Light sensor to turn on the light outside: the device, operating principles, connection diagrams, price review, reviews

Advantages and disadvantages of using

Light sensor can be integrated into the housing or a street lamp installed independently in the outer operation control circuit Lighting of territory, carriageways of roads and footpaths, as well as lighting and building structures of various elements decor.

Along with the automation of other elements, light sensor enables the lighting system to work automatic mode that allows you to reduce the consumption of electric energy, as well as facilitate the use of this system. In addition to the advantages of using light sensors in outdoor lighting systems should include such factors as:

Appearance street light sensor

Among the shortcomings inherent in such devices, when used, it should be noted:

The device and the relay action principle to automatically turn on the light

The basic element of this type of device is a light barrier, whose contacts are closed in reducing light up to a certain level, and open when the level reaches a predetermined natural lighting values. Basic elements and photoelectric operating principle shown in the following figure.

The operating principle of the device and photoelectric

Photorelay consists of several structural elements:

• housing - placed in it all the elements of the device and provides mounting holes or other design tools;
• photocell - a photosensitive sensor current, which feeds pulses to activate or deactivate the control circuit;
• the electronic unit - composed of: power supply unit, signal amplification device and an electromechanical relay.

In models designed for switching high load capacity of the electronic unit can include repeater electromechanical relay contacts. setting the delay time may be provided to prevent false positives in instrument design on operation, which may be caused by car headlights or other light sources in the dark time days. and phototransistor fototiristory, Phototriac or LED: The various electronic devices that trigger them in contact with the light rays can be used as a photocell.

Light sensors vary in design, functionality and characteristics

Variety of light sensors

The main function of the light sensors is the inclusion of light when it is dark and it is turned off upon the occurrence of a sufficient luminance. To extend the functionality of these devices, they are combined with other automation devices, thereby becoming more popular. The most common types of lighting sensors, equipped with additional features are:

• Photo- timer - it allows you to configure the device to work not only in relation to lighting, but in a given time interval;
• Photo- with motion sensor - makes it possible to save more electricity consumption, particularly in the area of ​​pedestrian walkways and outdoor territory, through the inclusion of light only during the period when in range of the sensor a large object (person, vehicle and etc.);
• Photo- programmable settings - it is the most technically equipped with devices with which you can customize the behavior of light as for different time periods (day, week, month, season, etc.) and operating in response to a movement in their area actions.

Photo- brand model Tdm «Sq0324-0019» for mounting on DIN-rail mounting with external photocell

Technical characteristics of the light barrier for street lighting

For any electrical device characteristics determine the possibility of its use in different operating conditions. For photoelectric they are:

• voltage - for domestic use is optimal to 220 volts, but in the presence of control circuits with voltage lower order can be used - 12/24/36 volts;

NOTE!(Click to see)

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NOTE!

12/24/36-circuit voltage V control is used to control the operation of magnetic actuators and contactors, which are used in the presence of a large electric power the connected loads.

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• maximum current - this characteristic is important when using the instrument with a working voltage of 220 V when the through current flows contacts connected photoelectric light sources;
• availability of operating modes settings;
• Temperature mode of use;
• Cover protection from water and moisture;
• dimensions and weight.

Photo- come with built-in or external light sensor that determines the possibility of their placement (outdoor installation in the control cabinet, etc.)

Review of popular models

Although the light sensors are not very popular product, however, electrical products manufacturers produce similar products, as struggle for energy savings only increased, but their presence - just very convenient for operation of outdoor lighting of various kinds, but not all of it yet realized. The most popular model in the domestic market are shown in the following table, the price of light sensors for outdoor lighting available as of the II quarter of 2019.

What you need to consider if you decide to buy a light barrier for street lighting

When choosing a light sensor selection criteria will be the following indicators:

• specifications - must match the connected load, the location and operating conditions;
• place photoelectric accommodation must comply with the device structure, involving its attachment to the building structure or structural parts of electrical equipment;
• light barrier should be conveniently located, both in terms of service, and make the necessary adjustments and settings.

Possible photoelectric wiring diagrams for street lighting

Scheme incorporating photoelectric work in outdoor lighting depend on the specifications instrument (operating voltage) and the presence of other, additional features, which has been written above. The simplest way to connect devices using a working voltage of 220 V is presented in the following figure.

The simplest scheme switching light barrier in outdoor lighting control circuit

In this case, connect the device to the lighting operation is performed in the control circuit junction box by including the contacts of the electromechanical relay in the phase wire to manageable light source. Neutral wire goes to the lamp from the junction box directly. When used in the circuit of the motion sensor lighting control it is set in the phase conductor after the light barrier, the connection diagram in this case is shown in Fig.

Inclusion in the lighting control circuit and the motion sensor

When installing a photorelay or a magnetic contactor actuator connection diagram of the control circuits is as follows.

Installation and connection of light barrier for street lighting

Installation photoelectric work can be divided into three stages: the selection and preparation of the site for installation, installation and configuration of the device.

Selecting a location light sensor installation

For normal operation of outdoor lighting system in an automatic mode using a light barrier when choosing a place to install it is necessary to:

1. The sun's rays in the morning period (possibly) would fall on the photocell device.
2. The site should be easy to maintain to perform preventive maintenance and other activities necessary when using the device.
3. Photo- must be securely fixed in the place of installation, it will ensure trouble-free operation of all exterior electrical networks.

Setting the light barrier on the facade of the building using the mounting bracket

erection work

The sequence and nature of the assembly work depends on the type of installation photo- for street lighting and its design. When using the models "RF-601", "RF-602" or their analogs work is performed as follows.

When mounting the light barrier in the electrical cabinet with remote sensor mounting is carried out on the DIN rail, and the photocell is installed outside the building. The distance from the relay to the remote sensor is regulated by the maximum allowable size of the connecting wires extending completely with the device.

Setting the light sensor

Some models come with a light sensor preset settings, so during the operation does not provide for adjustment (this applies to the most budget devices). For models that have in their structure Trimmers, before use, you must perform their setting. The simplest version of the adjustment - is the availability of rotary knobs, turning that one way or the other, you can achieve the desired result. In the more sophisticated and expensive models on the exterior panels on display illumination values ​​corresponding to the thresholds triggering a light barrier.

One of the options for placement of controls work combined with movement photoelectric sensor

Is it possible to make a light barrier with their hands (video)

How to make the light sensor of the available tools and their hands will tell the next video.

about the author

Evgenii Tarasevich

Any technique, like a car, needs careful study and comparison before buying. Always I try to give your readers a full picture of a choice.