Occupancy sensor
A control that automatically turns lights on when it detects presence and off (or down) when the space is vacant.
Reference & glossary
Lighting Controls: Types, Terms & Methods
Lighting controls are the devices and systems that adjust electric lighting — turning it on and off, dimming it, or scheduling it — to save energy, meet code, and improve comfort. In California, nonresidential lighting controls must be verified through Title 24 acceptance testing. This plain-English glossary defines the terms, types, and methods you'll encounter on the job.
The vocabulary
Types of lighting controls
The building blocks of any lighting-controls strategy. Each of these is a distinct control type you'll see specified on plans and verified during acceptance testing.
Vacancy sensor
Similar to an occupancy sensor but manual-on / automatic-off — the occupant switches lights on, and the sensor turns them off when the space empties.
Daylight harvesting
Using photosensors to automatically dim or switch electric lighting in response to the amount of available daylight, reducing energy use near windows and skylights.
Title 24 requires automatic daylighting controls in qualifying daylit zones.
Photosensor (photocell)
A device that measures ambient light level and feeds that reading to daylighting controls so they can respond to real conditions.
Time-clock / scheduling control
Turns lighting on and off based on a programmed time schedule — for example, off after business hours.
Multi-level / step dimming
Controls that let lighting operate at more than one light level — stepped or continuous dimming — rather than simple on/off.
Institutional tuning (high-end trim)
Setting a maximum light output below 100% to save energy while still meeting design light levels.
Demand responsive control
Automatically reduces lighting power in response to a utility demand-response signal during peak periods.
Required for larger nonresidential buildings under Title 24.
Automatic shut-off control
A control that turns off lighting automatically during unoccupied periods, via schedule or occupancy.
A baseline Title 24 requirement for nonresidential spaces.
Manual area control
A readily accessible manual switch or dimmer that controls the lighting in a given area.
Acceptance testing
Field verification that installed lighting controls operate correctly per Title 24 — performed and documented by a certified Acceptance Test Technician (ATT).
How they're used
Lighting control methods
The same controls above combine into a handful of core strategies. Most Title 24 projects use several of these together.
Scheduling
Time-clock controls switch lighting by a programmed schedule — off after hours, on before open.
Occupancy
Occupancy and vacancy sensors switch or dim lights based on whether a space is in use.
Daylighting
Photosensors harvest daylight, dimming electric light near windows and skylights.
Tuning
Institutional tuning caps maximum output below 100% to trim energy while meeting design levels.
Demand response
Controls shed lighting power on a utility demand-response signal during peak periods.
Why it matters
These controls have to be tested for Title 24
California's Title 24, Part 6 requires nonresidential lighting controls — occupancy sensing, daylighting, automatic shut-off and more — to be verified through acceptance testing by a certified Acceptance Test Technician (ATT). Knowing the terms is step one; getting the work signed off is what passes inspection.
Lighting Controls Terminology Glossary (PDF)
The same reference as a printable one-pager — handy for the field or the crew.
Questions, answered
Related questions
Lighting controls are devices and systems that adjust electric lighting — turning it on/off, dimming it, or scheduling it — to save energy, meet code, and improve comfort. In California, nonresidential lighting controls must be verified through Title 24 acceptance testing.
An occupancy sensor turns lights on automatically when it detects presence and off when the space is vacant. A vacancy sensor is manual-on / automatic-off — the occupant switches lights on, and the sensor turns them off when the space empties.
Yes. California's Title 24, Part 6 requires nonresidential lighting controls — such as occupancy sensors, daylighting controls, and automatic shut-off — to be verified through acceptance testing performed by a certified Acceptance Test Technician (ATT).
Ready to get Title 24 certified?
Turn these terms into a certification — start your ATT or ATE path with NLCAA.