A Bright Idea: Wireless, Digital, and IoT Lighting Systems for Modern Buildings
The choice between wired and wireless lighting control systems often presents a pivotal decision point for contractors and customers alike. Each option carries its own set of advantages and challenges, impacting factors such as cost, ease of installation, maintenance requirements, scalability, security, and flexibility. Staying at the forefront of the transforming landscape of lighting technology presents a significant challenge.
Yet, it’s hard to ignore the range of tangible benefits that a modern, wireless lighting system can provide to the contractors installing the systems and the building owners and occupants. This article explores the benefits of the key modern lighting technologies – wireless, digital, and Internet of Things (IoT)-based lighting systems.
Wireless Lighting Systems
The total installation cost of a lighting system encompasses not only hardware and labor expenses but also factors such as ease of deployment and potential challenges encountered during the process. Wired installations generally incur higher total installation costs as they frequently encounter issues related to wiring complexities, such as miswiring, faulty terminations, and broken wires. In contrast, wireless solutions offer quick, plug-and-play installation, coupled with lower total expenses. However, the initial price of the wireless components, especially advanced systems with sensors, controllers, and smart features, can be higher compared to traditional wired lighting solutions.
The higher component price tag of wireless lighting should be weighed against the fact that labor costs for wireless installations are significantly lower than wired installations. With a wired lighting system, electrical contractors spend more time on-site to implement and configure intricate wiring systems. An Enlighted study found that electrical contractors charge an average of $50 per luminaire. This labor cost multiplies quickly in large commercial buildings, especially in areas with higher labor costs. In contrast, wireless installations typically require less labor, contributing to lower overall project costs.
Maintenance considerations play a pivotal role in the long-term viability of lighting control systems. Wireless lighting systems stand out against wired as the key winner in this arena, with easier maintenance protocols due to the absence of cumbersome wiring infrastructure and ease of installation. Wireless lighting systems are also more versatile and flexible, the best choice for building retrofits over wired lighting, which faces installation complexities for these projects. Wireless systems also offer fixture-level flexibility, enabling users to easily tailor their current and future setups to specific requirements and preferences.
Finally, wireless lighting systems are undoubtedly the future-proof choice over wired lighting. This is because wireless systems are scalable and flexible, allowing for seamless integration of additional components and expansion into new projects. In contrast, wired systems struggle in this regard, as they are inherently constrained by their hardwired nature.
While the advantages of wireless systems are numerous, there are a few areas of caution to keep in mind. First, wireless systems come with potential security concerns. Wireless systems are more susceptible to cyberattacks or unauthorized access compared to wired systems if not properly encrypted. Advanced wireless systems employ state-of-art 128-bit and TLS encryption for TCP/IP along with the use of certificates and SHA cipher to mitigate such concerns.
Finally, wireless systems tend to be more advanced and feature-rich, which brings with them a level of complexity. With system functionality ranging from basic lighting control to advanced data analytics, consumers can feel under-equipped to unlock maximum value out of the system. In such cases, it is advisable to purchase support services at the start, when they are most cost-effective, for later use.
Digital Lighting Systems
Modern wireless lighting systems are also digital. Unlike analog systems, which use continuous signals to control lighting levels, digital lighting systems use network protocols to communicate between the controller and the luminaires. This networking capability allows for precise, granular control and the coordination and programming of zones consisting of multiple luminaires from a central point. Wireless networks combined with Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI) – a global standardized, non-proprietary protocol used for controlling and managing digital lighting systems – are becoming widely used in commercial lighting thanks to their flexibility and ease of use.
While analog lighting is more straightforward in design, it does not offer the flexibility and amount of control that digital lighting offers. Digital lighting systems offer users precise control over lighting levels, color temperatures, and other parameters. The systems can be programmed and reprogrammed to fine-tune lighting settings, scenes, and zone configurations. They often support remote control and integration with building management systems.
The scalability of analog lighting is very limited, as expanding an analog system often requires significant changes to the existing infrastructure. In contrast, digital lighting systems are highly scalable. Expanding a digital system is straightforward, as additional components can be added without significant modifications to the existing setup. Wireless and DALI installation costs, when labor and materials are considered (including copper wire), have been proven less costly.
IoT-based Lighting
For the most modern lighting systems, look for those equipped with IoT sensors, which are installed into or adjacent to luminaires and are the backbone of today’s “smart buildings.” These sensors gather data on people, movement, and activities within buildings, giving building owners and facility managers the insights they need to create optimal, energy-efficient lighting for occupants. In addition to providing an advanced, cod-compliant lighting control system, information is collected by the sensors 65 times per second, feeding a secured data store and powering intelligent and responsive lighting control systems. Users can control their lighting systems from anywhere via a web app on their smartphone or computer.
Specifically, IoT-based lighting systems give contractors the flexibility to customize, configure, and re-configure the system to meet the building’s needs for maximum functionality, energy savings, productivity, comfort, and well-being. The lights automatically adjust based on occupancy, turning on/off, or dimming to pre-programmed levels. IoT lighting also facilitates daylight harvesting, where light levels are adjusted to save energy by utilizing available daylight and task-tuning – customized settings for individual areas based on their intended usage, creating appropriate lighting for specific tasks and schedules.
IoT-based lighting systems are compact and easy to install. They’re highly scalable and future-proof because they can be upgraded via the software system. Finally, they can proactively alert you when maintenance is needed, reducing downtime and ensuring consistent lighting quality.
The demand for smarter, more efficient commercial buildings is growing. According to Jupiter Research, the number of smart buildings globally is expected to reach 115 million in 2026. As you seek to meet the expectations of your customers, the choice between wired and wireless lighting control systems becomes critical. Modern lighting control systems that combine wireless, digital, and IoT-based technologies are cost-effective and flexible, making them ideal for retrofits, new construction, and future expansions.
