IES DG-28-15

Electronic outdoor lights are generally controlled in groups via relays (contractors) and photocells, or controlled individually with photocells mounted on the luminaires. Today's digital technology, in both control systems and light sources, offers new potential to better control the lighting system and provide the right amount of lighting when required. Better lighting controls can result in improved visibility and potential savings in both energy and maintenance costs. The purpose of this Design Guide is to educate the reader on control technologies, and to advise considerations for their implementation.

It should be understood that these new systems, while bringing the potential to improve visibility as well as considerably reduce both energy and maintenance cost, also bring a significant and long-term investment. For that reason, the user/designer should understand the functionalities and consequences of the different technologies, each with its own cost/benefit analysis.

This Design Guide prsents an overview of lighting control technologies, some of which are new and evelving, and others which have a proven history (for examples, refer to IES TM-23-11 Lighting Control Protocols).