LightFair 2022, held June 21-23 in Las Vegas, was one thing of a reboot after final yr’s present that happened in New York Metropolis in the course of the pandemic. Attendance was roughly the identical as final yr (about 10,000) however exhibitor rely was barely decrease (327 exhibitors) with a number of important customary individuals selecting to skip this yr (e.g., Acuity Manufacturers, Lutron).
LightFair 2022 commerce present ground. (Picture courtesy of LightFair)
In line with the better emphasis on IoT and associated applied sciences throughout the lighting trade, there have been a number of exhibitors showcasing their IoT experience. Nevertheless, not everybody accepts {that a} multi-faceted wi-fi controls implementation is mechanically the very best resolution for a given venture. A number of exhibitors showcased their extra stream-lined strategy to lighting controls with the rationale that the overriding cause for the restricted market penetration of lighting management techniques is system complexity and the price that comes with it. Different contributing components are the safety and reliability, or somewhat, the potential lack thereof, of wi-fi techniques, significantly for services like hospitals, colleges, and correctional services.
LightFair innovation awards lined a various number of new choices together with merchandise to deal with the present pre-occupation with well being considerations in addition to the shift within the lighting trade away from lighting merchandise per se and towards connectivity applied sciences. For example, McWong Worldwide’s lengthy vary Bluetooth Mesh fixture controller is focused towards out of doors lighting purposes for which the price of wiring might be prohibitive. The system contains an antenna that achieves a variety of 900 toes, a lot better than typical Bluetooth merchandise. A 0 to 10V dimming sign to the fixture driver is supplied based mostly on instructions obtained by way of Bluetooth mesh from the community controller.
Bluetooth mesh fixture controller with lengthy vary antenna from McWong Worldwide. (Picture courtesy of LightFair)
Keystone’s latest addition to its SmartLoop line is a controller module that merely screws into fixtures which might be geared up with a SmartPort receptacle. This product is to be used in purposes for which accessing the controller module to make changes is especially cumbersome, i.e., excessive bay installations. The module contains an built-in daylight sensor and PIR movement detector. Controller settings are accessed utilizing a telephone app for scheduling.
Screw-in controller from Keystone. (Picture courtesy of Keystone)
In response to COVID considerations, Pure Lighting’s cylindrical downlight with an built-in higher air UVC chamber for germicidal remedy is designed to be used in areas the place massive numbers of individuals collect and aesthetics are a priority, reminiscent of theaters and auditoriums. The conceptual picture under reveals the UVC disinfection operate going down on the prime of the fixture, with downlighting emanating from the underside.
Cylindrical downlight with built-in higher air UVC chamber by Pure Lighting. (Picture courtesy of LightFair)
And as a final instance, a intelligent product within the class of specialty lighting, the Viso Labarazzi Temporal Mild Artifact (TLA) generator offers 26 preset flicker patterns and the flexibility to create customized patterns. This system is meant to be used in testing different merchandise for TLA response in addition to for demonstration functions.
TLA generator by Viso Labarazzi. (Picture courtesy of Viso Techniques)
Conversations throughout the trade about the way forward for LightFair, which boasted attendance of over 25,000 in its heyday, have centered on the viability of this kind of commerce present. What appears to be considered extra favorably in current months is the regional present idea, which emphasizes smaller, inexpensive venues and decrease journey prices. It’s probably that the pandemic has been a main issue on this potential realignment, definitely firms have had trigger previously couple of years to reexamine their total journey budgets.
And below the heading of “what goes round comes round,” not less than 43 attendees got here down with COVID both throughout or after the present. Hopefully subsequent yr’s present, returning to New York Metropolis on Could 23-25, will happen with the pandemic firmly behind us.
—Yoelit Hiebert has labored within the area of LED lighting for over 10 years and has expertise in each the manufacturing and end-user sides of the trade.
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