What Networked Lighting Controls Can Do For Your Business

Large commercial and industrial spaces often have extensive electrical wiring setups that connect different light fixtures together for streamlined control. While commonplace, these systems often require manual intervention for adjustments and offer limited adaptability to changing needs. As businesses evolve, the demand for smarter, more responsive lighting solutions has grown. Networked Lighting Controls represent a significant leap forward in the commercial and industrial lighting industry, offering a more efficient way to manage lighting across large spaces.

In a Networked Lighting Control system, various lighting components and control devices are connected through a wireless Bluetooth MESH network, allowing for centralized, streamlined control. This technology provides various benefits, including increased efficiency, improved scalability, and automated lighting. Groups of NLC light fixtures can be controlled through a compatible software or controller, such as the Keilton® App, to perform a variety of actions including adjusting the brightness, color temperature, and On/Off functions. NLC also provides customized Zone, Group, and Scene capabilities for personalized lighting.

In wired lighting systems, groups of lights can be controlled from a single controller by connecting fixtures and the centralized controller through a network of physical wires. This setup typically involves the use of relays or switches that can manage multiple fixtures simultaneously. This configuration requires substantial line voltage wiring, which can be complex when modifications are needed.

However, Networked Controlled Lighting fixtures and controllers are connected completely wirelessly. Radio components in each light fixture “talk” to each other over a MESH network to send and receive signals.

In a wireless MESH network, devices send messages to and from other connected devices, or nodes. Unlike traditional wiring systems where each device directly connects to a central gateway, a mesh network allows nodes to communicate with any other node within range. If a message needs to reach a device that is out of direct range, it is passed from node to node until it reaches its destination.

This setup eliminates common issues prevalent in traditional wiring methods, such as daisy-chaining lights, since an issue in one light won’t affect the rest of the system. If an unexpected outage does occur, the network can "self-heal" by finding an alternative communication path through other connected devices. Additionally, electricians only need to wire the light fixture to the power source, not other lights or wall controllers. This makes installation easier, faster, and potentially cheaper.

There are a variety of apps and software compatible with NLC components. Networked Lighting Controls from Industrial Commercial Lighting are compatible with the Keilton app. This app has an easy-to-use user interface that connects to your lights and sensors via Bluetooth, allowing you to change the brightness, color temperature, and On/Off functionality with the touch of a button. Additionally, with innovative control features, you can section light fixtures into groups and zones for simplified operations. Customize scenes and automation based on the time of day, tasks being performed, or desired lighting.

The DesignLights Consortium, or DLC, requires that all indoor and outdoor network lighting control fixtures listed to its standards must provide the following system capabilities.

Indoor light fixtures listed to DLC5.1 must provide:

• Networking of luminaires and devices (lighting components can exchange digital data with others within the system)
• Occupancy sensors (detects the presence or absence of people)
• Daylight harvesting and photocell control (adjusts lighting based on the amount of daylight or ambient light present)
• High-end trim (maximum light output can be set below full capacity)
• Zoning (grouping of lights)
• Individually addressable (each lighting component can communicate individually with software)
• Continuous dimming (provides smooth, continuous dimming with high resolution)
• Cybersecurity (meets DLC standards for cybersecurity)

If the lighting system focuses on interoperability or compliance with ASHRAE 90.1-2016, energy monitoring must also be provided.

Outdoor light fixtures listed to DLC5.1 must provide all capabilites listed in the list above as well as

• Occupancy sensors AND/OR traffic sensing (detects the presence or absence of people and/or moving vehicles)
• Scheduling (lighting can be scheduled to operate based on time)

If the outdoor lighting system focuses on interoperability or compliance with ASHRAE 90.1-2016, energy monitoring must also be provided.

As of the time of publication (9/2024), DLC5.1 is in effect. For an in-depth explanation of each requirement, consult the NLC5.1 guide here.

• Energy Efficiency: With proper automation, you can program your lighting system to turn on and off at certain times of the day to reduce unnecessary energy consumption. Cutting back on energy usage can also lead to reduced energy costs and greater energy savings over time.
• Scalability: Traditional lighting system wiring makes it difficult to increase or decrease the number of lights in your system. However, with a centralized wireless control system, NLC allows you to easily reconfigure your lighting setup to account for future warehouse or building changes. This is a huge benefit for businesses that frequently see operating changes and have ever-changing needs.
• Compatibility: All modern smartphones and tablets are compatible with Bluetooth technology, making it increasingly easy to upgrade your lighting without needing to rely on complex or expensive control software.
• Protection Against Cyber Security: To ensure protection against cybersecurity threats, Keilton networked lighting control components are backed with a Gold Level UL 1376 IoT Security Rating.
• Future Upgrades: Many NLC light fixtures feature sensor-ready sockets that are compatible with a range of NLC sensors. These fixtures are great if you want to upgrade to a complete NLC system in the future but are not ready now. And, if you decide that network light controls don’t work for your facility, you can decide to remove the sensors and add the necessary additional wiring to your light system. Your fixtures will work either way.
• Rebates: Certain utility programs offer rebates for businesses that install qualifying networked lighting controls. To see if your area is eligible, use the rebate search here.

There is a wide variety of Bluetooth network-controlled light fixtures and components. Industrial Commercial Lighting offers sensor-ready high bays, panel lights, troffer lights, and strip fixtures. These are a great option if you are considering upgrading to an NLC network in the future but are not ready to commit now. We also offer NLC sensors and wireless lighting controls so you can upgrade existing fixtures.