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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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Report Only – Sensors only report ambient readings, but they act independently of the group and follow whatever behavior their profile dictates.
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Act Only – Sensors do not report ambient readings, but they respond to the Group Light Level.
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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.
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