The automated lighting systems for many years seemed to be the stuff of the science fiction market, and often only appeared at big exhibitions like the World Fair. Over the years this has turned full circle, and now if anything the public is behind in their knowledge of what can actually be achieved in the automated lighting world. The automated lighting industry has moved at a greater pace than the general public as a whole, and this is most certainly due to the reduction of costs that are now available.
It is also because the automated lighting system can be used as a security tool either on its own or combined with television surveillance. There is also an energy saving aspect where lighting can be set to turn on or off when a person walks in or out of the room; walk in fridges or closed offices are typical examples. There can also be safety benefits too, for example in a situation of walking down steps at night, an automated lighting system could activate lights when a person is present, ensuring light is available to avoid an accident.
Cheap domestic systems are somewhat limited at present, and can often seem reluctant to work as intended; turning on when someone is in the room or turning off when they depart can be a difficult task to comprehend. However the latest systems contain some very sophisticated controls which can do almost anything you can ever dream of in terms of a home lighting system.
The first item and probably the most used is the automated lighting systems which are also used for security, and light up the outside of the house when anybody walks into the path of a PIR scanner. There is also the outside light which comes on when it gets dark and goes off in the morning when it gets light. This provides entry and exit from the house with safety and security in mind.
The latest systems take the lighting world into a whole new area where the lights can be used on a completely new set of tasks. Some have very green credentials and some are almost the opposite. The latest systems adjust lights automatically according to the level of outside light. This minimises the consumption of power whilst maintaining the correct lighting balance.
They can also be used as a totally new artistic tool, changing the lighting level according to the mood. With automatic controllers, you are able to switch the mood of the room lighting according to how you feel. This requires a strong and flamboyant set of lights but the effort is worthwhile. Hallways and bathrooms can work on an entry and exit detection system and turn the lights on and off accordingly, while kitchens and lounges can work on automated systems with a time delay to take care of times when these rooms are not being used.
