Efficacy of an Internal Dual Technology Sensor Device - Essay Example

Efficacy of an Internal Dual Technology Sensor Device Name: University: Date: Efficacy of an Internal Dual Technology Sensor Device Introduction Dual technology sensor is a system that houses two sensors operation through utilisation of two technologies that are totally different (Lutron, 2014). For instance, if dual technology sensor is utilised in the home security system as a detection sensor, then both sensors must be activated either in an accurate order or concurrently in order for them to trigger an alarm. Basically, dual technology sensors utilised I security systems were precisely developed to stop false alarms from being triggered repetitively. The essay will focus on dual technology occupancy sensors, which integrate both ultrasonic (US) and passive infrared (PIR) technologies for maximum reliability. Since both technologies detect occupancy in order to turn lighting on, then dual technology sensors reduce the threat of lights turning on when the space is not occupied, and what is widely acknowledged as false triggering. Basically, the combination of ultrasonic and passive infrared technologies offer the user two ways of detecting occupancy as well as automatically turning lights off and on. In this case, the infrared energy attributed to a moving human body is detected by the PIR technology, and coverage is spread through ultrasonic technology over a wider area detecting smaller movements so as to efficiently time the ON/OFF function. As it will be evidenced in the essay, Dual Technology occupancy Sensors are valuable for various commercial applications, from small executive suites and offices to break rooms and conference rooms. In this essay, the efficacy of internal Dual-Technology occupancy Sensor devices is critically evaluated. Discussion The PIR technology in the Dual-Technology Occupancy Sensors assists in detecting the occupants through detecting heat while motion is detected by the ultrasonic technology even at a time when the sensor lacks a direct line-of-sight to the occupants. A Dual-Technology Occupancy Sensors system includes an electronic control unit, the actual motion sensors as well as a controllable switch. After its installation, the system serves three basic functions: first, turning the lights on automatically when the space is occupied; secondly, keeps the lights on with no break when the space being controlled is occupied ; and finally, automatically turns the lights off after the space is vacated. In the United States, lighting makes up almost 21 per cent of the building’s electricity consumed and approximately 17 per cent of the yearly electricity consumption (NJ Green Building Manual, 2011). Given that the majority of building spaces are not occupied over half the time, turning off unnecessary lights can result in consumption reduction of direct lighting energy by almost 45 per cent. Besides that, reducing the usage of lighting electricity decreases the cost of energy as well as reduces the negative ecological impacts attributed to electricity production. Therefore, electric lighting is required when the building space is occupied and light of day is insufficient or lacking. The presence of both the daylight and people can be detected by means of dual-technology occupancy sensors. The majority of sensors are developed to operate autonomously or together with other sensors for bigger spaces. Therefore, installing, dual-technology occupancy-sensors with both ultrasonic (US) and passive infrared (PIR) technologies is an efficient and somewhat cheap way of reducing energy consumption and costs. The Dual-technology occupancy sensor uses both PIR as well as ultrasonic technology so as to correctly detect occupancy and turn on lighting automatically and to reduce the incidence of false tripping; so, any form of motion can be detected by this technology. Immediately after the light has been turned on, it employs ultrasonic technology as well as highly sensitive PIR to detect slight motion, but when the building space is no more occupied, the lighting are turned off by the sensors subsequent to a pre-set time delay. A good example of dual technology occupancy sensor is the Ceiling Mounted occupancy sensor used for detecting motion in large spaces with barriers. With a field of view of 360 degree as well as almost 185.8 square meter of coverage space, the sensor is suitable for classrooms, conference rooms, large office areas as well as bathrooms (Schneider Electric, 2014). Such ceiling mounted sensors have a primary photo sensor that prevent light from being turned on when adequate ambient light is existent, as normally found in areas with windows. Their configuration and installation is simple since the sensor is mounted to drop ceilings as well as features an auxiliary relay utilized with HVAC and building automation systems and also features a front positioned adjustments for setting time delay and sensitivity. The U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), have established that energy savings from utilizing dual technology occupancy sensor ranges from 13 per cent to 50 per cent in private offices, 40 per cent to 46 per cent in classrooms, 30 per cent to 90 per cent in restrooms, 45 per cent to 80 per cent in storage areas, 30 per cent to 80 per cent in corridors, and 22 per cent to 65 per cent in conference rooms (DiLouie, 2007). Apart from offering a way of reducing energy consumption, applications of occupancy sensors can improve security by pointing out a space has been occupied, and reduces light pollution through reduction of lighting usage at night. These types of sensors are preferably suitable for applications that need a higher control granularity than that achieved economically through scheduling. Moreover, occupancy sensors are suitable for spaces that are spasmodically occupied; that is to say, the space is not occupied for two or more hours daily, and in spaces where the lights are often left on while unoccupied. Suitable uses of occupancy sensors include warehouses, classrooms, offices, restrooms, copy rooms, conference rooms, storage areas, break rooms, filing areas, corridors, as well as other building spaces. The dual technology occupancy sensor uses a microwave energy sensor, the passive infrared (PIR), as well as a controller. In this case, the PIR outputs a signal after detecting an infrared energy while the microwave energy sensor outputs a signal after detecting microwave energy (Adams, 2011). On the other hand, the controller outputs a signal to activate or deactivate the lighting circuit following a condition detection signal of the microwave energy and infrared energy. Precisely, the lighting circuit is activated by the controller so as to turn the lights on in the area being monitored after the detection signal of microwave energy and infrared energy indicate motion or occupancy in the monitored area (Baldwin, 2001). At this point, the lights are maintained in the active state on condition that either the infrared energy sensor or microwave energy sensor detect motion or occupancy in the monitored area. Dual technology occupancy sensor is mainly used to prevent false tripping, which takes place when the lights are turned on by the sensor while the space has no occupant. As mentioned by Facility Executive (2005), false tripping results in increased run-time of lighting and as well upsurges the number of lamp cycles; thus, leading to reduced lamp life. Occupancy sensors that use ultrasonic technology are unable to differentiate between non-human and occupant motion; thus, they are vulnerable to false tripping from hanging mobiles, air currents, or other movements in the building. This occurs mostly when the air conditioning system is turned on at night, since the ultrasonic sensors turn the building’s lights on frequently open detecting the air conditioning system vibration. These shortcomings have rendered ultrasonic technology unsuitable for security sensors (JSB Lighting, 2010). Other shortcoming of dual technology occupancy sensor attributed to false tripping is brought about by ultrasonic sound waves that laved the intended area to detect undesirable motion. For instance, in a classroom the mounted dual technology occupancy sensor can detect occupants in the opposite hallway rather than the intended room. However, this problem has been reduced recently through sensitivity adjustments in the ultrasonic sensors so as to lessen their range as required. Appropriate operation of the occupancy sensors depend heavily on the installer since the sensors need adjustment so as to properly function (JSB Lighting, 2010). Besides that, reduce the sensor’s external detection range of the motion or occupancy normally will reduce the sensor’s internal small detection range of the motion; an outcome that is not sought after. However the most recent dual technology occupancy sensor eliminates the possibility of this form of false tripping. Imperatively, Microphonics technology cannot be utilized in the Dual Technology sensors because it detects various forms of sound, which can keep the lights continually turned on. In dual technology occupancy sensor, the occupant has to be detected by the passive infrared for the lights to be turned on. Besides that, because passive infrared needs line of sight so as to detect motion, the movement of the occupant adjacent to the field of the sensors view cannot lead to lights being turn on; therefore, the ultrasound technologies are expected to detect such movements. Dual-technology occupancy sensors have a lot of benefits; the device reduces the use of energy as well as greenhouse gas emissions. Besides that the sensors reduced utility bills; lower the rate if false alarm in case the environment changes; sensitive to all forms of motion; may be utilized in changeful, hot, windy areas; and has detection capability in case one sensor fails. However, akin to other technologies Dual-technology occupancy sensors has some shortcomings; for instance, the technology is more costly as compared to single PIR or ultrasound sensors and has reduced probability of detection as compared to single sensors in their perfect environment. The Dual-technology occupancy sensors are affected by factors like the type of surface where the sensors are mounted as well as the size of the space that needs to be monitored. It is without doubt that occupancy sensors have experienced advancements considering that there the market demand in for energy saving devices has recently increased. The increase in demand for these devices and favorable governmental policies concerning energy saving have been a main driving force in the occupancy sensor market. As mentioned by Salgarkar (2015), the market of occupancy sensors is projected to reach 4.67 Billion US Dollars by 2020 at a compound annual growth rate 18.36 per cent because of the growing emphasis on energy saving across the globe. These days, Dual-technology occupancy sensors devices are fundamental part of new buildings; furthermore, in some countries like U.S., the governments have made it compulsory for new buildings to be installed with occupancy sensors for purposes of energy saving. The New York Law in the United Stated needs major renovation and new construction projects within the New York City to be installed with occupancy sensor controls. Another major driver of dual-technology occupancy sensors is the tremendous growth of the real estate sector, considering that construction of buildings has increased tremendously. Therefore, the need for dual-technology occupancy sensors is projected to increase considerably. The main Players involved in developing occupancy sensor include Eaton Corporation Plc in Ireland, Leviton Manufacturing Company in U.S., Legrand S.A. in France, Acuity Brands, Inc in U.S., Lutron Electronics Company, Inc in U.S., and many others. In recommendations, the dual-technology occupancy sensors devices should be designed in a way that improve usability and comfort for occupants as well as decrease the use of lighting energy (Nassetta & Dean, 2013). Besides that, efforts should be made to integrate occupancy as well as vacancy sensors to improve the effectiveness of motion and occupancy detection and reduce false tripping. Besides that, dual-technology occupancy sensors should be used in interior spaces without available daylight. Conclusion In conclusion, this essay has critically evaluated the efficacy of internal dual-technology occupancy Sensor devices. As mentioned in the essay, dual-technology sensors use both ultrasonic as well as PIR technologies, turning the lights on only when both technologies have detected people presence, which virtually eradicates the likelihood of false tripping, and needs either of the two technologies to keep the lights on; thus, considerably decreasing the false-off possibility. Even though they are more costly as compared to single-method sensors, they provide increased versatility as well as accuracy. Besides that, dual-technology occupancy Sensor devices are suitable for areas with unpredictable occupancy like private offices, restrooms, storage, and so forth. Imperatively, with the combination of dual-technology occupancy Sensor devices and energy efficient lighting like LED lights, an optimal energy saving can be achieved. References Read More

Given that the majority of building spaces are not occupied over half the time, turning off unnecessary lights can result in consumption reduction of direct lighting energy by almost 45 per cent. Besides that, reducing the usage of lighting electricity decreases the cost of energy as well as reduces the negative ecological impacts attributed to electricity production. Therefore, electric lighting is required when the building space is occupied and light of day is insufficient or lacking. The presence of both the daylight and people can be detected by means of dual-technology occupancy sensors.

The majority of sensors are developed to operate autonomously or together with other sensors for bigger spaces. Therefore, installing, dual-technology occupancy-sensors with both ultrasonic (US) and passive infrared (PIR) technologies is an efficient and somewhat cheap way of reducing energy consumption and costs. The Dual-technology occupancy sensor uses both PIR as well as ultrasonic technology so as to correctly detect occupancy and turn on lighting automatically and to reduce the incidence of false tripping; so, any form of motion can be detected by this technology.

Immediately after the light has been turned on, it employs ultrasonic technology as well as highly sensitive PIR to detect slight motion, but when the building space is no more occupied, the lighting are turned off by the sensors subsequent to a pre-set time delay. A good example of dual technology occupancy sensor is the Ceiling Mounted occupancy sensor used for detecting motion in large spaces with barriers. With a field of view of 360 degree as well as almost 185.8 square meter of coverage space, the sensor is suitable for classrooms, conference rooms, large office areas as well as bathrooms (Schneider Electric, 2014).

Such ceiling mounted sensors have a primary photo sensor that prevent light from being turned on when adequate ambient light is existent, as normally found in areas with windows. Their configuration and installation is simple since the sensor is mounted to drop ceilings as well as features an auxiliary relay utilized with HVAC and building automation systems and also features a front positioned adjustments for setting time delay and sensitivity. The U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), have established that energy savings from utilizing dual technology occupancy sensor ranges from 13 per cent to 50 per cent in private offices, 40 per cent to 46 per cent in classrooms, 30 per cent to 90 per cent in restrooms, 45 per cent to 80 per cent in storage areas, 30 per cent to 80 per cent in corridors, and 22 per cent to 65 per cent in conference rooms (DiLouie, 2007).

Apart from offering a way of reducing energy consumption, applications of occupancy sensors can improve security by pointing out a space has been occupied, and reduces light pollution through reduction of lighting usage at night. These types of sensors are preferably suitable for applications that need a higher control granularity than that achieved economically through scheduling. Moreover, occupancy sensors are suitable for spaces that are spasmodically occupied; that is to say, the space is not occupied for two or more hours daily, and in spaces where the lights are often left on while unoccupied.

Suitable uses of occupancy sensors include warehouses, classrooms, offices, restrooms, copy rooms, conference rooms, storage areas, break rooms, filing areas, corridors, as well as other building spaces. The dual technology occupancy sensor uses a microwave energy sensor, the passive infrared (PIR), as well as a controller. In this case, the PIR outputs a signal after detecting an infrared energy while the microwave energy sensor outputs a signal after detecting microwave energy (Adams, 2011).

On the other hand, the controller outputs a signal to activate or deactivate the lighting circuit following a condition detection signal of the microwave energy and infrared energy. Precisely, the lighting circuit is activated by the controller so as to turn the lights on in the area being monitored after the detection signal of microwave energy and infrared energy indicate motion or occupancy in the monitored area (Baldwin, 2001).

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