The architecture of light: architectural lighting design concepts and techniques. A textbook of procedures and practices for the architect, interior designer and lighting designer pdfdrive com

TYPICAL SWITCHED LIGHTING CIRCUITS
To make sense of the benefits and features of the various level of control system, it is most helpful to understand how basic in-line “light switches” work to
control the delivery of power to luminaires.
Figure 23.1 Elevation diagram of typical electrical delivery for lighting.
In a typical electrical set-up like the basic residence in Figure 23.1, electrical service from the utility is connected to distribution panels typically located in a utility area on the project. From these distribution panels, the electricity is split into branch circuits that run out to the receptacles (plugs) and the various hard-wired luminaires on the project. The only way to interrupt power to these devices would be to physically “open” or interrupt the branch circuit that connects back to the panel. To control power to luminaires, this takes the form of simple wall mounted “light switches”. The light switch is either on (closed) and passes electricity to the lighting device, or the switch is off (open) and electricity is not delivered. The important thing to visualize is the flow of electricity from the panel, to the switch, and then onto the luminaire.
WALL MOUNTED LIGHTING CONTROL DEVICES
There are also a number of wall mounted devices that can add helpful levels of functionality to a lighting design without the expense and complexity of a complete computer-based lighting control system.
Dimmers
Dimmers are devices that control lighting intensity. Common incandescent dimmers simply limit the current of electricity. Low-voltage sources. LED sources and fluorescent sources often require a dedicated dimmer matched to the source type. Wall mounted dimmers are commonly available and serve in place of a typical “light switch”. Increasingly, dimming devices are required by code for lighting applications that involve incandescent or halogen incandescent technology. They are commonly used in residential projects and are an increasingly popular means of controlling large fluorescent applications in special commercial spaces, event spaces and conference rooms. At their simplest, dimmers curtail electricity waste by giving the user control over the desired light quantity. Dimmers can also be paired with daylight sensors to reduce electric light levels in response to available daylight.