Energy-Efficient Street Lighting Control

Managing public street lighting efficiently is essential for reducing energy consumption and costs. Digital timers provide an ideal solution for this application, offering more flexibility than simple photocells.

A programmable timer is installed within the street lighting control panel. It is configured to close its output contacts at dusk and open them at dawn. However, its advanced weekly programming capability allows for further optimization. For instance, the lights can be set to turn on later on weekends when public areas may be less busy. Furthermore, a feature called "astronomical timekeeping" allows the timer to automatically adjust the on/off times based on the geographic location's sunrise and sunset data throughout the year, accounting for changing day lengths.

This method is more reliable than photocells, which can be triggered by temporary darkness like storms or shadows. By ensuring lights are only on when necessary, municipalities achieve significant energy savings and reduce light pollution. The timer also allows for easy manual override for special events or maintenance, providing a robust and intelligent lighting management system.