Intelligent LED lighting solutions for tunnels and subways

Phoenix Contact has developed lighting solutions for tunnels with state-of-the-art LED technology. The LED lights can be controlled either directly or via so-called driver boxes. The boxes contain the LED drivers for controlling the lights. The exact position of the lights and the driver boxes has been defined by Schréder specialists based on a photometric analysis of subsequent tunnel lighting. In parallel with preparatory work, the power and bus cables are delivered pre-assembled to the construction site. This resolves a problem typically encountered by the installation company before the cables are manufactured. Since all cables are equipped with an automatic phase rotation, the three phases of the power connection are loaded evenly. The time-consuming continuity test of the cables and the subsequent rewiring are therefore a thing of the past.

The actual control of the lumgate activation electronics and LED drivers is predefined in the form of 50 different scenarios. There are also 15 special scenarios that can be prioritized in special situations, for example in the event of an emergency or a dangerous event. The maximum permissible speed inside the tunnel also influences the required light intensity and is therefore also taken into account in the controller. In addition to the application program, the specifications from the photometric analysis also go into the ATS. Together with the other general parameters, the configuration file that the controller reads in automatically forms the basis for lighting control. This ensures that both the specifications of the tunnel operator and the applicable legal requirements are accurately fulfilled. What's more, only as much light is generated as is required at any particular time, which can help to reduce energy costs.