What are the current standards and codes for tunable lighting control?

1 What is tunable lighting control?

Tunable lighting control is a type of lighting control system that allows you to change the color temperature and intensity of light sources independently or in combination. Color temperature is a measure of how warm or cool the light appears, ranging from warm white (2700K) to cool white (6500K) and beyond. Intensity is a measure of how bright or dim the light is, measured in lumens or footcandles. Tunable lighting control can create different lighting scenes and effects, such as circadian rhythm support, task tuning, daylight harvesting, and human-centric lighting.

2 Why is tunable lighting control important?

Tunable lighting control can have multiple benefits for both the occupants and the building owners. For the occupants, tunable lighting control can improve their comfort, well-being, and productivity by providing them with optimal lighting conditions for different activities, times of day, and personal preferences. Tunable lighting control can also support their circadian rhythm, which is the natural cycle of sleep and wakefulness influenced by light exposure. For the building owners, tunable lighting control can save energy and reduce maintenance costs by dimming or turning off lights when they are not needed, or by adjusting them to the available daylight.

3 What are the current standards and codes for tunable lighting control?

When designing and operating a lighting system, there are several standards and codes to consider, depending on the type, location, and purpose of the system. For instance, ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2019 sets the minimum requirements for energy-efficient design and operation of lighting systems, including tunable lighting control. ANSI/IES RP-28-16 provides recommendations for lighting design and control for senior living facilities, tailored to the specific needs and preferences of older adults. Additionally, ANSI/IES TM-30-18 offers a method for measuring and reporting the color rendering properties of light sources, including tunable light sources, using two metrics: fidelity index (Rf) and gamut index (Rg).

4 How to design tunable lighting control systems?

When designing tunable lighting control systems, you need to take into account several factors, such as the goals and objectives of the system, the characteristics and preferences of the occupants, the availability and quality of daylight, the type and configuration of the light sources, the type and location of lighting controls, and the installation and commissioning requirements. These include energy efficiency, visual comfort, circadian support, aesthetic appeal, age, activity, mood, or health condition; orientation, window size, shading devices, or daylight sensors; LED, fluorescent, or halogen; color temperature, intensity, and dimming range; wall switches, dimmers, sensors, timers or remote controls; and wiring, mounting, testing or programming.

5 What are the best practices for tunable lighting control?

For optimal performance and functionality of tunable lighting control systems, it is important to involve stakeholders in the planning and decision-making process. A lighting audit and analysis should be conducted to assess the current lighting conditions and needs, as well as to identify opportunities and challenges for tunable lighting control. The appropriate light sources and controls should be selected that match the goals and objectives of the lighting system, and that are compatible and interoperable with each other. Additionally, occupants and operators should be provided with adequate training and education on how to use and adjust the tunable lighting control system. Finally, the performance and satisfaction of the tunable lighting control system should be monitored and evaluated, with adjustments or improvements made as needed.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?