Illuminating the NPG's 450 artworks with an adjustable combination of natural and artificial light, the new Dynalite lighting control system provides multi-zone lighting functionality and flexibility.
According to Joey Dean, senior Dynalite programmer from Dynalite distributor, Sound Advice, museums and galleries require a unique blend of lighting control. "Light levels are critical in museums and galleries," he says. "Typically, regulations require light levels to be maintained under 50 lux for older artworks, through to no more than 120 lux for newer creations. This, in conjunction with the management of other environmental variables, such as humidity levels, ensures the longevity of the artworks--old and new. Here, lighting control systems need to be able to deliver the right combination of natural and artificial light, no matter what time of day or year."
Blind and curtain control is particularly important in museums. Natural light, especially at the levels experienced here in Australia, has the capacity to damage artwork quickly. The Dynalite system allows gallery staff to accurately manage light levels by enhancing natural light levels with artificial light. This kind of control flexibility, coupled with the combination of natural and artificial light, means energy and money can be saved, while keeping lux levels within an acceptable range.
Supplied, commissioned and programmed by Sound Advice, the NPG's integrated lighting control system comprises a total of nearly 200 Dynalite multipurpose controllers, dimming controllers and curtain and blind controllers, as well as serial port interfaces and touch screen user control interfaces. All components are linked via Dynalite's peer-to-peer communications serial bus network, DyNet. The lighting control system is also integrated with the building's fire and security systems, where pre-determined lighting schemes are activated if fire or a security breach is detected.
The museum's display areas are fitted with multiple runs of track lighting, each up to 40 metres in length. Each lighting track comprises three separate lighting channels, which can be controlled independently of each other, and each section of track may comprise up to eight individual sections, giving up to 24 individual channels of lighting per 40 meter run. "This provides high levels of lighting configuration flexibility," said Dean. "It allows gallery staff to customise lighting schemes to individual pieces of artwork or zones. This kind of control functionality and flexibility is crucial to gallery lighting applications."
Further lighting control flexibility can be realised via the Dynalite system's built-in astronomical clock, which allows operators to account for the position of the sun when setting lighting schemes. "The gallery will experience a dramatic change in the azimuth of the sun as we move from summer to winter," Dean says. "The Dynalite system will track the movement of the sun and automatically adjusting blind positions and artificial lighting levels."
The control system also features wireless remote-control functionality. This allows gallery staff to configure lighting schemes via a handheld device while standing in front of the artwork.
