Church: Lighting control with KNX actuators in the MIX range
Theben KNX actuators provide evocative lighting scenes in the Parish Church on Starnberger See in Germany. The scenes can be centrally called up and controlled via the two VARIA 826 KNX multi-function displays in the vestry.
Lighting supports new liturgy
The Tutzing parish church with its two onion towers is the landmark of this tranquil spot on Starnberger See. The baroque house of God was renovated in time for its 80th anniversary in 2009. It was not just a question of a 鈥渘ew coat of paint鈥 but also lending expression to a new liturgical order in the church and to create closer contact with the worshippers by redesigning the altar, pulpit and font. A new lighting concept plays an important role here. Lights and spotlights emphasise the interior design and restored paintings. The various lighting sources can be combined with dimming values into lighting scenes for suitable lighting conditions for church services, events and for visitors. The lighting system is programmed, operated and controlled by Theben KNX devices.
MIX range stands out with its economy
Lighting has a range of functions to fulfil in churches. It has to light up entrances, passages and staircases, highlight internal fittings, enable worshipers to read, while at the same time setting a solemn tone. Depending on the liturgy, other lighting conditions are meaningful as, for example, during religious festivals like Easter, New Year or for the midnight service at Christmas. Switching on and off must not be disruptive. It also depends on the design of the light sources that provide harmony and set tones. Up till now, such lighting design issues have been resolved in conventional ways where lighting circuits are operated via a panel in the vestry. The congregation with its electrical expert Florian Hiebel was thinking of a modern solution. Based on his suggestions, it was decided to opt for a programmable lighting control with KNX. The Theben MIX range stands out in the selection of components through its flexibility and economy.
Demanding requests fulfilled
The new lighting system in the Tutzing parish church covers the nave with chancel, organ loft and vestry. General lighting is provided by fluorescent lamps. Accent lighting is provided by spotlights. The lighting circuits are switched and dimmed via 8x basic module switch actuators (RMG 4 S KNX) each combined with 2x universal dimmer actuators (DME 2 S KNX) extension modules plus a 6x 1-10 Volt (SMG and SME) extension modules. This keeps the investment in the modern bus system within reasonable bounds. As two extension modules can be added to each basic module in the MIX range, a manageable number of bus components is sufficient for complex lighting control. Using the large number of available parameters, including up to eight scenes per output, the system integrator Valentin Winkler from Elektro Schr枚der was able to meet 鈥渢he particular requirements of Florian Hiebel鈥. This enables switching statuses and dimming values on the lighting circuits to be easily allocated via a touchscreen in the vestry for different scenarios such as 鈥渃hurch service鈥, 鈥渃oncert鈥 or 鈥渂asic lighting鈥. The scenes can be called up centrally as well as on the spot during events via the VARIA 826 KNX WH multifunction display installed in the chancel and in the organ loft. The visualisation based on the 鈥淓isb盲r鈥 software also contributes to central control, controls basic lighting via a time switch and provides an 365-day timer program.
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The visualisation on the 22-inch touchscreen with church layout provides clear view of lighting functions. |
References (pdf)
鈥淟ighting control with KNX actuators in the MIX range.鈥
Image source: Elmo Schwandke, Geretsried