The challenge of flexible, sensor-ready luminaire design

With an increased focus on sustainability and wellbeing, sensing has become a key enabler for technical building systems like lighting control. For example, sensors allow us to automatically turn on lights when a space is occupied and dim or turn them off when it becomes vacant. Similarly, we can measure daylight levels and dim the artificial lighting accordingly to save energy. Studies have shown that a dense sensor network lowers energy consumption, with the optimal solution being a sensor in each luminaire—a setup made possible by advanced wireless lighting control systems. Integrating sensors into luminaires also reduces cabling and installation requirements.

However, in some areas, sensors are only needed in every second, third, or fourth luminaire. In these cases, it’s beneficial to maintain a consistent luminaire design, regardless of whether a sensor is included.

A simple solution for smarter, future-proof lighting

Helvar’s new 5633 Node R40 makes designing and manufacturing these wireless, IoT-ready luminaires more flexible and easier than ever. Fitting into the same compact slot as the 5634 Node Sense, the Node R40 enables manufacturers to build wireless luminaires—with or without sensors—using the same design and LED driver, thereby optimising design, sourcing, and assembly.

This product launch strengthens the ”freedom of choice” narrative we started with the launch of our Node D4i luminaire-based products. Whether you want to use standard Zhaga Book 20-based slots or prefer the node and sensor to be as tiny as possible, Helvar ActiveAhead gives you that choice. Building wireless luminaires to fit a project’s specific needs and meet customer requirements, now and in the future, has never been easier.

With the flexibility and scalability of the Helvar ActiveAhead solution, you can deliver sustainable, energy-efficient, and future-proof installations. Helvar ActiveAhead offers ultimate efficiency in installation, setup, and operation for any space, from a single room to an entire building. It is a perfect fit for supporting the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) in renovations. With its monitoring and integration options, Helvar ActiveAhead enables further optimisation of lighting and other technical building systems.