Installation companies, operators, and lighting system planners must illuminate tunnels uniformly in accordance with CIE88 and control the intensity of the lighting depending on the situation. The traffic volume and emergency situations that may occur have an impact on the correct lighting level. In order to counteract the risk of accidents, especially when vehicles are entering the tunnel, the lighting conditions need to be adjusted sensitively to the increasing darkness.
For maximum safety in the NorthConnex tunnel, an innovative lighting concept is required. It is designed to help road users adjust their eyes to the darker light conditions.
In terms of energy requirements, the lighting system is the biggest consumer in the tunnel and this is where significant savings can be made. This is also where the application comes in and regulates the dimming value for each light as required.
Together with lighting specialist Schréder and system integrator Betacom, Phoenix Contact, as an expert in the field of automation and connection technology, implemented an intelligent lighting solution in the NorthConnex tunnel.
Phoenix Contact has worked with Schréder to develop a solution that produces constant light intensity over the entire lifetime of the installation. The remit included the cleaning intervals for the tunnel luminaires as well as the LED losses associated with aging.
These influencing factors result in several thousand parameters that flow into the controller and are made available to the system integrator in a predefined form.
Parallel to the preparatory work, 110 metric tons of power and bus lines were delivered preassembled to the construction site. Each cable had been precut, fitted with the necessary connectors, and marked.
Due to the consistent use of the QPD installation system with proven QUICKON fast-connection technology, all components could be installed in a time-saving manner without using tools.
The connection also makes commissioning easier. A setting mode of the control system detects a defective or incorrectly connected device directly during installation.
Once the driver box has started communication with the controller, it starts itself up. In this context, it runs through a sequence in which the LED lights are dimmed from dark to light several times. Installers thus receive direct feedback on their work.
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Overall, the integration of the control system into the tunnel’s main network proved straightforward. Along with the team from the local subsidiary, commissioning was also supported by technical specialists from Schréder and Phoenix Contact from Belgium and Germany. This was possible despite coronavirus travel restrictions thanks to remote access via an optional router.
In addition to the low installation costs due to the smart connection technology, the lighting solution is characterized by high energy efficiency and low operating costs. And let’s not forget the high level of safety in the NorthConnex tunnel thanks to situational, reliable lighting of the tunnel tubes.
