This page provides an overview of the various types of lighting control technology or sensors that we offer. We include descriptions of each control type, ranging from basic microwave sensors to advanced DMX and Casambi Bluetooth protocols. The features and functionalities of each technology are outlined to help you understand how they detect movement, adjust light output, incorporate daylight sensing, and more. This guide is designed to assist you in selecting the appropriate lighting control to meet your specific needs, ensuring efficient and effective illumination management.
Microwave Sensor Controls
Microwave sensor (MWS) controls detect movement to switch on or control luminaries.
The microwave sensor is mounted inside the luminaire to prevent tampering or vandalism.
M1 – Basic – Presence Detection
The luminaire switches to 100% output when movement is detected and switches off completely after an adjustable delay once the area is vacant.
Typical Applications: Cupboards, storerooms, electrical intake rooms and bin stores.
M1/CF – Corridor Operation
The luminaire remains at 10% output, switching to 100% when movement is detected. After an adjustable hold time with no movement detected, it returns to 10% output. The luminaire never switches off completely.
Typical Applications: Corridors, stairwells, communal circulation areas, subways, covered walkways and car parks where continuous background lighting is required.
M2 – Advanced – Corridor Dimming Before Switch-Off
The luminaire switches to 100% on movement, then dims to 10% for background safety lighting before switching off after a further adjustable delay.
Typical Applications: Corridors, stairwells, landings, entrance areas, lift lobbies, communal circulation areas and car parks where temporary background lighting is required before switch-off.
M4- For Wayfinder product, internal use only
Photocell Controlled Presence Detection:
The luminaire switches to 100% on movement during darkness and switches off after an adjustable delay. Daytime operation is prevented by the photocell.
M5 – Intelligent (Basic) – Photocell Controlled Presence Detection
The luminaire operates between dusk and dawn based on a preset daylight threshold, switching to 100% on movement, then switching off after a time delay when the area is vacant.
Typical Applications: External walkways, entrances, perimeter areas and car parks requiring night-time lighting with presence detection
M6 – DALI-2 System Sensor
For use with DALI-2 control systems only. Presence, absence, daylight and dimming functions are managed by the DALI-2 Application Controller and configured to project requirements.
Not suitable for stand-alone use.
Typical Application: Luminaires forming part of a DALI-2 controlled lighting system where sensor operation and lighting behaviour are managed by the system
M7 – Intelligent (Advanced) – Photocell Controlled Adaptive Lighting
The luminaire automatically switches on at 10% when dark, maintaining a background lighting level for safety and reassurance. Movement increases output to 100%, returning to 10% after a time delay. Dimming levels, daylight thresholds and timing settings are fully adjustable via IR remote handset, allowing operation to be tailored to individual project requirements and site conditions.
Typical Applications: Public and community sector – Communal areas, corridors, landings, stairwells, entrances, lift lobbies, external walkways and car parks requiring automatic low-level lighting, full output on movement and daylight energy saving.
Corridor Function only (-CF)
An external Microwave or PIR presence detector with 230V switched output (supplied and installed by others) is connected to the luminaire. The luminaire is on at 10% output. Upon detection of movement the luminaire switches to 100% output and remains at 100% all the time movement is detected. When no further movement is detected the luminaire remains on at 100% for a set delay time before switching down to 10%. The luminaire never switches off completely.
Photo Electronic Cell Control (-PE)
A photocell control is fitted in the body of the luminaire to automatically switch the luminaire on at dusk and off at dawn. The standard photocell switches on at 70lux and off at 105lux, however other settings are available to order.
Night Dim 6% for Tunnels, Underpasses etc (-DN)
An external Photocell control or Solar Time Clock with 230V switched output (supplied and installed by others) is connected to the luminaire. The luminaire remains on at 100% output during the day. When the photocell / time clock switches on at dusk the light output decreases to 6% (to meet the maintained lighting level requirement of BS5489-1). The light remains on at 6% all night and returns to 100% output at dawn. The luminaire never switches off completely.
Switch Dimming (-DI)
Switchdim luminaires incorporate a Switchdim DALI driver and require a permanent 230V supply. An additional 230V switch line is taken from the same supply to the luminaire via a 230V rated push-to-make retractive switch. Briefly pressing the switch brings the light on. Briefly pressing again turns the light off. Pressing and holding the switch dims or brightens the light. Additional push-to-make retractive switches can be wired in parallel to allow control from more than one location.
DALI-2 Dimming / Monitoring (-DA)
DALI-2 stands for “Digital Addressable Lighting Interface 2” and is an interface protocol for digital communication between electronic lighting components, including LED drivers, occupancy sensors, keypads and input devices. DALI-2 is an open standard and all DALI-2 products are interoperable.
A DALI-2 control system will communicate with each device on the network and can be programmed to provide scene setting, daylight control and presence activation.
The control system can also provide full monitoring and reporting of all devices and initiate function and duration testing for full compliance of DALI emergency luminaires.
DMX Control (-DX)
DMX is a digital communication protocol that is commonly used within the entertainment sector for control of fast-moving, dynamic lighting effects.
The DMX 512 standard defines the maximum number nodes in a ‘universe’,
(512 nodes), and more than one ‘universe’ can be linked together. For example in a Theatre application a node may be a moving stage light which could have up to 16 channels to control various movements such as pan and tilt, shutter, fade speed etc.
DMX control desks are used to synchronize the luminaires with sound for concert applications.
For general lighting DMX LED drivers can be utilized for RGBW control where the requirements for control and effects may not be easily achieved by DALI.
Casambi Bluetooth Control (-DW)
A proprietary (Casambi) wireless Bluetooth method of controlling luminaires.
Casambi interfaces communicate directly with DALI/DMX drivers and have a number of profiles that can be used for dimming, switching, scene settings and color mixing. The devices are set up using an App on a mobile phone or tablet.
Presence Detection
Lights automatically turn on when someone enters the room and remain on all the time movement is detected. When the room is empty the lights turn off after an adjustable delay time.
Absence Detection
Lights need to be manually switched on from a wall switch or remote control and remain on all the time movement is detected. When the room is empty the lights turn off automatically after an adjustable delay time.
Separate Circuit (-SE)
The luminaire incorporates two or more separate sets of LEDs and Drivers and associated input terminals, to allow the output of each set of LEDs to be switched independently.
Fade to Off
Luminaires can be set to dim over a period of time before switching off completely. The length of time it takes to fade to off can be pre-set.
Daylight Harvesting
Dimmable luminaires are connected to daylight sensors within a room or area to dim or brighten the luminaires according to the amount of ambient external light available from widows, rooflights etc, in order that the design illumination level is maintained throughout the day.
Constant Light Output
The LED driver is pre-programmed to gradually increase its output over a period of time (typically 5-6 years) to compensate for the natural decline in output from the LEDs over time, in order that the design illumination level is maintained throughout the life of the LEDs. This can provide energy savings over the life of the luminaire due to the reduced power consumption in the early years of the CLO cycle.
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