Lighting control system

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A device, typically an embedded processor or industrial computer, that controls electric lights for a building or residence. Lighting control systems usually include one or more keypads or touch panel interfaces. These interfaces allow users the ability to toggle power to lights and fans, dim lights, and program lighting levels.

A major advantage of a lighting control system over conventional lighting is the ability to control any device from any interface. For example, a master touch panel might allow the user the ability to control all lights in a building, not just a single room. In fact, any light might be controlled from any location.

In addition, lighting control systems provide the ability to automatically power a device based on programming events such as:

Chronological time (time of day)
Astronomical time (sunrise/sunset)
Room occupancy
Events
Alarm conditions
Program logic (any combination of events)
etc.

Chronological time is a time of day or offset from a time. Astronomical times includes sunrise, sunset, a day, or specific days in a month or year. Room occupancy might be determined with motion detectors or RFID tags. Events might include holidays or birthdays. Alarm conditions might include a door opening or motion detected in a protected area. Program logic can tie all of the above elements together using constructs such as if-then-else statements and logical operators.

[edit] Low-Cost Lighting Systems

There is an inexpensive standard for sending control signals over power lines called X10. X10 is generally not a suitable solution for large buildings or businesses due to reliability issues and limited functionality. It is a low-cost alternative for residents in apartments or small homes. Unfortunately limitations arise with X-10, its lack of data correction and slow transmit speeds make it a wholly unuseable solution. The running joke with X-10 is, if your neighbors air conditioner turns on, chances are so will your lights.