Brands: Jose Leandro Espada and Adrián Garcés Clemente / R&D of Olfer Electronics
La IoT popularization and wireless communication technology has allowed the development and cheapening of radio frequency modules and its application in other fields. In this article we will discuss the advantages of wireless lighting control compared to traditional control via wired bus (0-10V, DALI, KNX, etc.) and we will see in a practical way the result obtained in a budget of a real installation.
There are several types of wireless communication (Wifi, ZigBee, Bluetooth, Z-wave, EnOcean, etc.) whose main characteristics are reflected in the following table:
The advantage of a mesh net is that one command intended for a luminary can be relayed between luminaries until it reaches its destination (For example: it is not necessary for the target luminaire to be within the range of the button that generates the order) extending the range of the signal and ensuring complete coverage of the area to be controlled. This feature is especially useful in large lighting applications such as office buildings or warehouses. The self-healing property allows the network to establish alternative communication paths without the need for the installer to intervene (for example, in the event that one of the luminaires in the network fails). Some systems require that some points have an additional function of coordinator or link node assigned. If a coordinating device fails and the network is not self-healing, there may be communication problems that require the intervention of a technician. Systems based on a single type of hardware allow automatic updates. Systems that use different types of hardware (microcontroller, radio module) do not always allow automatic updates or guarantee optimal interoperability between devices from different manufacturers, since each one can use different radio modules with different characteristics and benefits (eg. : The communication speed of the network will be limited by the slowest).
Taking all this into account, we opted to use a BLE Casambi network to make the comparison. The Casambi BLE system has been adopted by many manufacturers, although many of them use it under other trade names.
Casambi networks also have the advantage of being able to coexist with an existing DALI wired installation (Casambi equipment could be controlled from a DALI control unit, DALI pushbuttons, etc.) although in the installation example at hand we will not make use of this functionality. Another additional advantage is that is compatible with EnOcean 2.4GHz pushbuttons and sensors (with zero energy consumption).
La EnOcean technology is known for its innovative approach to self-powered and battery-free power. EnOcean devices toThey take advantage of environmental energy sources, such as sunlight, vibration or temperature difference, to generate the electricity necessary for their operation.
EnOcean pushbuttons They are surface mountable and do not require cables or batteries for operation. Instead, they take advantage of the energy generated by the mechanical pressure of the user when pressing the keys. this energy it is used to transmit a wireless signal that allows to control the luminaires of the installation.
This type of buttons allow a Wireless and convenient lighting control. Users can place them anywhere they want, without the need for wiring, boxes or complex installations. This provides great flexibility in pushbutton placement and allows for quick and easy customization and adaptation of lighting setup.
Lighting reform in a two-story house
The goal of the reform is provide regulation to all the ceiling lamps in the house, except for the bathrooms.
A budget is requested from an electrician installer to carry out the control using DALI equipment and pushbuttons and also another alternative budget to carry out the control using Casambi BLE equipment and EnOcean pushbuttons.
The result is shown below:
Figure 1: Comparison of budgets for DALI installations vs. Casambi BLE / EnOcean
El Using Casambi also allows mobile phone control and scene creation by the user without requiring the services of a DALI programmer..
It has been planned use of double-key pushbuttons (four functions) so that a button will not only be used to turn on, turn off and regulate, but will also have dFree additional functions with which scenes could be activated, For example.
When it comes to a new installation or retrofit of a lighting system, cost savings is a key factor to consider. By comparing the use of Bluetooth devices and EnOcean switches to the use of DALI devices with DALI wired switches, several areas can be identified where significant savings can be achieved:
- Installation costs: The use of Bluetooth devices and EnOcean switches eliminates the need for a cabling infrastructure. This results in considerable savings in terms of labor and materials associated with cable installation. On the other hand, the use of DALI devices with DALI wired switches requires a wired installation, which implies a higher initial cost.
- Material Costs: The elimination of cables in Bluetooth + EnOcean based systems also reduces the costs associated with purchasing cables and connectors. In addition, battery-free EnOcean devices eliminate the need to replace batteries over time, reducing maintenance costs and the need to purchase spare batteries.
- Flexibility and ease of configuration: Bluetooth and EnOcean based systems offer greater flexibility and ease of configuration compared to wired DALI systems. The wireless capability of Bluetooth and EnOcean devices allows for quick changes and adjustments to lighting settings without the need for physical intervention in existing wiring. This reduces the costs associated with modifications, extensions and reconfigurations after the initial installation.
As can be seen in the case study shown in figure 1, the use of equipment controlled by Casambi BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), and EnOcean pushbuttons avoids having to make clearances and carry tubes and cables to the buttons in the house. DALI bus cabling and tubes are also avoided. This results in lower labor costs for electricity, masonry and painting.
In summary, the use of Bluetooth devices and EnOcean switches in the retrofit of a lighting system can result in significant savings in installation, material and maintenance costs compared to the use of DALI devices with DALI wired switches. The elimination of wiring and the low power consumption of Bluetooth and EnOcean technologies contribute to a faster, more flexible and efficient installation.
If we also take into account the subsequent maintenance of the installation, the Casambi system in particular also has an advantage over wired and other wireless systems: Each Casambi device saves its own configuration in its non-volatile memory and also that of the other devices on the same network. This makes it possible to replace faulty equipment with a new one without having to reprogram groups, scenes, etc. Using the "Replace device" function of the App, the rest of the equipment automatically sends the configuration parameters that the original had to the new equipment.
We can conclude that the use of wireless control systems currently already represents savings compared to wired control via buses, in addition to allowing advanced functions.
Aware of this trend towards wireless control, organizations such as DALI and KNX are also developing their radio control alternatives. It is the case of DALI+ and KNX RF.
Also there are other emerging wireless control protocols such as Thread (promoted by Google and Apple among others) although the standardization and adoption of a single wireless control system for lighting seems unlikely to happen in the short term.
