CP Electronics has launched a completely new front end for its popular Rapid lighting control system. As well as offering a high level of functionality the new software is believed to be the first on the market to enable full integration of emergency lighting testing and lighting control in a single package.Built from the ground up, the software uses the latest Microsoft .NET framework to deliver ease of use with advanced functionality, including the ability to monitor lighting remotely and override local settings from a central PC. When used in conjunction with DALI ballasts, the system can also monitor the status of individual lamps and report any lamp failures. In addition, it enables lighting systems to be reconfigured quickly and easily, without the need for changes to hard-wiring.
The software is also the first on the market to offer an emergency lighting test system based around the Tridonic EM PRO ballast. A major benefit of this approach, compared to other automatic testing systems, is that it allows the emergency lighting to be managed through the same system as general lighting control.
Furthermore, it greatly simplifies the design and installation of the emergency lighting system. No additional components are needed in the luminaire when the EM PRO ballast is used a as the emergency inverter and the only wiring required is a twisted-pair connection to the DALI system.
Fully compliant with IEC 62034, the emergency lighting features of the program offer a fully automated test facility with comprehensive reporting of test results, including failures of emergency modules.
"When we produced a specification for the new program, the needs of the user were very much at the forefront of our thinking," comments CP managing director Paul Mans. "To that end we have produced a system that combines simplicity of use with key functions such as monitoring, reporting and control. The convergence of general lighting control and emergency lighting testing into a single system is also a major benefit to end users," he added.
