Next-Generation Street Lights
Not since the 19th century invention of the Yablochkov candle, the first incandescent streetlight, has roadway lighting seen advances as witnessed in the last decade. Replacing incandescent lighting has become a major priority in cities around the globe as electricity costs have increased.
Since much of the world is using luminaires designed to ANSI C136 Standards, backward compatibility is important when updating light fixtures. However, Zhaga/D4i dual-node architecture is destined to become the backbone of smart city infrastructure. Our LUMAWISE Endurance products may be the key to implementing a hybrid solution.
Street Lighting Architectures
ANSI C136.10
Non-Dimmable, 3-Pole Photocontrols
Around a decade ago, most streetlights were incandescent with photocells to turn them off during daylight hours. The ANSI C136.10 Standard for Roadway and Area Lighting Equipment provided a common platform for interchangeability of photocontrols and receptacles based on ac line voltage with 3-pole connections. In North America, the roadway and area lighting market developed ANSI C136.10 as the standard interface, while it became the de facto standard in much of the world.
ANSI C136.41
Dimmable Photocontrols
As energy costs have risen and LED technology has become more prevalent, ANSI C136.41 was developed to define devices and receptacles for increasing the efficiency of roadway luminaires. Created to be backward compatible with existing lighting systems, this standard maintains the 3-pole line voltage connection and adds contacts for signal output. This interface allows for either digital or analog dimming control by a photodiode or motion sensor.
The architecture is designed to have grid power routed into ANSI C136.41 photocontrol and will switch that power to the LED driver. An internal power supply unit (PSU) converts that grid power to a logical voltage to power the controls. Often in North America, the dimming signal is analog (0-10V) which is perceived to be inexpensive and reliable. Networking of the streetlights is achieved through a variety of wireless protocols.
The ANSI C136.41 Standard does not provide many details about how to include sensor inputs into luminaires. The wide variety of wiring configuration choices make it challenging to optimize components. Also, the 0-10V analog control output limits the lighting fixture to only one input. However, there is considerable effort to include the D4i protocol, based on DALI-2, in future standard updates to address this.
Zhaga Book 18
Dual-Node Architecture
In 2010 Zhaga, a global lighting industry consortium, was formed to standardize LED component interfaces in luminaires. Recently, their mission has expanded to include interoperability of components. In partnership with The DALI Alliance, they have developed the D4i protocol and certification program for IoT-ready lighting fixtures. The Zhaga Book 18 Standard was designed specifically for LED lighting and differs from ANSI C136.41 in that the PSU is incorporated into the luminaire instead of the photocontrol, either as part of the LED driver or separately. This simplifies wiring of the lighting fixture’s control nodes and allows for dual-node architecture.
The dual-node architecture incorporates an upward facing node, to house a photocell or communication node, and a second node for motion or other sensor types for which a downward viewing angle is appropriate. The communication bus is designed specifically for D4i protocol. The sensor nodes themselves are smaller and easier to seal against ingress from dust and precipitation. With a new generation of interchangeable drivers, Zhaga expands the capabilities of outdoor lighting fixtures to act as a platform for sensors as well as communication devices. In the future, we expect to see sensors for vehicle or pedestrian counting, traffic reporting, pollution detection and other purposes.
Our LUMAWISE Endurance S Zhaga Book 18 connector system enables D4i controlled Zhaga Book 18 compliant luminaires while the Endurance S Keyed Connector System enables non-Book 18 applications like Z10. Our LUMAWISE Endurance S includes a receptacle, mounted to a street or area light fixture, as well as several base and domes that together form a robust enclosure for sensor modules and network lighting control systems. The design is compact, UV resistant, IP66 seal rated and can be mounted on the top, bottom or even the side of a luminaire, offering flexibility to the designer. Offered in both Zhaga Book 18 and Z10 enabled keyed varieties, the S2 receptacle introduces a two-wire per contact solution for ease of wiring and applied cost savings in luminaires with dual node architecture.
Zhaga/ANSI
Hybrid 2-Node Architecture
Hybrid 2-node architecture leverages the dominance of ANSI C136.41 while taking advantage of the simplicity and open architecture of Zhaga-D4i. In this configuration, the upward-facing node is a photocontrol or communication node connected by a 7-pole ANSI C136.41 interface that does not switch the grid power to the LED driver. The downward-facing node is a sensor input device such as a motion sensor. Both nodes and the entire luminaire are certified to Zhaga-D4i.
The ANSI C136.41 node can be powered from an auxiliary PSU, internal or external to the driver, or the DALI bus. The resulting light fixture design has simplified wiring and architecture and creates infrastructure to facilitate smart cities with Zhaga Book 18 sensors and digital communications protocol.
LUMAWISE Endurance products from TE Connectivity provide reliable protection for the controls used in street and outdoor lighting. Endurance N products are NEMA/ANSI compliant. A receptacle connector is integrated into the light fixture and receives a base which is the foundation of the lighting control. In addition to offering this sealed interconnect solution between luminaire and control module the Endurance N product series also offers UV resistant high impact rated covers to fully seal and protect the lighting control. Endurance S products are used in sensor ready street lighting applications which are low voltage and DALI controlled. The newer and expanding Endurance S portfolio of products is compliant to Zhaga Book 18.
What's Next in Street Lighting Standards?
TE’s Jonathan Catchpole and a Zhaga Consortium representative discuss about the future of street lighting, including market trends and the evolution of Book 18.
Advancing Innovation in Street Lighting Control Nodes
TE engineer Alex King and system architect Jonathan Catchpole explain how our Lumawise Endurance N Enhanced Base can help you get your streetlighting control node to market faster, more reliably, and with fewer engineering resources.
LUMAWISE Endurance Solutions
LUMAWISE Endurance N Solutions
NEMA/ANSI C136 compliant Endurance N components provide a robust interface that supports 0-10 VDC analog dimming or D4i control systems. Whether designing an ANSI C136 Single Node Luminaire or a Hybrid 2-Node system, TE has a product solution. Dimmable receptacles for 5/7 pole connections can be fixed or rotatable for perfect alignment of the photocell. In addition, they have developed a rotatable receptacle that does not require tools.
A standard Endurance N base includes the C136 interface with additional contacts for controlling the LED driver and/or an auxiliary PSU. The enhanced base includes a built-in PSU. The cost effective pre-certified design features a layout that has undergone thermal analysis and vibration testing. Control device covers are available in clear or transparent smoke gray and in a variety of sizes.
LUMAWISE Endurance S/S2 Components
Developed as solutions to the smart city ecosystem, the Endurance S and S2 products are sensor-ready solutions for the future of road and area lighting. The Zhaga Book 18 connectors from TE Connectivity enable DALI controlled Zhaga-D4i compliant luminaires.
As a key element to the future of smart cities these components are designed to adapt to new sensor technology as it develops. In the meantime, the IP66 rated receptacle, base and dome combinations provide a sealed electrical interface to withstand harsh environments and constant UV exposure. The Endurance S2 product line enables daisy chain connection of both nodes without requiring additional connector components. This eliminates parts and saves time, reducing the overall cost of the luminaire.
Our LUMAWISE Endurance S Connector System is a complete set of products specially designed for street lighting control, compliant with Zhaga Book 18. This consists of a receptacle connector placed on a streetlight and several base and dome combinations to house, sense and control modules from the surrounding harsh environments. The IP66 rated receptacle assembly, base and dome combinations provide a sealed electrical interface between new slim design LED streetlights and the associated sensor modules.
Authors
- Jonathan Catchpole, Principal Systems Architect
- Scott Hamilton, Sr. Manager, Product Management
- Alexander Hunt III, Product Manager