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SensaModular – the 'plug and play' answer to lighting controls
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Electrical industry folklore has it that lighting controls are complicated and suitable only for large projects. Not so. Thorn has introduced SensaModular, a simple ‘plug-and-play’ dimming solution for single room applications that is capable of taking in and responding to sensors and other interfaces, without the need for extra commissioning tools.
Central to the system is the SensaModular controller which processes the inputs from the sensors, photocells, scene plates, switches and hand held IR devices to operate up to three groups of luminaires, thus creating ideal conditions for daylight-linking, presence-linking and scene setting. The device can automatically detect and operate DSI or DALI ballasts, or any combination thereof (up to 50 DSI or 25 DALI ballasts per group), and two screwdriver adjustable rotary switches set the operation mode (‘On/Off’, ‘only Off’ or ‘On/Corridor’) and off delay time for the presence-link function. This makes commissioning quick, easy and safe. The controller comes in two sizes: for two or three luminaire groups.
Compared with traditional dimmer pack or building-wide solutions, SensaModular is easy to install via polarity-free 2-wire connections, using standard mains rated installation material.
The new range will open up completely new markets for dimming applications, particularly in offices, schools, leisure buildings and warehouses. Stefan Hauer, manager of Thorn’s indoor controls, explains: “With the latest advances in electronics it is now possible to offer controls for single rooms which can be remarkably cost effective and which will appeal to people who may never have thought of using lighting controls.
“Considerable interest is likely to be aroused for a wide variety of applications, driven by the ability to select from three methods of daylight-linking. For example, a large, zoned office is a place where two or three ‘look down’ multi-sensors, one for each luminaire group, can be quite useful. Alternatively, for smaller offices one ‘look down’ multi-sensor can be used for all groups. For applications with rows of fittings and/or high ceilings – such as sports halls and factories – simplicity of daylight control can be provided by one ‘look out’ photocell.”
