Issue 24

Jan.
2014

Occupancy Sensors
Introduction
• Coverage pattern – Manufacturer provided coverage patterns
The International Energy Conservations Code (IECC) and ASHRAE
should be used to decide number of sensors.
standard 90.1 require an automatic shutoff of all lighting for buildings
larger than 5,000 sq. ft. and all spaces to have a device to control the • Location of the sensor(s) - Based on technology chosen,
lighting with manual-on or auto-on to 50% or less. Occupancy sensors sensor(s) should be located such that there are no false
are one way to achieve this goal. activations.

Energy used by artificial lighting is significant in the building’s total • Specification of required features – Features such as line
energy consumption. Occupancy sensors, when appropriately specified, voltage, self-calibration, manual-on-off operation, bi-level
installed and commissioned, can offer a wide range of energy reduction. switching, daylight switching, combination dimmer/occupancy
Appropriate applications for occupancy sensors to control lighting sensor, isolated relay and connectivity to digital network, etc.
include private offices, classrooms, copy rooms, restrooms, storage should be specified based on the application.
areas, conference rooms, warehouses, break rooms, corridors, filing • Installation and Commissioning – Occupancy sensors should
areas, and other similar spaces which are intermittently occupied. be installed per manufacturer’s installation instructions.
Commissioning should verify the following items.
A power strip with an occupancy sensor placed under a workstation can
o Proper wiring connections
be set to automatically shut down nonessential devices -- such as a task
o Placement and orientation of sensors match the
light -- when the user steps away from the desk. Occupancy sensors can
specification and drawings
also be used to turn off equipment not in use.
o Settings such as time delay, sensitivity to movement or
light level sensitivity may require adjustment
Available Technologies
Currently there are four available technologies for occupancy sensors • User training to minimize overriding controls - often times the
users are not informed of all the features of the occupancy
• Passive Infrared (PIR) – These sensors are designed to detect sensors. Due to this reason users override the automatic
motion from a heat-emitting source such as a person within its controls and the energy savings to be realized as planned are
field-of-view and automatically switch lights ON and OFF. lost.
Since these are line-of sight sensors, the sensor must be able
to have a direct line-of-sight to the person making the motion. Lessons Learned
• Ultrasonic (US) – Ultrasonic sensors use the Doppler principle. Following lessons learned are from observations at construction sites
These sensors produce low intensity, inaudible sound and and information from manufacturers.
detect changes in sound waves caused by motion. They are • Professional installers are needed for proper installation and
volumetric in nature and therefore not line-of-sight commissioning.
dependent. They are much more sensitive to smaller motions. • Open areas should have adequate number of sensors so the
entire space is adequately covered.
• Dual Technology – Dual technology is the combination of PIR • Installers must carefully select the location based on furniture
and US into one sensor and is the ultimate sensing solution layout.
available today. This pairing helps to eliminate false • If sensitivity is turned down during commissioning or re-
activations (both ON and OFF) thus saving additional energy commissioning, the time delay should be increased to
use. Dual Technology sensors ensure the greatest sensitivity compensate for the reduced sensitivity.
and coverage for tough applications without the threat of
false triggers.
Conclusion
• MicroSet Self-adjusting Technology - Continuously adjusts to By choosing the appropriate occupancy sensor technology based on the
conditions by adjusting sensitivity and time delay in real-time. application and placing them in the right location, considerable energy
By adjusting sensitivity and time delay automatically, the can be saved.
sensor is maximizing the potential energy savings that are
available. References

Key Aspects for Design and Construction 1. http://ecmweb.com/lighting-amp-control/occupancy-sensors-101

For successful implementation of automatically controlling lighting using 2. http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/researchareas/reducingbarriers/pdf/proble
occupancy sensors, following design and construction aspects should be msencounteredsensors.pdf
considered. 3. http://www.cooperindustries.com/content/dam/public/lighting/co
ntrols/resources/library/literature/greengate/occsensorguide_4.0.
• Choosing the sensor technology – Appropriate sensor pdf
technology should be specified based on the best way to
sense the presence of a person entering the space.