Anke Electrical Co., Ltd.

[Summary]:This article introduces the main features, primary functions, and achievable effects of intelligent lighting systems. There are two main purposes for achieving the intelligence of lighting control systems: first, to enhance the control and management level of lighting systems, reducing maintenance costs; second, to conserve energy, thereby lowering the operational costs of lighting systems. In July 2009, the State Grid Corporation of China proposed the development strategy goal of constructing a unified and robust smart power grid, and the adoption of intelligent lighting systems in substations meets the requirements for the construction of smart substations.

[Keywords]:Smart Lighting; Substation; Control Systems.

Introduction

As computer technology, network technology, and communication technology advance, intelligent control systems have become an inevitable trend. They are equipped with advanced hardware and software facilities specifically designed for monitoring and managing equipment within various types of buildings, to meet the diverse intelligent usage and management needs of smart substation.

Basic Concepts of Smart Lighting Control Systems

The intelligent lighting control system can automatically collect various information from the lighting system based on environmental changes, objective requirements, and user pre-set needs. It then performs logical analysis, reasoning, and judgment on the collected information, storing, displaying, and transmitting the analysis results in the required format. This ensures feedback control of the working status information, achieving the desired control effect. The main functions of the intelligent lighting system include lighting control, curtain control, and security prevention, enabling the switch control, dimming control, decentralized and centralized control, remote control, delayed control, timed control, light detection control, infrared remote control, motion sensing control, and linkage control with other equipment systems. The control methods are convenient, flexible, easy to modify, operate, and maintain.

2 Key Features of the Smart Lighting Control System

By integrating computer technology, communication technology, and digital dimming technology, the lighting system is automated, transitioning from traditional switches to intelligent switches. Key features include: the system can control continuous dimming or switching of any circuit; scene control with various sensors for automatic lighting control; infrared detection for human presence to control lighting; adjustable indoor lighting based on outdoor light intensity in certain situations; time control; handheld infrared remote control for lighting; system networking; the entire system requires only one bus, eliminating extensive cable laying and complex control designs; control modules installed in existing power distribution boxes; on-site control panels connected via a single 24V bus for safety and ease of operation; convenient for functional and control modifications; energy-saving and efficiency-enhancing; all control modules are modular products, installed using standard 35mm rail mounting; all on-site control panels and motion sensors are mounted in standard 86 boxes, with simple installation and easy control function changes.

Primary Functions of the 3 Smart Lighting Control System

1) The intelligent lighting system offers flexibility in achieving single-loop, combined-loop, and zonal controls. The timer function allows lights to turn on or off as required. Staff can temporarily access lighting scenes through an intelligent panel installed at the workspace.

2) The 5~U installed mobile sensors control the switching of all lighting circuits, electrical appliances, equipment power, air conditioning, fans, and more within their area. The system automatically ensures: lights, air conditioning, and heating are on when people are present, and they turn off when people leave, without the need for any panels or switches.

3) The intelligent lighting system allows for effortless control of various electric curtains, blinds, drapes, and roller shades. Settings are customizable to suit your preference.

Adjustable for lifting and lowering, opening and closing, and flipping angles without limit stops. The control methods are flexible and varied.

4) The monitoring subsystem can detect the switching status and fault conditions of each micro-circuit breaker, as well as monitor the load current of critical circuits.

5) The conference room now features intelligent control of audio-visual systems, integrating comprehensive management of various audio-visual equipment, lighting, and projection screens.

6) The intelligent lighting system employs a distributed control system, allowing for integration and联动 with other systems.

7) Utilizing remote management software for remote centralized monitoring and control of the entire system.

Achieving Effects with Smart Lighting Systems

1) Pre-set various scenes, with customizable fade-in and fade-out times for scene transitions, and soft lighting changes.

2) Indoor lighting utilizes scene changes to enhance environmental art effects, creating a sense of depth and layers, and cultivating a comfortable atmosphere.

3) The smart dimmer features an output over-voltage protection function, extending the lifespan of lighting fixtures.

4) Utilizing brightness sensors to automatically adjust light intensity for energy-saving benefits.

5) By utilizing light intensity sensors, the room's lighting can be maintained at a constant level.

6) Connects to building access control, fire, and security systems via computer network interfaces.

Strategic Selection of Lighting Fixtures

LED lighting fixtures offer numerous advantages over commonly used fluorescent and incandescent bulbs.

1) The brightness and color of LED lights are adjustable, catering to the color atmosphere of indoor decoration. In the scenario lighting market, it boasts advantages that traditional light sources cannot match.

2) LED lights are easily controllable dynamically, allowing for cluster control tailored to user needs, providing convenience for intelligent management of indoor lighting.

3) The LED lights are compact in size and feature decorative characteristics, achieving the effect of seeing light but not the lamp itself.

4) LED lights boast a long lifespan and are mercury-free, in line with the country's "energy conservation and emission reduction" policy requirements.

Application Solutions in Smart Substation Technology

The Huxian 330kV Substation's current intelligent lighting project only considers the indoor areas, such as the main control communication building and the 35kV distribution room.

6.1. Solution Configuration

1) 1st Floor Office Area

Two intelligent control panels are installed at the entrance, allowing local control over the lighting circuits at the corresponding locations.

2) Second Floor Public Area

On-site configuration of mobile detectors to control lighting circuits within the designated area, ensuring automatic lighting activation when someone is present and delayed automatic shutdown after they leave.

3) Second-Floor Conference Room

The entrance is equipped with a five-in-one intelligent lighting control panel, which allows for mode and group-based control of the conference room lights, as well as the opening and closing of electric curtains, and the up and down operation of the electric projection screen.

4) Second-Floor Office

An intelligent lighting control panel with dual configurations is installed at the entrance, enabling mode-specific and group control of the meeting room lights, as well as control over the opening and closing of electric curtains.

5) Main Control Room

The entrance is equipped with a five-link intelligent lighting control panel, which controls the opening and closing of the electric curtains in the main control room, provides mode and group control for the meeting room lights, and centrally controls the circuits of the entire main control building.

6) 35kV Distribution Substation

Two intelligent lighting control panels were installed at each export configuration, enabling mode and group control of the power room lights.

6.2 Central Control Platform

The central control mainframe was installed in the main control room, along with the Winswitch remote management software for the intelligent system. This setup is used for remote centralized monitoring and control of the entire i-bus system. The Winswitch control software is compatible with various environments, including Windows 95/98 or NT 4.0 SP5/2000.

AnkoRe Intelligent Lighting Control System

7.1 Overview

The ALIBUS intelligent lighting products utilize RS485 bus technology, offering mature, reliable, and secure performance. The switch driver has the capability to operate independently, suitable for small to medium-sized projects. With a modular design, it can be freely expanded and connected. It also features预留 I/O ports and Modbus interfaces, enabling data exchange with the AcrelEMS enterprise microgrid management cloud platform.

7.2 Application Venue

Suitable for lighting control needs in various smart communities, hospitals, schools, hotels, as well as large public infrastructure projects such as sports facilities, airports, tunnels, and train stations.

7.3 System Architecture

7.4 System Features

1) Real-time detection and display of the online status of each module, feedback on the switch status of the on-site controlled circuits, and monitoring interface browsing according to the layout of each floor's zones and circuit lists.

2) Fault alerts will occur when modules go offline, gateway devices disconnect, or there is a discrepancy between status feedback and control commands. The fault alert information will be recorded and displayed on the interface.

3) Individual switching control can be achieved for each lighting circuit; each module and floor has corresponding module control switches and floor control switches, allowing for switching control at either the module or floor level.

4) The switch driver supports zero-crossing triggering function, where the switching operation of the load (lighting) is only performed when the AC voltage crosses zero. This effectively reduces electromagnetic interference and the impact on the power grid, extending the lifespan of the lighting and control devices.

5) Each lighting circuit can be pre-set to an off-state, so when the lighting power is interrupted, the switch driver will automatically switch to the pre-set off-state; ensuring that the switch state of the lights is certain and controllable upon re-powering.

6) The dimming control slider adjusts lighting equipment from 0% to 100%. It allows for dimming control of individual lighting circuits, while the master dimming control can dim circuits within a module or across multiple circuits. The status of the on-site switches is indicated by the illumination of icons.

7) Click the scene control to toggle the corresponding scene settings on or off. The software interface displays different scene modes and features, with icons lighting up or dimming to indicate whether the scene is open or closed.

8) Set the timer, confirm the time point, and then configure the action for that event point. Set the lights to turn on or off at the specified time.

9) The system can automatically calculate daily sunrise and sunset times using pre-set local latitude and longitude information; it controls lighting switches based on an astronomical clock, enabling lights to turn on at sunset and off at sunrise.

All scheduled control plans can be downloaded and saved to the driver module; in the event of a system failure or module offline on the upper computer system, the driver module can utilize its built-in RTC clock to maintain the normal execution of scheduled control plans, without affecting the daily lighting control effects.

11) The system architecture is a distributed bus structure; individual components within the system operate independently without reliance on others; and the diversity of functions can be achieved through program settings for each component.

预留 BA or third-party integration platform interfaces, utilizing Modbus, OPC, and similar methods.

7.5 Equipment Selection

8 Closing Remarks

The benefits of using intelligent lighting control systems are primarily evident in intelligent lighting control, consistent illuminance, flexible scene changes, significant energy savings, extended light source lifespan, improved management levels, and reduced maintenance costs. In the future, it will continue to evolve towards intelligence, miniaturization, and standardization. Integrating the lighting control cabinet and intelligent controller into a single unit creates an integrated intelligent lighting control cabinet, which only requires external wiring connections for use, making installation easier, more reliable, and more cost-effective in terms of human, material, and financial resources, thus yielding greater economic benefits and higher practical value. Consequently, the application of intelligent lighting control systems in intelligent substation has garnered significant attention and shows promising prospects for development.

Reference:

Chen Yicai. Electrical Design Manual for Smart Buildings [M]. Beijing: China Building Materials Publishing House, 1999.

[2] GB50034-2004. Standard for Architectural Lighting Design [s]

Zhao Zhe, Intelligent Building Control and Energy Saving [M]. Beijing: China Power Press, 2007.

[4] Q/GDW 383-2009. Technical Guidelines for Smart Substation Technology [s].

Ren Xiaogui, Yang Yang, Wu Yuhui. Research on the Application of Intelligent Lighting Systems in Smart Substations.

[6] AnkoRui Enterprise Microgrid Design and Application Manual. 2022.05