Zhaga Consortium extends scope of interface specifications.

Press Release Summary:

Original Press Release:

The NEW Zhaga – Smart standards. Smarter lighting.

Zhaga opens new business opportunities in digital lighting and service models by extending the scope of interface specifications. The NEW Zhaga will include interfaces for smart components such as sensors and connectivity modules and will focus on interoperability. This move is reflected in the new slogan “Smart standards. Smarter lighting” and the new vision-mission statement.

The Zhaga task force “Strategy”, led by Giovanni Scilla, Chair of the Steering Committee, has investigated opportunities for Zhaga offered by recent trends in the lighting industry. Particularly relevant are here the combination of LED lighting and lighting digitalization, the need of light designers and architects for components that can be assembled easily, also at a late stage, by means of standardized interfaces, as well as requirements put on lighting systems from a circular economy perspective.

Besides creating specifications for electrical, mechanical, optical, thermal interfaces for components to be used in LED luminaires, the NEW Zhaga will include interfaces for smart components such as sensors and connectivity modules in its scope. It will focus on interoperability and will open new business opportunities in digital lighting and service models.

The latest Zhaga specification, Book 18, is already an indication of the new direction. It defines a standardized interface between outdoor LED luminaires and modules for sensing and communication, bringing the Internet of Things to the outdoor lighting market via smart, upgradeable, future-proof fixtures. The NEW Zhaga will start the development of a connectivity interface specification for indoor luminaires in Q2/2018.

The NEW Zhaga scope enables manufacturers to make LED luminaires with Zhaga-compliant components, which are upgradeable and serviceable, depending on the design choices taken by the luminaire manufacturer and the serviceability level of the luminaire. This will be a key contributing factor to accelerate the adoption for smart luminaires in the market place. Legislation also develops policies in that direction, with the EU driving circular economy and requesting removability, reparability and serviceability in luminaires. By providing interface specifications for interoperable components, Zhaga paves the way for luminaire manufacturers to comply with the upcoming legislation.

The NEW Zhaga will also introduce a new member category, called “community” with a free membership and a dedicated set of benefits. It is aimed at installers, specifiers, architects and end-users, and other interested parties, enabling closer interactions. The preregistration at Light + Building at our booth or online will be possible.

To capture these opportunities the Consortium Agreement is currently reworked. It will be submitted to the General Assembly in April, members will then be asked to sign up for the new agreement.

Get in touch with us to receive more details at Light + Building, Frankfurt (Hall 4.1, B15).

About Zhaga

Zhaga is a global association of lighting companies that is standardizing interfaces of components of LED luminaires, including LED light engines, LED modules, LED arrays, holders, electronic control gear (LED drivers) and connectivity fit systems. This helps to streamline the LED lighting supply chain, and to simplify LED luminaire design and manufacturing. Zhaga continues to develop specifications based on the inter-related themes of interoperable components, smart and connected lighting, and serviceable luminaires. For more information, visit www.zhagastandard.org.