616 Harris St Ultimo

A modern lighting control upgrade without rewiring.

Overview

616 Harris Street is an 8 storey commercial building in the heart of Sydney’s bustling education precinct, Ultimo. In 1949 the building was converted into commercial premises and is now owned by Michael Herman, prior director of HPM. Synchromesh spans communal lobbies on 7 floors of the building and expands into the private college on level 3.

The Problem

The level 3 tenancy had old batten fluorescent lights, controlled through a single dimmable switch. With high energy costs & previous tenants moving out, Michael Herrman needed to make it more attractive for higher-paying tenants. As part of the refurbishment, new LED luminaires could replace the fluorescent lights. A major drawback to this was that entire floor was still switched as one area. To have separately controlled zones would require extensive & costly rewiring.

The Syncromesh Solution

Michael Herman contacted Cognian CEO, Mark Blum, who recommended a Syncromesh wireless solution. Syncromesh made an otherwise expensive fit-out simple. With no extensive control cables or switchboard rewiring, Syncromesh provided a highly configurable layout. The lighting zones could be easily customised with Cognian’s BaseBuild app after the tenancy fit out. Better still was complete combability with smart modern DALI sensors, switches, & Australume luminaires. The sensors and sub-divided zones would provide enticing energy savings.

Cognian worked with an Australian lighting manufacturer, Australume, to create Syncromesh dimmable wireless LED luminaires. The installation utilised the existing electrical cables. The old surface mounted fluorescent light fittings were replaced with the new Australume-Syncromesh LED luminaires. Together these formed a wireless mesh network, Synchromesh. The lights communicating together and with a small central computer in the existing distribution cupboard. An electrician from Crown Electrical swapped over 50 light fittings in a day. Each Australume light fitting includes an built-in Schneider Clipsal motion sensor, saving on installation time. A sensor at each light gave broad sensor coverage across the classrooms.

Diagram above shows Australume light fitting with in-built Schneider Clipsal motion sensor.

The owner updated the Level 3 tenancy while saving installation time and cost by not having to rewire the floor plate. Occupancy sensors did not require separate wiring or installation, as the luminaires included sensors. Where previously all areas were permanently powered during the day each area now has sensor driven lighting. Dependent on vacancy, the luminaires in each room automatically turned ON or OFF. Utilising Clipsal DALI switches, the classroom could be dimmed when a projector is in use.

Since the Level 3 upgrade, Michael Herman has upgraded the lobby areas on every floor. Opting for Clipsal DALI downlights paired with Syncromesh WDI’s. A quickly interchangeable plug and play solution. The single Synchromesh Gateway on level 3 easily services 7 floors of 616 Harris St. With zero communication interference despite dense concrete slabs separating the devices.

The Result

Where previously all areas were permanently powered during the day each area now has sensor driven lighting. When a room is vacant, the luminaires automatically turn off or automatically turn on when a person enters the room. The classroom lights dim when a projector is in use.

The sensors lights in the multiple classrooms link together to ensure corridors and common areas stay lit while students occupy the classrooms.

Since the Level 3 upgrade, Michael Herman has upgraded the common areas on each floor to Syncromesh wireless for the energy savings, and plans on updating the remaining levels.