Light controllers

Modern and energy-efficient LED lighting offers huge potential savings over conventional street lighting. Through the use of electronic components, it also opens up the option of very easily integrating a light controller to save additional energy.

The right controller for your application depends on your requirements and also the prevailing conditions. Intelligent light controllers in our luminaires make our lighting systems even more efficient. They minimise annual energy consumption and therefore associated costs too. We are happy to explain the options in more detail.

CLM - Constant Lumen Management

The luminous flux of all light sources, including LEDs, reduces as they age. The amount by which it reduces depends on various parameters. However, these days an electronic controller can counteract this reduction to provide constant luminous flux over the light sources entire life and save even more energy for good measure.

Without constant luminous flux

Over the course of a light sources life, its luminous flux falls by say 20% (L80B10), but the system output remains unchanged. The drop in luminous flux must be taken into account when planning through use of the lamp luminous flux maintenance factor (LLWF). This means that from the outset the lighting system has to be provided with more energy to take account of the drop in luminous flux and still provide the amount of light needed at the end of its life.

With constant luminous flux

The integrated electronics increase the flux over the illuminant’s life and thereby keep the luminous flux constant. This does increase the system output over the illuminant’s life, but you save energy right from the start because you don’t have to oversize your lighting system.
                        
These days, modern LED systems work in such a stable manner that they only lose a few percent of luminous flux over the course of their lives. The influence of constant luminous flux is therefore low.

LRT – Light Regulation Twin (2 phases)

With this controller, the lighting is reduced using a second phase (control phase). Switching off the control phase, reduces the luminous flux to a predefined value.  There are two versions available: With «LRT70», the luminous flux is reduced to around 70% (equating to a reduction of roughly one lighting class).

With the classic «LRT», it is reduced to 50% (the familiar half-night setup). The duration and times can be freely determined by the user and adapted to suit. This controller can be easily integrated into networks with an existing control phase and in new systems too.

LRA – Light Regulation Autarkic (self-sufficient)

As the name suggests, Light Regulation Autarkic is not dependent on an external control line. This controller can therefore also be easily integrated in existing lighting systems. It can be freely programmed in 5 levels with the data stored directly in the electronic operating unit meaning that no additional components are needed.

The programmed times at which the luminous flux is reduced are automatically taken from the switch-on and switch-off times. The midway point between switching on and off is the reference time for the reduction. If this changes, the reduction times are adapted accordingly, as happens e.g. when switching between CET summer / winter time.

DALI

For integration in external controllers, Vulkan’s luminaires can also be supplied with a DALI connection. In addition to the control function, the other benefit of DALI is that it is a two-way protocol and e.g. errors and lighting hours can also be read out. The reduction in performance is then of course dependent on the controller used and the options it offers. One of the disadvantages of these systems is the limited cable lengths which is why the signal converter (controller) is usually located in the pole or luminaire.

LMS – LiGHT Management System

A light management system can of course do much more than simply reduce energy consumption. It’s a forward-looking technology, which can vastly improve the well-being, safety and therefore also the quality of life of citizens. Needs-based and individual light control, monitoring, error messages and logging simplify administration and maintenance of lighting systems. This also involves linking the lighting with other systems or integrating external signals.

Smart City

«SmartCity» is synonymous with all-encompassing development concepts, networking of various systems and collecting data to optimise urban spaces. Lighting and its light management systems, forms part of the SmartCity approach.

An overview of lighting

The light management system is based on a software, which can control all the lighting in a city. The individual light points are clearly represented on a map and can be read out or adapted individually or in groups at any time. The lighting hours and consumption levels are logged and can be exported and documented as reports. The system detects errors and generates appropriate error messages. Managing the software on a central server also spares the operator from network updates and an elaborate IT infrastructure. The 128-bit encryption and an additional password protect the network from access by third parties.

Wireless communication

Connections and/or communication are ensured by a wireless mesh network and require no additional underground control cables. The light controller can therefore also be easily integrated in existing networks. Given the range, the signal is sent not just to one participant but several at the same time (the number depends on local circumstances). For example, the signal may not be interrupted by a separate earth connection. If a participant doesn’t respond, the signal in the wireless network instantly looks for a «way round».

Providing light when and where it is needed

Integrating sensors helps to optimise the lighting without having to compromise on convenience or safety. For example, integrated motion sensors can be used to minimise illumination. If one of these sensors detects movement from say a pedestrian, cyclist or car driver, the illumination level is increased to a defined value. At the same time, the command to do the same is sent to previously defined adjoining luminaires to ensure even lighting in the streets