Lighting Controls: Standalone Versus Networked

A standalone lighting controls system is a single or group of devices to control the lighting within an isolated space or area of the building. The wireless or wired devices - lighting controllers, sensors, and keypads within that room - have the ability to communicate to one another in order to meet a limited design intent (i.e. on/off, dimming, scene selection, daylight harvesting, etc). Some sophisticated standalone systems have the ability of limited integration into other systems (i.e. AV, BAS etc.)

Networked controls system allow for the communication of the wireless or wired control devices in a single space via a wired backbone to other areas of the building. The communication and function of these distributed room devices is controlled by a centralized device; the brains of the operation. This system takes the controllability of the space further with timeclock functions, controlling multiple spaces together, master keypads, integration of touchscreens. A networked system is also capable of tying into other connected systems within the building such as BAS, security, fire alarm, AV, IT systems or even data acquisition and monitoring systems. It puts the power of data into the end users hands with the ability to track occupancy, monitor energy consumption, master controls and even make adjustments to function of the devices throughout their building or even multiple buildings.