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 | | DIGITAL MERCURY CONTROLS THE LIGHTING AT ARUNDEL CASTLE LIBRARY
| | | HAMILTONS EURODATA | | 27/09/2006 | | |
Hamilton Litestat has recently supplied its Digital Mercury lighting control system for installation within the newly renovated library at the stately home of the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk in Arundel Castle in West Sussex. This modern, digital scene setting control system is being used to control the entire new library lighting scheme, including the Chinese lanterns, the refurbished tungsten chandeliers and the concealed lighting that is used to illuminate the historic book collection.
According to Leslie Wheeler, the designer for building services consultants Wilson & Partners of Orpington. 'As part of the refurbishment we have designed the electrics and the lighting to satisfy the latest wiring and building services requirements. At the same time, we have also taken into account the importance of conservation in order to keep the interior detailing, with its cedar wood panelling, intact for future generations to enjoy. Rather than replace the tungsten chandeliers, which were installed by the Victorians when the library was first refurbished in the 1900s, we have instead refurbished each one to its former glory.
'We like Hamilton's Digital Mercury system as its simple design incorporates intelligent dimming so that it can be reprogrammed at will. Once the stored lighting scenes are set to the user's requirements, these can be locked to avoid unauthorised tampering. This ensures that the lighting scenes remain constant and cannot be altered by members of the public. As this system controls the level of illumination on each of the lighting channels, it helps to reduce the potential for light damage to the historic book collection'.
Digital Mercury has the ability to create up to four scenes, using as many channels of light as required. In this case, the four settings have been used to provide full brightness for cleaning, a mood lighting scene for evening concerts and dinner parties, with another for use during general public visiting hours. The final scene provides the Duke and Duchess with a timed 'walk-through' facility that produces a low level of lighting. This is used to illuminate the way through the library from which the family access their private apartments. This facility automatically switches itself off, after a set period, to conserve energy.
The Master Scene Set Control for the Mercury Digital Lighting System is located, out-of-sight, in a service cupboard. This flat Henley plate features 12 buttons, 4 of which feature blue LED illuminated scene setting buttons, plus 4 pairs of momentary channel raise/lower buttons.
'We have worked with Hamilton Litestat to obtain special features for this lighting scheme', said Leslie. 'For example, the slave recall controls use the Bloomsbury domed plates in antique bronze, mounted onto oak plinths, to blend in with the surrounding architecture. These controllers feature retractive toggle switches which are designed to dim the lighting when pressed one way and then to raise it, when pressed the other way.
'The Mercury System has also been used in the design of our emergency lighting back-up system. As all the lighting for the library goes through this system we are able to select certain luminaries to come on, at the correct lighting level, when the emergency lighting system comes into play. This has provided a very effective solution which works very well.'
To maintain continuity throughout the scheme, Hamilton Litestat has also supplied the Henley plates with two unswitched 13 amp sockets and a 5amp socket to match the Mercury Lighting plates and to compliment the decor.
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