"Living Lab" Research Project

This research project was called the “Living Lab”. A major financial services company agreed to install a different Networked Lighting Control (NLC) system in each of the four quadrants of an office floor in their NYC headquarters building. My job as a consultant to Lawrence Berkeley National Labs (LBNL) was not as a lighting design consultant. Instead, I provided guidance to the team, and was on-site for most of the installation to observe how easy it was for the electricians to install these systems on a retrofit basis.
This research project was called the “Living Lab”. A major financial services company agreed to install a different Networked Lighting Control (NLC) system in each of the four quadrants of an office floor in their NYC headquarters building. My job as a consultant to Lawrence Berkeley National Labs (LBNL) was not as a lighting design consultant. Instead, I provided guidance to the team, and was on-site for most of the installation to observe how easy it was for the electricians to install these systems on a retrofit basis.
Electricians installed a variety of new pendant-mounted LED fixtures in 2015, replacing the T5 fluorescent fixtures that were installed in 2009. Some of the new fixtures had pre-installed controls components and sensors. However, in some cases, controls components had to be remotely mounted in the plenum.
Electricians installed a variety of new pendant-mounted LED fixtures in 2015, replacing the T5 fluorescent fixtures that were installed in 2009. Some of the new fixtures had pre-installed controls components and sensors. However, in some cases, controls components had to be remotely mounted in the plenum.
It was an eye-opening experience to be on-site during most of the installation process. Many issues arose that could easily have been avoided. That could have been accomplished by providing the following: 1.) more coordination up-front, 2.) training for the installing contractors, 3.) appropriate documentation from all vendors.
It was an eye-opening experience to be on-site during most of the installation process. Many issues arose that could easily have been avoided. That could have been accomplished by providing the following: 1.) more coordination up-front, 2.) training for the installing contractors, 3.) appropriate documentation from all vendors.
In the first quadrant to be installed, controls components were remotely installed in the plenum, even though there was plenty of available space to install them directly into the fixtures. That highlighted the question of who takes ownership of each piece of equipment, and the impact that may have on the project. In some cases, remotely-installed controls components were incorrectly wired on-site. Using pre-installed LLLC controls could have completely eliminated those problems.
In the first quadrant to be installed, controls components were remotely installed in the plenum, even though there was plenty of available space to install them directly into the fixtures. That highlighted the question of who takes ownership of each piece of equipment, and the impact that may have on the project. In some cases, remotely-installed controls components were incorrectly wired on-site. Using pre-installed LLLC controls could have completely eliminated those problems.
In some cases, non-standard wire colors were supplied by the vendors. It should go without saying that it’s very bad practice to use wiring with non-standard colors, or if the labeling isn’t 100% clear and accurate.
In some cases, non-standard wire colors were supplied by the vendors. It should go without saying that it’s very bad practice to use wiring with non-standard colors, or if the labeling isn’t 100% clear and accurate.