Ex-Or’s Lighting Control for DALI Lighting
Ex-Or by Honeywell, the leading global manufacturer of lighting control solutions, has announced the availability of DALI Lighting. Designed to make the benefits of lighting control easier to achieve than ever before, its clever technology is embedded into a passive infrared (PIR) sensor, rather than a traditional DIN rail or riser mounted box, to give a low total cost of ownership, no requirement for additional hardware, and simplified installation. Offering 64 light addresses and 64 device addresses, DALI64 is configured on the DALI 2 open protocol. When used as a standalone system, luminaires are connected via a standard five-core cable or a two-core DALI network cable, and up to 16 scenes and eight occupancy zones can be created to match user needs. Simple lighting commissioning is carried out usingthe intuitive Light Touch app on any smart device, which eliminates the usual problemsassociated with traditional DALI systems. Scenes and groups can be controlled through a variety of methods including a low energy Bluetooth switch, which means no wires and no batteries. Nathan Cole, Global Product Manager at Ex-Or by Honeywell, explained: ‘By using a Light Touch on any smart device, the usual problems associated with traditional DALI systems are eliminated. With no additional controller or hardware, and reduced installation and maintenance costs, DALI64 works equally well in both new and retrofit projects for energy conscious building managers. With greater recognition of the effect that a comfortable working environment has on employee wellbeing, good mental health and productivity, there is a now a significant focus on lighting within commercial buildings. As well as having a negative effect on an individual’s mood and stress levels, poor quality lighting is associated with eyestrain, migraines and headaches, lethargy, irritability and low levels of concentration. A DALI64 system can assist in creating a human centric lighting solution that supports the circadian rhythm by automatically changing tone and colour – from warm white to daylight – in tune with any available natural light. It also considers the time of day, the position of the sun and even the time of year. Ex-Or’s Nathan Cole concluded: ‘The functionality of this innovative DALI64 lighting control solution puts Ex-Or at the forefront of the drive towards smarter buildings. Maintaining occupational health and wellbeing is vital and a controllable, adaptable lighting control system creates a more comfortable environment that improves productivity, reduces absence through illness and leads to highly motivated personnel.’ For further information please call Ex-Or by Honeywell Marketing on 01942 719229 or email simon.osborne@honeywell.com.
Why you should make the switch to LED lighting
In our environmentally conscious world, LEDs are a great option for lighting, but they have so many more benefits than we might realise. David Boultbee, Technical Consultant at Ultra LEDs told us why we should make the switch to LEDs. As of last year, halogen bulbs have been banned in the EU in an effort to reduce Europe’s carbon footprint. This means that many people have been looking to find a much more efficient and eco-friendly alternative, which just so happens to be light-emitting diodes (LEDs). In this article, I’ll be taking you through the many benefits of LEDs. They’re easy to install Previously, LED bulbs required a lot of changes to wiring, which meant a lot of fitters tried to avoid them where they could. Luckily, more modern LED bulbs can now be installed into traditional light bulb sockets and are compatible with mains voltage systems. Like any bulb, the only thing you need to worry about is whether the fixture is a bayonet or an Edison screw. They’re energy efficient LEDs are more efficient than other lighting alternatives and can help save on energy bills. This is because, unlike compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and incandescent lighting, LEDs are directional. This means that they emit light in a specific direction, instead of all directions, andevery bit of light produced by the bulb is useful. LEDs are also brighter than incandescent lights of the same wattage. This is described as producing more lumens per watt, and means you’re going to save more on your energy bills because it takes much less power to achieve the same level of light. In fact, most of the energy going to the bulb is going to be converted to light. Incandescent bulbs rely on a wire filament to be heated to a very high temperature so it glows, but this means that the bulbs use around 90% of their energy to produce heat, and only 10% on light. LEDs, however, only require an electrical current to flow through it to light up, so most of its energy is used for lighting instead of just warming the bulb. They’re good for the environment Because they’re efficient and it takes less energy to provide the same amount of light as a standard CFL or incandescent bulb, they’re also better for the environment. But, they aren’t just energy efficient: they’re also more eco-friendly to dispose of, too. CFLs contain a number of toxic substances, such as mercury, which classes them as hazardous waste. Not only are they quite difficult to dispose of compared to LED lights, but when they reach landfill, these toxic elements can leak out and harm the environment. Alternatively, LEDs can safely be disposed of in ordinary household waste, but try checking the packaging that thebulb came in, because some can even be recycled. They last longer Because LEDs don’t contain a filament, they have a much longer lifespan than other alternatives, meaning they’re great value for money. On average, LED lights can last 12–15 times longer, enduring for around 15–20 years or more compared to the 2 years you can get from a halogen bulb. This means that they can essentially pay for themselves within 3–6 months, and you’ll save money because you’re getting much more use out of them. They’re more durable There’s a number of factors that make LED lights more durable than other lighting alternatives. For one, they can withstand extreme temperatures, which means they’re ideal for being used outside where they can be subjected to big temperature changes. They’re also more resistant to shock or vibrations and are less likely to break when dropped or hit, which makes them a lot easier to transport and install. They’re great for smart lighting Today, we’re more reliant on technology than ever before, and the great thing about LEDs is that they allow for architects and designers to come up with more creative lighting solutions by using smart lighting. This means that users can control a number of things about their lights, including brightness and colour, to generate a desired mood or effect. Smart bulbs also often allow users to control their lights from their phone or tablet, which means they can be managed even when no one is home. There are multiple reasons why you should switch to LEDs. Because they’re more efficient and last a lot longer than other lighting alternatives, they’re much better for the environment and can save you a pretty penny in the process. For more information about LEDs please click here
As Dark Nights Draw In, Health & Safety Has To Be Priority
Visible changes highlight the brand’s ongoing commitment to industry safety ProGARM, the UK’s leading specialist in Arc Flash protection understands the need for clothing that is comfortable, warm and importantly visible during the winter months, the hardest time for workers in the electrical industry across the UK. While those across the UK at risk of an Arc Flash are already encouraged to wear full protective PPE throughout the year, workers crucially need to be very visible once dark mornings and afternoons become a daily occurrence. Yet highly visible Arc Flash resistant clothing is often disregarded in winter due to lack of flexibility and warmth. In addition to this, many workers don’t realise the many risks involved when working in a dimly lit location and the working rights they have when it comes to demands for more lighting. In fact, employers are required by law to look closely at lighting in the workplace to see what may cause harm or injury and should be aware of the following important points when it comes to lighting: Lighting must allow people to notice hazards Lighting must allow people to see properly and discriminate between colours Lighting must not result in excessive differences in illuminance within an area or between adjacent areas Lighting must be suitable to meet the special needs of individuals Working in areas that are not properly lit can be extremely dangerous since one incorrect move and an Arc Flash incident can be triggered. Pair this with incorrect clothing and a lack of knowledge surrounding which are the safest garments to wear and the result could be a life altering experience since an Arc Flash event is so serious that it could disable the casualty, effecting their ability to work for a long while afterwards and leave them with fatal injuries. Understanding the need for practicality as well as safety, ProGARM clothing includes ThermSAFE stretch tape, an innovative development that ensures the flexibility of ProGARM garments. This is particularly notable when it comes to knitted clothes which are often the biggest culprits when it comes to the lack of flexibility and stretch. Allowing a full range of movement for the wearer, ProGARM’s ThermSAFE Stretch Tape has also been certified to the new EN ISO 20471 High Visibility standard, ensuring fully compliant visible, yet comfortable workwear. Mark Lant, Technical Sales Manager at ProGARM, said: “We frequently see PPE clothing being worn incorrectly or not at all because a lot of it is bulky, rigid and impractical – it’s all too easy to wear something comfortable and warm in the winter months, but all this seriously compromises the safety of an individual against an Arc Flash. “While many industry workers forget how important it is to be highly visible on-site, in reality this is one of the key elements to ensure when working in an environment where Arc Flash is a risk. “As part of our ongoing commitment to safety and industry innovation, we’ve identified this area to pose a risk to workers especially at this time of year and have created a comprehensive product range that keeps the wearer visible without obstructing day to day tasks.” For more information on how you can protect your workforce and receive a free Arc PPE consultation, please visit http://www.progarm.com/.
