Daylight Groups Overview
This article explains the capabilities of grouping fixtures for daylight harvesting for lighting designers. Engineers and technicians may also use this note to configure the Manage to satisfy a lighting design.
Goal
Create daylight groups to provide a uniform dim level across a group of fixtures for improved aesthetics.
In most cases, daylight harvesting without grouping will provide light levels that do not impact lighting aesthetics. However, occasionally lights are directed at walls or ceilings, and noticeable differences in dim levels may create undesirable patterns of light and shade on walls and ceilings. In these cases, daylight groups may be used to ensure a uniform dim level. Daylight groups are not recommended to be set for optimizing occupant comfort or energy efficiency.
The following concepts are introduced in this article:
- Ambient Reading – The ambient light level that is measured by the sensor.
- Daylight Group – A set of sensors that respond collectively based on the reported Ambient Readings of sensors in the group.
- Light Level – The fixture's output light (frequently referred to as dim level by lighting professionals).
- Group Light Level – The light output is calculated based on the ambient readings of reporting sensors in the group.
- Target Ambient Light Level – The target ambient reading that the sensor attempts to achieve by adjusting its light level, previously referred to as ambient threshold value or daylight harvesting target.
Daylight Groups Scenarios
1. Open Office
Suppose an office with rows of pendant fixtures and large windows spaced along one wall. The pendants direct light both upward toward the ceiling and down toward occupants. The sensors point down toward the office workers to ensure ambient light levels fit for reading. Without a daylight group, the fixtures between windows may have higher dim levels than the fixtures in front of the windows. This pattern would create variations of shade and light on the ceiling if the daylight is directed toward the occupants but not at the ceiling. To provide a consistent shade on the ceiling, the light designer may want to create three rows of daylight groups with each subsequent group farther away from the window wall.
2. Office Atrium with Spotlights
Suppose an atrium with high ceilings and a few spotlights around the perimeter that are pointed at the ceiling to create indirect lighting for the office workers below. Without a daylight group, the dim levels of the spotlights would be based on the sensors controlling the spotlight. If one spotlight sensor were in the sun's direct path, the spotlight would dim, and a large area would be impacted. Similarly, the ceiling would have a hodgepodge of different shades depending on the ambient reading at each spotlight. To provide comfortable lighting for the entire group and a consistent shade on the ceiling, the light designer may want to create one large daylight group for the entire atrium.
3. Outdoor Parking Lot
Suppose an outdoor parking lot with hundreds of light poles. The parking lot is in a region where dark clouds occasionally block out the sun before sunset, creating the desire to use ambient light instead of an astronomical clock to govern lighting behavior. Without a daylight group, the fixtures would sporadically turn on as the sun starts to set, creating the false impression that the fixtures were not behaving correctly. To provide the impression that all the lights are functioning with more traditional lighting technology, a lighting designer may want to create a large daylight group. All the outdoor lights maintain a consistent dim level as the sun rises and sets.
Prerequisite Steps Before Creating a Daylight Group
1. Verify Firmware
TIP: Upgrade sensor firmware before creating a daylight group. Check that all sensor firmware is version 5.x or higher.
2. Verify Network Health
TIP: Verify Transaction Fail Rate is lower than 30%.
All sensors in a daylight group must have adequate communication with Manage. The group sensors send ambient readings to Manage, and then the system calculates the Group Light Level. Sensors that miss the command to achieve a particular Group Light Level may have different Light Levels and defeat the daylight group's purpose. Hence, ensure good network health between the sensors and the Manage.
To verify network health,
- Select a Floor in the facility left panel and click the Floor Plan tab.
- Select View > Network.
- Select Diagnostics > Network Health, and Metric > Transaction Fail Rate.
For a daylight group of fewer than 100 sensors, a Transaction Fail Rate lower than 30% is unlikely to result in failed transactions that would be observable by occupants. However, if the Transaction Fail Rate is substantially higher than 30%, contact Enlighted Support to address the high rate.
3. Set Target Ambient Light Level
TIP: Automatically set the Target Ambient Light Level of sensors at night with light levels set to 100%.
The Target Ambient Light Level of the individual sensors in the group is used to calculate a group target ambient light level. This group target is compared to a group ambient reading to calculate the Group Light Level.
Generally, use the automatic calibration method to set the Target Ambient Light Level for all sensors in the group. At night, bring all the sensors to 100% dim level, and set the value automatically.
Refer to the Set Target Ambient Light Level for details.
4. Create appropriate Lighting Profiles
TIP: Set motion sensitivity to 0 to ensure uniform lighting in the daylight group.
For the Office Atrium with Spotlights and Outdoor Parking Lot scenarios, motion sensitivity is usually set to 0 during time periods that are typically occupied. Late at night, it may be desirable to set motion sensitivity to a higher value if it is acceptable to have lights at the minimum light level.
For the Open Office scenario, motion sensitivity greater than zero may be desired.
In the Advanced section of the profile, you may choose whether to allow the Group Light Level to dim lights below the minimum light level. Check the highlighted option shown below to accomplish this.
5. Assign Lighting Profiles
TIP: Assign all sensors within a daylight group to the same lighting profile.
Manage does not require all fixtures in a daylight group to have the same profile. However, Enlighted recommends that all fixtures in a daylight group share the same profile to ensure that all sensors within a group maintain a constant dim level.
A few cases exist where lighting designers may want different profiles within the daylight group. For example, suppose a fixture in the Open Office Scenario is close to a hallway or a strong air vent. The designer may want the entire group to respond to motion but may want to create a special profile for this individual sensor to reduce its motion sensitivity.
6. Create Motion, Switch, and Plugload Groups as Needed
TIP: If motion sensitivity is desired, create motion groups with the same sensors as the daylight groups.
Motion, switch, and plugload groups continue to function independently of the daylight group. If it is desirable to have uniform group levels that vary based only on occupancy, create motion groups that match the Daylight Groups. As Daylight Groups may span gateways and motion groups may not, it is not always possible to match them.
7. Steps to Create a Daylight Group
1. Select sensors: From the Floor Plan, select sensors, right-click, and select Create/Configure Groups > Create Daylight Group.
2. Choose a method for calculating the Group Light Level.
TIP: Generally, choose the Average Daylight method.
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Average Daylight: Some fixture light levels in the group will be brighter than the Target Ambient Light Level and some less bright. On average, the light levels will meet the required target light level. This is the recommended option.
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Maximum Daylight: Fixture light levels will optimize for reduced energy usage and maximize occupant flexibility. If all the sensors have the same target, then the sensor with the maximum daylight will be the sensor that dictates the Group Light Level. As daylight increases, the lights will be dimmed to the minimum required amount of light. The method is helpful in the Office Atrium scenario if lighting designers want to rely on task lighting outside of the group. With this setting, no occupants will have too much light, and occupants can always turn on their task lighting to increase comfort.
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Minimum Daylight: Light levels will ensure all targets are met or exceeded. All fixtures will be set to the maximum light level required to meet all the sensors’ targets. If all the sensors have the same target, then the sensor with the minimum daylight will be the sensor that dictates the Group Light Level. That is, all occupants will have sufficient light. Choose this method in an office environment where it’s important that all occupants have sufficient light, and it’s unlikely that too much light would cause discomfort.
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Daylight at Master Sensor: Light levels will ensure that the user-designated master sensor's light level is set to its target. In this case, the targets and ambient readings of all other sensors in the group are ignored. This method simulates more traditional lighting systems. It is a safe option only if one sensor accurately reflects the ambient readings for the group.
Average Daylight Group Light Level
Master Sensor Group Light Level
3. Choose Group Ambient Sensitivity
TIP: Use a value of 5 for moderate utilization of daylight.
The group ambient sensitivity overrides the sensitivities set in the profile. With a value of 5, daylight will never dim a fixture to off. A value of 10 will aggressively optimize energy by utilizing daylight. A value of 0 defeats the purpose of a daylight group as daylight will have no impact on the group.
4. Choose the roles of each sensor.
TIP: Set all sensors in the Report and Act state for typical office environments.
Sensors in the group may be set to Report and Act, Report Only, or Act Only.
- Report and Act sensors report their ambient readings, and they respond to the Group Light Level.
- Report Only sensors only report ambient readings, but they act independently of the group and follow whatever behavior their profile dictates.
- Act Only sensors do not report ambient readings, but they respond to the Group Light Level.
An Office Atrium with Spotlights pointed at the ceiling would likely require that the sensors controlling the spotlights are Act Only sensors because they may be far removed from occupied areas. So, ambient readings are not relevant. Furthermore, the designer may want to place Report Only sensors throughout the workspace. In this case, the Report Only sensors, report ambient readings from occupied areas to Manage. The system calculates the Group Ambient Light Level for the Act Only sensors to control the spotlights.
5. Click Apply to create the daylight group
After creating a daylight group, it will take two to three minutes for the fixtures to adjust to a constant light level. As the amount of daylight changes, the daylight groups respond gradually over a 10 to 30-minute period. Occupants may likely not notice changes to the light levels.
8. View Daylight Groups
From the Floor Plan tab, select View > Daylight Group. Each group is a different color. Double click the sensor to see the sensor’s Daylight Group Name.
9. Delete or Edit Daylight Groups
From the Groups tab, select Daylight, and Delete or Edit the desired group.
Recommended Settings for Daylight Groups
If in doubt, use the settings in this table for daylight groups. Refer to the System Admin Guide for details about how to create profiles and motion groups.
Settings | Open Office | Office Atrium with Spotlights | Outdoor |
Parking Lot | |||
Lighting Profile Settings | |||
Motion Sensitivity During Day Period | 5 | 0 | 0 |
Motion Sensitivity During at Night Period | 5 | 0 | 0 |
Advanced: Allow daylight harvesting to dim lights below the minimum light level | No Check | No Check | Check |
Create Motion Groups | Yes | No | No |
Daylight Group Settings | |||
Method for Calculating Group Light Level | Min. or Average | Average | Master |
Group Ambient Sensitivity | 5 | 5 | 10 |
Role of Sensors in the daylight group | Report & Act | Report Only and Act Only | Report & Act |
Advanced Daylight Group Behavior
Lighting behavior will continue to influence light levels. For example:
- Switches and manual overrides will override daylight group behavior.
- Motion and vacancy settings (Min. Light Level, Max. Light Level, Ramp-up time, Active motion window Dim and Linger, etc.) will still influence light levels.
- Automated Demand Response, Demand Response, and Overrides will continue to function.
Daylight Group Overrides Daylight Harvesting Profile Settings
When a sensor belongs to a daylight group, the group behavior overrides most of the daylight harvesting settings in the sensors’ profile. The table below describes the parameters used for daylight group behavior instead of the parameters defined in the daylight harvesting profile.
Field | Daylight Harvesting | Daylight Group |
Profile Settings | ||
1. Ambient Sensitivity | Ignored | Group Ambient Sensitivity value is used |
Advanced Profile Settings | ||
1. Adjust fixture light levels when ambient light levels drop by X __ (%) or rise by Y__ (%) | Ignored | Values are replaced with |
X = 10% | ||
Y = 20% | ||
2. Only change fixture light level after change in ambient light level is stable for __ seconds. | A brief dramatic decrease in ambient readings that affect the entire group may cause light levels to be increased. A dramatic increase in light levels needs to be maintained for at least 20 seconds before the change will impact lights. | |
Ignored | ||
3. Change fixture light level due to change in ambient light level no more than once every __ minutes. | Ignored | The value used is 130 (2 minutes) |
4. Enable daylight harvesting in Override Mode | Not ignored; continue to function | Not ignored; continue to function |
5. Allow daylight harvesting to dim lights below the minimum light level. | Not ignored; continue to function | Not ignored; continue to function |
Example Behavior
The examples below provide recommended settings for each type of scenario and illustrate how daylight groups affect light levels.
1. Open Office:
Assume all fixtures in the daylight group have the following profile and are all in the same motion group.
The table below shows how the fixture light levels are controlled based on the profile settings, Group Light Level, daylight harvesting, and advanced settings.
Time | Motion | Group Light Level reported by Manage | Final Fixture Light Level | Explanation |
Morning | ||||
6:30 AM | Yes | 80% | 75% | The Max light level when on is not exceeded. |
7:30 AM | Yes | 30% | 30% | Daylight harvesting reduces the light level from 75% to only 30% |
7:45 AM | No | 30% | 0% | The Min light level when on governs. |
Day | ||||
9:15 AM | No | 10% | 0% | The Min light level when on governs. The light level remains at 0% because no motion has yet been detected during the day period. |
9:30 AM | Yes | 10% | 20% | Daylight harvesting reduces the light level from 75% to the Min light level when on. |
Allow daylight harvesting to dim lights below the minimum light level option is not checked in the Advanced Settings, lights remain at 20%. | ||||
9:45 AM | No | 10% | 20% | Since there is no motion, the Min light level when on governs. |
2. Office Atrium with Spotlights
Period | Motion | Group Light Level from Daylight Harvesting | Final Fixture Light Level | Explanation |
Morning | ||||
6:30 AM | Yes | 80% | 50% | The Max light level when on is not exceeded. |
6:45 AM | No | 80% | 10% | The Min light level when on governs. |
7:30 AM | Yes | 30% | 30% | Daylight harvesting reduces the light level to 30%. |
7:45 AM | No | 5% | 5% | Daylight harvesting reduces the light level below the Min light level when on to 5%. |
Allow daylight harvesting to dim lights below the minimum light level option is checked in the Advanced Settings, lights dim to below the minimum light level. | ||||
Day | ||||
9:30 AM | No | 5% | 5% | Daylight harvesting reduces the light level below the minimum to 5%. |
5:50 PM | No | 30% | 30% | As motion is set to be always present, daylight harvesting reduces the light level to 30%. |
Evening | ||||
6:10 PM | No | 30% | 10% | As motion sensitivity is turned on, the Min light level when on governs. |
3. Outdoor Parking Lot
Time | Motion | Group Light Level from Daylight Harvesting | Final Fixture Light Level | Explanation |
Day | ||||
4:00 PM | Yes | 10% | 10% | Daylight harvesting reduces the light level to 10%. |
4:55 PM | No | 10% | 10% | Daylight harvesting reduces the light level to 10%. |
Evening | ||||
5:05 PM | No | 15% | 15% | Daylight harvesting reduces the light level to 15%. |
5:15 PM | Yes | 30% | 30% | Daylight harvesting reduces the light level below the minimum to 30%. |
Night | ||||
10:30 PM | No | 80% | 20% | The minimum light level governs. |
11:00 PM | Yes | 80% | 65% | The maximum light level is not exceeded. |
Recommended articles:
Daylight Groups Quick Guide
Audience
Engineers, technicians, and facility managers may use this guide to configure the Energy Manager to take advantage of Daylight Groups in an office environment. See Advanced Daylight Group Configuration for a more advanced understanding of this feature and recommendations for different spaces.
The Goal of Daylight Groups
Create Daylight Groups to provide a uniform dim level across a group of fixtures for improved aesthetics while still gaining energy efficiency by taking advantage of daylight.
Configure Lighting Behavior
The following configuration steps may be performed before or after creating Daylight Groups. Refer to the Manage Admin Guide for more details.
- Set the Target Ambient Light Level of sensors to Automatically Calibrate Now.
- Create a lighting profile for all sensors that will be in the Daylight Group.
- Sensors in the Daylight Group will ignore the ambient sensitivity in the profile.
- In the Advanced section of the profile, choose whether to allow daylight harvesting to dim the lights below the Minimum Light Level. See Daylight Harvesting.
- Assign the same lighting profile to every sensor in the planned Daylight Group.
- Create motion, switch, and Plug Load groups as needed.
Motion, switch, and Plug Load groups continue to function independently of the Daylight Group. Create motion groups with the same group of sensors in the Daylight Group to maintain a constant light level.
Create a Daylight Group
- Select sensors.
From the Floor Plan, select sensors, right-click, Create/Configure Groups, Create Daylight Group.
- A sensor may be part of only one Daylight Group.
- Daylight Groups may span gateways.
- Choose Average Daylight or Daylight at Master Sensor method for calculating the group light level. Enlighted recommends choosing one of two methods for setting the group light level:
- Average Daylight - Averages the ambient readings and target ambient light levels for all reporting sensors to calculate the light level for the Daylight Group.
- Daylight at Master Sensor - Uses the ambient reading and target ambient light level at the master sensor to calculate the light level for the Daylight Group.
- Set Group Ambient Sensitivity to 5. A value of 5 will never turn off the lights due to daylight. To use daylight more aggressively, set the value to 10.
- Keep the default role for each sensor as Report & Act. Sensors in the group will report their ambient reading and act based on the light level set for the group.
- Click Apply to create the Daylight Group.
- View Daylight Groups. From the Floor Plan tab, View > Daylight Group. Each group is a different color. Double click the sensor to see the sensor’s Daylight Group Name.
- Delete or Edit Daylight Groups. From the Groups tab, select Daylight, and delete or edit the desired group.
Daylight Group Interaction with Other Lighting Behavior
- Switches and manual overrides will override daylight group behavior.
- Motion and vacancy settings (Min. Light Level, Max. Light Level, Ramp-up time, Active motion window Dim and Linger, etc.) will still influence light levels if you do not want motion to influence light levels, set Motion Sensitivity to 0.
- Advanced ambient settings in the profile are ignored when sensors are in a Daylight Group.
Limitations and Comments
- Sensors in Daylight Groups must have a good wireless connection to the Energy Manager. If sensors cannot communicate with the Energy Manager for 30 minutes, they will revert to behaving as if they are not in a Daylight Group.
- Daylight Groups require sensor firmware version 5.1 and higher.
- By default, Daylight Groups respond to daylight over a 10 to 30 minute period. Occupants will likely not notice changes to the light levels.
Recommended articles:
Recommended Preliminary Steps for Creating a Daylight Group
Daylight groups provide a uniform dim level across a group of fixtures for improved aesthetics. The lights are dimmed or brightened to achieve a uniform group light level in response to daylight fluctuations. Daylight groups aim to find the right balance between aesthetics, occupant comfort, and energy efficiency.
Recommended Preliminary Steps
Before creating a daylight group, follow the recommended preliminary steps:
Step 1: Check that all sensor firmware is version 5.1 or higher.
Step 2: Verify Transaction Fail Rate is lower than 30%. The daylight group sensors send ambient readings to Manage, and then the system calculates the Group Light Level. Hence, ensure that all sensors have adequate communication with Manage. See Viewing Network Health.
Step 3: Set Target Ambient Light Level. Generally, use the automatic calibration method to set the Target Ambient Light Level for all sensors in the group. At night, bring all the sensors to 100% dim level, and set the value automatically. Refer to the Determine and Set Target Ambient Light Level.
Step 4: Set Motion Sensitivity. Motion settings (such as Min. light level, Max. light level, Ramp-up time, Active motion window, Dim, and Linger) will continue to influence light levels. Suppose you do not want the motion to influence light levels, set Motion Sensitivity in the lighting profile to 0. See Understanding Profile Basic Attributes for details.
Step 5: To allow the Group Light Level to dim lights below the minimum light level, you may choose to set the following option in the Advanced section of the profile. See Setting Advanced Attributes.
Step 6: Assign all sensors within a daylight group to the same lighting profile. See Assigning Profile to Sensors.
Step 7: Create motion, switch, and plugload groups as needed. Motion, switch, and plugload groups continue to function independently of the daylight group. Create motion groups with the same group of sensors in the daylight groups to maintain a uniform light level. As daylight groups may span gateways and motion groups may not, it is not always possible to match them. See Working with Motion Group.
After performing all the preliminary steps, proceed to Create a Daylight Group.
Create Daylight Group
Daylight groups provide a uniform dim level across a group of fixtures for improved aesthetics. The lights are dimmed or brightened to achieve a uniform group light level in response to daylight fluctuations. Daylight groups aim to find the right balance between aesthetics, occupant comfort, and energy efficiency. This article explains how to create, edit or delete a daylight group.
Create Daylight Group
Before creating a daylight group, read the Recommended Preliminary Steps for Creating a Daylight Group.
The steps to create a daylight group are:
Step 1: Click Facilities.
Step 2: Select a Floor.
Step 3: Select Groups.
Step 4: Select sub-tab Daylight.
Step 5: Click Create. The Create Daylight Group dialog box appears.
Step 6: In the Create Daylight Group box, specify a name for the daylight group.
Step 7: To add sensors to the daylight group, select the required group of sensors on the floor plan.
Step 8: Click the control. The table displays the list of selected sensors. To remove sensors from the table, click the
control.
Note: You can select up to a maximum of 1000 sensors, and the sensors may exist across gateways. However, all sensors must be on the same floor. A sensor may only be part of a single daylight group. If the sensors already exist in another daylight group, you have the option to move the sensors to a new group or skip sensors in the group.
Step 9: Choose a method for calculating the Group Light level.
- Average Daylight – Some fixture light levels in the group will be brighter than the Target Ambient Light Levels and some less bright. On average, the light levels will meet the targets. This is the recommended option to use.
- Maximum Daylight – Fixture light levels will optimize for reduced energy usage. If all the sensors have the same target, then the sensor with the maximum daylight will be the sensor that dictates the Group Light Level. As daylight increases, the lights will be dimmed to the minimum required amount of light. With this setting, no occupants will have too much light, and occupants can always turn on their task lighting to increase comfort.
- Minimum Daylight – Light levels will ensure all targets are met or exceeded. All fixtures will be set to the maximum light level required to meet all the sensors’ targets. If all the sensors have the same target, then the sensor with the minimum daylight will be the sensor that dictates the Group Light Level. That is, all occupants will have sufficient light. Choose this method in an office environment where it’s important that all occupants have sufficient light, and it’s unlikely that too much light would cause discomfort.
- Daylight at Master Sensor – Light levels will ensure that the user-designated master sensor's light level is set to its target. In this case, the targets and ambient readings of all other sensors in the group are ignored. This method simulates more traditional lighting systems. It is a safe option only if one sensor accurately reflects the ambient readings for the group.
Step 10: Choose Group Ambient Sensitivity.
Tip: Use a value of 5 for moderate utilization of daylight. The lights will never turn off due to daylight.
The group ambient sensitivity overrides the sensitivities set in the profile. A value of 10 will allow 100% of the Target Ambient Light Level to be provided by other light sources. A value of 0 requires that the fixtures provide the light, defeating the daylight group's purpose. Choose a value of 5 such that 50% of light may be provided by light sources other than the fixture.
Step 11: Choose the roles of each sensor.
- Report and Act – Sensors report their ambient readings and they respond to the Group Light Level. This is the recommended option for typical office environments.
- Report Only – Sensors only report ambient readings, but they act independently of the group and follow whatever behavior their profile dictates.
- Act Only – Sensors do not report ambient readings, but they respond to the Group Light Level.
- Master Sensor – If you have chosen Daylight at Master Sensor option as the method for calculating the group light level, choose a sensor from the list of sensors to be the Master sensor.
Step 12: Click Apply to create the daylight group.
After creating a daylight group, it will take two to three minutes for the fixtures to adjust to a constant light level. As the amount of daylight changes, the daylight groups respond gradually over a 10 to 30-minute period. Occupants will likely not notice changes to the light levels.
Editing or Deleting Daylight Groups
From the Groups tab, select Daylight, and click Edit the desired group. Make changes in the Edit Daylight Group dialog pop-up and click Apply to save the edits. Before you delete a group, you must remove all sensors from the daylight group. In the Edit Daylight Group dialog pop-up, select sensors in the table, click the control to remove sensors from the group and then click Delete.
Recommended articles:
- View Daylight Group
- Daylight Groups Quick Guide
- Configuring Advanced Daylight Groups
- Daylight Harvesting
Set Target Ambient Light Level
This article explains how to determine and set the Target Ambient Light Level. We recommend that you use this procedure under the direction of Enlighted Support.
Overview
You will need to determine and set the Target Ambient Light Level during the initial set up of the Daylight Group or Daylight Harvesting. The sensor attempts to achieve the Target Ambient Light Level by adjusting its light level. The Target Ambient Light Level is also called the Ambient Threshold or Daylight Harvesting Target.
The Target Ambient Light Level of the individual sensors in the group is used to calculate the group target ambient light level, which is then compared with the group ambient reading to calculate the Group Light Level.
You can set the Target Ambient Light Level either
- manually or
- automatically
Automatic calibration is preferred, but if you would like to fine-tune the lights' behavior, choose the manual method. If you are using the automatic calibration method, perform this at night and set the fixtures to a light level of 100%. Refer to the steps in Set Target Ambient Light Level.
In spaces where the ambient readings vary widely at 100% light levels, the lighting designer may want to manually set the Target Ambient Light Level constant for all sensors in the Daylight group, especially when the Minimum or Maximum Daylight calculation is used.
For example, suppose a particular sensor has the lowest ambient reading in the group both at night at 100% light levels and during the day. With the Minimum Daylight method, this sensor’s low target and low ambient reading will be used for the Daylight group. The result is that there will be minimal daylight harvesting for the group.
Set Target Ambient Light Level
The Target Ambient Light Level is the light level that the sensor attempts to achieve by adjusting its light level to determine energy savings. Energy savings are maximized by reducing the length of time a light is on, and the light's level (intensity). The procedure to obtain the best value is to perform this command when there is no ambient light (such as at night) with all lights set to full-on.
To set the Target Ambient Light level, follow the steps shown below.
- Select Facilities > Floor.
- Select all sensors or a group of sensors on the floor plan.
- Set the Override Light Level to ON. This turns all lights to full.
- With the sensors selected, right-click to display a pop-up window. In the window, select the Set Target Ambient Light Level.
Automatic Calibration:
Perform this at night and set the fixtures to a light level of 100% before clicking the Submit button. Wait for a minute after you click the Submit button. Do not change the lights immediately to Auto mode.
Manual Calibration:
The selected sensors average, maximum, and minimum ambient readings are displayed in the Set Target Ambient Light Level window. Typically, you would choose the average ambient reading, but if you prefer darker or lighter light levels, choose maximum or minimum values, respectively. Enter the Target Ambient Light Level and click Submit.
Wait for five minutes for the data to be sent to the sensors. The sensors dim the fixtures to maintain an ambient light level reading at the set target.
The Target Ambient Light Level may be set before or after creating a Daylight Group and may be changed at any time. Note that the targets for Act Only sensors are not used.