures gather
robust data that stakeholders can use to
support advanced energy savings and
make more informed business decisions.

When you are using traditional, wired zone-

control systems, occupancy sensors and/
or daylight sensors have to be installed
separately for code compliance and
lighting performance, further increasing the An owner or tenant can use fixture-level occupant data
number of wire pulls. This adds complexity, time, to improve the comfort, efficiency, and even value of

and cost. In comparison, LLLCs eliminate extra

their space. Photo courtesy of Lutron Electronics
32
An Engineer’s Guide to Luminaire Level Lighting Control

 Back to TOC
steps and minimize system complexity since sensors can be integrated within the LLLC and don’t need
independent power. There is also no extra time required for installing sensors, no need to associate
those additional devices in the system, and less chance of costly, time-consuming wiring errors.

Because LLLC devices are pre-installed in the fixture, engineers and contractors are assured of
driver compatibility. After confirming the LLLC works with the specified control system, contractors
can be confident the system can be installed and setup easily with limited callbacks.

This is a clear win for the contractor, who can bid the job more accurately, and complete it more
quickly, but it is also supports a nice return on investment for building owners, occupants, and
facilities teams. By reducing wiring and expanding set-up options, LLLCs can save time, lower
operating cost, and deliver a more future-proof install. As electrical contractors face persistent
labor shortages, LLLCs contribute to simpler installations, reduced callbacks, and can increase the
number of jobs a contractor can handle.

HOW WIRELESS SAVES ELECTRICAL CLOSET SPACE

As an engineer, how many times have you finally managed to successfully arrange your electrical
equipment to fit in the electrical closet, only to get a call from the building architect saying you
need to reduce closet space by another 20%?

Now your electrical hardware does not fit and you have to go back to the drawing board. The tug-
of-war between the size of lighting control equipment and the lack of available space remains a
pervasive issue.

Previously, there were only a few major lighting control strategies to help alleviate the problem of
shrinking closet space: distributed panels, centralized panels, and individual-fixture controls. There
are tradeoffs; each of these options have different impacts on electrical closet space and total
installed costs. 33
An Engineer’s Guide to Luminaire Level Lighting Control

 Back to TOC
Now, Lutron has introduced the Athena Wireless Node, an RF-enabled individual fixture control
product that nearly eliminates the need to mount lighting control equipment in the closet. Athena
Wireless Node can work in almost any fixture with a DALI-2 or 0-10 V electronic-off driver.

With this new option, the lighting control system is wirelessly enabled, and controllable with
granularity down to the individual fixture. In contrast, 0-10V control equipment requires power and
control home runs to each lighting zone.

Let’s consider two lighting control strategies for a large (26,000 sq. ft.) office space. In the following
example, we explore two control strategies and compare their respective impact on material cost
and required closet space.

0-10V (Analog) Solution

When using a 0-10V zone control solution, contractors must mount and wire the distribution panel
as well as each individual panel. In
general, installation requires enough
wall space in the electrical closet for
the breaker panel as well as 1 foot
of separation between all devices to
accommodate wiring into and out of
the panel.

In the following 0-10V solution, each

zone is wired back to a control panel.

When the architect reduces available electrical closet

In comparison, with individual fixture control
space by 20% or more, wired lighting control systems
you have a wireless device installed in each can send you back to the project drawing board. Photo

34
fixture. Zoning is done entirely through courtesy of Lutron Electronics
An Engineer’s Guide to Luminaire Level Lighting Control

 Back to TOC
programming; there is no need to
home-run each zone to the panel,
meaning less wire and less material to
install.

Individual Fixture Control

Solution
Although fixture cost is higher with
the digital solution, installation labor
units and required closet space are
significantly lower. In addition to a lower installation In this LLLC example, a Lutron Athena wireless
node is installed in each fixture, and the Athena
cost, the digital solution offers greater flexibility
solution nearly eliminated the need to mount
and higher-performance control. With an in- lighting control equipment in the closet. Photo
fixture solution there is less risk of miswire during courtesy of Lutron Electronics
installation and lighting in the space can be easily
reconfigured, both during and post-construction. This is a key project differentiator as it ensures
the lighting system can accommodate changes to space layout without costly rewiring or third-
party commissioning.

Design Depends on your Customers’ Priorities

No one system design will be ideal for all your jobs. but LLLCs can offer the design flexibility you
need to create the right solution for each client’s performance, budget, and space requirements.
More and more often your clients expect their lighting control systems to make buildings smarter,
more human centric, and even more data centric to maximize building comfort and performance.
And they want systems that will continue to perform over time even as technologies improve.

Software-driven, smart systems are changing the way owners and occupants interact with their
buildings. LLLCs can make it easier to tailor system performance without adding complexity,
exceeding budgets, or compromising the project schedule. 35
Navigating the route to more
sustainable mission critical power  Back to TOC

Which mission critical power option is right for your next building application?

B uildings rely on resilient mission critical power for business, health, sanitation,
safety and security. However, the threat of climate change has resulted in urgent
demand for more sustainable mission critical power technologies.

While diesel generators are the most commonly used emergency power solution, they
create carbon dioxide and emissions of particles such as soot and their environmental
impact is widely seen as undesirable.

To balance sustainability against the demand for mission critical power, it’s useful to
consider the doughnut economics model. First published in 2021 in an Oxfam report,
this model aims to help balance the needs of people with the resources available on
our planet. It proposes an approach for the 21st century that makes sure no one is left
short of life’s essentials while ensuring we don’t exceed safe limits for environmen-
tal impact. Reducing the emissions from mission critical power is a prime example of
where the industry is looking to achieve this balance.

Why diesel for mission critical power?

When a power outage occurs, diesel generators start quickly and reliably to provide
electricity and allow continuity of operation. Generators are a tried and trusted option,
the estimated total industrial generators market (diesel, gas, marine) is predicted to
reach $23.6 billion by 2025, with many of these products being used for mission critical
applications. For some mission critical power environments, diesel generators are the
36
Navigating the route to more sustainable mission critical power

only option, particularly  Back to TOC

in remote areas where
the grid is unreliable and
there is a lack of support-
ing energy infrastructure.

Why are diesel genera-

tors often the preferred
option? Firstly, they offer
flexible outputs across
a broad range of power
nodes and can be accu-
rately sized within the
Kohler Power Systems ushers in a future powered
small footprint required. Diesel provides an
by sustainable fuels, earlier this year approving
efficient and readily available fuel that can be their entire line of mission critical diesel
stored safely on-site and works in most cli- generators to run on Renewable Hydrotreated
Vegetable Oil (HVO). Courtesy: Kohler Power
mates. Additionally, most generator suppliers
Systems, North America
offer well-established maintenance and sup-
port, giving end-users peace of mind.

Power outages can be rare, so backup diesel generators are only used occasionally
and for short periods — therefore emissions are relatively low. That said, there is a gen-
uine and growing demand for more sustainable operations, from original equipment
manufacturers and end-users alike.

Optimization and efficiency of mission critical power

37
Navigating the route to more sustainable mission critical power

Generator manufacturers have invested heavily in the pursuit of more environmentally  Back to TOC
friendly technologies. This has been concentrated on the engine, with environmental
standards such as Environmental Protection Agency Tier 4 in the U.S., pushing engi-
neers to rethink engine architectures to reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate
matter levels.

Emissions reduction technologies have cut the amount of pollution created, via in-cyl-
inder reductions and treat created pollution before it enters the environment through
after-treatment technologies. Engineers have also used advanced computer-aided
tools and computational fluid dynamics to predict performance and optimize designs.

For example, high-pressure common rail fuel injection systems increase the injection
pressure of diesel fuel, allowing for finer atomization, improved air-mixing and greater
control of injection timing. Meanwhile, electronic fuel injection means the engine can
be programmed to inject fuel at the ideal time during the combustion cycle — with
multiple injections carried out within milliseconds. By using closed-loop feedback
controls, the engines can also adjust the fuel injections to account for transient events,
steady-state operation or environmental operating conditions.

Exhaust gas recirculation is commonly deployed to reduce NOx. Exhaust gases are
recycled back into the combustion chamber and mixed with the intake air to reduce
oxygen content and therefore combustion temperature.

Significant advances have been made in after-treatment technologies. Diesel oxida-

tion catalysts, consisting of a honeycomb structure coated in precious metal in a stain-
less-steel housing, cause a reaction in the hot diesel exhaust flows as it passes through,
38
Navigating the route to more sustainable mission critical power

breaking down pollutants into less harmful components. Other technologies such as  Back to TOC
diesel particulate filters and selective catalytic reduction can also reduce the release of
contaminants.

In practice, mission critical generators are often used for less than 12 hours per year
and at low loads because most of the runtime is for monthly exercising. This limited
use means the engines cannot sustain the optimal operating temperatures needed to
burn the fuel completely. This can cause a build-up of unburnt fuel in the exhaust sys-
tem — known as wet stacking — which can lead to decreased engine performance and
higher emissions.

In the past, the solution for wet stacking has been to run the generators once a month
at 30% of the rated capacity to burn off unused fuel or prevent build-up. However,
technological advances are reducing the need for this procedure. Advanced genera-
tors can be run at 30% of rated capacity as little as once per year to maintain optimal
performance and stay within emissions guidelines. Revisiting maintenance programs
and switching from monthly to yearly load testing cuts total pollutant emissions by as
much as 82%.

Renewable fuels for power systems

Another advance in sustainability is the development of renewable fuels. Hydrotreated
vegetable oil, or HVO, for example, is a liquid fuel that is synthesized from waste vege-
table oils or animal fats using a special hydrotreatment process. Unlike first-generation
biodiesel, HVO does not impact crop resources and it can translate into up to 90%
fewer greenhouse gas emissions over its entire life cycle. It is resilient in cold weather,
safe in hot climates and can be stored for up to 10 years.
39
Navigating the route to more sustainable mission critical power

HVO is similar in grade and quality to traditional diesel and can be used as a drop-in  Back to TOC
without modification. HVO is also completely compatible with the standard mix of petro-
leum-derived diesel fuels and can be used as a blend with traditional diesel. The ability
to mix HVO and conventional fuels provides flexibility to the end-user, who could intro-
duce HVO as a renewable fuel and then revert to diesel should the need arise.

While HVO is available right now, global generator and power systems manufacturing
technical teams are also evaluating new technologies for mission critical power, such as
batteries and fuel cells that might be deployed. Battery performance has matured rap-
idly in recent years and the technology is already available with an efficiency of close to
90%. Many companies have already forged several joint ventures with industrial part-
ners to develop battery-powered generators.

However, scaling battery solutions is difficult. Mission critical applications would re-
quire a substantial number of large battery packs — presenting cost, complexity and
footprint challenges. Also, batteries contain high levels of rare metals, which are be-
coming more difficult and expensive to acquire.

Fuel cells are also attracting attention. They have a lower footprint compared to bat-
teries and the possibility of quick refuelling with pressurized or liquid hydrogen. These
factors mean fuel cells could be adapted for backup applications and more extended
storage periods.

However, fuel cells can only really be considered “green” if the hydrogen used to
power them comes from sustainable sources such as renewables, nuclear or biomass.
Achieving this fully is many years away from being practically available at scale and the
40
Navigating the route to more sustainable mission critical power

hydrogen produced is hard to store in bulk without significant investment in associated  Back to TOC
infrastructure.

Choosing the correct power system options

The route to cleaner mission critical power will be achieved through a transition peri-
od — it will not happen overnight. There is no “one size fits all” solution, with regional
and industry-specific variations.

In some circumstances, diesel will always represent the best technology and remain the
fuel of choice and reductions in diesel genset emissions will make this a more sustain-
able option. But in other applications, renewable fuels such as HVO will offer more flexi-
ble alternatives without compromising performance. In the future, fuel cells and batteries
could present a step-change in sustainability, with little or no at-source emissions.

As companies continue to invest heavily in backup power, end-users will be able to re-
duce their emissions, thanks to a diverse range of technology options. Together, these
different options will enable mission critical power to remain effective and reliable,
while becoming significantly more environmentally friendly.

Beth Splittgerber
Beth Splittgerber is a product manager at Kohler Power Systems. In her 30 years at
Kohler Power Systems, Splittgerber has been committed to bringing the best quality
product to market, including the latest focus toward clean energy, which is a key part
of Kohler’s sustainability journey.

41
Your questions answered:
Lighting and lighting control design  Back to TOC

Which questions did you need answered about lighting and lighting controls?

What’s the best way to apply “lessons learned” after completing a de-
sign you will never see in day-to-day use, and without knowing what the
shortcomings of the design are?

Michael Chow: Functional testing/commissioning is required by ASHRAE Standard

90.1: Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings. The lighting
designer or electrical engineer should work with the commissioning agent to imple-
ment the functional testing forms and requirements. The completed forms could be
reviewed with the lighting designer or electrical engineer.

Also, the lighting designer or electrical engineer can require post-occupancy testing.
This is required for the optional U.S. Green Building Council LEED Enhanced Commis-
sioning credit.

LEED requires that lighting be separately metered. The lighting designer or electrical
engineer can use this data and compare it to the energy model or anticipated light-
ing usage to determine if the actual data matches the design data. If not, perhaps the
lighting controls need to be revalidated or re-commissioned.

How do you specify a lighting control system while keeping the spec
open to multiple manufacturers?

42
Your questions answered: Lighting and lighting control design

 Back to TOC

Tony Staub: Using a performance-based specification including a detailed sequence

of operations is my method. By defining what the system must be capable of, you can
meet the needs of the project without selecting one system.

Can you please elaborate more on “daylight harvesting”?

Tony Staub: Daylight harvesting is simply reducing artificial lighting levels (and associ-
ated energy) while sufficient daylight is available within a space.

Other than saying the code requires it, how do you sell a client on a
controls system who only wants toggle switches on the wall and doesn’t 43
Your questions answered: Lighting and lighting control design

want a complicated system? And by that, I mean code minimum dim-  Back to TOC
ming, daylight controls and sensors.

Tony Staub: This is highly dependent on the client and the application of the building.

What standards say about the warranty period and battery backup (in
hours) of essential lightings fixtures?

Michael Chow: Standards usually do not address the warranty period. NFPA 101: Life
Safety Code Section 7.9 requires emergency lighting must remain illuminated for at
least 90 minutes. Illumination levels are allowed to decline to an average of 0.6 foot
candles (fc), with a 0.06-fc minimum, at the end of the 90-minute period. It is critical
that the lighting designer or electrical engineer consult with the code official before
during the design phase. Code officials may interpret the required illumination levels
differently and may lead to increased construction costs and delays if the code official
interpretation is not determined during the design phase.

Color rendering index (CRI) gives higher level of color rendering?

Tony Staub: Theoretically, though CRI is limited in application. CRI is developed us-
ing eight reference colors and includes no metric for saturation. In short, a higher CRI
should provide better color rendering on average, though that may not be true for
specific colors. TM-30 provides additional information, which can be used to better
understand the color qualities of a light source.

How does CRI compare to color temperature?

44
Your questions answered: Lighting and lighting control design

 Back to TOC
Tony Staub: CRI and correlated color temperature (CCT) are measures of different
things, though there is some relationship. CRI compares how light sources render a set
of colors as compared to a reference point. Changing CCT would change those ref-
erence points slightly, but CRI would still apply in the same way. In short, there is very
little relationship between the two.

Isn’t “auto on” a non-energy-conserving spec?

Michael Chow: Occupancy sensors automatically turns on the lights when it detects
the presence of a person in its field of detection (usually a major and a minor field) and
turns the lights off when no one is present. A feature of occupancy sensors is that they
automatically turn on and turn off when occupancy is detected in either the major or
minor sensor coverage areas. It can be programmed to turn on or off only part of the
lights during occupancy — some of this is code required. This strategy is also called
partial ON/partial OFF control.

A vacancy sensor can be more energy efficient compared to occupancy sensors. Va-
cancy sensors will keep the lights off in a room/area unless they are activated manually
with a vacancy sensor. This can also be advantageous as a room occupant may not
always want artificial lighting. This allows the occupant to control if artificial lighting is
present or not. Vacancy sensors turn the lights off when no one is present. This strategy
is known as manual ON control.

You talked about CRI, but any thoughts on TM-30 or just CRI+R9?

45
Your questions answered: Lighting and lighting control design

Tony Staub: I personally believe and hope that TM-30 will continue to gain popularity,  Back to TOC
as I believe there are a number of TM-30 metrics which could be used in lieu of CRI for
more impact.

If ASHRAE 90.1 can be used in lieu of International Energy Conservation

Code, does it mater how far back the latest adopted version is?

Michael Chow: IECC for jurisdictions that have adopted the IECC. Use the ASHRAE
90.1 version issued two years before IECC version. However, check with the state and
local lighting codes as they may have adopted another version of ASHRAE 90.1 as ac-
ceptable.

Can mechanical systems use different energy code from the electrical
energy code?

Tony Staub: No. The same energy code must be used by the entire design team, in-
cluding not only the mechanical team but also the architectural team. In fact, there are
some code provisions that require the participation of multiple disciplines, such as the
“Additional Efficiency Package Options” in the IECC 2018.

Can ultraviolet (UV) lighting be used in retail settings?

Tony Staub: A good UV design can be used in most space types. For a retail space
with daily hours, a system set up to provide pulsed UV to disinfect overnight may be a
good solution.

46
Case study: Cost comparison of
power feeder installations  Back to TOC

Experienced designers and contractors will choose power distribution

feeders to meet the specific needs of a project

T he following hypothetical installation compares the installation costs for the three
power distribution feeder methods — wire and conduit, power cable and tray
and bus duct. For this example, a 100-foot feeder was considered, with two 90-degree
bends to feed an 800 A, 480-volt, 3-phase, four-wire panel from a 480volt switchboard.
The feeder was routed indoors at 10 feet above the floor. Costs for each installation
method were estimated using an industry standard estimating tool.

• The first feeder used three sets of 4#300 MCM copper wire plus #2 ground. Each
set was installed in a 2.5-inch rigid galvanized conduit. With this configuration, the
material costs come to approximately $10,800 and the labor costs come to approx-
imately $11,300, for a total installed cost of approximately $22,100.

• The second feeder used three sets of four-conductor armored cable installed in
cable tray. The cable was modeled as #300 copper with PVC jacket and terminated
at each panel. Twelve-inch-wide galvanized steel cable tray was modeled, with ap-
propriate bends, dropouts and end plates. The material costs for this configuration
come to $18,100, with labor costs at $4,900. The total for this installation comes to
$23,000, similar to traditional wire and conduit.

• Lastly, bus duct was modeled. The bust duct was aluminum with appropriate panel
stubs, elbows and an expansion fitting. The costs for this installation came to ap-
47
Case study: Cost comparison of power feeder installations

 Back to TOC

proximately $62,000 for material and $7,500 for labor, for Courtesy: IMEG Corp.

a total of $69,500 — considerably more than the first two

methods.

Timothy Paap
Timothy Paap is a senior electrical engineer at IMEG Corp. and has more than 15
years of industry experience designing and installing power distribution systems. He
is a certified master electrician by the state of Wisconsin and an NABCEP Certified PV
Design Specialist.

48
 Lighting &
Lighting Controls
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