Frequently asked questions

FAQs

Nature Switch FAQ

There is no doubt about the manpower and their dedicated operation. How ever it is often observed that the actual manual operation of the switches will involve energy wastages due to many factors like early switching ON and late switching OFF. Even late switching ON is also a problem since the lights are required when it becomes dark. If a Nature Switch is installed it will switch the lamps objectively and make the staff free to attend to other important issues. The saving in energy costs will be so much that the cost of Nature switch will be recovered in the first few months itself depending on the load and manual costs.

The earlier devices have failed due to design limitations. These earlier switches are mostly based on a simple LDR or a visible sensor leading to erratic judgments. These limitations were understood and a very advanced and reliable solution is being offered now in the form of a NATURE SWITCH which offers the twin advantages of a sensor and a timer with out the limitations of both. All the needed lab and field trials were completed before being offered. The issues addressed include the container sealing, sensor selection, field of view definition, a transformer free dc conversion, a high voltage withstand capability, a reliable power switch for handling the load, calibrated light response characteristics, overload sense trip and latch mechanism, over voltage and under voltage sense, trip and auto reset, a simple,easy and convenient selection procedure, an integrated and sealed terminal box etc. The device can withstand an input level as high as 440 volts AC and the enclosure conforms to IP65 to provide complete protection to circuit from dust and water making it a suitable device for outdoor fitment.

The timers have certainly introduced an element of Automation in operating the outdoor lamps. But true Automation is possible only with an infrared sensor based solution like Nature Switch. The timers need a clock setting and monitoring and seasonal resetting. All this calls for maintenance by a skilled person which costs time and money and is prone to errors and complaints. Change of the present system with a Nature Switch is only to improve the system further and to ensure a total Automation, which is no more dependent on the human supervision. Even advanced pre programmed timing systems based on geographical location parametres can not meet the true need of outdoor users simply because the day to day weather conditions can not be predicted and addressed by the digital timer while NATURE SWITCH meets the same with assurance.

This switch is looking small since it is essentially with an electronic content rather than electrical in nature and is in tune with the modern approach of miniaturization. The size has no real bearing on the performance. Size is psychological and the performance is real. Electric Irons, cellular telephones, transistors, televisions, laptops and all such devices are becoming more and more small in size and the world prefers them. This switch can handle directly up to 3 kW and a contactor can be attached if the load is more. This ensures a lesser cost when compared to any other solution and yet gives the ideal performance. The integral model SWADEEP 02-EC offers the solution for higher lamp loads. This model SWADEEP 02-EC comes with a contactor, MCB, terminal connectors, cable glands, an openable door with window, lock and key, pole mountable brackets etc.

This switch can normally act as a substitute of manual switching and will come in series with the existing manual switch. The output of the existing manual switch can be taken as input to the Nature Switch, Instead of connecting to the load. The manual switch can be used to switch off the supply to the system in case of servicing needs and also to reset the Nature switch in the event of overload trip. The Nature switch need not be a part of the panel since it does not need any access once installed. The NATURE SWITCH needs to be exposed to the ambient solar radiation and so should not be enclosed in any panel. In fact installation of NATURE SWITCH is quite easy in the open outdoors since it is designed to be used in the outdoors.

In the case of poles the Nature Switch will be installed on the same pole to which the present switch is attached. In the case of high mast lamps the Nature Switch can be installed at a height of above 6’ and the output will go the control panel so that the contactor can be activated. The accessibility of the contactor is needed but not the Nature Switch.

In case the manual switch is part of a switch board which may be in a room the Nature switch will be installed on a wall exposing it to the outside and the cables can run from the Nature Switch to the switch board and from there to the lamps.

The Nature Switch is provided with the needed LED based indication to be visible from a distance in the day and night. The color changes from green to amber in the night. It will flash in red color if the load is tripped. The same LED will flash in green if the device has tripped the load due to low voltage. The LED will flash in amber and green if the device has tripped the load due to high voltage. The visual indication is enough to know the state unlike the present panel boxes, which need to be opened to know the state.

The Nature Switch does not need any attachments for installation. It does not need a box to protect it nor it needs a terminal box. These are all part of the Nature switch it self. The installation time is quite small. The only requirement is the small cable meant for live in, live out, and neutral. Two screws which are supplied along with the NATURE SWITCH are needed to fix the bracket to a wall or pole and a screwdriver to connect the cable to the terminals.

This switch is looking small since it is essentially with an electronic content rather than electrical in nature and is in tune with the modern approach of miniaturization. The size has no real bearing on the performance. Size is psychological and the performance is real. Electric Irons, cellular telephones, transistors, televisions, laptops and all such devices are becoming more and more small in size and the world prefers them. This switch can handle directly up to 3 kW and a contactor can be attached if the load is more. This ensures a lesser cost when compared to any other solution and yet gives the ideal performance. The integral model SWADEEP 02-EC offers the solution for higher lamp loads. This model SWADEEP 02-EC comes with a contactor, MCB, terminal connectors, cable glands, an openable door with window, lock and key, pole mountable brackets etc.

It may look surprising but the fact is that it is aimed not to need any attendance whatsoever and it is proved to be so. So the location at a height will avoid all the problems like theft and unauthorized meddling. How ever we recommend a height of above 6' which meets the need.

The Nature Switch goes by the light level as sensed by the window. So the window cannot be kept in an enclosed area like a room or under a covered area. But in some cases it may so happen that tree cover covers the area. In this case the tree may reduce the light falling on the sensor. The thickness of the foliage influences the effect on the light but however we have observed in practice that the tree cover will not stop the light and the actual difference is only upto a minute compared to another unit exposed fully to the skylight.

The normal problems include a bad input switch. This problem in the input route may not ensure proper supply to the NATURE SWITCH. If there is overload in the load route the Nature Switch will trip and the red LED will flash to indicate that the load route need to be checked. If the voltage of the mains goes very high the NATURE SWITCH will trip the load and the LED will flash in GREEN and AMBER to indicate the high voltage state. How ever the moment the voltage level becomes normal the NATURE SWITCH will resume the function.

It can truly solve all the problems associated with switching of the lamps. The input supply is to be ensured all the 24 hours. If the input switch is kept all the time ON this is met. If the input switch is proper and the problem of overload is avoided the Nature switch will not call for any maintenance what so ever and one can forget the outdoor lamp switching for all practical purposes except for change of the fused lamps.

They are available in nine standard models namely,

  • NATURE SWITCH-01
  • NATURE SWITCH-02
  • Nature Switch-GSM
  • SWADEEP-O2 EC3kW 1P
  • SWADEEP-02 EC 5kW 1P
  • SWADEEP-02 EC 8kW 1P
  • SWADEEP-02 EC 5kW 3P
  • SWADEEP-02 EC 8kW 3P, and
  • SWADEEP-02 EC 12kW 3P
  • Swadeep-03 EC 18KW 3P
  • Nature Switch-Wireless
  • Nature Switch-ATM-S
  • Nature Switch-ATM-D


NS-GSM

Nature Switch-GSM is an advanced solution which facilitates a remote access to monitor and change settings. The remote access uses GSM NETWORK in the form of SMS. Access to the field switch can be from the mobile handset of the user or through an internet enabled device like PC, Laptop, Tablet or even a mobile also. The communication is a two way process for easy interactive process of communication and command.

Thought NS-GSM is equipped with an advanced sensor mechanism to offer outdoor ambient light based control, it can be applied to control loads other than lighting. For example it can be used to remotely operate agricultural pumps, air conditioners, refrigerators, office loads, park lighting, high mast lighting, swimming pool heaters, fountain motors, fountain lighting, façade lighting, plat form lighting, bus station lighting, plat form fans and a host of other applications which goes by a specific time based programme.

The NS-GSM is based on communication between the user and field switch through GSM based communication. So a dependable GSM network is the only requirement.

It is equipped with alert mechanisms to inform the user about settings, power availability, power outages etc. on a real time basis along with log report. The web interface will also help in visualizing the location of the switches on a google map.

Nature Switch GSM is equipped with an ability to with stand voltages even up to 440 volts AC. It will trip and will automatically reset once the voltage reaches the normal level. It will also send alert messages for everyHighVoltage trip and reset and for every low voltage trip and auto reset.

The device comes with a default program for switching ON at Sun set and switching OFF at sun rise automatically based on the built in special infrared sensors. The user can programme at any time additional commands and up to 3 switching ON/OFF cycles can be programme. This can be a combination of light and time or even a pure timer based options. Once programmed the settings will remain permanent. NS-GSM is built using a rechargeable capacitor based memory back up and do not depend on a battery. The operation of the device continues even if there is a power interruption and the device will always acquire the real time from the network provider and so there is no need for time settings. For more details please click here for user manual or for a demo of the web interface.



Save Switch

SAVE SWITCH is based on the concept of adding an incremental electro magnetic reactance in series to an existing control gear of an HID lamp to realize reduction in lamp wattage as per the duration selected by the user. The SAVE SWITCH provides a selection switch so that the user can select any hour from zero to 9 with a resolution of one hour. After the expiry of the duration from the switching ON at Dusk, the SAVE SWITCH will bring into operation an additional electro magnetic reactor to reduce the wattage of the lamp. Models are available for various wattages like 70W, 100W, 150W, 200W, 250 W, 400W,800W etc.. One SAVE SWITCH can be used for each lamp post having either one or two lamps and for twin lamp posts SAVE SWITCH is also available as 2x150W, 2x2 50W, 2X400W etc. to meet the field requirements.

SAVE SWITCH comes with a micro processor driven electronic circuit capable of withstanding mains voltages of up to 440 Volts AC. The SAVE SWITCH can perform from a voltage level as low as 150 Volts AC.. The electronic circuit comes with a proprietary software with special algorithms so that any power interruption during the night will not cause any malfunction of the SAVE SWITCH. In fact there are provisions for pre-warming of the lamp immediately after re-strike so that the lamp life will not get effected.

SAVE SWITCH is designed to ensure a very high degree of uniformity among themselves so that they all work in unison when installed in a street. In fact if there is no power interruption during the night up to the point of dimming they all should act with digital precision and with a perfect uniformity. There is a special design feature to ensure this uniformity.

For any other question please contact us



NS-WIRELESS

Nature Switch-WIRELESS is a new novel solution consisting of two parts. The first part is a sensor and the second one is a control unit. The sensor is to be mounted outdoor and the control unit can be mounted indoor as part of the distribution panel. There is a wireless link between the two. The sensor part to be mounted outdoor is a special infrared sensor which comes in an IP 65 rated enclosure along with memory back up rechargeable power pack. This will be self-powered from a solar panel.The second part which is a control unit will consist of the power switching devices to control the load. Both the parts come as paired units with unique numbers.

No.There is no need of any external power supply to the outdoor unit.It is powered by a solar panel which is part of the unit itself. It is also built with a backup power unit to provide communication during the night time or even during rainy/cloudy days.

There is an LED indicator for both the units.You can check the communication by observing the LED blink at the outdoor unit for every 30 seconds.

The range of communication in line of sight is up to 100m in the open filed. But if it is installed in a building, the distance should be limited to 30 meters and there should not be more than 4 walls between the outdoor and indoor units.

T No.The RF communication frequency bandwidth is different from the other wireless bands.Even if other RF device is within the range,the device will not interact.It will communicate only with its paired unit. Both come with unique number for identification of the paired unit.

The RF outdoor unit is built with a memory back up rechargeable system and so it will continue to operate even though there is a rain or cloud for one full day. This backup system need not be replaced in the normal course for upto many years. The outdoor RF device is also sealed for IP65 and so no extra protection is required. The body material can help the outdoor RF unit to withstand the vagaries of heat, dry air, moisture, fog, rain, cloud and other factors present in the outdoor.

It can be employed for automation of lighting circuits like

  • Street Lighting
  • Sign Board and hoarding lighting
  • High Mast Lighting
  • Facade lighting
  • Park lighting
  • Fence lighting
  • Border lighting
  • Campus lighting
  • Security lighting
  • Domestic periphery lighting
  • Corridor lighting
  • Open parking area lighting
  • ATM Centre Load Control consisting of both Air con and lighting.


Swadeep-03-EC-Dual

Most of the outdoor lighting systems like high mast lighting are designed to provide illumination level required during peak usage hours of say up to 11 PM. After the peak time the lighting level can be reduced leading to a substantial energy saving. So there is a need to have a device to switch OFF a part of the lighting load after peak hours. This is the prime feature of NS-03 which provides two outputs one based on sun set to sun rise and the other from sun set to the selected hour. For example in a high mast with say 12 lamps of 400 W, one may go for switching OFF of 6 lamps late in the night say at 11 PM and the rest will continue for the balance night and will go off at morning. This can be applied in the case of lighting loads fed from a single or three phases. This method will be more economical and reliable than dimming.

Yes, this model can be installed in single phase or three phase system. In the case of single phase system there can be two parallel cables feeding the load and one will be switched OFF during late night and the other will go off in the morning.

Nature Switch-03 has to be used along with a contactor only. We offer Swdeep-03-EC-Dual with rating up to 18 KW 3P.