What Is Power over Ethernet (PoE)?

PoE is a technology that allows electrical power to be transmitted over Ethernet cables, the same cables used for network connectivity. Instead of requiring separate power cables for devices like IP cameras, wireless access points, or VoIP phones, PoE enables them to draw power directly from the Ethernet cable.

Working Principle

Typically, Ethernet cables have four pairs of wires. In a standard Ethernet connection, these cables transmit data. With PoE, certain pairs are also used to carry electrical power. This integrated approach means devices don’t need separate power sources, reducing clutter and simplifying installations.

Types

PoE comes in different standards or types, including:

• 802.3af (PoE): Provides up to 15.4 watts of power per port, suitable for various devices like IP cameras, VoIP phones, and wireless access points.
• 802.3at (PoE+): Offers higher power delivery, up to 30 watts per port, catering to more power-demanding devices like high-performance IP cameras and certain types of access points.
• 802.3bt (PoE++): The latest standard, capable of delivering up to 60-100 watts per port, suitable for even more power-hungry devices and emerging technologies.

Benefits of PoE

1. Simplified Installations: Fewer cables mean less clutter, easier installation, and greater flexibility in device placement.
2. Cost-Efficiency: Eliminating the need for separate power supplies reduces equipment costs and installation expenses.
3. Remote Powering: PoE allows for centralized power management, enabling remote devices to be powered down or restarted from a central control point.
4. Enhanced Safety: PoE systems include safety features, like automatic detection of connected devices to prevent damage from incorrect power levels.

Applications of PoE

• Security Cameras: IP cameras powered by PoE can be installed in remote locations without proximity to power outlets.
• Wireless Access Points: PoE simplifies the installation of Wi-Fi access points in ceilings or high areas.
• VoIP Phones: PoE-enabled phones in office settings reduce wiring complexity and provide flexibility in phone placement.

Ethernet Cable Types

Ethernet cables come in various types, each designed for specific needs and speeds. Here are the primary types:

Related article: Cat6 vs Cat6A | Which one should you invest in?

LKHPD is a trusted and established supplier based in Singapore, known for its commitment to providing high-quality networking solutions. Specializing in a wide range of products, including Ethernet cables, patch cords, and networking equipment, LKHPD stands out for its reliability, ensuring customers have access to top-notch products to meet their connectivity needs. With a reputation built on quality and service, they offer a diverse inventory, catering to various industries and ensuring seamless networking solutions.

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A patch cord, also known as a patch cable, is a short, flexible cable used to establish connections between various electronic devices. These cables typically have connectors at both ends, facilitating quick and easy interconnection within a network. They come in diverse types, lengths, and connector configurations to suit specific networking needs.

Types of Patch Cords

Patch cords are available in various types, each designed for specific applications and connection types. They include:

• Ethernet Patch Cords: Utilized in networking for local area connections, these cords often use RJ45 connectors.
• Fiber Optic Patch Cords: Employed in high-speed data transmission using fiber optic technology, they have connectors like LC, SC, or ST.
• Coaxial Patch Cords: Used in transmitting radio frequency signals, often found in audio/visual setups.

Uses and Applications

Patch cords are indispensable in networking environments and find applications in:

• LAN Connections: Enabling seamless connectivity between computers, switches, routers, and other devices within local networks.
• Data Centers: Critical for establishing quick, reliable connections between servers, switches, and storage devices.
• Telecommunications: Used in phone systems and broadband connections.
• Audio/Visual Setups: Connecting audio and video equipment for optimal performance.

Patch Cable vs. Ethernet Cable

Though often used interchangeably, there are nuances between patch cables and Ethernet cables. While patch cables refer to shorter cables used for immediate connections, Ethernet cables encompass a broader range, including patch cables, bulk cables, and those for longer distances.

Choosing the Right Patch Cord

Selecting the ideal patch cord involves considering factors such as:

• Cable Type: Whether it’s Ethernet, fiber optic, or coaxial, based on the network requirements.
• Connector Types: RJ45 for Ethernet, LC, SC, or ST for fiber optics.
• Length and Flexibility: Choosing the appropriate length and flexibility to suit the intended connections.

When to Use a Patch Cable?

Patch cords are essential in various scenarios:

• Temporary Connections: Ideal for ad-hoc connections during troubleshooting or system setup.
• Structured Cabling: Vital in structured cabling environments, enabling organized and efficient network setups.
• Replacing Faulty Cables: Quick replacements for malfunctioning cables within networks.

Trusted Distributor: LKHPD in Singapore

LKHPD is a renowned distributor in Singapore known for its reliability and providing a range of networking essentials. They offer patch cords and networking equipment, ensuring customers have access to quality solutions for their networking needs. With a reputation for reliability and excellent service, LKHPD is a trusted source for networking solutions in Singapore.

Conclusion

Patch cords form the backbone of modern networking, enabling seamless connectivity and efficient data transmission across various devices. Understanding their types, applications, and proper usage is crucial in optimizing network performance and reliability.

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Fiber-optic internet, known as fiber, achieves speeds up to 10 Gbps using light signals through fiber-optic cables, delivering robust connectivity. It’s less affected by weather, ensuring minimal outages and resisting electrical interference.

Fiber Internet: How It Works

Fiber internet works by using thin glass or plastic strands (fibers) to transmit data as pulses of light. These light signals travel through the fibers, bouncing off the inner walls, and reaching the destination. This transmission happens at incredible speeds, as fast as about 70% the speed of light.

Fiber-optic cables transmit data using pulses of light through glass or plastic fibers. These cables can achieve speeds that are about 70% of the speed of light, making them exceptionally fast and efficient for data transmission.

Compared to other types of internet, such as cable or DSL:

• Working Principle: Fiber internet uses light to transmit data, while cable and DSL use electrical signals over copper wires.
• Speed: Fiber provides much faster speeds, reaching up to 10 Gigabits per second (Gbps), surpassing the capabilities of cable or DSL, which typically offer lower speeds.
• Reliability: Fiber is less prone to interference and signal loss over long distances compared to copper-based connections, resulting in more reliable and consistent performance.
• Bandwidth: Fiber offers significantly higher bandwidth, allowing for faster upload and download speeds simultaneously, unlike some other connections that may have slower upload speeds.
• Resistance: Fiber cables are more resistant to weather conditions and external interference, ensuring a more stable connection compared to traditional copper-based cables.

Introduction to Fiber Evolution:

Start of Fiber: In the 1970s, engineers developed early fiber technology. They discovered that light could travel along a fiber’s length by bouncing off its inner walls. However, these early fibers had limitations.

Step 1 – Basic Fiber: The first type of fiber had a core (center) with slower light speed than the outer region (cladding). This difference allowed light to stay in the core by reflection, similar to how we see the sky’s reflection on a lake’s surface.

Step 2 – Improvements: Engineers developed a more complex fiber (step index) with two glass compositions to improve performance. However, making these fibers accurately was challenging.

Step 3 – Gradual Improvement: To address fragility issues, scientists altered the core’s composition, adding multiple glasses. This reduced fragility but still had limitations in data transmission distances.

Step 4 – Bandwidth Boost: To achieve higher transmission rates, they introduced laser-optimized (LO) fibers, enabling better transmission distance and bandwidth.

Step 5 – Overcoming Limits: Engineers invented ways to transmit higher rates (like 40 or 100 Gbits/sec) over single fibers. They used multiple wavelengths and techniques like parallel transmission to achieve this, minimizing the need for additional cables.

Summary: Over time, engineers continually improved fiber technology to meet increasing demand for higher bandwidth. These advancements made fiber faster, more reliable, and capable of carrying more data over longer distances.

10 Advantages of Fiber Optic Internet

1. Speedy Downloads: Fiber optic internet reaches 1 Gbps, which is up to 20 times faster than typical cable internet speeds. For instance, it takes just 40 seconds to download a 2-hour HD movie.
2. Reliability: Unlike cable internet, fiber optics handle peak usage without slowdowns. They’re less prone to outages, keeping you connected even during power cuts.
3. No Throttling: Cable internet often slows down during peak times, but fiber doesn’t throttle. It’s less likely to be affected by heavy usage.
4. Equal Speeds: While cable internet has slower upload speeds, it offers the same high speed for both uploads and downloads.
5. Better TV Streaming: With fiber optic internet, streaming 4K quality content is smooth, even at lower speeds like 500 Mbps, which may struggle on cable.
6. Enhanced Gaming: Fiber’s consistent data flow provides smoother gameplay without interruptions, perfect for online gaming.
7. Health Considerations: Fiber optics may be healthier as they transmit signals through cables, avoiding potential health concerns related to wireless signals like 5G.
8. Multi-Device Connectivity: Fiber internet supports multiple devices simultaneously, maintaining steady, high-quality connections.
9. Improved Safety: It aids in creating a more robust national network for public safety, benefiting first responders and ensuring reliable emergency services.
10. Telemedicine Benefits: Faster fiber internet speeds enable higher-resolution video chats, improving telemedicine services and making healthcare more accessible remotely.

Is fiber internet faster?

In the quest for blazing-fast internet, fiber optic technology stands tall, offering speeds that leave traditional options in the dust. Wondering if fiber internet is faster? Absolutely. Here’s why:

Speed Galore:

Fiber optic internet boasts lightning-quick speeds, hitting up to 1 Gbps or beyond. Compare that to the 50-100 Mbps of cable connections or the modest 25 Mbps of DSL. Picture downloading a 2-hour HD movie: fiber gets it done in a mere 40 seconds, while cable takes about 7 minutes and DSL nearly half an hour.

Reliability Redefined:

Ever had your movie night disrupted by a buffering screen? With fiber, those interruptions become a thing of the past. Its robust infrastructure handles high traffic without breaking a sweat, ensuring a consistently high-speed connection.

Bid Farewell to Throttling:

One of the perks of fiber optic internet? No throttling. While cable connections might slow down during peak times, fiber remains unaffected, delivering consistent speeds whether it’s peak usage hours or not.

Upload and Download Parity:

Unlike cable or DSL, where upload speeds lag far behind downloads, fiber treats them equally. This symmetry is a game-changer for sharing large files or working from home.

Future-Proofed Connectivity:

As technology advances and demands soar, fiber internet positions itself as the future-ready solution. It seamlessly accommodates the increasing need for speed and bandwidth, ensuring you won’t be left in the slow lane.

Absolutely. Its speed, reliability, and future potential make it a clear winner in the high-speed internet game. If speed is what you seek, fiber optic is the road to take.

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What is fiber optic?

Fiber optic cables are like super-fast highways for data. They’re thin, flexible tubes made of glass or plastic. Inside, they use light, not electricity, to send information over long distances.How They Work

Imagine tiny pulses of light zooming through these cables. These light pulses carry data. The cables are designed to keep this light bouncing inside, guiding it where it needs to go without losing any of the data. When the light reaches its destination, special machines turn it back into the original information, ready for use.

Why They’re Important

Fiber optic cables are super speedy and reliable, making them crucial for modern communication and internet connections.
They’re like secret messengers, ensuring your data travels quickly and safely to where it needs to be.

Exploring Types of Fiber Optic Cables

Single-Mode Fiber Optic Cable

• Designed for long-distance transmission, single-mode cables have a tiny core and use a single light beam to send data.
• They excel in covering vast distances (up to 40 km) and boast high transfer rates, making them great for high-speed, long-range connections.

Multimode Fiber Optic Cable

• Ideal for shorter distances, multimode cables have a larger core and can send multiple light beams to transmit data.
• While their range is limited (around 1100 meters), they offer higher bandwidth, allowing simultaneous data transmission.

Different Categories within Types

• Single-mode cables split into variants like OS1 and OS2, with OS2 offering superior speed and distance capabilities.
• Multimode cables come in categories O1 through O5, where higher numbers (O4 and O5) offer improved speed and distance capacities compared to lower ones (O1 through O3).

Choosing the Right Type

• Picking the suitable fiber optic cable depends on the distance data needs to travel and the required transfer speed.
• Single-mode for longer distances and high-speed transfers, while multimode for shorter distances with high bandwidth needs.

Advantages of Fiber Optic Cables

• High-Speed Data Transmission: Fiber optics boast lightning-fast data transfer, surpassing traditional cables by significant margins.

• Reliability: They are highly dependable, less susceptible to interference or signal loss, ensuring consistent performance.

• Bandwidth: These cables offer extensive bandwidth, allowing multiple data streams simultaneously without compromising speed.

• Security: Fiber optics are more secure as they don’t emit signals that can be easily tapped into or intercepted.

Disadvantages of Fiber Optic Cables

• Installation Cost: Initial setup expenses for fiber optics can be higher compared to traditional cables due to specialized equipment and materials.

• Fragility: These cables can be delicate and prone to damage if mishandled, requiring careful installation and maintenance.

• Availability: In some regions, fiber optic infrastructure may not be widely accessible or readily available, limiting its adoption.

• Compatibility: Integrating fiber optics with existing systems might require additional converters or adapters, adding complexity.

While fiber optics offer immense speed and reliability, their installation costs and regional availability remain potential challenges. Yet, their superior performance makes them a preferred choice for modern communication networks.

Prominent Uses of Fiber Optic Cables

1. Telecommunications Networks: Backbone of global communication networks, facilitating high-speed data transfer for internet, telephone, and television services.

2. Internet Connectivity: Provides ultra-fast broadband internet connections for homes, offices, and data centers, ensuring swift and reliable access to online services.

3. Cable Television (CATV): Transmits high-definition video and audio signals for cable TV, enabling seamless streaming and high-quality entertainment.

4. Medical Applications: Used in medical imaging devices like endoscopes and surgical equipment due to their ability to transmit high-resolution images and data accurately.

5. Military and Aerospace: Vital for secure communication and data transmission in military operations and aerospace systems due to their reliability and resistance to electromagnetic interference.

6. Data Centers and Cloud Computing: Forms the backbone of data centers, supporting cloud computing infrastructure by efficiently transferring vast amounts of data.

7. Industrial and Utilities: Utilized in industrial automation, oil and gas exploration, and utilities for reliable and high-speed data transmission in harsh environments.

Fiber optic cables play a pivotal role across various sectors, enabling rapid and secure data transmission, driving technological advancements and connectivity worldwide.

Distinguishing Fiber Optics from Other Internet Types

1. Transmission Medium: Fiber optics use light signals to transmit data, whereas traditional internet connections, like DSL or cable, rely on electrical signals through copper wires.

2. Speed and Bandwidth: Fiber optics offer significantly higher speeds and greater bandwidth compared to DSL or cable internet, enabling faster downloads, uploads, and smoother streaming.

3. Reliability: Fiber optics are less prone to signal interference or degradation over long distances, ensuring more reliable and consistent performance than traditional connections.

4. Distance and Latency: Fiber optics maintain data speed and integrity over longer distances without signal loss, reducing latency (delay) compared to other types of internet connections.

5. Security: Fiber optics are more secure as they don’t emit electromagnetic signals, making them harder to intercept or tap into compared to traditional cables susceptible to signal leakage.

6. Installation and Cost: Installing fiber optic infrastructure can be more costly initially due to specialized equipment and materials, but it offers long-term benefits in speed and reliability.

While DSL, cable, and other traditional internet connections have their advantages, fiber optics excel in speed, reliability, and security, making them the preferred choice for high-performance internet requirements.

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Applications

• Hair and beauty salons
• Hotel rooms
• Restaurants
• Small meeting rooms in offices and banking
• Classrooms in schools and kindergartens
• Waiting rooms in clinics

Brochure

Download Brochure

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Use high quality LEDs - 75% less energy and lasts 25x longer

LED solutions should need no introduction at this point, but as a general refresher, LED technology uses 75% less energy and lasts 25x longer than traditional incandescent lighting.(1)

As the world becomes increasingly aware of the ecological impacts of excessive energy usage, more and more people are looking to sustainable lighting solutions. LEDs can be a great choice for sustainable lighting because they are energy efficient and long-lasting.

The average lifespan of an LED is 50,000 hours, which means it will last for at least ten years with 12 hours of daily use. LED bulbs also emit less heat than traditional light bulbs, allowing them to be used in warmer climates without the need for air-conditioning or fans.

LEDs also emit light in a specific direction rather than all directions like traditional light bulbs. This allows the user to control where the light goes and eliminates wasted energy from scattered light rays.

In addition, light should only be used where it is needed, and any additional spillage beyond this is wasteful energy consumption.  Utilising quality LEDs with high beam precision ensures light is aimed efficiently at targetted surfaces and reduces wasted light.  Aiming light properly, especially in outdoors applications, is also important in reducing the amount of light pollution in our atmosphere.

Connected Lighting - A great way to save energy, extend the life of your light fittings, and provide security.

With a focus on quality of light, enhanced efficiency and data-driven insights, connected lighting brings LED lighting and information technology together to take lighting application to  new level.

• Lighting with motion detection: when there’s no human presence, the fittings can be turned off or at least dim automatically. This saves a substantial amount of energy by preventing energy wastage.
• Only as much light as necessary: using sensors that detect the presence of sunlight and automatically adjust their brightness according to the present values.
• Eliminates light pollution unnecessary
• Conservation of biodiversity
• Environmentally friendly (reduce CO2 emissions)

Astro Lighting’s circular product development cycle  © Astro Lighting, www.astrolighting.com

Purchase from brands that commit to a sustainability plan

Selecting vendors that have clearly defined sustainability goals and a commitment to manufacture responsibly is an easy way to do your part in supporting transparency in the lighting industry.

Keep an eye out for brands that transparently outline their product development plan, follow international guidelines for responsible manufacturing, and employ green logistical practices in their supply chain model

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Conductivity

@Datacenterdynamics,
www.datacenterdynamics.com

Aluminum has 62 percent the conductivity of copper, which often leads specifying engineers to disregard aluminum as a viable conductor for busway trunking systems. The lower conductivity of aluminum means that a much larger size of conductor will be required to match current carrying capacity of a copper conductor.

However, aluminum can be as much as 70 percent lighter than copper. Even when taking the larger size of an aluminum system, the busway will still weigh significantly less than a copper system of equal conductance. The reduced weight of aluminum conductors can create cost savings in many areas, with fewer supports required to secure the busway, less manpower required for installation and reduced transportation costs. Similarly, when you compare conductivity by weight, you will find that aluminum is actually 50 percent more conductive per kg.

Granted, the larger overall dimensions of an aluminum busway system may be restrictive in certain applications such as small buildings or underfloor applications. However, if size is not an obstacle for your specification, but weight restrictions do apply, aluminum may be the best choice to maximize conductivity whilst minimizing cost.

Environmental sustainability

Whilst both aluminum and copper are 100 percent recyclable, differences in how each metal is recycled and mined/extracted impact their environmental sustainability.

When considered on a percentage basis, aluminum is the most recycled industrial metal with 75 percent of aluminum ever produced still in use today. Comparing this to the 65 percent of copper that is still in use or available for use. Similarly, the recycling process for aluminum uses only 5 percent of the energy required for primary production and releases only 5 percent of the associated emissions. Again, although copper can also be recycled at a reduced environmental cost, the process is different, using a 15 percent of the energy required to mine and extract the same copper. With this in mind, aluminum is arguably a more sustainable option for busway trunking conductors as it is less reliant on non-eco mining and extraction processes and can its recycling processes produce less energy waste.

David Bradley, E+I Engineering
David Bradley is technical sales manager (London) at E+I Engineering.

Source: https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/opinions/busbars-copper-versus-aluminum/

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While sold on the benefits of converting to Casambi, the most common concerns we hear from new customers as they stand on the precipice of their wireless lighting investment are…

As human beings, we love control and choice. In fact, we need to have a certain level of control and choice in our lives. The accelerating demand for smart products is perhaps connected to the discovery of this psychological value behind the IoT. As consumers, we’re investing in wireless smart health and fitness devices, remote home security, and automated heating systems. The data harnessed through the IoT can reveal inefficiencies ripe for exploitation while going wireless is all about collapsing distance and using technology to enable people to live richer lives with minimal environmental impact. Whatever can go wireless, will go wireless. Not least – lighting.

@Casambi, www.casambi.com

Even though the benefits are multifarious, there still exists a certain amount of reluctance to operate over radio waves. At Casambi, we appreciate these concerns. We’ve spent decades cultivating mastery of wireless communications and we offer technical expertise, and guidance to minimize the barriers to going cable-free.

Today, people want to personalize their lighting experience and to do so with ease and within an instant. Casambi’s simple wireless lighting control system opens up a whole new world of possibilities in this respect. Our uncomplicated yet feature-rich application can seamlessly control all luminaires in any given lighting project. Users of our wireless system can free themselves from the physical constraints of wiring and the proprietary legacy systems of yesterday. And the ever-expanding features of Casambi’s control application can match the strictest of briefs and the wildest of imaginations.

While sold on these benefits, the most common concerns we hear from new customers as they stand on the precipice of their wireless lighting investment are related to security, interference, and robustness. Here’s what we have to say to help dispel any misplaced anxiety:

Talk to Our Specialist

@Gerg Altmann, www.pixabay.com

Firstly, it is possible to control access rights to your network and to define who interacts with the lights, if at all. An assigned ‘administrator’ can make all network changes and give access rights to new users. A ‘manager’ can make changes to all lighting control functionalities but cannot get access to passwords or decide who can access the network. A ‘user’ can only use the network but not make any changes.

Secondly, full encryption of communications and security for authorization means all data that is transmitted in a Casambi network is 100% protected and safe.

A connected device is needed for the setup (for communication between the app and the nodes). Once the network is set up, it does not require any outside contact, and the node-to-node communication is encrypted at each step – so even being able to “listen” to the communication in the network wouldn’t give you much.

Enquire Casambi for Your Project

There is a risk of interference created by other devices operating on the same frequency band.

All communication that happens inside a Casambi mesh network uses Casambi’s proprietary BLE mesh technology, which does not use standard BLE radio channels. This means that there is no interference with standard BLE devices. These non-BLE radio channels can also be manually configured to avoid interference from traffic on bands other than BLE 2.4 GHz.

Casambi has been used in highly sensitive environments such as in hospitals and airport control towers, where reliability and security of communication are critical. For example, Casambi has been taken into use by Ulster Hospital in Belfast, Ireland. 10,000+ Casambi nodes were installed across 31,000m2 of floor space – spanning patient rooms, nurse stations, offices, and exterior areas.

Every node in a Casambi Mesh network is endowed with the same intelligence, which means that all nodes carry a backup of the entire system.

I have a question >>>

@Crbertoldo, www.pixabay.com

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How easy is it to identify and act upon sustainability principles, and how does that equate to lighting? Using a circular economy model means that current resources are used (and reused) more effectively by being creative with how they are used rather than simply discarding them.

@Casambi, www.casambi.com

How does the issue of lighting fit into this circular economy picture?

The lighting industry has always been subject to a make and dispose of type of linear economy, particularly with low-life fluorescent and halogen luminaires. However, LED lighting (with a much longer shelf life) has played a huge role in changing the way in how we think of (and use) lighting and is much more energy-efficient. Over the last decade, the lighting transformation to LEDs has already happened, mostly in commercial buildings where lighting accounts for the highest share in electricity consumption. In most cases, this transformation was handled by simply disposing of the old luminaires and replacing them with new ones, while in some instances, a circular economy angle was minded. In such cases, the existing luminaire housings were kept, and old light sources were replaced with LEDs with a much longer lifespan and higher energy efficiency, significantly reducing the waste.

@Casambi, www.casambi.com
Ole Sereni Hotel, Kenya

Key values in a circular lighting economy are:

• Reusability – A cycle of luminaire materials that can be reused or recycled
• Adaptability – A system that enables the lighting to be flexible should any changes to layout or use be necessary
• Flexibility – systems can be built to allow for such things as different outputs or changing controls
• Longevity – Forward-looking design that ensures the system will last.

added Bluetooth wireless connectivity layer, luminaires can be “future-proofed” and enjoy a longer economic lifetime. Thanks to regular upgrades, luminaires remain a state-of-the-art infrastructure and respond to the evolving needs of customers.

Apart from refurbishing existing light fittings to add new life and functionality, parts-harvesting is another loop in the circular economy for lighting. This means recovering valuable parts in products to reuse them later. For example, Casambi Bluetooth units, used as add-on elements to your existing lighting, can become building assets, to be used later even when the interior design is completely changed, with new light fittings and a new layout.

The Circular Economy should a part of all aspects of our lives, the lighting industry included. A circular lighting mindset is a much more sustainable way to move forward for businesses and corporations in order to squeeze every tiny bit of functionality from their lighting system.

@Casambi, www.casambi.com
Leica Store & Gallery, Germany

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Today, no one is arguing that the lighting industry has gone through a major transformation. Technology-wise we have gone from chemistry and physics into electronics and digital, and what used to be an industry dominated by a few giants but we now have a massive number of players in changing and challenging the industry daily.

@Casambi, www.casambi.com

The changing role of the lighting designer

One of the roles that have gone through its own transformation is the role of the lighting designer. From being the creative and artistic lead with no voice in the technical area to being the glue that makes a project come together, the role has drastically changed over the past few years. The competencies and requirements today are not only in the visual and design areas but also in the technical field where controls, automation, and wireless need to be understood and designed into a project from the very beginning.

As lighting design itself becomes more and more entangled in the technology, and as human-centric lighting takes the lead in future projects, the responsibility on the lighting designer is not only on the visual but on the function as well. The right lighting experience requires the right controls, and that also requires an understanding of the enabling systems.

One person who’s seen and met these changes is Johanna Glans. She is responsible for the Lighting Design program at Jönköping University.

” Nowadays, a good knowledge of different control systems and their functions is important to offer additional functions to a lighting project. Our students work with products as their tools to create good light environments. Today the products offer many possibilities and functions and as a designer, you need to know where and when to choose what. Communication with the installer and the programmer is important to find a good collaboration and reach the vision for the project. Additionally, an understanding of the product’s functions and limitations is needed to do good planning and understand the possibilities and deliver good quality.” – Johanna Glans.

@Casambi, www.casambi.com

Another person who has met the same challenges, and even design an education to specifically target these topics, is Kim Nyström who heads the program Belysningsprojektör (Lighting project management) at Stockholm Technical Institute. The program was designed specifically to tackle the gap that has arisen in the lighting industry.

” In recent years, we have seen a change in the industry where technology has become an important tool that Lighting Planners can use to realize more complex installations and be able to achieve better results. At the same time, new technologies help to simplify the use of buildings and areas for the user. The changing of lumen output and color temperatures in collaboration with circadian rhythm can now be controlled in a simple way and provides new opportunities to positively influence the user on a physiological level. As these techniques become increasingly important, the role of the Lighting Planner also becomes increasingly important in the construction process.” – Kim Nyström

@Homeanddecor, www.homeanddecor.com.sg

Ms Toh Yah Li, 39, is one of the few certified lighting designers in the world. She is also a professional member of the International Association of Lighting Designers and is the coordinator for Southeast Asia. In 2019, she was also named one of 40 under 40 at the Lighting Design Awards in London, which recognises the world’s most talented lighting designers.

She always wanted to be an architect, but after graduating from architecture school at National University of Singapore, she changed course after realising that building design was more about efficiency than designing spaces for people. “Light is the fourth dimension and the soul of a space. It was missing in architecture, which is why I wanted to pursue lighting design.” At 22, she left for Germany to pursue a Master of Arts in architectural lighting design, and her career direction was set

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