Some time ago I griped a bit about how some genius at UVA had installed motion sensing light switches in bathrooms. Basement bathrooms. Bathrooms with nothing resembling a secondary light source.
Well now my newly remodeled office has these switches. Normally they’re just a bit of a nuisance because I can have them turn off on me about 3 times per day while I’m still in my office (and not even when I’m sleeping!). Perhaps this is a ‘feature’ meant to motivate people to move a little bit and get a tiny bit of extra exercise. But I digress.
After a bit of a power disturbance today, the light switch in my office has become hyperactive. It still turns on with motion, but it turns off after about 20 seconds. Now my goal is to move so little that I can avoid the annoyance of having my office light constantly cycling on an off. Let’s just say that I’m a real happy camper right now.
And as a final point about what a joke these kinds of sensors are, I noticed that all the offices have them, except for the president.
Lawtonfunk Says:
Automatic lighting shut-off is required for buildings over 5000 sq-ft in NC. There are exceptions for: sleeping units, patient care, or spaces where an automatic shutoff would endanger occupant safety or security.
Occupancy sensors can be used or a full lighting control system. I’m guessing the president is in danger of getting shivved if his lights go out.
The switch is now operating normally.
But the funny side note is that, due to regulations, we’re a bit short on the lighting that could be installed on the floor. To correct for that, everyone has now been issued a lamp. I’m guessing there’s at least a decent probability that we’ll end up using more power for lighting than we would if code hadn’t limited the amount we could install.