Syrcadia Daylight Harvesting
Overview
RAYN Syrcadia systems requiring responsive photosensor control may run into limitations with currently-available default software functionality. This article aims to plot out a solution for such applications.
Description of Problem
Syrcadia is capable of integrating photosensor data natively from the EnOcean-based RAYN Photo Sensor (RPS) as well as 3rd party sensors via MQTT. Sensor data can be displayed for reference purpose only. It can also be used to affect fixture output state (ON/OFF) and scheduled running hours through the use of Function Blocks, Setpoints, and Target Values programmed into a Day Plan. Additionally, light readings will generate a Daily Light Integral (DLI) value that can be used as a target/reference.
While closed- or open-loop daylight harvesting methods are possible, the RAYN Touch currently does not include pre-built scripts to accomplish this, and a decent knowledge of Python programming would be needed in order to enact them. Therefore, it is currently recommended that any end user or technician configuring a system of this type follow this guide to enable responsive photo control via more readily-available methods.
Possible Solutions
- Use the photosensor as an input to toggle lights ON/OFF at a pre-determined daylight value.
- Use the photosensor to generate DLI, which can be used to either adjust fixture brightness up/down or increase/decrease the length of the light period according to a preset target value.
- Utilize custom function blocks to achieve open- or closed-loop daylight harvesting. (Note that custom function blocks will need to be added to a configuration file via Syrcadia for PC and then loaded onto RAYN Touch if the RAYN touch is the controller of choice.)
Option 1: Photo sensor toggles lights ON/OFF at target daylight level
- Use 2_Point_Regulator.py function block template
- In function block settings, assign Zone, Sensor, Setpoint, Upper/Lower Deadband, and Output (fixture).
- Set up a Setpoint event in the zone's day plan. 'Value' will be the daylight contribution target. If measured daylight > Value + upper deadband, the lights will turn OFF. If measured daylight is < Value - lower deadband, lights will turn ON.
Option 2: Photo sensor data for DLI control
- Associate sensor to a Zone (Settings > Sensors)
- From the Home screen, toggle the 'Auto DLI' button for the zone
- Choose either the lightbulb icon (intensity) or the clock/timer icon (photoperiod) for method of DLI control
Option 3: Custom function blocks for open- or closed-loop daylight harvesting
- Download the open- and closed-loop daylight harvesting function block template .zip files (linked below) and extract the enclosed folder
- Copy these folders to the following location on your PC running Syrcadia C:\Program Files (x86)\RAYN\Syrcadia 2.3.0.20\ScriptTemplates\development (Note that administrastor access on the PC is required for this step)
- If Syrcadia is running on the PC, close the application and reopen
- The custom templates are now available for setup in Settings > Functions, and a description of each function block's intended use is included in the template selection pop-up window that appears after clicking the green (+) icon to add a new function block
- Complete the function block setup and implement into a day plan using a Setpoint event.
Note: Custom function block templates must be added to your RAYN configuration file via Syrcadia for PC. If controlling fixtures with a RAYN Touch, you should save and export your config file via USB stick, then load the configuration on a PC with Syrcadia installed. Once you've added your function block to the config, you can save this copy to the USB stick and re-import to the RAYN Touch. Setup for existing function blocks that are based on custom templates can be completed/changed on the RAYN Touch, but the templates will not be available to create any new functions.