How to Build a Control System

Control System

Nov 3, 2020

By Jeremy Day

Building a control system for a modern lighting installation can seem like an impossibly complex task. To simplify it, a systematic approach to understanding the needs of the design, facility, and user can be employed. In this white paper, we aim to define the questions one must answer to construct an appropriate control system.

First, and perhaps counterintuitively, one must start with the control narrative. A lighting programming and control narrative is a document that is essential to coordinate the design/construction process with a fully realized final architectural product. It defines how lighting will integrate into the space and, ultimately, how humans will interact with that same space. With the direction of the narrative, the necessary functionality of the control system can be defined. Is the intent for lights to automatically turn on and off with an astronomical time clock? Should lights be dimmed via daylight harvesting? What kind of shows or effects are desired? The answers to these questions will directly determine the size and scale of the control system. Without this narrative, assumptions will have to be made. The balancing act will be between providing a highly flexible control system and a system that is adequately capable yet cost effective.

Questions to ask yourself

1. What is the standard order of operations for a normal day?

2. What special events or holidays need a special program or scene?

3. What happens automatically vs. what happens via manual intervention?

Second, the number of controllable zones must be determined. An outdoor façade installation may have a floodlights-only zone, or it could also include linear grazing fixtures as well as direct view elements. Each of these zones will need to be controlled independently, and the control system must be sized appropriately. 

Questions to ask yourself

4. How many individually controllable zones are there (e.g. downlights, cove, accent, indirect, colour per room)?

Of note, to create a dynamic lighting system, the number of channels needed to put the system together must be well understood. A channel is defined as a single controlled attribute. For simple dimming only lights, one channel would be needed to control that dimmed intensity. For tunable white lights, two or three channels would be needed to adjust intensity and colour temperature, depending on the exact configuration of that fixture. A colour changing RGBW light would most likely need four channels, one for each Red, Green, Blue, and White control.

A simple system composed of only a white light fixture with a dimmable, static colour temperature will need only one DMX channel per zone. A more complex system, such as a linear run of colour-changing RGBW fixtures, could potentially need four channels per foot (or even eight per foot in exceptional circumstances). Of course, if the control narrative is clearly defined as “this linear run will only fade from Colour 1 to Colour 2 in unison,” that would eliminate the need for individually addressed fixtures and could significantly reduce the cost of the control system.

Figure 1Figure 2

Another consideration is requirements for Input and Output (I/O) signalling and integration. Some common examples of these I/Os are:

• fire alarms
• emergency conditions
• building automation systems
• occupancy and daylight sensors
• shades
• wind or other atmospheric sensors
• A/V integration

The control narrative will describe the necessary interactions, but the physical locations and quantities of I/O will determine the number of interfaces in the control system. A system composed of only a few lights might still require a larger more sophisticated control system based purely on the complexity of the I/O needs.

Figure 3

Questions to ask yourself

5. How many of each control I/O are required and at what locations?

The next key component to consider is user interfaces: How will the users interact with the system, turn lights on and off, raise and lower, change colours, advance scenes, etc.? Where will these interactions take place? You might need a keypad at every office and door, but what about the exterior lights? Where will they be controlled? In addition to physical control stations like keypads and touchscreens, virtual control like web pages and smart devices need to be considered and allotted for. 

Questions to ask yourself

6. List each user interface, including keypads, touchscreens, web access terminals, smart devices.

Figure 4

Finally, a consideration to make is whether to base a control system off DMX/RDM (a digital, daisy chained system for smaller systems) or Ethernet (a highly flexible and scalable system for projects of all sizes and complexities). Below are some key advantages of each protocol.

[Figure 5

Now that the requirements of the control system have been defined, the type, scale, and specifics of the control system can be chosen. Often tiers exist in control systems, sometimes defined by the number of universes, user interfaces, or I/O triggering. One specific requirement may bump the system up into a higher tier. Having a complete understanding of the scope of the control system will ensure that all requirements are covered by the capabilities of the control system. Lumenpulse sales engineers are experienced in the consultation and execution of control systems of all sizes and are available to consult on the needs, options, and budgets of this critical element of all lighting systems.

Understanding of the desired functionality of the lighting system will help right-size the control system to meet all needs without overspending and overcomplicating a project. Control systems come in many shapes and sizes, with trade-offs in capabilities, cost, and complexity. Lumenpulse is here to help clients balance these elements and choose the correct system at the right price and feature set.

Jeremy Day is a Lumenpulse Application Engineering Director. This article was first published online by Lumenpulse: www.lumenpulse.com/knowledge/how-to-build-a-control-system

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • LEDucation 2024 – Concluded with Record-Breaking Attendance

    The LEDucation Trade Show and Conference, organized by the Designers Lighting Forum New York, wrapped 2024 with record-breaking attendance, welcoming more than 10,000 registrants from all aspects of the lighting industry. LEDucation celebrated its 18th year in New York City March 19–20 at the New York Hilton Midtown, becoming North America’s largest annual lighting industry… Read More…

  • Part 1: How Many Studies Does it Take to Change a Lightbulb?

    March 18, 2024 How studies in vision inform lighting standards at Night By Noah Sabatier Changing a light bulb in our home is perhaps the most simple task in which we can still credit ourselves for performing household maintenance. The amount of thought such an operation receives rarely extends beyond looking for the most efficient… Read More…


Design

  • Case Study: Windsor Family Credit Union (WFCU) with Salex SW

    Case Study: Windsor Family Credit Union (WFCU) with Salex SW

    February 6, 2024 Since 1940, WFCU Credit Union is a prominent and forward-thinking financial institution based in Windsor and Essex County. For over 80 years, WFCU has been dedicated to serving Ontario residents, community, organizations, small businesses, commercial entities, and public institutions. Their new headquarters in Kitchener was created as they continue to grow their… Read More…

  • Coaticook Suspended Footbridge: An Ever-Changing Luminous Canvas, Painted by Nature

    Coaticook Suspended Footbridge: An Ever-Changing Luminous Canvas, Painted by Nature

    December 5, 2023 At 170 m (554 ft) long and 50 m (160 ft) high, the Coaticook Canyon Bridge at Parc de la Gorge de Coaticook is one of the longest suspension footbridges in North America and one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Eastern Townships. For several years, the Parc de la… Read More…


New Products

  • Liteline ORBIT 2″ Gimbal Recessed Fixture

    The ORBIT is a 5 watt 2″ gimbal recessed light fixture for retrofit applications, with 360° rotation and 80° tilt. It is a high-performance, easy to install downlight solution that offers good light output, energy-efficiency and streamlined design. Suitable for wet locations and ideal for vaulted ceiling and soffit installations. BodyDurable aluminum body with 360°… Read More…

  • Acclaim Lighting Introduces All-Weather Terra Drum with Multiple Color Options

    Acclaim Lighting introduces the Terra Drum series, rugged, all-weather inground, drive-over ready rated fixtures designed for recessed façade and tree lighting applications.  Available in 15-, 30- and 60-watt versions, Terra Drums have a drive-over rating of up to 6,000 lbs. (2,721kg). They are offered in 2400K, 2700K, 3000K, 3500K, 4000K, Dynamic White (2700K-6000K), Quad Spectrum… Read More…