Question 1

What are the different types of dimming systems?

Accepted Answer

0-10v Dimming
Most LED fixtures use 0-10v dimming. This is compatible with most step down dimming sensors, smart control systems, and dimmer systems
LED lamps and retrofits are often not dimmable by default.

- Retrofits require dimming drivers.

- Dimmable lamps are available but must be matched to the type of dimming system in use.

Wired systems

Sensors and dimmers must be connected to the fixture through an additional wire which controls the dimming.

- For integrated sensors (usually on garage fixtures and stairwell fixtures) this is not an issue as the sensor is already wired to the fixture.

- For non integrated sensors (typically a single sensor wired to multiple fixtures as is found in hallways and office environments), the sensor must have a wire run to each fixture. This increases the time and materials for the scope of work.

Wireless systems

- Individual sensors which communicate via bluetooth, microwave, or wifi

- Saves on the labor of wiring multiple fixtures to a single sensor or relay.

- Takes much of the planning out of deploying sensors .

- No need to plan overlapping zones of coverage.

- Allows for grouping functionality.

Triac Dimming
This is the “traditional” dimming system found in homes and offices.
Some LED solutions are compatible with Triac.

- It may be possible to replace the LED driver with a Triac compatible driver, but this may be a more costly solution.

“Dimming” Fluorescent Fixtures

Most linear fluorescent lamps are not designed to be dimmed. Even those that are dimmable require a dimming ballast, which can be cost prohibitive. This has led to a variety of fixes, goarounds, and other creative solutions to gather some energy savings by “dimming” the fixture. Title 24 began allowing these methods of “dimming” fixtures when LED technology was still cost prohibitive to most customers

Power 50% of the lamps off

- By using one or more types of controls, a multi-lamp linear fixture can be “dimmed” by wiring the controls to turn off some (typically half) of the lamps.

- This requires multiple ballasts.

• The controls are wired to one of the ballasts (thereby controlling the lamps wired to that ballast), while the other ballast (or ballasts) are not connected to the control and run 24/7.

• If an emergency battery is connected to this fixture, it will be connected to the non-controlled ballast and lamps.

Power 50% of the fixtures off

- While less desirable, some facilities go a simpler route than the one lined out above by adding controls to 50% of the fixtures in an area.

• In garages this is undesirable as it leaves many dark areas. These can lead to both real and perceived safety hazards.

• In stairwells this can be problematic because it is unlikely that 50% of the fixtures can illuminate the area to minimum standards.

Mixed technology

- There have been various products on the market that employ a mixture of lamp types in order to “dim” the fixture.

- Linear fluorescent plus CFL

• The solution is a fixture which has one or more linear fluorescent lamps wired to a control and has a CFL (PL or E26 base) which is powered 24/7.

• While this solution creates short term energy savings, CFL lamps have a much shorter life than linear lamps and the maintenance staff will spend a great deal of time chasing down failed lamps.

• This solution was rarely used and has been essentially abandoned.

• However, in some cases the fixture has been retrofit to use TLEDs and an LED lamp.

-Linear fluorescent plus cold cathode lamp

• A cold cathode lamp is a type of fluorescent lamp with a much longer rated life. They do not ignite or strike as quickly as rapid start fluorescent lamps.

• In this solution, the linear fluorescent lamp (or lamps) is wired to a control and the cold cathode lamp is powered 24/7.

• This solution was rarely used and has been essentially abandoned.

Question 2

What is step down dimming?

Accepted Answer

Also called bi-level switching, step down dimming is typically paired with an occupancy sensor and is used in situations where it is not ideal or not code to turn a fixture off entirely.
This is a “set it and forget it” type of lighting control. The sensors will automatically dim fixtures when there is no motion detected. This leads to a great deal of energy savings over the long run.
Step down dimming is required by code in many applications. Oftentimes incentive programs will require step down dimming to be used in certain applications
Typical applications include garages, stairwells, lighting curfews in exterior fixtures, interior hallways.
Light levels drop to a preset lower level when an occupancy sensor has timed out

- Example: the last person exits a stairwell, the occupancy sensor scans for motion for a preset time, finds no motion, and the fixture dims down to 50% output (or whatever level is programmed). When motion is detected, the fixture instantly returns to maximum output.

Some sensors/dimming systems have the ability to have multiple settings.

- Example: an occupancy sensor in a restroom detects no motion, the fixture is dimmed by 10%. Motion is not detected for another 5 minutes, the fixture is dimmed by 10% more. This continues to a preset minimum level. This acts as a warning to anyone in the restroom to make motion that the sensor will detect and bring the fixture back to full power.

Some sensors/dimming systems have the ability to regulate how quickly the fixture dims.

- Example: APS uses a smart sensor in garages. This sensor can be programmed to dim the lights slowly over the course of several minutes rather than instantly drop the output by 50%. This gives for a soft transition to the lower setting and acts as a reminder to anyone still in the garage to start moving again to bring the fixtures to full power.

- Every situation is unique and each incentive program accepts their own particular savings values. Typically APS uses a standard 15% savings if the project is going through an incentive program. However, we have seen savings in excess of 80% in many applications

Lighting

TLEDs and LED PL Lamps

What are TLEDs and LED PL Lamps?

Types of TLEDs and LED PL Lamps: Type A, what are they?

Types of TLEDs and LED PL Lamps: Type A, what are the advantages?

Types of TLEDs and LED PL Lamps: Type A, what are the disadvantages?

Types of TLEDs and LED PL Lamps: Type B, what are they?

Types of TLEDs and LED PL Lamps: Type B, what are the advantages?

Types of TLEDs and LED PL Lamps: Type B, what are the disadvantages?

Types of TLEDs and LED PL Lamps: Type C, what are they?

Types of TLEDs and LED PL Lamps: Type C, what are the advantages?

Types of TLEDs and LED PL Lamps: Type C, what are the disadvantages?

Types of TLEDs and LED PL Lamps: Linear Retrofit Kits, what are they?

Types of TLEDs and LED PL Lamps: Linear Retrofit Kits, what are the advantages?

Types of TLEDs and LED PL Lamps: Linear Retrofit Kits, what are the disadvantages?

Types of TLEDs and LED PL Lamps: Hybrid Lamps, what are they?

Types of TLEDs and LED PL Lamps: Hybrid Lamps, what are the advantages of Type A/C Hybrid Lamps?

Types of TLEDs and LED PL Lamps: Hybrid Lamps, what are the disadvantages of Type A/C Hybrid Lamps?

Types of TLEDs and LED PL Lamps: Magic Tube, what are they?

Types of TLEDs and LED PL Lamps: Magic Tube, what are the disadvantages?

What type of TLEDs does APS prefer to recommend?

What type of TLED should we use??

Emergency Batteries & Emergency Backup

Types of Emergency Backup Systems

Why do we need to replace our emergency batteries?

Is there a cheaper way to upgrade my emergency fixtures?

Dimming

What are the different types of dimming systems?

What is step down dimming?

Controls

Savings

Smart Controls

Passive Infrared (PIR)

Ultrasonic

Microwave

Photocells and Daylight Harvesting

Timers and Time Clocks

Applications

The Murder Movie Scene (“Popcorn” Dimming)

Lighting Curfew

Lighting Curfew

Re-lamp, Retrofit, or Replace?

Garages

What are our options for upgrading garage fixtures?

Unique/Challenging Garage Scenarios

Stairwells

Unique Existing Conditions