Lighting Control Systems:

Consists of a device, typically an embedded processor or industrial computer that controls electric lights for a building or residence, lighting control systems usually include one or more keypads or touch screen interfaces. Theses interfaces allow users the ability to toggle power to lights and fans, dim lights, and program lighting levels.

A major advantage of a lighting control system over conventional lighting is the ability to control any device from any interface. For example a master touch panel might allow the user the ability to control all lights in a building, not just a single room. In fact, any light might be controlled from any location.

In addition, lighting control systems provide the ability to automatically power a device based on programming events such as:

• Chronological Time (time of day): Is a time of day or offset from a time.
• Astronomical time (sunrise/sunset): Includes sunrise, sunset, a day, or specific days in a month or year.
• Room occupancy: a light activated by a motion sensor or RFID tags.
• Events: might include holidays or birthdays, special programs
• Alarm Conditions: might include a door opening or a motion detected in a protected area.
• Program logic (any combination of events): can tie all of the above elements together using constructs such as if-then-else statements and logical operators.