Networked Lighting Controls V3.0 Requirements

A networked lighting control system consists of an intelligent network of individually addressable luminaires and control devices, allowing for application of multiple control strategies, programmability, building- or enterprise-level control, zoning and rezoning using software, and measuring and monitoring.

Networked lighting controls can save 35% or more of lighting energy use in commercial buildings while providing a host of additional capabilities and benefits, yet the adoption of the technology remains limited. It is estimated that less than 10% of new construction projects and 1% of lighting retrofit projects use the technology. Barriers such as technology complexity, high cost, and lack of standardization and interoperability have prevented the technology from achieving its full potential. Education, common standards, system selection guidance, and innovation of simpler, easier to use systems are needed to address these barriers and achieve widespread adoption.

The DLC requirements and associated QPL provide an essential new resource to efficiency program administrators, designers, specifiers, distributors, contractors, and end users to identify, compare, and select rebate-eligible, high-performing control systems for use on projects. 

To keep pace with quickly evolving technology and standards, the DLC revises its requirements for Networked Lighting Controls annually in June.

The DLC has issued second draft Technical Requirements that would enable high performance networked lighting control systems to be qualified on the DLC NLC QPL. The comment period is now closed. Scroll down to access the second draft requirements documents.