Clarification on Igor's Ability to Control 120/277V non-PoE Fixtures

March 31, 2020

 What has changed?

Historically, there have been projects where Igor has been asked to control non-PoE dimmable lighting. These fixtures typically need 120/277V and cannot work via the Class 2 Nexos Node. Previously, Igor has been able to supply a relay option to allow for the on/off control of those non-PoE fixtures but did not have the capability to allow for dimming controls in 120/277V fixtures.

While the need to use a 120/277V fixture has been a hurdle in only a small percentage of projects, this can create barriers to the adoption of a PoE-based platform. This year, Igor has launched a solution to accommodate the instances in which a few fixtures need to remain a part of the traditional 120/277V lighting system. Non-PoE fixtures can now be controlled as PoE fixtures with Igor’s latest 0-10V dimmable solution.

In addition to the relay and dimming abilities, Igor now can control 0-10V line voltage LED lighting and emergency lighting. This means that there is now a controller solution that can send commands, control dimming, and has two-way data transmission for non-PoE fixtures. Although the fixtures still need to be powered by traditional line voltage, the Nexos platform can access the data from those devices and incorporate the non-PoE devices into the control software.

Scenarios where this solution will be most helpful:

1. For PoE projects in New York and Chicago, this will allow 120/277V emergency lighting devices to leverage the data and control benefits of Igor’s Nexos IoT smart building platform. This means that Igor offers the first New York City and Chicago-approved PoE UL924 control of dimmable line voltage emergency lighting.

→ Outside of these urban areas?  Most jurisdictions allow for PoE emergency lighting and will benefit from Igor’s existing patented and UL-approved solution.

2. Occasionally, lighting designers require the use of fixtures that are not available as PoE-compatible. This solution now allows the Nexos platform to control them as if they are PoE fixtures without requiring special production. This should make fixture specification faster and easier for lighting designers.      

Ultimately, the adoption of Power-over-Ethernet technology as the backbone of connected devices in a smart building is the best path forward for long-term growth and flexibility. Igor’s solution to allow for dimming controls, scene integrations, and two-way data transmission of non-PoE fixtures should be used to allow projects to go forward as a PoE project without a few non-PoE devices creating a barrier to the adoption of the Nexos platform.

This solution should be used only in the rare instances where a PoE fixture is not available. As this solution requires the use of the 120/277V line voltage wiring, it is a less than optimal solution to a completely PoE-powered and controlled smart building.

Nexos provides a unified central PoE solution and addresses the dimmable features of the 120/277V non-PoE devices, so providers should face fewer sales objections when proposing a PoE smart building to clients. Igor resellers and integrators should ask their business development contact or support contact for more information if the need to use this solution arises in a future project.