Sensor Switch Launches nWiFi Wireless Solution for nLiGHT Network Lighting Control System

Acuity Brands, Inc. is pleased to announce the addition of wireless capabilities to its award-winning nLiGHT® network lighting control technology. The nWiFi™ solution from Sensor Switch® uses existing WiFi network infrastructure to further simplify control installation and reduce hardware costs.

The nWiFi solution adds conventional WiFi technology (802.11n) to nLight devices, such as occupancy sensors and relays, enabling them to seamlessly communicate with both wired and wireless nLiGHT lighting control zones. Additionally, nWiFi devices can directly communicate to locally wired nLight devices through CAT-5 cables.  Already installed in multiple locations, the nWiFi solution has proven a robust addition to the wired nLiGHT network, leveraging the wide-spread industry knowledge around the 802.11 protocol.

“The addition of nWiFi makes nLight unique, integrating both wired and wireless lighting controls to meet the diverse requirements of any project,” said Ben Hahn, Acuity Brands Lighting Vice President and Value Stream Leader for Sensor Switch. “This hybrid approach simplifies installation, reduces labor costs and expands intelligent lighting control possibilities to areas such as renovation and high bay applications that traditionally have been challenging.”

“The application of WiFi is widespread, trusted, and growing, making it the ideal technology for wireless networked lighting controls,” said Steve Lydecker, Acuity Brands Lighting Senior Vice President and General Manager, Controls and Systems. “The nWiFi product line takes full advantage of this evolution and demonstrates our continued commitment to our customers through the development of innovative, cost-effective and technology-driven solutions that meet their needs.”

A digital architecture and networking technology that cost-effectively integrates time-based, daylight-based, sensor-based and manual lighting controls, the nLiGHT system is designed to function in an individual room or networked together across an entire facility or campus. Easy-to-use and easy-to-install, the nLiGHT system significantly cuts energy consumption while enhancing user and occupant convenience. nLiGHT intelligence is also embedded in LED luminaires from Lithonia Lighting® — offering a complete and customizable lighting solution with integrated controls.

For more information about Acuity Brands line of lighting and controls solutions, please visit Acuity Brands and Sensor Switch on the web.

 

Acuity Brands Launches Wall Switch Sensor with Convertible Neutral/Ground Connection for Meeting NEC 2011 Neutral Requirements

Acuity Brands, Inc. is pleased to introduce the new patent-pending WSD NGX (Neutral/Ground Exchangeable) wall switch sensor as an addition to its Sensor Switch® line of occupancy sensors.

This new sensor provides an innovative and contractor-friendly solution to meet the neutral/ground wiring requirements under the 2011 National Electric Code® (“NEC 2011”) without having to purchase a dedicated unit. The WSD NGX sensor can use either the neutral conductor required by NEC 2011 for new construction projects, or it can use the ground connection, which is a common wiring method for many retrofit applications. The sensor’s ability to use either wiring method enables distributors to stock and sell one unit without risk of returned material from jobs where the wrong type of sensor was supplied.

“Since its release, the new NEC 2011 code has been partially or fully adopted by more than 25 states,” said Ben Hahn, Acuity Brands Lighting Vice President and Value Stream Leader for Sensor Switch. “The WSD NGX sensor’s wiring feature allows contractors to have a universally code compliant solution regardless of job site wiring requirements.”

“With the growing adoption rate of NEC 2011 as an accelerant, this new universal sensor provides a level of simplicity to electrical contractors and distributors last seen with the introduction of multi-volt ballasts,” added Steve Lydecker, Acuity Brands Lighting Senior Vice President and General Manager, Controls and Systems. “The multi-volt ballast eliminated the need to stock dedicated ballast voltages and avoided the risk of getting the wrong unit to the jobsite. Now with the new WSD NGX the same is true of the wall switch sensor.”

The new patent-pending convertible neutral/ground exchangeable (NGX) feature joins Sensor Switch’s already patented reversible line and load wiring featured product line – continuing the Company’s rich history of developing contractor-friendly products. The WSD NGX is available in both Passive Infrared (PIR) and Dual Technology (PDT) versions and is now shipping.

Pathway Connectivity Introduces New Pathport Quattro Control Solution

Rounding out a powerful line of DMX-over-Ethernet distribution equipment is the innovative new Pathport Quattro, which provides real-time, interoperability solutions between sophisticated lighting control systems.

A Pathway Connectivity solution, the compact, four-port node Pathport Quattro runs on Power-over-Ethernet, making it suitable for truss, desktop, wall-mount or 19”-rack installation. Like other members of Pathway’s Pathport family, the Quattro supports all standard DMX-over-Ethernet protocols, including E1.31 streaming ACN, Strand Shownet, Art-Net and Pathport Protocol. It can easily be retro-fitted into an existing network or be the cornerstone of a new installation.

The Pathport Quattro and other Pathway products will be exhibited at the LDI 2011 Trade Show and Conference at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, October 28-30, Booth #1257.

Win an Amazon Kindle 3G Wireless e-Reader!

What’s black and white and green all over? It might be the Amazon Kindle 3G you win after visiting Acuity Brands at the 2011 Greenbuild International Conference and Expo in Toronto, October 4-7.

Come see the best intelligent lighting, controls and daylighting solutions in the industry and how they help reduce energy consumption by tremendous amounts over traditional lighting. The Acuity Brands booth is no. 1819N. Say the word “artichoke” and register to win one of five Amazon Kindle 3G e-readers.

For contest rules, visit this Web site.

Join Acuity Brands at LIGHTFAIR International!

LIGHTFAIR International is under way at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia through May 19. Here’s the main schedule:

• LIGHTFAIR Daylighting Institute: May 15 – 16
• LIGHTFAIR Institute: May 15 – 16
• Trade Show & Conference: May 17 – 19

Acuity Brands exhibits its comprehensive portfolio of LED luminaires and intelligent control systems in booth #1801; its line of integrated prismatic Daylighting Solutions in the Sunoptics booth, #3229; and details of its recently announced collaboration with Neonlite in the Megaman-US booth, #2726. Lighting industry experts from Acuity Brands are speaking on a number of topics during the convention.

Also, don’t miss the chance to win a 2011 “smart fortwo passion coupe” — courtesy of Acuity Brands — from smart USA!

New nLight Catalog Provides Design Information

A new and updated catalog is available for the nLight® Intelligent Lighting Control System. It contains comprehensive product information, including sample configurations for applications like retail, office, warehouse, and classroom.

The catalog incorporates a design guide that details best practices, information about lighting coverage patterns, wiring diagrams and an easy-to-read Quick-Reference guide.

The nLight system combines multiple lighting control options, including time-based, sensor-based, daylight-based, and manual functionality. It connects intelligent digital devices, including occupancy sensors, photocells, power/relay packs, wall switches, dimmers, relay panels and luminaires, to create an integrated lighting system with distributed intelligence that can be easily configured and customized to meet customers’ lighting requirements.

Extreme Heat? Cold? Try OnePass

OnePass® Extreme is a new offering from the RELOC® Wiring Solutions family that’s positioned for extremely low and high temperature environments. It provides the same plug-and-play installation, low maintenance and cost saving benefits of the traditional RELOC system with one distinct difference: It’s suited for facilities with long-term exposure to severe temperatures. Examples: warehouse coolers, freezers, food distribution buildings, and unheated spaces.

OnePass Extreme can be used in applications with temperatures ranging from as low as -40^o Celsius / -40^o Fahrenheit to as high as 75^oCelsius / 167^o Fahrenheit. Normal thermoplastic high heat-resistant nylon-coated (THHN) wiring systems would break down and become brittle in those extreme temperature ranges. Like other OnePass products, OnePass Extreme is UL/CUL listed. Click here to see a detailed brochure.

6 Reasons to Consider Sunoptics Prismatic Skylights

For the past two weeks we’ve told you quite a bit about Sunoptics Prismatic Skylights. Here’s a summary of the Sunoptics benefits:

1. Sunoptics Prismatic Skylights have the highest performance and light transmittance of any standard domed skylight in the marketplace.
2. All Sunoptics double- and triple-glazed skylights come standard with an insulated, condensation-resistant, thermally broken frame with integrated exterior weeping wells.
3. Sunoptics has the exclusive Signature Series Dome.
4. Sunoptics extrudes and thermally forms all of our own plastic and prismatic sheets.
5. Sunoptics offers the exclusive Daylighting Photometric Lab.
6. Sunoptics is a company committed to a purpose.

Paired with lighting control systems, such as those from Lighting Control & Design, you reduce your building’s energy consumption and maximize your savings as well as the comfort of building occupants.

LEDs, Controls Part of Acuity Brands Expert’s Talk

William Ballweg, product development manager for Acuity Brands’ Lithonia Lighting, will be a featured speaker at the upcoming National Facilities Management and Technology (NFMT) Building Operating Management’s Conference and Exposition in Baltimore, MD.

Ballweg will speak at NFMT on Wednesday, March 16, at 9:00 a. m. The AIA-accredited presentation will address how the use of advanced, intelligent digital controls maximizes LED lighting efficiency, enhances lighting capabilities, and accelerates return on investment.

Case Study: Coca-Cola Saves 80% on Energy Use

When Coca-Cola decided to build its new energy-efficient distribution plant in Northern California, the company chose Sunoptics Prismatic Skylights to help it achieve its daylighting initiative. By integrating high bay T5 lighting systems with photocells and a lighting control system – in addition to the Sunoptics Signature Series skylights – Coca-Cola has reduced light energy consumption by up to 80% during the peak energy demand hours of the day.

Warehouses and distribution facilities are a natural choice for daylighting. They are large structures usually full with stock and only a hand full of employees moving inventory with fork lifts to trucks for distribution. By using high-performance prismatic daylighting with motion sensing and photocells with their lighting control systems, building owners can create the optimum level of energy efficiency while creating an environment of high productivity for the workers in the space.