2.1.3. Trimming Using MaxLight

By Anthony Radisich (Deactivated)
3 min

A space which is over illuminated will unnecessarily waste energy and diminish occupancy comfort. A space that is optimized to appropriate light levels will correct these problems. This is achieved by a process of trimming, which is explained below.

To conduct the process of trimming effectively, you’ll need the following:

  • A light meter that measures lux levels

  • The minimum lux levels that you are required to deliver for the occupants for the different kinds of spaces in the building (this information is often provided in building codes or Occupational Health & Safety guidelines)

  • To conduct the optimization at night time, so that natural light does not affect the light meter reading

Step 1

Find a working area in the largest, typical space of the office – usually the open plan office area. Try to avoid areas very close to any perimeter (windows or walls), or that are dominated by a large feature like a pillar.

Step 2

Set the light meter on the appropriate illuminated surface (the appropriate illuminated surface, known as the working plane, is the surface where tasks are carried out within the space). This is typically the surface of a desk in the middle of the office space. Note the lux level reading on the light meter. Let’s assume, for this example, that the lux level reading is 640lux, and you are targeting a lux level of 320.

Step 3

Dim the light that is closest to the light meter until it’s just above 320lux - aim for about 340lux. Press the Set Max button so that this luminaire adopts this MaxLight level

Step 4

Now relay that MaxLight level to all the other luminaires. You will notice that all the luminaires in the area - except for any that might be in a temporary dimming state - immediately adjust their light output to match the output of the luminaire you were working on. All of these lights – including those that were in a temporary dimming state - now have the same MaxLight setting as the luminaire you have just adjusted.

Step 5

Because all of the lights in the area have now dimmed to the new MaxLight level, you will find your lux meter reading has fallen. If it falls below 320lux, increase the MaxLight of the initial luminaire a little more, set MaxLight, and relay this new MaxLight setting again. Conversely, it the lux level is still significantly above the target (about 5-10% or more), then dim the luminaire slightly and carry out the same process.

Step 6

Go to a few other areas in the space and measure the lux level using the light meter. If the lux level is too high or too low, you can set the individual MaxLight levels for those luminaires that are affecting the lux level in that area.

Adjust each of these individually – do NOT relay these MaxLight settings because it will relay the adjustment to all the luminaires in the space.

In this step, you are just wanting to change MaxLight settings for one or a few luminaires in a small area, by exception. That is why it is best to set and relay the initial MaxLight reading from a representative area in the space.

Step 7

Once you are happy with the lux levels in the general area, you can now begin tailoring MaxLight levels for the other types of areas of the office space.

For example, the open plan corridor in the example does not need to be illuminated to such a high level as it only needs enough light for walking through, not working in. Let’s say this can be illuminated to 150lux. To achieve this, set your light meter on the working plane (in this case the working plane is the floor) and reduce the lux level of these local corridor luminaires using the Dim+ and –Dim buttons and setting the MaxLight for each of the individual luminaires in the corridor area.

Remember that you cannot use the Relay command as you will override all your previous MaxLight settings for the luminaires outside of the corridor! Repeat the individual MaxLight adjustments until you are happy with the light levels in the corridor area, and any other areas that you feel need adjusting.

Look at the space that you have adjusted. If you are happy with it, then your trimming is complete. You have now set light levels that reduce energy consumption and improve occupancy comfort.

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