Networked Lighting Controls Education

In the past 15 years, I’ve created classes and webinars about Networked Lighting Control (NLC) and Luminaire Level Lighting Control (LLLC) systems.  Scroll down to see examples of graphics, animated diagrams, and photos of hands-on classes for NLC/LLLC systems.  Classes and webinars include:

 

  • California Advanced Lighting Controls Training Program (CALCTP) — Part of the original development team and instructor for the first three “train-the-trainers” classes.  This was a week-long class designed to give journeymen electricians a base level of knowledge about lighting controls.
  • Introductory NLC classes for electric utilities — Created/taught 1- and 2-day classes starting in 2012.  In the first “hands-on” NLC class offered by an electric utility in California, attendees wired and commissioned three complex NLC systems under my supervision.
  • LightFair — Created/taught 1- and 2-day classes in 2013, 2016 and 2017 with up to 65 students per class.
  • National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors (NAILD) — Presentation at national conference in San Antonio, April 2017
  • DesignLights Consortium — Created/taught a full-day class 59 times across the U.S. and Canada from 2017-2022.  The main focus of the DLC class was to explain the new “simplified” NLC systems coming on the market.  Attendees wired and commissioned a wireless system in every class.
  • Illuminating Engineering Society — Webinar about NLC systems, April 2019
  • Virtual “hands-on” NLC class — During the lockdown, I created a class where students remotely commissioned fixtures and controls sitting on my dining room table.  This required solving a lot of technical issues.  I taught this virtual class for utilities around the country.  (Scroll to the bottom of this page to see a 15-minute video showing how this works.)  There is still a lot more stuff I can explain when we do this in-person.  However, this was kind of cool to be able to continue offering “hands-on” classes, even during the lockdown.
  • Intermediate NLC classes for electric utilities — Created/taught 1-day classes covering advanced subject material starting in 2020.  Similar to the introductory classes, attendees wired and commissioned two different wireless NLC/LLLC systems in class.  I’ve taught this class 20 times throughout the midwest.
  • “Avoiding Deployment Pitfalls” — Presented a webinar for Illuminating Engineering Society sections in 2021.  This webinar was based on my work as a consultant to Lawrence Berkeley National Labs on the “Living Lab” research project (click here for more information about “Living Lab”).
  • “Emergency Lighting and Controls” — In 2022, I created a 1-hour webinar on this timely topic.  I worked with my colleague Rick Miller, PE, FIES, to create a 3-hour version for an electric utility in California.  Recent changes to NFPA 101 and UL 924 meant that this was — and still is — a very important topic to explain to people thinking about deploying NLC systems.

Animated Diagrams of NLC/LLLC Systems

Occupant sensor controls LLLC (fixture-integrated, 100 ft2/sensor)
This animated diagram shows how an LLLC (Luminaire Level Lighting Control) system can work in a large open office space.
Wired digital NLC system (15 second video)
This diagram shows how a wired digital NLC system is laid out for an entire office floor. This system separates the network running to luminaires from the Ethernet cable connecting all peripheral devices, such as switches and sensors.
Wireless LLLC system with combination gateway/server
This is an example of the same type of system, where the signal is unimpeded by interior partitions. Therefore, the recommended distance limit of 71’ encloses the entire 100’ x 100’ space. That’s why the manufacturer also has a recommended limit of 10,000 ft2 per server/gateway.
Star Network Topology Wireless LLLC system with combination gateway/server
The type of topology of Networked Lighting Control (NLC) systems is an important concept. This animated diagram shows a wireless LLLC system using a star topology. The typical limitation of the server/gateway is a circle with a 71’ radius. However, when the wireless signal has to travel through interior partitions, the recommended limit is reduced to a circle with a radius of 30’. This will increase the number of required components and affect the layout, so it’s important for students to understand these limitations.
Wired LLLC system without server, with multiple loops
This is a wired NLC system – without a central server. In this case, the manufacturer has a hard limit of 128 nodes per “loop”. That includes luminaires, sensors and switches. Since there are 95 nodes in each half of the building, two separate loops would have to be used. In order to “see” (or for that matter, control) the entire floor plan at the same time, some kind of network bridge would have to be added to connect the loops.

Graphics of NLC/LLLC Systems

Wireless NLC controller with EM driver wiring diagram Fixture-integrated sensors (normal operation)
Wireless NLC controller with EM driver wiring diagram Fixture-integrated sensors (normal operation)
Wireless NLC controller with EM driver wiring diagram Fixture-integrated sensors (emergency operation)
Wireless NLC controller with EM driver wiring diagram Fixture-integrated sensors (emergency operation)
System 1 – EM controllers (after 5/6/22; normal operation)
System 1 – EM controllers (after 5/6/22; normal operation)
NEC 700.24 Directly Controlled Emergency Luminaires (New in 2014. Revised in 2017, 2020 & 2023)
NEC 700.24 Directly Controlled Emergency Luminaires (New in 2014. Revised in 2017, 2020 & 2023)
Emergency ballast example – Bodine B30 (normal power)
Emergency ballast example – Bodine B30 (normal power)
Emergency ballast example – Bodine B30 (emergency power)
Emergency ballast example – Bodine B30 (emergency power)
External systems integration - fire alarm
External systems integration - fire alarm
System 2 – EM and sensing controllers (normal operation)
System 2 – EM and sensing controllers (normal operation)
Graph of Melanopic Ratio Calculator – LED 4000K
Melanopic Ratio Calculator – LED 4000K
Graph of 2- vs. 3-LED Primary Tunable-White Systems
2- vs. 3-LED Primary Tunable-White Systems
“Room-Based” Solution with Room (Central) Controllers
This is one of many diagrams I’ve created over the years to show the topology of lighting control systems. This diagram is for a 20-amp “room-based” device that centrally controls up to three switch legs.

Photos from Hands-on Lighting Controls Classes

This was the hands-on part of the DLC controls class. I was explaining how this wireless NLC system works.
This was the hands-on part of the DLC controls class. I was explaining how this wireless NLC system works.
Steve teaching people what components make up a Networked Lighting Control system
Letting attendees wire and commission a state-of-the-art NLC system is very empowering! They realize that these are not nearly as complicated as they might have thought.
The California Advanced Lighting Controls Training Program (CALCTP) was created between 2008-2011, coinciding with my time as the resident lighting expert at the Pacific Energy Center in San Francisco. I was part of the team that created the content. Then I taught the first three “train-the-trainers” classes. The first two were at Joint Apprentice Training Centers (JATCs) in southern California. The third was a class for trainers who would be teaching non-union electricians at California community colleges.
The California Advanced Lighting Controls Training Program (CALCTP) was created between 2008-2011, coinciding with my time as the resident lighting expert at the Pacific Energy Center in San Francisco. I was part of the team that created the content. Then I taught the first three “train-the-trainers” classes. The first two were at Joint Apprentice Training Centers (JATCs) in southern California. The third was a class for trainers who would be teaching non-union electricians at California community colleges.
This was a 50-hour class. Half-day modules addressed topics such as occupancy sensors, photosensors, low- voltage relay systems and more. After a 1-hour lecture, students worked on exercises under the guide of the instructors. Exercise boards had lots of equipment which allowed students to get real-world experience wiring and commissioning various lighting control devices.
This was a 50-hour class. Half-day modules addressed topics such as occupancy sensors, photosensors, low- voltage relay systems and more. After a 1-hour lecture, students worked on exercises under the guide of the instructors. Exercise boards had lots of equipment which allowed students to get real-world experience wiring and commissioning various lighting control devices.
Another photo from the California Advanced Lighting Controls Training Program (CALCTP).
Another photo from the California Advanced Lighting Controls Training Program (CALCTP).
Another photo from the California Advanced Lighting Controls Training Program (CALCTP).
Another photo from the California Advanced Lighting Controls Training Program (CALCTP).

"Virtual" Hands-on Class Demo Video