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Deep Dive: Fundamentals of Commercial Lighting Controls by Craig DiLouie

A good lighting design is incomplete without a good controls design. Lighting controls determine when the lights turn On, when they turn Off, how bright they are, which luminaires respond, the response to daylight or occupancy, and how occupants interact with the lighting in the space. Controls may be simple or highly sophisticated, but every control system can be defined by the same fundamentals: inputs, outputs, programming, communication, and sequence of operation. This content is written for those who already have a working knowledge of lighting and now need a foundation in lighting controls. Lighting controls may be as simple as a wall switch or as advanced as a networked system……… Lighting professionals focus on providing good lighting design that supports visibility, comfort, safety, appearance, and energy performance. Lighting controls determine how the lighting behaves. A lighting system without appropriate controls may provide the right amount of light, but not necessarily at the right time, for the right task, or in the way occupants prefer. Controls facilitate the lighting system response to people, schedules, daylight, energy goals, code requirements, and changes within the space. . Deep Dive: Fundamentals of Commercial Lighting Controls

Lighting Controls Academy Publishes Video Version of Education Express Course “Introduction to Lighting Controls”

The Lighting Controls Academy has updated its most popular Education Express course, EE101: Introduction to Lighting Controls, now available at NEMA Academy. LCA has published a video version of EE101, a free course available at YouTube. A good lighting design is incomplete without a good controls design. Controls may be simple or highly sophisticated, but every control system can be defined by the same fundamentals: inputs, outputs, programming, communication, and sequence of operations. In this video course, fundamental lighting controls concepts are introduced. By the end of this course, you will be able to: 1) identify and select common lighting control strategies, 2) recognize and select common lighting control devices, 3) compare basic system types, and 4) ask informed questions when evaluating lighting control systems. Written by Craig DiLouie and thoroughly updated and presented by C. Webster Marsh. Bookmark the Video Courses for the complete offering. Lighting Controls Association — The Lighting Controls Authority

LCA Publishes Education Video Covering Occupancy and Vacancy Sensors

The Lighting Controls Academy has published a video version of EE102A: Occupancy and Vacancy Sensors, a free course available at YouTube. Occupancy and vacancy sensors are devices that detect when a space is unoccupied and accordingly automatically turn Off (or dim) the lights, thereby saving energy. Due to their relative simplicity and high energy-savings potential, these sensors are a staple in new construction and a feature of many retrofit projects. By the end of this course, you will be able to: 1) select an appropriate sensor technology based on a given application’s characteristics, 2) select appropriate features for the sensor to optimize performance in the given application, and 3) apply sensors to spaces based on their characteristics. . Lighting Controls Academy Publishes Education Video Covering Occupancy and Vacancy Sensors

Lighting Controls Academy Publishes Video Course on Lighting Controls and the 2024 IECC

The Lighting Controls Academy is pleased to offer Lighting Controls and the 2024 IECC, a Lighting Controls Academy course, available as a free video. Commercial building energy codes regulate the design energy efficiency of new buildings and renovations. This Education Express course provides general introductory knowledge about the lighting control requirements in the 2024 version of the IECC. By the end, you will be able to: 1) recognize projects and lighting systems covered by the 2024 IECC, 2) identify lighting control strategies applicable to various building spaces in projects covered by the 2024 IECC, 3) incorporate requirements in the 2021 IECC into Owner Project Requirements and Basis of Design documentation, and 4) plan lighting control solutions that comply with the 2024 IECC. This course is registered and/or recognized by NCQLP (LC), NALMCO (CLCP), DLC, and the State of California. EE203 The 2024 IECC and Lighting Controls

NEMA Academy to Reshape Industry Education by Craig DiLouie

For 25 years, the Lighting Controls Association, a council of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), has educated the building industry about lighting control technology and application, notably through its Education Express courses. The organization is proud to announce that starting May 1, 2025, the Education Express curriculum will be incorporated into a new learning management system, NEMA Academy. The new platform will feature an improved website, a comprehensive learning platform, and access to a broad and growing curriculum covering lighting controls in addition to other topics, from lighting to safety to emergency preparedness. NEMA Academy to Reshape Industry Education

 

Education Express to Become NEMA Academy

Big news! The Lighting Controls Association’s Education Express is moving to NEMA’s new learning platform: NEMA Academy. This transition will provide an improved user experience and new opportunities for professional development, with the same Education Express courses combined with a growing curriculum of courses in lighting and other electrical fields. If you are one of our tens of thousands of Education Express students, your account will automatically transition to the new NEMA Academy platform, which will officially launch on May 1, 2025. Education Express to Become NEMA Academy

Lighting Controls Association Announces New Course on Home Automation Authored by C. Webster Marsh

The Lighting Controls Association has published a new offering in its popular Education Express system, EE306: Introduction to Home Automation. Home automation is technology that enables homeowners to integrate, manage, monitor, and control their lighting, shading, HVAC, security, entertainment, electric-vehicle charging, circuit breakers, and appliances. Solutions range from standalone devices to scalable systems allowing homeowners to control the entire home from a centralized platform. The primary benefit is comfort, convenience, and lifestyle enhancement through customized automation, with additional benefits such as lower energy costs, reduced carbon footprint, and enhanced security. Lighting Controls Association Announces New Course on Home Automation

Interesting: The Three Pillars of Independence of an Organization

The 3 Pillars of Independence most commonly refers to a framework from the UK voluntary sector (specifically promoted by organizations like Bond and the Directory of Social Change). It is a toolkit for assessing and maintaining the independence of charities, NGOs, or civil society organizations.

The Three Pillars are:

  1. Independent of Party Politics – The organization (or regulator) must remain free from bias or influence by any political party or the government of the day. Decisions should be impartial, not favoring one political side.
  2. Independent of Populism – It should not be swayed by popular public opinion, media-driven campaigns, or transient public pressure, especially on controversial or unpopular causes.
  3. Independent of the Press – Freedom from media influence or pressure, ensuring decisions are based on evidence and law rather than headlines or public narratives.

This toolkit was created to monitor potential political encroachment on charitable regulation and to ensure charities can operate without undue external interference.

 

Check out the learning sessions we posted…

August Blog: Learning to Get Better by Bill Attardi

WE ARE NOW LIVE ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@BillAttardi