New IEC Standards Target Automated Lighting Controls
Updated international safety standards for electrical appliances and control systems, including IEC 60335-2-116 and IEC 60730-2-9, have been released. The new versions place a greater emphasis on the reliability and user safety of automated controls, a critical consideration for the growing market of sensor-driven and AI-powered lighting systems.
- The updated IEC 60730-2-9 standard focuses on the inherent safety, operating values, and operational sequences related to the safety of temperature sensing controls within building automation systems. - These standards are critical for human-centric lighting applications aiming for WELL Building Standard certification, which requires lighting environments to support visual, mental, and biological health. - AI-driven control systems leverage real-time data from occupancy and daylight sensors to optimize lighting, enhancing occupant comfort and significantly improving energy efficiency in commercial spaces. - For chronobiology, tunable white lighting systems are key, allowing for the adjustment of melanopic equivalent daylight intensity (MEDI) to support circadian rhythms; a minimum of 250 MEDI Lux is recommended for at least four hours in the morning to suppress melatonin. - The DALI-2 protocol, an update to the original DALI, is central to modern automated systems, ensuring multi-vendor interoperability and direct connection of sensors and switches to the bus, which simplifies installation. - A circular economy approach to luminaire design is gaining traction, emphasizing modularity, the use of recycled and recyclable materials, and designing for disassembly to reduce waste and extend product lifecycles. - Architectural publications like *Dezeen* are increasingly showcasing smart home technologies and IoT integration, reflecting a growing interest in how connected devices influence spatial design and user experience. - Leading lighting industry resources, such as *LEDs Magazine*, have extensively covered the shift to LED-based standards in codes like ASHRAE 90.1, which now uses LED performance as the baseline for lighting power density (LPD) targets.
