In 2018 we announced that our latest photocell innovation, PrecizionHALO, had launched. Among its many beneficial features, one of the things that makes the photocell stand out is that it is smart city ready thanks to its Zhaga Book 18 approval. We’re excited to reveal that Zhaga Book 18 Edition 2.0 has been released, but what’s new? This blog aims to answer that question.
Zhaga Book 18
Zhaga Book 18 specification defines a standardised interface between outdoor LED luminaires and modules for sensing and communication. This helps bring IoT to the outdoor lighting market via smart, upgradeable, future-proof fixtures.
The specification makes it easy to upgrade LED fixtures by adding or changing 24V modules that provide sensing and communication abilities. By installing smart LED lighting fixtures with sensing and communication throughout a town or city, it can significantly improve the efficiency, maintenance and running costs of outdoor lighting networks.
Additionally, by ensuring street lighting schemes are futureproofed while upgraded to LED, it means there is less need for costly retro-fitting programmes, as luminaires can be easily upgraded as technologies evolve. This is thanks to its standardised interface between a receptacle on the luminaire and a sensing and communication module that fits in to this receptacle, externally.
The electrical interface itself uses 24V DC power, supplied independently via the LED driver which is integrated within the luminaire. The interface features a 4 –pin connector accepts modules with a much smaller footprint than those used in other standards, for greater design flexibility.
Zhaga Book 18 Ed. 2.0
At the end of 2019, Zhaga Book 18 Edition 2.0 was announced. The latest edition specifies all the great features listed above, yet also includes details for a solution with two modules. It specifies power and communication aspects, in addition to the mechanical fit and electrical pins for a connectivity system as defined in Edition 1.0.
Book 18 Ed. 2.0 allows any certified node to operate with any certified luminaire. Certified luminaires and sensing/communication modules are available from multiple suppliers, establishing an ecosystem of compatible products.
The book simplifies the addition of application modules such as sensors and communication nodes to LED luminaires. By assuring plug-and-play interoperability, the entire value chain benefits. It reduces complexity and adds value for the luminaire maker, installer and the specifier.
Zhaga Book 18 Edition 2.0 will describe a fit system between a module for sensing and/or communication (top) and a receptacle (below). The receptacle is built into an outdoor LED luminaire.
Bringing together complementary specifications from the Zhaga Consortium the interface is able to offer true plug-and-play interoperability.
This collaboration means that specifiers, purchasers, installers and end users will all benefit from easy upgrades, thanks to the socket-based connectivity system that makes adding/changing sensors or communications modules quick and simple. This ensures lumianires are able to keep up to speed with ever evolving digital networking and sensing technologies.
For manufacturers, in particularly, it means they can continue to innovate and diversify using an open global interface standard. By replacing the module rather than the entire luminaire, the luminaire is future-proofed, which is an essential requirement in Smart City lighting.
About Zhaga
Zhaga is a global association of lighting companies that is standardizing interfaces of components of LED luminaires, including LED light engines, LED modules, LED arrays, holders, electronic control gear (LED drivers) and connectivity fit systems. This helps to streamline the LED lighting supply chain, and to simplify LED luminaire design and manufacturing. Zhaga continues to develop specifications based on the inter-related themes of interoperable components, smart and connected lighting, and serviceable luminaires. For more information, visit www.zhagastandard.org.
Use the below links to find out more about the Zhaga Book 18 Standard, and the Lucy Zodion products that are Zhaga approved. Read more about the Zhaga standard on the official webpage, here: https://www.zhagastandard.org/books/overview/smart-interface-between-outdoor-luminaires-and-sensing-communication-modules-18.html
