The use of occupancy sensors is a very good energy
efficiency solution for your building lighting automation. That being said some
solution providers and building managers tend to use a simplistic approach to
this solution. They try to automate all areas of their building with the same
type of occupancy sensor. Not only this is a wrong approach, it is one of the
main reasons that occupancy sensors get discredited. The main reason is that
you can’t solve all your lighting automation solutions with one type of
occupancy sensor.
Let’s stop and analyze this for a moment. For starts you
have three main technologies in occupancy sensing. These are passive infrared, ultrasonic
and dual technology (a sensor that combines both passive infrared and
ultrasonic technology). This gives you a very good hint as to where a sensor applies
and where it does not. Second, if you look at a catalog of any of the mayor
manufacturer of lighting controls, when you get to the occupancy sensor section
you will find more than three sensors. Not only that, you will find a range of
occupancy sensors, all with different characteristics as of sensing area,
technology and mounting or installation. They also give you examples as to
where they recommend that you use this sensor, specifically the area.
That is why you have to first survey each area with the
manufacturers catalog. With the specs of the occupancy sensor try to select the
appropriate one. The following are some recommendations for the selection of
occupancy sensors in an area:
1. Identify the area where you are going to use the
occupancy sensor. This is the first step and will guide you well as to what occupancy
sensor to use. Define if it is an open office, an area with cubicles or a
closed office. Also hallways, bathrooms and closets demand other types of
sensors.
2.
Size the area. You need to know the size of the
area, to select the best occupancy sensor that has the best coverage area.
3.
Identify all the fixed objects in the area. This
will determine line of sight. Remember that there are always objects that can
be move in a specific area. These objects can block a wall switch eliminating
the possibility of a wall switch sensor to be used.
4.
Know where you are going to mount the sensor. If
it is in the ceilings, take in to account what type of ceiling it is. This will
determine which tools you will need to install the occupancy sensor.
5.
Find out what is the main activity that is going
to be done in each area. You have to know if it’s computer work or an activity
that involves people moving frequently. In areas where you are going to have
little movement we recommend ultrasonic or dual technology. In high traffic
areas it is better and more cost effective to use a passive infrared occupancy
sensor.
6.
If it is a new or an old building try to get the
plans. If it is a new building, there is no way you can specify a sensor
without an architectural plan view. Try to get one that has all of the
furniture that they are going to use and where it is going to be placed.
Again it is very uncomfortable for the occupants when the
lights go off when they are working. This can not only discredit your occupancy
sensing solution, it will also discredit you. Follow these and other recommendations
and you will be off to a good start. Also if you need additional help always go
to a trusted source. For any questions you can email them to: jaming89@gmail.com or use the comment
section below.
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