At-A-Glance
|
Lighting Controls Installed to Earn a Power Adjustment Factor (PAF) for Institutional Tuning |
|
Use Document NRCA-LTI-05-A |
|
Purpose of the Test |
|
Institutional Tuning is the process of adjusting the maximum light output of lighting systems to support visual needs or save energy. Institutional tuning differs from personal tuning in that the control strategy is implemented at the institutional rather than the individual user level, and maximum light level adjustments are available only to authorized personnel. Completion of this acceptance test certifies that lighting systems receiving the Institutional Tuning Power Adjustment Factor, comply with §140.6(a)2J and Reference Nonresidential Appendix NA7.7.6.2. |
|
Instrumentation |
|
Recommended Instrumentation: Light meter (luminance or foot-candle meter) Hand-held amperage meter or power meter Logging light meter or power meter |
|
Test Conditions |
|
All luminaires are wired and powered. Put the lighting system into a fully operational state. |
|
Estimated Time to Complete |
|
Construction Inspection: 0.25 to 0.5 hours |
|
Equipment Test: 0.5 to 1 hours (depending on the number of controlled luminaires) |
|
Acceptance Criteria |
|
To qualify for the PAF an Institutional Tuning in Table 140.6-A of the Energy Standards, the tuned lighting system shall comply with all of the following requirements: The lighting controls shall limit the maximum output or maximum power draw of the controlled lighting to 85 percent or less of full light output or full power draw; and The means of setting the limit is accessible only to authorized personnel; and The setting of the limit is verified by the acceptance test required by §130.4(a)7; and The construction documents specify which lighting systems shall have their maximum light output or maximum power draw set to no greater than 85 percent of full light output or full power draw. |
|
Potential Issues and Cautions |
|
Luminaries that qualify for other PAFs may also qualify for the Institutional Tuning PAF. However, PAFs may only be added together if permitted in Table 140.6-A of the Energy Standards. |
A. Test Application
Newly Constructed Buildings only. Luminaries that qualify for other PAFs may also qualify for the Institutional Tuning PAF. However, PAFs may only be added together if permitted in Table 140.6-A.
Prepare for Sampling:
•For buildings with up to seven (7) enclosed areas, to claim the Institutional Tuning PAF, all areas must be tested.
•For buildings with more than seven (7) areas, to claim the Institutional Tuning PAF, random sampling may be done on (7) seven of the larger enclosed areas with tuned dimming systems.
•If any of the areas in the sample group of (7) seven areas fails the acceptance test, another group of (7) seven areas must be tested.
•If any tested system fails, it shall be tuned until it passes the test.
B. Construction Inspection
Prior to Functional Testing, verify and document the following:
•The controls or the methods of controlling the maximum output of luminaires is such that the maximum light output of the controlled lighting system can be limited and that normal operation of the controlled lighting does not override the maximum light output.
•The controls are not readily accessible to unauthorized personnel.
C. Functional Testing
For each area to be tested, do the following:
•The acceptance test technician shall either observe the first seven (7) systems being successfully tuned or shall verify systems that have already been tuned using the sampling protocol described in NA7.7.6.2.
•If the acceptance test technician is observing the tuning of the system, the party responsible for the tuning shall certify that the remainder of the system is tuned in a similar manner.
Observation of the systems during Institutional Tuning
Step 1: Determination of maximum power or output prior to Institutional Tuning
•Set all lighting controls to provide maximum output of the tested system without applying the limits specified for institutional tuning.
•Measure the full light output at a location where the luminance is due to the controlled lighting, or measure the power draw of the controlled lighting.
Step 2: Institutional Tuning and Post-tuning Measurement
•Apply the limits specified for institutional tuning to the lighting system. Do not alter any other control settings.
•Verify the light or power reduction after institutional tuning by measuring the light output at the same location as in Step 1 or measure the power draw of the same circuit as in Step 1.
•If the light output or power draw measured in Step 2(b) is 85 percent or less of the light output or power draw measured in Step 1(b), the system passes this test; otherwise the system fails this test.
Verification of systems already tuned
Step 1: Measurement of tuned lighting system
•Set all lighting controls except Institutional Tuning controls to provide maximum output of tested system. Controls set to maximum light output include but not limited to: manual dimmers, multilevel occupancy sensing, and automatic daylighting controls.
•Measure full light output at location where most of the luminance is due to the controlled lighting or measure power draw of the controlled lighting.
Step 2: Measurement of lighting system with Institutional Tuning overridden
•Reset Institutional Tuning controls to allow full light output. Set all lighting controls to provide maximum output of tested system including but not limited to: Institution Tuning control, manual dimmers, multilevel occupancy sensing, and automatic daylighting controls.
•Measure full light output at the same location as in Step 1 or measure the power draw of the same circuit as in Step 1.
•If the light output or power draw measured in Step 1(b) is 85 percent or less of the light output or power draw measured in Step 2(b), the system passes this test; otherwise the system fails this test.
Step 3: Restore Institutional Tuning settings
•If tested system passed the test in Step 2, restore Institutional Tuning to initial settings.