IES 2018 Annual Conference

Surprises from Connected Lighting Installations: What to know before you specify your next connected lighting project.

As connected lighting systems are becoming more prevalent, the primary question for lighting designers is how to specify these types of systems to successfully meet the design intent.  Is a new method of communication needed or can old approaches still work?

To help answer this question, join members of the US DOE Next Generation Lighting Systems (NGLS) team for a frank discussion of lessons learned from the recently completed installation and evaluation of twelve different connected lighting systems at Parsons School of Design, The New School, in New York City.  Each system was designed to meet lighting and energy code requirements and installed to light a fully functional space, making this the most robust evaluation of its kind.  The evaluated systems that will be covered in the presentation include troffers, pendants and conversion kits, with luminaire-integrated and external control approaches.

Using evaluation notes, direct installer feedback, "action" photography, and video clips, the presentation will address how easy it was for contractors to install, configure, and commission the systems and how well those systems actually performed once the process was completed.  It also addresses the overall performance of the systems as experienced by a panel of lighting professionals, and an assessment of the systems by the end users themselves - faculty, students, and facility personnel.

Focusing on a key challenge, the evaluations are also assessing communications between all parties involved from design through installation and maintenance by facilities staff.  This process has brought many aspects of the connected lighting specification process to life so the session will include tangible examples of specification vocabulary and both successful and unsuccessful communication methods. Members of the NGLS steering committee will also share real world examples to illustrate not only the need for better communication but recommendations on how to achieve greater success in the field.