Commercial

Save Money!
Why should you consider lighting control? Electricity accounts for a big part of the energy budget of a commercial or industrial building. And the biggest use of electricity is typically lighting - often 30-50% of the total connected load. PowerLink is the solution.
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Comprehensive lighting control solutions
From simple input based control through powerful enterprise level control and monitoring systems, we offer practical, energy saving solutions to meet your lighting control and energy management applications.
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Open connectivity, powerful control
Maintain flexibility and connectivity with your building automation system.  We have teamed with the industry’s leading suppliers of automated control to provide tested and proven integrated controls.
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Complete support
We offer resources to assist you during every facet of your lighting control project from inception, through start-up, and beyond.
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Ten good reasons to look at Schneider Electric for your lighting control
You have choices. What do others know that has made Schneider Electric the industry choice?
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Return on Investment
Lighting control makes good economic sense. According to the New Buildings Institute, “lighting controls can reduce energy use by 50% in existing buildings and at least 35% in new construction.”
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Building codes require lighting control
Besides its economic sense, many state building codes are mandating lighting control. If you design or construct buildings, there are things you need to know.
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National Electrical Code
Lighting control is an integral part of the electrical distribution system. Improper selection of equipment can create hazardous conditions. Don’t be fooled by those who don’t have a firm grasp of this critical concern.
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Why the focus on lighting control?
Electricity accounts for a big part of the energy budget of a commercial or industrial building. And the biggest use of electricity is typically lighting – often 30-50% of the total connected load.

How much money can I save?
Typically, a schedule based lighting control system can reduce the electrical consumption in a facility by 15% where the lighting load exceeds 30% of the total connected electrical load. Payback periods often are less than 2 years.

How do I know if I am ‘typical’?
You are 'typical' if your facility is unoccupied for several hours at a time.  If so, you should consider a lighting control system. Offices, schools, public buildings, distribution centers, and retail stores are all excellent examples of where scheduled lighting control provide tangible economic benefits.

Are there any other financial savings?
By switching off lights during unoccupied periods, you are reducing the amount of time your lamps and ballast operate. This translates longer equipment life reducing your annual maintenance budget.

Energy Codes

Why is lighting control part of the building codes?
Through the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT), the Federal Government has mandated that all of the states must have energy codes in place that are at least as strict as ASHRAE Standard 90.1-1999†.

States will implement AHSRAE 90.1 (1999), or there own substitute provisions, through their building energy code and inspection programs. Some states (most notably California) have already enacted much a stricter standard. The deadline for this action is July 2004

What buildings will these codes apply to?
Primarily new construction that is built following implementation of the codes.
The codes may also apply to extensive renovation of existing buildings. As in all questions involving codes, it is best to consult with the local Authority that Has jurisdiction regarding specific questions.

What are the lighting control requirements? A very brief summary:

• Automatic lighting control is required in all buildings greater
  that 5,000 sq. ft.
• For spaces under 10,000 sq. ft., control zones can be no larger
  than 2,500 sq. ft.
• For spaces greater than 10,000 sq. ft., control zones can be no
  larger than 10,000 sq. ft.
• All spaces enclosed by full height partitions must have
  independent automatic lighting controls.
• All exterior lighting must have an automatic control system
  operated by either a photocell or astronomical time clock.

Certain other lighting must also have automatic controls which include display lighting, accent lighting, demonstration area lighting, and others.

The National Electrical Code contains explicit language as it pertains to the proper design and selection of lighting controls.

The NEC requires that all elements of a branch circuit have a sufficient short circuit withstand rating for the available fault current. PowerLink circuit breakers when properly applied meet this requirement. Some other commonly used lighting control devices may not have sufficient capability when located close to the panelboard. Refer to the documents below to learn more about this topic.

PowerLink G3 Lighting Control Systems
View or download (473K pdf)

Shedding New Light On Branch Circuit Applications
View or download (53K pdf)

Applying Lighting Control Systems That Meet New Electrical Installation Code
View or download (125K pdf)

Applying Lighting Control Systems That Meet New Electrical Installation Code
View or download (125K pdf)

Open connectivity, powerful control

Square D Lighting Control Commercial Brochure

Square D Lighting Control Technical Publications Library

Square D Technical Library (Specifications)

Square D Lean Tools Website

Lighting Control Solutions for LEED^® Certification