Light Corporation Introduces Radically New Wireless Control Technology for Large and Open Spaces


Grand Haven, MI - Light Corporation, a world-class specialty lighting manufacturer whose product offerings enlighten the workplace, has introduced a new system of wireless control technology specifically designed for large, open spaces. This new control technology is designed to work in tandem with Light's Semaphore product line.
Light's technology is a first in wireless usage for large industrial and warehouse spaces. Most wireless applications are designed for office spaces that have smaller footprints and require less distance to accommodate the needs of the end-user. As square footage increases, the need for nodes or repeaters arises so that the information can travel further from fixture to fixture. This more traditional "node" network is very expensive and therefore cost prohibitive in large and open spaces. Light, however, has solved this cost vs. distance dilemma with their new wireless technology allowing for square footage applications ranging from 50,000 - 2,000,000 square feet to be utilized without the need for costly nodes or repeaters. "The biggest challenge that we had to overcome in developing this system was the need to insure that the communication happened between the end-user and the individual units", explains Larry Leete, Light's Manager of Peripheral Markets. "With the sheer size of these spaces and the fact that walls, racks, and other equipment, which are all steel-based in their construction, could potentially block the communication signals from getting to the appropriate units was a huge issue for us to overcome. Our goal was to create a worry-free and redundant system that would react to the end-user's input. Nodal systems and point-to-point system couldn't do what we wanted cost-effectively." The end result was the development of a mesh-networked system that allows for individual units to pass the signal on to other units ensuring communication happens across the entire network. If a signal is unable to penetrate an obstacle, the network finds an alternative route around to get the command out.

"Light's goal is to always look forward and think imaginatively to determine and anticipate the needs of our customers and partners. We call this process "Lumintuition" and we believe it is what separates us from other lighting manufacturers. Lighting for large industrial settings and warehouses has always been looked at as a necessary evil - it's viewed simply as a cost to do business. What if we could change that perception, and turn lighting into a productivity platform for a myriad of applications that enhances the work being done within those spaces? That would be a radical new way to look at lighting. With this new technology we are just beginning to achieve that goal," remarked Leete.

The new wireless technology is designed around the need for easier user control and paired with the need to reduce installation and change-out costs associated with present technology available today. Control of the system is achieved through an intuitive software program vis a vis a laptop computer or via a proprietary hand-held remote control. The initial phase of the product is designed to accommodate four specific end-user needs.

Those needs include:

1. On/Off Capability - presently an end-user needs to go to their junction box or control box and flip the light switches individually to turn on their lights; normally these switches turn on specific "zones" or groups of lights. With this new system, the end-user can now switch on/off all of the lights at once or specific areas and zones via the remote control or computer at specific times and dates - allowing for easy, programmable changes.
2. Dimmability - this allows the end-user the ability to dim their light levels at will allowing them control over how much light they need and want to turn on.
3. Occupancy Sensing - in today's industrial and warehouse environments there are low traffic areas that don't require the lights to be on until someone enters the area. When an individual enters, an occupancy sensor detects their movement and triggers the light. Today's technology requires that each individual fixture contain an occupancy sensor or are individually wired to interconnect with one another. In both instances, this can often be costly. Light's wireless technology requires the use of one occupancy sensor that will communicate to the fixtures wirelessly that are associated with the specific zone and has them activate.
4. Re-Zoning - the biggest problem with lighting systems today is the need to move them to another circuit or zone as an organization grows or as the current tenant moves out of a space and the next one moves in. There is a tremendous amount of cost involved in rewiring lighting to different zones as the need requires it. What if, by simply "pointing and clicking", an end-user could change what lighting fixtures are connected together from a zone standpoint? How much time and effort could be saved in the move-in/change-out process? Light's new wireless technology accomplishes this need.

"Organizations today spend anywhere from 35% to 50% of their energy costs on lighting. We believe that is a tremendous amount of money associated with an investment that is often over-looked and taken for granted. Our goal is to allow end-users the control over this large investment allowing them applications to better utilize this investment. This is an exciting technology, and we're extremely pleased to be the first lighting manufacturer to develop these control systems for this type of environment," said Pat Cannon, Light's Director of Sales & Marketing. Cannon added, "When you consider the costs involved in moves, adds, or changes and the work involved in installing those aspects, having a system that is intuitive and allows you to make these moves, adds, or changes through the touch of a button is a pretty spectacular accomplishment."

Light Corporation, located in Grand Haven, Michigan, provides the lighting expertise, manufacturing, and distribution of its Semaphore product line and wireless technology.

Company Name: Light Corporation
Address 1: 14800 172nd Avenue
City: Grand Haven
State: MI
Zip: 49417
Country: USA
Phone: 616-842-5100
URL: www.lightcorp.com

Contact Name: Larry Leete
Title: Manager - Peripheral Markets
E-mail: larryl@lightcorp.com

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