IoT and PoE: Smart lighting control
The Internet of Things (IoT) makes everyday objects intelligent using sensors, machine-to-machine communication and microprocessors, and with this new technology you can control your lighting system in a whole new way.
IoT makes it possible to control the lighting in an entire city simply and easily. Due to the great development in the technology, it is now also possible to use IoT in private homes, and the new technology can integrate indoor and outdoor lighting. In addition to changing how we control our lighting, IoT also makes it possible to measure other factors such as physical assets, building performance and human activity.
Smarter lighting control
Many major lighting companies are currently developing IoT platforms and creating smarter ways to control lighting in the home. Lights can now be controlled wirelessly, but the industry is still testing and developing products to make them available to the public. It's important to understand the technology behind a product, which is why it's important for the industry to thoroughly test operational and data security.
Another impressive feature of IoT is location sensors. These sensors can automatically track movement, determine if someone is in the room and then adjust the lighting accordingly. However, it's important to be strategic when choosing sensors, both in terms of how many and what they will be used for. Sensors vary in price, which is something to consider when designing your lighting system. Not surprisingly, you should also choose a system that is future-proof. Choose a sensor that can be remotely upgraded and is built like a computer.
IoT - Internet of Things
Many major lighting companies are currently developing IoT platforms and creating smarter ways to control lighting in the home. Lights can now be controlled wirelessly, but the industry is still testing and developing products to make them available to the public. It's important to understand the technology behind a product, which is why it's important for the industry to thoroughly test operational and data security.
Another impressive feature of IoT is location sensors. These sensors can automatically track movement, determine if someone is in the room and then adjust the lighting accordingly. However, it's important to be strategic when choosing sensors, both in terms of how many and what they will be used for. Sensors vary in price, which is something to consider when designing your lighting system. Not surprisingly, you should also choose a system that is future-proof. Choose a sensor that can be remotely upgraded and is built like a computer.
IoT in supermarkets
Optimize your shopping with smart lighting. It may sound crazy, but an increasing number of supermarkets are implementing IoT lighting that can help make customers' shopping trips easier.
For example, through the built-in sensors, IoT lighting can find a specific customer and send information to the customer's smartphone about offers on products that are physically close to the customer in the supermarket. In addition, IoT lighting can help plan the fastest possible route through the supermarket based on the customer's shopping patterns. In this way, the customer can significantly optimize their visit.
IoT on the roads
By mixing IoT lighting sensors with small cameras, smart lighting can make traffic flow more smoothly. For example, IoT lighting can be connected to traffic signals and electronic road signs, allowing the lighting to help regulate and redirect traffic.
IoT lighting can also be used to tell drivers about available parking spaces. In several cities around the world, city drivers can access this information using real-time apps.
Smart lighting can also be useful at airports, stations and other places where security needs to be top-notch. The IoT lighting's sensors can detect how cars are driving and report if any suspicious behavior is detected.
IoT outdoors
As mentioned, smart lighting is not only useful in the home. Outdoors, IoT lights can help optimize a city's safety by using small microphones in light poles that can alert to traffic accidents, for example.
In addition, the built-in sensors can be used to monitor containers and bins and inform the city's garbage collectors where they are and when they need to be emptied.
Finally, light poles with IoT technology can predict when the lighting requires maintenance and inform the municipality accordingly. In this way, the municipality can save a lot of money on maintenance.
Intelligent lighting with PoE
Power over Ethernet (PoE) lighting is an innovative and fascinating technology that has revolutionized the way we light our buildings. Unlike traditional lighting systems that rely on separate electrical cables, PoE lighting utilizes the existing Ethernet infrastructure to deliver both power and data to lighting fixtures. This integration of power and data transmission not only simplifies installation and maintenance, but also opens up a world of possibilities for smart and energy-efficient lighting.
One of the most compelling aspects of PoE lighting is its simplicity and flexibility. It allows for easy installation of lighting fixtures without the need for specialized electrical wiring. Instead, low-voltage power is delivered via standard Ethernet cables, making the installation process more straightforward and cost-effective. This streamlined approach is especially valuable when retrofitting modern lighting in older buildings.
PoE lighting systems are also highly customizable and offer the ability to remotely control and monitor each individual light fixture. With the integration of smart lighting controls, users can adjust the brightness, color temperature and even the color of the light to suit their specific needs. This level of control not only increases user comfort, but also contributes to energy savings as lights can be automatically dimmed or turned off in unattended areas.
Energy savings with PoE lighting
Energy efficiency is a key benefit of PoE lighting. By enabling granular control of light fixtures, PoE systems help reduce energy consumption and lower operating costs. Sensors, such as occupancy detectors and daylight sensors, can be easily integrated into the system, further optimizing energy consumption by ensuring that lighting fixtures are only on when and where they are needed. These features make PoE lighting an environmentally friendly solution that aligns with sustainability goals and energy efficiency standards.
PoE integration with the internet
PoE lighting integrates seamlessly with the Internet of Things (IoT). This is done conveniently with a hub that connects to the lighting fixtures and is also connected to the internet. This provides a platform for building automation and data collection that opens the door to a wide range of applications, such as real-time occupancy tracking, space utilization analysis and predictive maintenance. PoE lighting systems can also integrate with other smart building technologies, improving overall building efficiency and occupant experience.
Installing PoE
In a smart PoE network, cables connect to an Ethernet switch port capable of delivering DC power directly to the LED lighting fixtures or to a "node" that distributes power and data to the lighting fixtures, sensors and controllers.
In larger installations, the LED luminaires are often a troffer. Depending on the PoE lighting system, the consumption in the port, troffer size and manufacturer, one node can serve one or two troffers, up to 7 lighting fixtures and optionally incorporate a data port to control the lighting (e.g. dimmer or a sensor). The node-centric solution requires fewer powered ports and less energy than a luminaire-centric solution.
The most common LED light fixture configurations are shown below. For all LED light fixture configurations, the maximum power is supported by each structured cable channel and node. This is typically 100W or for some outputs rarely exceeds 60W. This also means that PoE lighting is generally not suitable for large-scale lighting tasks, such as exterior lighting on masts.
Support for PoE lighting
With the right guidance and support, installing PoE is a simple exercise that most installers and electricians will be able to handle. At Lumega, we have taken courses in PoE lighting and will be able to help with the contact to the best manufacturers on the world market and at the same time supply these hardware components in a selection of our lighting fixtures, so the complete PoE lighting solution can be delivered. This ensures we deliver a complete solution together.