Which LED Lighting Controls Should You Select for Your Parking Lot?

Selecting the appropriate parking lot LED light fixtures requires more than just selecting the correct fixtures. You also need to decide which LED lighting controls will work best in your parking lot. LED Lighting controls can range from DALI and internet-based controls, which are complex, to more simple LED lighting controls. This content will review the different types of lighting controls that you might use in your parking lot and the benefits and negatives of each type. When planning for your parking lot lighting and controls, be sure to check local ordinances, as local lighting ordinances frequently address or require specific lighting control requirements. 

Photocells and mechanical time clocks or electronic time clocks are two simple ways to control LED parking lot lights. Combined, they are an excellent way to control LED parking lot lights. This is how it is installed. 

1. The conduit leaves power supply which is typically the panel 
2. The conduit is run to a location where the time clock can be accessed and set
3. Next the conduit is run to a properly located photocell 
4. Once the conduit exits the photocell it is run to each parking lot light
5. If each parking lot light has a photocell, the conduit is run from the time clock to the light fixtures 
6. Se the time clock to go on in the late afternoon and to turn off at a logical time during the night

This lighting control plan works well, and, in many instances, it meets more rigorous lighting ordinances.  The time clock lets power go to the photocells in the afternoon an hour or so before the earliest time it gets dark. Once it starts to get dark, the photocells turn on the LED parking lot lights. Once it becomes time to shut the lights off, the time clock turns off the power to the photocell and lights saving energy.

• Pros
• Inexpensive even with two types of controls combined 
• Quite easy to use and the lights on and off without you
• Significantly reduces energy use 
• Cons
• Lights may be on for hours when nobody is around
• Dirty lenses can cause the lights to stay on during the day
• Photocells work better combined with other options 

Basic occupancy sensors 

Basic occupancy sensors will turn the light on when it recognizes the someone is in range. The light will stay on for a preset amount of time. If the occupancy sensor senses a continued presence, the length of time will be set back to the pre-set time. In other words, the light remains on as opposed to going off and then testing for someone being present. 

Programmable occupancy sensors 

Some occupancy sensors are preset at the factory. While there may be options, once set the program remains the same. Programmable occupancy sensors are programmable onsite. Many can be programmed via a handheld device. The handheld is then aimed at a single fixture or a row of fixtures within range and the program for those fixtures is updated. 

Bi-Level Occupancy Sensors 

Instead of simply turning the lights off like a more basic occupancy sensor, bi-level occupancy sensors, bi-level occupancy sensors dim the lights down to a predetermined percentage of the maximum light available when the area is unoccupied. That way the area with reduced illumination is still illuminated for safety or to appear open for business. Most bi-level occupancy sensors are programmable. It should be noted that bi-level occupancy sensors can only be used on LED light fixtures that have dimmable drivers.  

• Pros
• Increases the energy efficiency of LED lights
• Lots of flexibility to meet the property manager’s preferences 
• Meets almost if not all state and local light fixture ordinances 
• Cons
• Additional expense 
• Initial installation and operation are more complex 
• Adds more points of failure 

Wireless parking lot controls entered the marketplace with all kinds of heightened anticipation. Finally, there was an advanced parking lot lighting control system that didn’t require fancy wiring. While wireless controls have significant potential and offer the most options and flexibility, wireless controls have the highest upfront cost of any lighting control system. 

Wireless controls require additional hardware to receive and send signals. The device is wired to the driver and the driver must be compatible, which means compatible to transfer information and capable of 0-10v dimming or able to accept 12v controls. Once the parking lot light fixtures are set up, they all communicate to one central control unit. 

Deployed wireless control systems can handle functions as basic as turning the lights on or off as well as dimming. Better use is having the system collect data, send alerts to the system manager, and following pre-programmed if-then routines for lighting disruptions or failures. For example, a manager would know if a light failed without sending an employee to walk around a facility looking for a non-functional light. 

For large applications a wireless control system provides ROI. Managers have complete system control. During periods of his or her facility’s peak demand, the manager could reduce the light levels reducing peak demand charges. On the other hand if the power supply company was maximizing power production and hitting power generation limits, power reduction might be monetized by the end user.  

• Pros
• Comprehensive data on the performance of all parking lot lights 
• Maximum control of all parking lot lights all the time
• Facilitates peak demand management and grid requests for reduced use  
• Cons
• The most expensive parking lot lighting control system there is 
• Ongoing cost for communication between lights and control system 
• Complex, complex, complex 

Many state and local lighting ordinances now require lighting controls for parking lot lighting. While the ordinance might not specify the controls, the results are specified. Consequently, the lighting controls are required. For example, a state, city or town may specify that the lighting in a parking lot cannot be on after midnight, or, the ordinance might specify that the lighting has to be dimmed down to 20% from a maximum light level of  5 foot candles anytime nobody is present for 5 or more minutes. In any of these cases lighting controls are required to meet the ordinances. Access Fixtures’ lighting specialists and lighting engineers can review the lighting ordinances that need to be met and to advise you as to which lighting controls would best meet the requirements of the local ordinances.

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