Topology of Continuous Availability for LED Lighting Systems

Lighting systems with a big number of luminaires in large halls are a case of distributed loads that need topologies with modularity, whenever possible to ensure a uniform distribution of the supplying circuits, an easier installation, management, and maintenance. The light emitting diode (LED) luminaires give a great impact on the system operation due to their auxiliary series devices and to the high inrush currents of the ac-dc switching power supplies. This article proposes a topology to design LED lighting systems, configured in a modular scheme of a main ac distribution and a branch dc distribution supplying luminaires clusters. Each cluster is provided as a “double-dual corded” equipment with double power supply and double control type, digital, and analogic. The suggested topology aims to make available a system that allows overcoming fault situations by design and permits maintenance activities limiting and recovering degradation conditions. In this way, the lighting system of special locations, for which there is the willingness-to-accept greater financial costs against loss service risks, can satisfy the requirement of continuous availability system. To provide more details on the proposed design criteria this article describes, as case study, the lighting system of a parliamentary hall with one thousands of luminaires.