Application Note / Panel Accessories / Feb 

Astronomical Time Switches

Introduction
Difference between Timer and Time Switch
Time Switches are used to control events with respect to real time clock (RTC) whereas timers are
used to control processing times. Therefore RTC forms the basic difference between timer and time
switch functionality.
Use of Time Switches
With the help of Time switches it is possible to switch ON and OFF devices like lights, heaters, etc
automatically at desired time of the day / night thereby giving the advantage of convenience and
reduction in power wastage or substantial energy savings. The need of automation in street light
system is for accurate switching of lights at sunset or twilight sunset and switch OFF at sunrise or
twilight sunrise with energy savings.

Typical solutions available for lighting system:

1. Manual switching by maintenance engineer or operator
2. Light sensor based topology.
3. Traditional time switch usage wherein the user programs it on one time basis.
4. Time switch with astronomical advantage

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 Application Note / Panel Accessories / Feb 

Light sensor based topology

It requires the use of an external lux based sensor to detect the illumination level and thereby switch
on the time switch. Light sensors get affected by dust, or any foreign objects that get deposited on
them which leads to reduction in light sensitivity. It needs frequent maintenance, without which their
accuracy would decrease. Variations in light intensity falling on the sensors (e.g., caused by moving
shadow of branches of a tree or foreign object) can lead to frequent chattering of the relay driving the
load and this causes damage of the light fittings. Moreover it is costly as compared to other technology
available.

Time switch with astronomical advantage

Time switches like FM1 QT and Crono are programmed according to the
user’s requirement of load switching. Astro on the other hand is advanced
micro-controller based technology specifically designed for outdoor lighting
applications. It can turn ON and turn OFF lights with reference to sunrise and
sunset. This can be identified on the basis of latitude and longitude of location. This data is already fed
inside the microprocessor chip. The calculation of sunrise and sunset is done by programming date,
time and local coordinates. It can address single phase and 3 phase distribution of lighting loads.

Astronomical mathematics
The device does not use any sensor to detect the rise or set time of
Sun. Instead it uses Astronomical mathematics to calculate the
Rise/Set time for given date. These calculations are based on the
entered Latitude/Longitude values or city selection with high level of
accuracy in prediction.

Twilight
It is observed that there is ample amount of light available even after the sun has set or prior to
sunrise. This period is around 20 minutes on an average during sunset and sunrise. This feature can
be used for more energy savings.

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Sunrise/Sunset or Twilight trigger mode

The reference time for Astro can be based on either sunrise/sunset or begin/end twilight. Reference on
twilight can harvest maximum natural light throughout the year. Even 5 min saving due to twilight
saves thousands of rupees over a year. Here twilight times are calculated using astronomical
mathematics.

Savings in electricity due to accurate switching at twilight: - An example

Sunrise Twilight rise Difference (Minutes)

6:53:00 6:29:00 24
Sunset Twilight Set Difference (Minutes)
18:13:00 18:36:00 23
It can be clearly seen that there are savings of 47 minutes worth of energy on each lamp per day.
More advantages:
OFF-Hours
Sometimes, it is not required to keep all lights ON for entire night. Therefore the user can program to
turn off any channel for given time period. This is useful for considerable energy saving. Maximum 23
hours of OFF period can be set per day. Typical application include parks and museums.
Alternate Mode
The OFF-hours feature is applied to alternate channel on alternate days. This saves lamp’s life due to
alternate action. Typically an HPSV Lamp life is over in 2 years. With this methodology lamp life can
be increased to 3 years thereby reducing cost burdens over time.
Season Mode
In rainy or cloudy season, sunlight may be insufficient across Rise
and Set. Hence different time offset can be programmed to control the
light switching in such season. It provides automatic controls on the
switching of lights without frequent interaction of user with device. The
season period is programmable.
Weekly OFF
This feature automatically shuts OFF the indoor/outdoor lights on
weekly off day/s. Weekly OFF period is programmable. This feature
can be applied to any channel which saves energy and money.

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Astro Mini has 1 o/p and Astro single phase relay has two o/p whereas three phase system has three
o/p (one o/p per phase). The 3 phase variant has in-built under voltage and over voltage protection for
each phase that can be set by the user. Astro device can communicate with PC through serial cable.
Astro is also available with GSM technology.

Major Benefits:

Complete automation since no manpower required.

No need of light sensor. Hence no problems encountered due to sensor maintenance.

Highly accurate switching of lights with precision to the minute.

Almost ZERO maintenance.

Extension of lamp life.

Seasonal variations are considered.

Applications:
1. Street Lighting
Street Lighting can be controlled with the use of Astro Time Switches. Due
to Astronomical advantage, more energy can be saved.

2. High Mast Lighting

Astro can be used for high mast lighting wherein utilities require one of the
phases to be switched OFF after midnight. This can be achieved using
Astro wherein the feature of Alternate OFF can be used to switch off one
of the phases alternatively and achieve equal lamp burning hours.

3. Signage
Signages used outside shops can be effectively controlled using Astro,
that takes into account seasonal variations.

(Images used only for representational purposes)

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