Recapping SDA controls Training

Lighting controls are one of those insider things that only people who specify day in and day out really understand the nuance of.

After all, the end users will most likely never understand what went into specifying a lighting control system. They push the button and the lights dim. But those who really care about light know how important it is to control it. There are so many different technical ways to achieve good lighting control, that's why SDA represents three major controls lines.

I work with my controls partner, Olena, to right-size controls solutions for your projects. That could mean simple, bullet-proof 0-10v dimming. It could mean advanced architectural systems and it could be focused on energy management. Whatever the goals of the project, it's incumbent on us to find a solution that not only meets the design intent, but will meet the schedule and budget parameters of the project.

Olena is the real expert among the two of us, but at a high level here's how I think about the controls lines I work with....

Douglas

Douglas Lighting controls (owned by Panasonic) makes a bullet-proof series of products centered on 0-10v dimming systems. The systems are contractor friendly, easy to install and ship organized to be installed (i.e. boxed by room/area)

Leviton

Leviton makes innumerable dimming devices and interfaces that range from basic stand-alone systems like Pro-volt to intricate dimming systems the can handle phase dimming, DMX, DALI, 0-10v and anything else you can throw at them. While the systems are robust and deeply functional, they are also tougher to specify.

Osram - Encelium

If you're looking for a software based control solution that scales well, then OSRAM is where I would look. Their Encelium system is all about advanced energy management for lighting systems. These systems can be truly wireless, wired or a hybrid depending on site conditions and user preferences.

Of course this is a short hand. There could be any number of reasons you prefer on vendor over another, but when I am thinking about controls options this is how I think about these lines.

More Training

We hosted out first controls training this week, which was a 101 level introduction to these lines. In the coming year, we'll be hosting in-depth training sessions with each of these lines so we can help our specifiers really understand how to layout, specify and install each system.