The LED is more than just a »little light«. Numerous manufacturers of luminaires have adjusted their portfolio very sharply in the direction of LEDs, and conventional types of luminaire are increasingly being pushed into the background. One of the most important markets for LED lighting installations is the industrial sector. Here the competition is very keen. Huge industrial buildings with extensive production, dispatch and storage areas promise a lot of attractive business.

The demands placed on energy efficiency are increasing and communication systems are being used in the planning of building automation to fulfil these demands. It is not always easy to find the right solution because there are so many options available. Frequently it is necessary to find a wise combination derived from several communication systems.

ULD is the best data format for importing a luminaire into DIALux. Compared with conventional photometric formats such as IES or LDT, ULD files include many more features and much more product information so that data quality and calculation results can be substantially improved. Very complex luminaires can be shown, e.g. those consisting of several parts or light emissions.

When planning lighting control with DALI, the focus nowadays is often on the pure function. Within HCL (Human Centric Lighting) there is frequently a demand for control of the colour temperature of accent lighting with saturated light colours. During the planning phase the user should always bear simple maintenance of the lighting installation in mind. It saves time and money if you can make adjustments yourself. But to do this you need expert knowledge.

DIALux evo 7 offers many new and modified functions to architects, lighting designers and engineers. As well as supporting BIM with IFC import, this version of DIALux evo focuses on faster and more efficient workflows for daily use.

Human Centric Lighting, or HCL, is the English term for lighting which takes into account the non-visual effects of light. This current area of research, which focuses in particular on the influence of optical radiation on the health of humans, is exposed to two threats: on the one hand, being appropriated by very aggressive marketing from the lighting industry and, on the other hand, being hindered by critics who quickly sense a threat in any kind of progress.

Modern building automation requires a holistic approach to planning. It is necessary to view all the disciplines involved in building automation as an integral whole. During the planning phase the building automation designer is faced with several tasks. He must understand the technical systems, identify the wishes and needs of the client and bear certain procedures in mind. Numerous, norms regulations and laws must be observed and applied.

In lighting design, when working independently of any manufacturer interests, one is often faced with the question of which product to use for a desired application. The technical requirements are, of course, defined in the plans but still the question remains: which manufacturer has the best product with the best price/performance ratio? On the market there are numerous similar products whose differences it is very difficult to recognize.

In the new version, DIALux evo 7, which will be released in the spring of 2017, it will be possible, for the very first time, to import IFC files....

The »Apartimentum« in Hamburg is a residential development of technically sophisticated luxury apartments behind a late nineteenth century (Gründerzeit) façade. The investor Lars Hinrichs is offering fully networked »Flat rate Living« – at monthly rents in the four-to five-digit range with Nest thermostats, IP-controlled water faucets, push notification when mail is deposited in the letter box and a front door which is opened via bluetooth from the smartphone. There is also talk of energy saving of »up to 30%«, but it is comfort, security and exclusivity which is in the foreground. The message is ambivalent because it encourages the latent prejudice that smart buildings are a luxury which we can do without.

Everyone has heard of BIM (Building Information Model) and everyone talks about it. Yet not everyone knows what it is exactly nor do we know that it will mean for planners and their work in the future. Here are a few answers to frequently asked questions about BIM. BIM is not a software; BIM is not a data format; BIM is not new; BIM does not work only in buildings; BIM is not a solution to all problems in the building sector; and yes, it is possible to construct buildings successfully without BIM.

The Zigbee function protocol is used primarily in private buildings, and several articles by professionals in the field describe both its benefits and drawbacks. But what is the situation when Zigbee is used in non-residential buildings? DIAL provides the »Troubleshooting« service on site which draws on many years of experience in the field of building automation. The following concrete example of a lighting installation in a non-residential building illustrates the procedure when tracing errors (troubleshooting).