Start here: how a facade lighting system fits together
Two things travel to every LED fitting: power (mains → breaker → power supply → low-voltage cable → LEDs) and data (controller → DMX512 cable → decoders → LEDs). This lab designs both, then shows you the result.
The two paths
Project and building
Design criteria (apply to every run)
Suggested route through the lab
- Check the fitting library and replace the typical values with your manufacturer's datasheet.
- Build the LED runs: choose a fitting, length, feed method and cable. See load, current and voltage drop worked out.
- Look at the 2D layout and 3D night view. Red runs fail a check.
- Size the power supplies, then the mains circuits and breakers.
- Address the DMX512 network and check the data segments.
- Check the lighting effect on the wall and the light pollution zone.
- Play the 4D show to see energy, cost and CO₂, then export the schedules.
Fitting library
Seven common facade fitting types. All values are TYPICAL placeholders to let the lab run. Replace them with manufacturer data before you rely on any result. Editing a value here updates every run that uses that fitting.
LED runs, load, current and DC voltage drop
A is one continuous line or chain of fittings. Long runs are split into , each with its own from the power supply. Pick a run to edit it and see calculations 1 to 4 worked step by step.
Runs on this facade
Edit run
Worked calculation for the selected run
All runs
2D layout: elevation and plan
The elevation shows the front facade: LED runs, segment breaks, feed points, power supply (PSU) locations, cable routes and the from the controller. The plan shows ground-mounted fittings and their aiming. Tap anything to inspect it.
3D night view
Drag to rotate, pinch or scroll to zoom, tap a fitting to inspect it. Wall , , and linear outlines are drawn from your runs. Runs that fail voltage drop or maximum run length go red and dim at the far end.
Power supply (PSU) and driver sizing
Each segment is fed from a (constant voltage) or a . Segments are packed onto PSUs so that no unit runs above the , then each unit is rounded up to a typical size.
PSU locations
Typical size ranges
Labelled TYPICAL, CHECK MANUFACTURER RANGE. Edit the lists to match the range you are specifying.
PSU and driver schedule
Worked example: the largest PSU
Mains circuits, driver inrush and drivers per MCB
LED drivers draw a very large, very short at switch-on. Put too many on one and it trips every evening. Enter the manufacturer's inrush data, then check each mains circuit for current and against the limits.
Breaker and supply
Circuit cable
Driver inrush data (enter from manufacturer datasheets)
The default figures are examples only so the lab can run. Manufacturer tables of "drivers per MCB" are written for one breaker type and rating. Re-read the table if you change the breaker.
Mains circuit schedule
Worked example: the worst circuit
DMX512 addressing
A DMX512 carries 512 . An RGB needs 3 and an RGBW pixel needs 4, so one universe holds 170 RGB or 128 RGBW pixels. The lab counts universes, builds an address map and checks each data line.
Addressing settings
Result
Universe map
Address map
Data lines (one universe per DMX512 line)
Lighting effect on the wall
How bright will the wall look? A fitting has a in candela. The it makes on the wall falls with the square of distance and with the angle of arrival. The you see depends on the wall's .
Fitting and aiming
Helper: estimate candela from lumens
Results at the aiming point
Illuminance and luminance up the wall
Worked calculation
Light pollution and environmental zones
Obtrusive light guidance () sorts sites into and sets limits that get tighter after a . This lab does not quote limit values. Enter them from the current edition your authority uses, and the lab checks your design against them.
Choose the zone
Limits from your edition (you enter)
Your design
4D show: dusk to midnight with live power and energy
Press play. The building runs through its evening : fade-in at dusk, architectural white, an event colour show, then dimming steps towards midnight. Power, energy, cost and CO₂ update as the show runs.
Scenes
Tariff and emissions (you enter)
Energy per scene
Worked calculation
Design checklist
Tick each item as you check it on your design. Your ticks are saved in this browser. Items are good practice prompts, not clauses from a standard.
in plain words (IEC 60529)
: impact energy (IEC 62262)
Worked example and formula register
A complete hand calculation for one run of the current design, from load to energy, using the same numbers as the lab. Change the inputs and this page recalculates.
Worked example
Formula register
Engineer's notes
Practical lessons from facade lighting projects. Open any note.
Knowledge check
Questions on the ideas in this lab. Pick an answer to see whether it is right and why.