Centralized Lighting Monitoring for High-Rise Buildings

Centralized Lighting Monitoring for High-Rise Buildings

Application Overview

A construction company needed a reliable way to monitor and control lighting equipment and switches throughout the public areas of a high-rise building. The system had to be easy to operate, responsive, durable, and suitable for centralized building management.

ICP DAS developed an integrated lighting-control architecture built around uPAC-7186EG programmable automation controllers, FRnet high-speed I/O modules, TPD-280U-H touch interfaces, and InduSoft SCADA software. Together, these components allowed lighting status and control signals from multiple floors to be managed from a central monitoring computer.

The Challenge

The customer required a building automation system with clear functionality, simple operation, and dependable long-term performance. Because the lighting equipment was distributed throughout the building, the solution also needed fast communication between local control points and the central control room

The ICP DAS Solution

Local Lighting Control

uPAC-7186EG PACs were used as the main programmable controllers. These controllers handled the control logic and could run ISaGRAF applications for the lighting system.

FR-2053T high-speed digital input modules were connected to the uPAC-7186EG controllers and used to receive touch-switch input signals. FR-2057T high-speed digital output modules were used to control the lighting equipment. TPD-280U-H HMI devices were installed in public areas to provide convenient multi-function touch control for users.

Faster Data Transmission

To improve communication efficiency across the building, one uPAC-7186EG controller was installed for every five floors. Six controllers were used in total, allowing control and monitoring data to be distributed while maintaining fast response times.

Centralized SCADA Monitoring

A central PC running InduSoft SCADA software collected signals from all six uPAC-7186EG controllers. Lighting status indicators were integrated into the SCADA interface, giving operators a unified view of the system and a single location for monitoring and control.

How the System Works

• Touch switches and local interfaces send lighting commands into the control system.
• FR-2053T digital input modules capture input signals and pass them to the uPAC-7186EG controllers.
• The uPAC-7186EG controllers process the control logic and communicate with the remote I/O network.
• FR-2057T digital output modules switch the lighting equipment based on the controller commands.
• TPD-280U-H touch interfaces provide local multi-function control in public areas.
• InduSoft SCADA software brings lighting status and control information together at the central monitoring computer.

Key Benefits

• Centralized monitoring and control of lighting equipment across multiple floors.
• Fast communication and response through FRnet high-speed I/O modules.
• Simple local operation through touch-based HMI interfaces.
• Flexible system integration using standardized communication methods.
• A scalable architecture that makes future system expansion and integration easier.
• A complete solution spanning field I/O, programmable control, operator interfaces, and SCADA monitoring.

Conclusion

This application demonstrates how distributed control and centralized monitoring can work together in a high-rise building. By combining programmable controllers, high-speed I/O, local touch interfaces, and SCADA software, ICP DAS provided a practical lighting-management system that improved visibility, simplified operation, and supported reliable building automation.