In order to work effectively, controls must be compatible with a number of different components, including ballasts, other lighting controls, and even with other control systems within the building.

Barriers associated with components compatibility include:

Lack of a standard protocol for communication between lighting controls
Lighting controls manufacturers are addressing the issue of interoperability of control components with some success. Interoperability can mean communication on a local level, such as to control a ballast, or on a global level to communicate between individual control devices and with the whole building automation system. Manufacturers are working successfully to develop products that conform to open communication and command protocols, rather than proprietary systems, for all of the control technologies peripheral to the ballast. Several protocols are being discussed, and it seems likely that standards will continue to be developed and refined that will facilitate utilization of control components in all systems.

Lack of a robust and reliable control method for fluorescent lamp ballasts
Digital controls currently operate with security, HVAC, fire alarm and other specialty systems in modern buildings, yet only in the last few years has any direct digital control (DDC) ballast been available on the U.S. market. The lack of a robust and reliable control method with fluorescent lamp ballasts can partly explain why lighting systems are not routinely connected to building energy management systems, except at the electrical panel for simple on-off control of large areas. Protocols for digital lighting controls are making headway, however. DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface), a standard in Europe, has been accepted by ANSI and is now making its entrance into the U.S. market.

Little or no discussion between controls manufacturers and related industry partners
Despite advances in communication protocols and digital controls, there has been little or no discussion of the issues of controls between controls manufacturers and related industry partners, including ballast manufacturers, installers, utilities and government agencies. Effective interaction with all stakeholders is essential to creating market demand and overcoming the barriers to penetration of fluorescent lighting controls in commercial and industrial applications.

For more information:

• Meeting the Needs of a Fully Integrated Lighting and Whole Building Control Protocol ( 204K)
  Discussion of integrating lighting controls into building automation systems, and overview of new and established communication protocols
• Exploratory Analysis of Operational Parameters of Controls: Dimming Ballasts ( 141K)
  Discussion of how dimming ballasts and communication protocols work and their operational strengths and limitations