Artificial illumination is an indispensable part of the street infrastructure. Street lights ensure safety and comfort when using the streets and adjacent areas. Likewise, artificial street illumination is used in parks, internal roads in residential projects, pedestrian paths, and bike paths. It means that street lights can be found practically anywhere we go. Street light control is used for easier control over street illumination and to reduce its electrical power consumption.
Types of street light control systems
It should be noted first that the control systems work well with light systems both big and small. For street lights, it is key to match the control system to the assumptions made for the street light group in question. Here, the assumptions can include:
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- automatic power input reduction;
- central management system;
- smart lighting.
Each of these solutions has different advantages.
What is street lighting control about?
Depending on the sophistication of the control system, street lights can be provided with additional functionalities. They can include time schedules, dusk sensors or motion detectors, as well as individual light controllers.
A simple control system temporarily reduces or increases the street light intesity. It may manage the entire area illuminated with street lights or its specific parts only. Automatic power input reduction is defined by a preset program coordinated with the road authorities.
It is important that the control can be managed centrally over a wired or wireless network. Wireless remote management connectivity is based on RF bands, whereas wired remote management connectivity is based on the existing power supply infrastructure. It cannot be explicitly argued which of these management solutions is better than the other, as both have certain restrictions and advantages.
The method of street light control depends on the area in which the control solution is applied. Management of street lights along a high-speed road will be different from that applied for pedestrian crossings. What control and management solution should be applied needs to be decided upon the requirements of the illuminated area. Luxon’s portfolio features a certified solution, Cordoba LED, for artificial illumination of every type of road. We also provide dedicated lights for parks, Madrid LED.
How do street light control systems work?
Street light system management is based on data communication between the street light luminaires, and in simpler solutions, the control data is transmitted one way.
Smart control is the most complex solution, as it enables two-way data communication. Here, the street light luminaires can communicate with one another and the luminaire status information is captured in a data hub. The data sent to a central control unit is processed by its algorithm to resolve how street light luminaires should be controlled.
For regular, periodic light intensity reduction according to times of day or specific illuminated areas, time schedules work best. A time schedule defines at what times the street lights should produce more or less light.
If you want to know more about how street light control systems work or need more information on this topic, e-mail us.
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