The Basics of Lighting Control
Lighting control is a key component of modern lighting systems. Lighting control allows users to manage key lighting parameters, such as light intensity and color temperature.
Lighting control will significantly reduce energy consumption, lower maintenance costs, and improve the safety of the working environments.
In this article, long-time Tehdasvalo professional Marko Valtonen outlines the basics and the benefits of lighting control. Marko joined Tehdasvalo in 1998 and has gained expertise from sales and procurement to lighting design, product development, and hands-on installation work.
Common Solutions for Lighting Control
Lighting control solutions can vary from traditional light switches to advanced smart systems. Modern solutions adjust based on motion sensors, daylight, or predefined schedules, optimizing both energy use and comfort.
Motion Sensors
In motion-controlled lighting systems, lights turn on automatically when movement is detected. If lighting is operating at a reduced level, the system automatically increases brightness when there is activity. Motion sensors are common in industrial facilities and warehouse environments.
Daylight Control
The daylight sensor measures the amount of natural light entering the room and adjusts the artificial lighting correctly. When natural light is available, the daylight sensor dims the lighting, and as natural light decreases, the lighting intensity is increased. This ensures a consistent lighting level while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption.
Schedule-based Control
Schedule-based lighting is common in street lighting. Levels are adjusted based on the time of day or calculated usage patterns: brighter lights during peak hours and reduced during quieter periods.
Wireless Lighting control
Wireless systems are not a primary choice in new construction projects, but have grown systematically in renovation projects. However, wireless control systems are becoming more common in industrial facilities, and Tehdasvalo has supplied over a thousand luminaires with wireless systems to various industrial sites.
Lighting Control in Industrial Environments
According to Marko, lighting control systems are a practical solution in industrial settings. Most facilities require continuous general lighting, and control systems allow maintaining a base lighting level with full output used only when necessary.
Marko has a practical example of a factory warehouse renovation with luminaire-specific motion sensors. Sensors were programmed to operate in zoned groups, and when a forklift moves through the warehouse, lighting automatically increases along its route. Other areas remain dimmed, which enables energy savings without compromising workflow.
Beyond efficiency, lighting control also improves the quality of the working environment. Well-designed lighting makes work smoother and helps identify issues such as clutter, thereby improving cleanliness and overall work quality.
Lighting Control and Luminaire Lifespan
In some situations, lighting control can be even essential. In fully enclosed spaces, lighting is often required only for occasional maintenance. Continuous lighting would waste energy and unnecessarily shorten the luminaire lifespan. With lighting control, lights are used only when needed for maintenance purposes.
“When luminaires are not constantly operating at full power, they stay cooler and last longer”, Marko explains.
High room temperatures and the thermal load generated by powerful luminaires can shorten the lifespan, especially in industrial environments. Reducing operating load keeps the systems cooler and extends the service life of luminaires and other equipment.
Challenges of Lighting Control in Industrial Settings
Despite its advantages, lighting control is not always prioritized in industrial environments, and according to Marko, plug connections are very common. However, Marko also notes that in facilities operating around the clock, motion-based settings may offer little practical benefits.
Another issue is that current lighting control solutions do not always fully meet the demands of industrial environments. Lighting control systems are typically designed for building automation systems of commercial or public buildings. Industrial facilities can differ greatly, as high ceilings and elevated room temperatures, together with strict IP ratings, add additional requirements on both luminaires and control systems.
Maintenance is another challenge that prevents the use of current lighting control systems in industry. Large industrial halls can contain hundreds of luminaires, and maintenance or system reprogramming can become very expensive very fast, especially when luminaires are programmed individually, as is often the case with systems like DALI.
Lighting Control Systems and Integration
In industry settings, lighting control relies on standalone systems with less frequent integration to building automation systems. For indoor lighting, key design elements are reliability, simplicity, and smooth production processes. In some cases, guidance or emergency lighting is integrated into monitoring systems, but broader two-way data exchange is rare. In outdoor lighting, integration is more typical, with lighting often connected to centralized monitoring systems.
In building technology of commercial or residential buildings, integration is essential to energy efficiency, remote monitoring, and managing the lifecycle of lighting systems.
Open Systems in Building Technology
Open standards in building technology, such as KNX and DALI-2, enable flexible and scalable system architecture. Open standards allow expanding the system in the future without dependence on a single system supplier. Here, lighting functions as an integrated part of the system.
KNX is an international building automation solution that enables centralized remote control of building functions such as lighting and data collection. Lighting is integrated with HVAC and energy management systems, allowing lighting to be scheduled and controlled remotely. Lighting is also linked to a broader data collection framework for performance and energy use.
The Digital Illumination Interface Alliance (DALI) standard is specifically designed for lighting control. DALI-2 supports two-way communication, integrating lighting into building data management. The system supports monitoring energy use, collecting load and status data, and detecting bug reports.
Factors to consider when designing lighting control
When designing a lighting control system, the end user’s perspective should always be the top priority, Marko emphasizes. Common mistakes are designing systems that are too complex and expensive without taking actual needs into account. “The same result could be achieved with simpler and more cost-effective solutions”, Marko notes. The most important thing is that the system is easy to use. In practice, this means that the systems are reliable and function smoothly in everyday use without needing constant adjustment.
Maintenance is a key factor to consider, when selecting luminaires and lighting control systems. According to Marko, the maintenance of luminaires and systems should be considered as early as the selection phase.
In the era of older technologies, changing a bulb took only a moment, and although LED technology requires less frequent maintenance, the maintenance procedures themselves often take considerably longer, which increases the cost of maintenance services.
Maintainability is a core principle of product development here at Tehdasvalo. The luminaires we manufacture and design are easy to maintain. “The goal is to ensure that maintenance proceeds smoothly and cost-effectively throughout the luminaire’s entire lifecycle.”’
The Future of Lighting Control
Marko believes that artificial intelligence will play a significant role in the future of lighting control. The focus will be heavily on data transmission and utilization, enabling better use of data regarding energy consumption and lighting performance.
Energy efficiency can already be monitored, but it requires planning and collaboration with the customer, especially when comparing data from before and after the lighting is installed.
Wireless solutions will also become more common. Lighting control will be a standard feature, and traditional solutions will evolve to meet new requirements. Marko predicts that all lighting fixtures will eventually be controllable in some way, as costs and energy efficiency become increasingly important.
Legislation is also shaping the future of lighting control. The new Building Act, which came into effect in Finland in 2025, along with updated energy efficiency requirements, will bring stricter regulations to lighting control, particularly in new buildings such as offices and commercial spaces.
The goal of these regulations is to improve overall energy efficiency, where lighting control systems play a significant role. In practice, this means that lighting must be designed with energy efficiency in mind. Smart solutions that dim or turn off lighting in empty spaces are becoming standard, and energy consumption must be measurable. Improvements in efficiency are also expected in renovation and remodeling projects whenever possible.
