Lighting controls are devices that regulate the operation of the lighting system in response to an external signal (manual contact, occupancy, clock, light level). Energy-efficient control systems include:

• Localised manual switch
• Occupancy linking control
• Time scheduling control
• Daylighting responsive control

• Choose the most appropriate control strategies

Lighting control systems can combine a number of the strategies outlined here. For example, successful office or hotel corridor installations can have combined centralised time switching, including a lunchtime switch off to reduce lighting use in the afternoon, with daylight linking on luminaires close to the windows and localised switching so that only those areas that are occupied at the time need to be lit. Presence detectors which are fitted within each luminaire can also include daylight sensing. This type of integrally fitted control may solve a problem of difficult shaped spaces or where other linked control is difficult.

It is important that the permanent occupants of a space are aware of the existence of the lighting control system, how it works and how they can interact with it. This is particularly important in retrofit installations, where considerable resistance to the introduction of controls can be produced if the occupants are not consulted and fully informed about the new system.