Lighting application throws up new data communications solution

30 June 2009

Kingston Communications (KC) has joined forces with Harvard Engineering to overhaul the control of street lighting. KC, UK based IT and communications service provider, has supplied wireless technology for the street lighting central monitoring system.

[L to R] Michael McDonald commercial director, Harvard Engineering with regional sales manager Roger Etchells and regional sales consultant Andy Streets from Kingston Communications
[L to R] Michael McDonald commercial director, Harvard Engineering with regional sales manager Roger Etchells and regional sales consultant Andy Streets from Kingston Communications

Harvard Engineering from Leeds, UK will use data communication from KC with its LeafNut technology which allows street lights to be operated and managed remotely with a PC or laptop.

LeafNut controls and monitors all assigned lighting units by providing remote wireless, web based switching and dimming back to the operator through a webserver. In addition it provides on screen diagnostics including operational efficiency, predicted lamp failure, fault finding and energy consumption management.

Utilising KC's server hosting facilities, Harvard Engineering's LeafNut system also gives users the ability to remotely monitor and control on and off times, change the power output, monitor lamp life and failure and provide early warning reports that should reduce maintenance costs.

Harvard Engineering’s financial director Martin Baum claimed: “LeafNut is already allowing local authorities across the UK to achieve 40 per cent cuts in street lighting energy costs. It provides a two-way conversation between streetlights and operators which allows users to manage all information around light running efficiencies, maintenance and energy.

“We rely heavily on fast and secure wireless technology to ensure information collated at individual lamp posts is communicated instantaneously back to the operator. The GPRS application and protected data connections, combined with the added security of a hosting environment, allow our system to provide local authorities and private companies with efficient, intelligent lighting.”

KC’s regional sales consultant Andy Streets said this is the first ‘machine to machine’ connection Kingston has provided in Yorkshire, UK and its impact on maximising energy savings should be considered by more businesses.

“Our technology not only offers effective, secure and fast data communication but also has the potential for a wider impact upon the end user’s resources - in this instance the cost and time savings of not despatching staff to check and maintain the lights.

“We are delighted by the success of this partnership and would encourage all firms to consider how effective data communications offer added value to their business.”


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