Title - These sensors save energy

Energy saved is energy generated, it is said. Driven by the idea, South Central Railway (SCR) installed “Occupancy Sensors” in all the 150 rooms at its headquarters – Rail Nilayam way back in 2007 as a mean to conserve energy.

Effective: A simple but effective technology, these sensors automatically switch on and off lights, air-conditioners and other appliances as employees walk in and walk out of the rooms.The ‘occupancy sensor’ circuit is connected to the main power supply. It senses the presence of one or more persons in a room through the body heat and simultaneously generates occupancy signals indicating their presence.Generally mounted to the roofs, these signals turn on or turn off the electrical appliances, like tube lights, air-conditioning system, etc, which are connected and controlled by the sensor.When occupancy is sensed, the appliances in the room get energized and when the occupants leave the room, sensor blocks power supply to appliances after a few minutes.The time interval to block the supply to appliances when a room is left unoccupied can be programmed in the microcontroller to save power.The necessity to install these sensors was the outcome of authorities getting worried over power wastage.

At times, many rooms in the Rail Nilayam were well lit and air-conditioners continued to function despite none occupying the rooms.

S. Sandeep Kumar

‘Occupancy sensors’ installed at Rail Nilayam automatically switch on and off lights, air-conditioners and other appliances as employees walk in and walk out of the rooms