Application Guidance: Luminaires with Integrated Controls

Before selecting an LIC, consumers should assess whether LICs meet the needs of their project. LICs allow commercial spaces to comply with key energy code requirements, including occupancy sensing, daylight harvesting, and high-end trim, while avoiding the complexity of separate sensors, low-voltage control wiring, or centralized network controllers. Some consumers may require more advanced capabilities, such as building-wide monitoring or integration with other building systems, in which case a full Networked Lighting Control (NLC) system may be more appropriate.

If LICs are determined to be appropriate, it is highly recommended to work with a lighting representative or lighting designer. Lighting representatives typically partner with multiple manufacturers and can help identify which LIC products meet project requirements. If looking to work with a particular manufacturer, it is recommended to visit the manufacturer’s website and see if they promote any local representatives or distributors to work with.

Information that is beneficial to know when specifying an LIC includes:

• Building size
• Building vintage
• Building wall construction
• Building ceiling construction
• Existing lighting controls (switches, sensors, timers)
• Existing lighting technology (Halogen, fluorescent, LED)
• Existing lighting fixtures (sockets, 2×4 troffers, downlights)
• Control strategies that need to be enabled

Understanding these factors early in the project allows specifiers to select the correct LIC-integrated luminaires and ensures proper sensor performance and grouping behavior.

LICs are designed as self-contained, fixture-level control solutions, and do not typically integrate directly with building management systems or enterprise monitoring platforms. However, some LIC product families can be expanded or upgraded with enterprise-level Networked Lighting Controls to enable additional features, such as remote monitoring, advanced scheduling, or whole-building analytics, if needed in the future.

Because of this, consumers should consider whether future expansion to an NLC platform is desirable and consult with a lighting representative to identify products that support this upgrade path.