Title 24 · California Energy Code

Daylight-responsive controls: continuous dimming plus OFF, photosensor location and setpoints

Homeowner summary: In California nonresidential and multifamily buildings, daylighting controls must continuously dim (and in bright daylight turn lights off) so interior light plus daylight never falls below the baseline; sensors must be out of reach of unauthorized people and adjustable only by authorized personnel — these rules come from **§ 130.1(d)** and **§ 160.5(b)4D** in the Energy Code.

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Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

What the code requires — 2-4 sentences

Daylight-responsive controls in California must use continuous dimming (and where required, turn the lights OFF) so that electric light + daylight never produces less illuminance than the electric lighting alone, and so that when daylight is abundant (greater than 150 percent of the no-daylight illuminance) the controlled lighting power is reduced by at least 90% (or 100% in specified parking‑garage sidelit zones). These mandatory rules are written in § 130.1(d) and the Multifamily variant § 160.5(b)4D; both sections set the daylight threshold, required reductions, photosensor placement, and calibration/accessibility requirements. The code also links daylight continuous‑dimming + OFF controls to the prescriptive Power Adjustment Factor (PAF 0.10) in the PAF tables when the other conditions are met.

The single most important rule: daylight controls must continuously dim the general lighting and be able to turn lighting off when measured daylight exceeds 150% of the illuminance that the lighting provides at full power, and photosensors must be placed so they are not readily accessible to unauthorized persons.

Requirements in detail

1) Which spaces need daylight-responsive controls (when)

  • Daylight controls are required where general lighting in a daylit zone equals or exceeds 75 watts (skylit, primary sidelit, or secondary sidelit daylit zones). For parking garages the trigger is 60 watts for the combined primary + secondary sidelit zones. § 130.1(d) and § 160.5(b)4D specify these thresholds.

2) Control behavior — continuous dimming plus OFF

  • Where multilevel lighting controls are required, the daylight responsive control must allow the multilevel control to adjust by continuous dimming (i.e., no visually apparent steps across the control range). § 130.1(d) and § 160.5(b)4D require continuous dimming capability.
  • When measured daylight in the daylight zone is greater than 150 percent of the illuminance provided by the controlled lighting system when no daylight is available:
    • For non‑parking areas: controlled lighting power in that daylight zone must be reduced by a minimum of 90%.
    • For parking garages: when the daylight at the farthest edge of the secondary sidelit zone is > 150 percent, the combined primary+secondary sidelit lighting must be reduced to 0% (OFF).

3) Photosensor location, accessibility and calibration

  • Photosensors must be located so they are not readily accessible to unauthorized personnel. The place where calibration adjustments are made must be readily accessible to authorized personnel but may be inside a locked case or under a cover that requires a tool for access. These requirements are explicit in § 130.1(d) and § 160.5(b)4D.
  • The device(s) used for daylight sensing must permit calibration without influence from the person doing the calibration (see device performance rules in § 110.9(b)2, discussed below).

4) Combined illuminance (minimum)

  • The control must ensure the combined illuminance from controlled lighting and daylight is not less than the illuminance from the controlled lighting when no daylight is available (i.e., daylight cannot be allowed to create a net dimming below the baseline required illuminance). This is stated in both § 130.1(d) and § 160.5(b)4D.

5) Interaction with manual and other controls

  • Manual controls required in the space must be capable of turning the lights off or below the light level set by the daylight-responsive control. § 130.1(d) and § 160.5(b)4D require that manual overrides be capable of lowering output below daylight control setpoints.

6) Eligibility for energy credit / PAF

  • If the daylight control meets the continuous dimming + OFF behavior and other requirements (including compliance with Section 130.4 acceptance tests), luminaires in the applicable daylit zones may qualify for the Daylight continuous dimming plus OFF PAF of 0.10 in Table 140.6‑A or Table 170.2‑L. (See the PAF table entries and the PAF qualification language in the code.)

Decision-relevant values and locations (quick table)

Decision dimension Value / requirement Code Reference
Daylight-control trigger (skylit / primary / secondary sidelit) ≥ 75 watts of installed general lighting in the zone § 130.1(d)
Parking garage trigger (combined primary+secondary) ≥ 60 watts § 160.5(b)4D
Daylight threshold to force major reduction > 150% of no‑daylight illuminance § 130.1(d) and § 160.5(b)4D
Required reduction (non‑parking) ≥ 90% reduction of controlled lighting power § 130.1(d)
Required reduction (parking garages) 100% OFF in combined sidelit zones when condition met § 160.5(b)4D
Photosensor accessibility Not readily accessible to unauthorized persons; calibration access for authorized only (may be locked) § 130.1(d) and § 160.5(b)4D
PAF when compliant 0.10 (Daylight continuous dimming plus OFF) Table 140.6‑A / Table 170.2‑L
Max watts per single control zone ≤ 500 watts controlled together as a single zone (zone sizing requirement) § 130.1 (see related text)

Exceptions & special cases

  • Areas under skylights that are documented to be blocked from direct sun for more than 1,500 daytime hours per year (8 a.m.–4 p.m.) may be excepted from some daylight-control requirements. § 130.1(d) and § 160.5(b)4D include this exception.
  • Areas adjacent to vertical glazing under qualifying overhangs (specific projection:rise ratios) are excepted. See the exceptions text in § 130.1(d) / § 160.5(b)4D for the orientation and ratio criteria.
  • Secondary sidelit zones with very low wattage (below a threshold) may be exempt when primary zones are not required: the code allows omission of daylight controls for secondary zones where the total general‑lighting wattage is below the specified threshold (see § 130.1(d) / § 160.5(b)4D exceptions).
  • Rooms with very small glazing (less than 24 ft²) or parking garage areas with less than 36 ft² of glazing/opening are excluded under an explicit exception.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming any daylight sensor equals compliance: the control must be continuous dimming and capable of the required 90%/100% reductions at the >150% daylight threshold — simply having a photocell that reduces power in steps may not comply. See § 130.1(d) and the PAF qualification language.
  • Mounting the photosensor where occupants or maintenance staff can easily tamper with it. The code requires sensors to be not readily accessible to unauthorized personnel and calibration access controlled.
  • Placing the sensor so it measures direct sun or an unrepresentative bright spot rather than the daylit zone’s working plane — that will defeat the “combined illuminance” requirement and produce poor control. The code’s calibration and sensor‑placement requirements plus § 110.9(b)2 device rules (setpoint resolution and linear response) aim to prevent this.
  • Forgetting the manual‑control interaction requirement: manual controls must still be able to turn lights off or below the daylight set level. § 130.1(d) requires this.
  • Using daylight controls required by Part 6 and then trying to also claim the PAF for those same controls when the PAF language prohibits controls required by Part 6 from being eligible unless the PAF conditions are separately satisfied. See the PAF qualification language.

Worked example — application with numbers

Scenario: An open office has a primary sidelit daylit zone. The general lighting in that zone totals 200 watts (installed). The lighting at full power provides a workplane illuminance of 300 lux.

  1. Trigger: 200 W ≥ 75 W, so daylight controls are required for this primary sidelit zone per § 130.1(d).
  2. Sensor reading: the daylit sensor reads 500 lux at the sensor location. That is 500 / 300 = 166%, i.e., >150% of the no‑daylight illuminance.
  3. Required action: Because daylight > 150%, the daylight control must reduce controlled lighting power by at least 90% in this zone (i.e., reduce from 200 W to ≤ 20 W) per § 130.1(d); if this were a qualifying parking garage sidelit condition, it would need to go to 0 W instead.
  4. Combined-illuminance check: After dimming, the sum of daylight + remaining electric light at the workplane must still be ≥ the illuminance from electric lighting at full power (here, remain ≥ 300 lux). If daylight alone already supplies ≥ 300 lux (it supplies 500 lux), the lighting can be reduced aggressively consistent with the above numeric reduction. § 130.1(d) requires the combined illuminance condition.
  5. PAF (if claiming): If the daylight control provides continuous dimming and the OFF behavior when daylight >150% and the installation and acceptance tests (§ 130.4 etc.) are met, luminaires in the zone may qualify for the daylight continuous dimming plus OFF PAF = 0.10 in the PAF tables. That reduces the adjusted installed watts per the PAF rules.

Related provisions

  • § 110.9(b)2 — Device performance requirements for daylight responsive controls (setpoint resolution, linear response, calibration arrangement). This defines device technical requirements referenced by the daylight‑control rules.
  • § 140.6(a)2 / Table 140.6‑A — Power Adjustment Factors (PAFs) and qualification rules (includes Daylight continuous dimming plus OFF PAF = 0.10).
  • § 130.4(a)3 / 130.4(a)7 — Acceptance testing and certificate requirements that must be satisfied for some PAF eligibility; daylight controls must pass the acceptance requirements.
  • § 160.5(b)4D — Multifamily variant of the daylight control requirements (mirrors § 130.1(d) behavior, triggers, and sensor/access rules).

Note about § 130.1(f)3: the uploaded files include an index entry that lists § 130.1(f)3 under automatic daylighting controls, but I could not locate the full text of § 130.1(f)3 in the provided document set. The definitive text for that specific subsection was not available in the files I searched. (The index entry indicating its relevance is present.)

Code references

Grounded in the retrieved California Energy Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:

  • § 160.5 High relevance — show source text

    viii. The daylight responsive controls shall meet the following: a. For spaces where the installation of multilevel lighting controls is required under Section 160.5(b)4B, allow the multilevel lighting controls to adjust the light level with continuous dimming; b. For each space, ensure the combined illuminance from the controlled lighting and daylight is not less than the illuminance from controlled lighting when no daylight is available; c. For areas other than parking garages, ensure that when the daylight illuminance is greater than 150 percent of the illuminance provided by the controlled lighting system when no daylight is available, the controlled lighting power in that daylight zone shall be reduced by a minimum of 90 percent; and d. For parking garages, ensure that when daylight illuminance levels measured at the farthest edge of the secondary sidelit zone away from the glazing or opening are greater than 150 percent of the illuminance provided by the controlled lighting when no daylight is available, the controlled lighting power in the combined primary and secondary sidelit daylight zones shall be reduced by 100 percent; and ix. Photosensors shall be located so that they are not readily accessible to unauthorized personnel; and x. The location where calibration adjustments are made to the daylight responsive controls shall be readily accessible to authorized personnel but may be inside a locked case or under a cover that requires a tool for access; and xi. Interaction with other lighting controls in a space where manual controls are required, the manual controls shall be capable of turning off or decreasing light levels below the light level set by the daylight responsive controls. Exception 1 to Section 160.5(b)4D: Areas under skylights where it is documented that existing adjacent structures or natural objects block direct sunlight for more than 1,500 daytime hours per year between 8 a.m. and 4

    p.m. Exception 2 to Section 160.5(b)4D: Areas adjacent to vertical glazing below an overhang, where the overhang covers the entire width of the vertical glazing, no vertical glazing is above the overhang, and the ratio of the overhang projection to the overhang rise is greater than 1.5 for south, east and west orientations or greater than 1 for north orientations.

    Exception 3 to Section 160.5(b)4D: Where daylight responsive controls are not required for the primary sidelit daylit zones, and where the total wattage of general lighting luminaires in the secondary sidelit daylit zones is less than 85 watts, daylight responsive controls are not required for the secondary sidelit zone. Exception 4 to Section 160.5(b)4D: Reserved. Exception 5 to Section 160.5(b)4D: Rooms that have a total glazing area of less than 24 square feet, or parking garage areas with a combined total of less than 36 square feet of glazing or opening. Exception 6 to Section 160.5(b)4D: For parking garages, luminaires located in the daylight adaptation zone. Exception 7 to Section 160.5(b)4D: Luminaires in sidelit daylit zones in retail merchandise sales and wholesale showroom areas.

  • § 170.2 High relevance — show source text

    xi. To qualify for the PAF for a demand responsive control in Table 170.2-L, the general lighting wattage receiving the PAF shall not be within the scope of Section 110.12(c) and a demand responsive control shall meet all of the following requirements: a. The controlled lighting shall be capable of being automatically reduced in response to a demand response signal; and b. General lighting shall be reduced in a manner consistent with the illuminance uniformity requirements of Section 160.5(b)4B. xii. To qualify for the PAFs for clerestory fenestration, horizontal slats or light shelves in Table 170.2-L, the daylighting design shall meet the requirements in Section 170.2(b). The PAFs shall only apply to lighting in a primary or secondary sidelit daylit zone where continuous dimming daylighting controls meeting the requirements of Section 160.5(b)4D are installed.

    TABLE 170.2-L—LIGHTING POWER ADJUSTMENT FACTORS (PAF) Col2 Col3
    TYPE OF CONTROL TYPE OF AREA FACTOR
    1. Daylight Continuous
    Dimming Plus OFF Control    		 Luminaires in skylit daylit zone or primary sidelit daylit zone 0.10
    2. Occupant Sensing Controls
    in Office Spaces Larger Than
    250 Square Feet    		 In open plan offices > 250 square feet: One sensor controlling an area that is:
    No larger than 125 square feet    		 0.30
    2. Occupant Sensing Controls
    in Office Spaces Larger Than
    250 Square Feet    		 In open plan offices > 250 square feet: One sensor controlling an area that is:
    From 126 to 250 square feet    		 0.20
    3. Institutional Tuning Luminaires in nondaylit areas.
    Luminaires that qualify for other PAFs in this table may also qualify for this tuning PAF.    		 0.10
    3. Institutional Tuning Luminaires in daylit areas.
    Luminaires that qualify for other PAFs in this table may also qualify for this tuning PAF.    		 0.05
    4. Demand Responsive
    Control    		 General lighting luminaires not in the scope of Section 110.12(c). Luminaires that qualify for other
    PAFs in this table may also qualify for this demand responsive control PAF.    		 0.05
    5. Clerestory Fenestration Luminaires in daylit areas adjacent to the clerestory. Luminaires that qualify for daylight dimming
    plus OFF control may also qualify for this PAF.    		 0.05
    6. Horizontal Slats Luminaires in daylit areas adjacent to vertical fenestration with interior or exterior horizontal slats.
    Luminaires that qualify for daylight dimming plus OFF control may also qualify for this PAF.    		 0.05
    7. Light Shelves Luminaires in daylit areas adjacent to clerestory fenestration with interior or exterior light shelves.
    This PAF may be combined with the PAF for clerestory fenestration. Luminaires that qualify for
    daylight dimming plus OFF control may also qualify for this PAF.    		 0.10
    a. To qualify for any of the power adjustment factors in this table, the installation shall comply with the applicable requirements in Section 170.2(e)1Aii.
    b. Only one PAF may be used for each qualifying luminaire unless combined.
    c.
  • § 160.5 High relevance — show source text

    5-B, 160.5(c)2, 160.5(d), 160.5(e), 170.2(e)2B, Table 170.2L, 180.2(b)4B Astronomical time-clock control Table 140.6-C, 150.0(k)3A, 160.5(a)3A, Table 170.2-M Automatic daylighting controls 110.9(b)2, 130.1(d), 130.1(f)3, 6, 140.6(a)2L, G, 160.5(b)4D, F, 170.2(e)2B, 180.3(b)4B Automatic lighting controls 140.6(a)2G, 170.2(e)2B Automatic scheduling controls 130.2(c)2, 160.5(c)2B Automatic time switch control 120.2(e)1, 120.6(b)3A, 130.1(f)5, 130.3(a)1, 130.3(a)2, 130.5(d)1, 150.0(k)3, 160.3(a)2D, 160.5(a)3A, 160.5(b)4F, 130.6(d)1 Certified Lighting Controls Acceptance Test Technician (CLCATT) 130.4(c), 160.5(e)3 Continuous dimming 140.6(a)2H, L, Table 140.6-A, 160.5(b)4D,Table 160.5-B, 170.2(e)2B, Table 170.2-L Control requirements for indoor lighting system alterations Table 141.0-F, Table 180.2-E

    Countdown timer switch 130.1(c)2,160.5(b)4C, 160.6(d)1 Daylight dimming plus OFF control Table 140.6-A, Table 170.2-L Daylighting controls 110.9(b)2, 130.1(d), 140.6(a)2L, Table 141.0-F, 160.5(b)4D, 170.2(e)2B, Table 180.2-E Delay settings 110.9(b)2A Dimmer 110.9(b)3, 130.3(a)2B, 150.0(k)1E, 150.0(k)2B, F,160.5(a)1E, 160.5(a)2B, F, 160.5(d)2B Existing luminaire 130.2(b), 141.0(b)2L, 160.5(c)1, 180.2(b)4B Holiday shutoff 110.9(b)1A, 130.1(c)4 Indoor lighting controls 130.1, 150.0(k)2, 160.5(a)2, 160.5(b)4 Infrared sensor 140.6(a)2I, 170.2(e)2B Light sensor 110.9(b)2C Lighting circuits 141.0(b)2I, 180.2(b)4B Lighting control acceptance 130.4, 160.5(e)

  • § 170.2 High relevance — show source text

    or furniture mounted luminaires that comply with Section 170.2(e)1Aii and provide general lighting directly above the controlled area; and d. Qualifying luminaires shall be controlled by occupant sensing controls that meet all of the following requirements, as applicable: I. Infrared sensors shall be equipped by the manufacturer, or fitted in the field by the installer, with lenses or shrouds to prevent them from being triggered by movement outside of the controlled

    area.

    II. Ultrasonic sensors shall be tuned to reduce their sensitivity to prevent them from being triggered by movements outside of the controlled area. III. All other sensors shall be installed and adjusted as necessary to prevent them from being triggered by movements outside of the controlled area. e. Occupant sensing control zones, in offices greater than 250 square feet, shall be shown on the plans.

    2025 CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE 259

    on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

    MULTIFAMILY BUILDINGS—PERFORMANCE AND PRESCRIPTIVE COMPLIANCE APPROACHES

    x. To qualify for the PAF for an Institutional Tuning in Table 170.2-L, the tuned lighting system shall comply with all of the following requirements: a. The lighting controls shall limit the maximum output or maximum power draw of the controlled lighting to 85 percent or less of full light output or full power draw; and b. The means of setting the limit is accessible only to authorized personnel; and c. The setting of the limit is verified by the acceptance test required by Section 160.5(e)1G; and d. The construction documents specify which lighting systems shall have their maximum light output or maximum power draw set to no greater than 85 percent of full light output or full power draw. xi. To qualify for the PAF for a demand responsive control in Table 170.2-L, the general lighting wattage receiving the PAF shall not be within the scope of Section 110.12(c) and a demand responsive control shall meet all of the following requirements: a. The controlled lighting shall be capable of being automatically reduced in response to a demand response signal; and b. General lighting shall be reduced in a manner consistent with the illuminance uniformity requirements of Section 160.5(b)4B. xii. To qualify for the PAFs for clerestory fenestration, horizontal slats or light shelves in Table 170.2-L, the daylighting design shall meet the requirements in Section 170.2(b). The PAFs shall only apply to lighting in a primary or secondary sidelit daylit zone where continuous dimming daylighting controls meeting the requirements of Section 160.5(b)4D are installed.

    TABLE 170.2-L—LIGHTING POWER ADJUSTMENT FACTORS (PAF) Col2 Col3
    TYPE OF CONTROL TYPE OF AREA FACTOR
    1. Daylight Continuous
    Dimming Plus OFF Control    		 Luminaires in skylit daylit zone or primary sidelit daylit zone 0.10
    2. Occupant Sensing Controls
    in Office Spaces Larger Than
    250 Square Feet    		 In open plan offices > 250 square feet: One sensor controlling an area that is:
    No larger than 125 square feet    		 0.30
    2.
  • § 13.3. High relevance — show source text

    Chandelier is a ceiling-mounted, close-to-ceiling or suspended decorative luminaire that uses glass, crystal, ornamental metals or other decorative material.

    Color Rendering Index (CRI) is a measure of the degree of color shift that objects undergo when illuminated by the lighting source as compared with the color of the same objects when illuminated by a reference source of comparable color temperature. CRI is calculated according to CIE 13.3.

    Colored light source is a light source designed and marketed as a colored light source and not designed or marketed for general lighting applications with either of the following characteristics maintained throughout all modes of operation including color changing operation: (1) A Color Rendering Index (CRI) less than 40, as determined according to the method set forth in CIE Publication 13.3; or (2) A Correlated Color Temperature as measured with ANSI/IES LM-66-20 or ANSI/IES LM-79-19 (as appropriate) and calculated with CIE 15, which does not have a corresponding nominal CCT designation in ANSI C78.377-2017.

    Compact fluorescent lamp is a fluorescent lamp with a small-diameter glass tube (T5 or smaller) that is folded, bent or bridged to create a long discharge path in a small volume. The lamp designs generally include an amalgam and a cold chamber, or a cold spot, to control the mercury vapor pressure and light output. The lamp designs generally include an amalgam and a cold chamber, or a cold spot, to control the mercury vapor pressure and light output.

    Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) is the absolute temperature of a blackbody whose chromaticity most nearly resembles that of the light source.

    Countdown timer switch turns lighting or other loads ON when activated using one or more selectable countdown time periods and then automatically turns lighting or other loads OFF when the selected time period has elapsed.

    Daylight continuous dimming controls are continuous dimming controls that vary the luminous flux in response to available daylight.

    Daylight Responsive Control adjusts the luminous flux of the electric lighting system in either a series of steps or by continuous dimming in response to available daylight. This kind of control uses one or more photosensors to detect changes in daylight illumination and then automatically adjusts the electric lighting levels in response.

    Decorative (lighting/luminaires) is lighting or luminaires installed only for aesthetic purposes and that does not serve as display lighting or general lighting. Decorative luminaires are chandeliers, sconces, lanterns, neon or cold cathode, light emitting diodes, theatrical projectors, moving lights and light color panels not providing general lighting or task lighting.

    Dimmer is a device used to control the intensity of light emitted by a luminaire by controlling the voltage or current available to it.

    Dimmer, continuous means a dimmer that varies the luminous flux of the electric lighting system over a continuous range from the device's maximum light output to the device's minimum light output without visually apparent abrupt changes in light level between the various steps.

    Dimmer, forward phase cut varies the luminous flux of the electric lighting system in which a portion of the alternating current voltage waveform supplying to the light source is removed.

    Dimmer, stepped varies the luminous flux of the electric lighting system in one or more predetermined discrete steps between maximum light output and OFF with changes in light level between adjacent steps being visually apparent.

  • California Energy Code High relevance — show source text

    Countdown timer switch turns lighting or other loads ON when activated using one or more selectable countdown time periods and then automatically turns lighting or other loads OFF when the selected time period has elapsed.

    Daylight continuous dimming controls are continuous dimming controls that vary the luminous flux in response to available daylight.

    Daylight Responsive Control adjusts the luminous flux of the electric lighting system in either a series of steps or by continuous dimming in response to available daylight. This kind of control uses one or more photosensors to detect changes in daylight illumination and then automatically adjusts the electric lighting levels in response.

    Decorative (lighting/luminaires) is lighting or luminaires installed only for aesthetic purposes and that does not serve as display lighting or general lighting. Decorative luminaires are chandeliers, sconces, lanterns, neon or cold cathode, light emitting diodes, theatrical projectors, moving lights and light color panels not providing general lighting or task lighting.

    Dimmer is a device used to control the intensity of light emitted by a luminaire by controlling the voltage or current available to it.

    Dimmer, continuous means a dimmer that varies the luminous flux of the electric lighting system over a continuous range from the device's maximum light output to the device's minimum light output without visually apparent abrupt changes in light level between the various steps.

    Dimmer, forward phase cut varies the luminous flux of the electric lighting system in which a portion of the alternating current voltage waveform supplying to the light source is removed.

    Dimmer, stepped varies the luminous flux of the electric lighting system in one or more predetermined discrete steps between maximum light output and OFF with changes in light level between adjacent steps being visually apparent.

    Display lighting, case is lighting that provides a higher level of illuminance to a specific area than the level of surrounding ambient illuminance of small art objects, artifacts or valuable collections that involve customer inspection of very fine detail from outside of a glass enclosed display case.

    Display lighting, floor is supplementary lighting that provides a higher level of illuminance to a specific area than the level of surrounding ambient illuminance required to highlight features, such as merchandise on a clothing rack or sculpture or free standing of artwork, not displayed against a wall.

    Display lighting, wall is supplementary lighting that provides a higher level of illuminance to a specific area than the level of surrounding ambient illuminance required to highlight features, such as merchandise on a shelf or wall-mounted artwork, displayed on perimeter walls.

    Display lighting, window is lighting that provides a higher level of illuminance to a specific area than the level of surrounding ambient illuminance of objects such as merchandise, goods and artifacts, in a show window, to be viewed from the outside of a space through a window.

    Driver, when used in relation to solid state lighting, is a device that uses semiconductors to control and supply dc power for LED starting and operation.

    Enclosed luminaires are luminaires which contain enclosed lamp compartments where ventilation openings are less than 3 square inches per lamp in the lamp compartment as defined by UL 1598.

    General lighting is installed electric lighting that provides a uniform level of illumination throughout an area, exclusive of any provision for special visual tasks or decorative effect, exclusive of daylighting, and also known as ambient lighting.

    GU-24 is the designation of a lamp holder and socket configuration, based on a coding system by the International Energy Consortium, where “G” indicates the broad type of two or more projecting contacts, such as pins or posts, “U” distinguishes between

  • § 126-250 High relevance — show source text

    Occupant sensing controls in offices
    larger than 250 square feet|One sensor controlling an area that is 126-250 square feet|0.20| |4. Institutional tuning|Luminaires in non-daylit areas:
    Luminaires that qualify for other PAFs in this table may also qualify for this tuning PAF.|0.10| |4. Institutional tuning|Luminaires in daylit areas:
    Luminaires that qualify for other PAFs in this table may also qualify for this tuning PAF.|0.05| |5. Demand responsive control|General lighting luminaires not in the scope of Section 110.12(c).
    If DR controls are required of Section 110.12(c), this PAF is not available for any lighting in the
    project. Luminaires that qualify for other PAFs in this table may also qualify for this demand
    responsive control PAF.|0.05| |6. Clerestory fenestration|Luminaires in daylit areas adjacent to the clerestory.
    Luminaires that qualify for daylight dimming plus OFF control may also qualify for this PAF.|0.05| |7. Horizontal slats|Luminaires in daylit areas adjacent to vertical fenestration with interior or exterior horizontal slats.
    Luminaires that qualify for daylight dimming plus OFF control may also qualify for this PAF.|0.05| |8. Light shelves|Luminaires in daylit areas adjacent to clerestory fenestration with interior or exterior light
    shelves. This PAF may be combined with the PAF for clerestory fenestration.
    Luminaires that qualify for daylight dimming plus OFF control may also qualify for this PAF.|0.10| |a. To qualify for any of the power adjustment factors in this table, the installation shall comply with the applicable requirements in Section 140.6(a)2.
    b. Only one PAF may be used for each qualifying luminaire unless combined below.
    c. Lighting controls that are required for compliance with Part 6 shall not be eligible for a PAF.|a. To qualify for any of the power adjustment factors in this table, the installation shall comply with the applicable requirements in Section 140.6(a)2.
    b. Only one PAF may be used for each qualifying luminaire unless combined below.
    c. Lighting controls that are required for compliance with Part 6 shall not be eligible for a PAF.|a. To qualify for any of the power adjustment factors in this table, the installation shall comply with the applicable requirements in Section 140.6(a)2.
    b. Only one PAF may be used for each qualifying luminaire unless combined below.
    c. Lighting controls that are required for compliance with Part 6 shall not be eligible for a PAF.|

    2025 CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE 131

    on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

    NONRESIDENTIAL AND HOTEL/MOTEL OCCUPANCIES—PERFORMANCE AND PRESCRIPTIVE

    COMPLIANCE APPROACHES FOR ACHIEVING ENERGY EFFICIENCY

    1. Lighting wattage excluded. The watts of the following indoor lighting applications may be excluded from adjusted indoor lighting power. (Indoor lighting not listed below shall comply with all applicable nonresidential indoor lighting requirements in Part 6): A. In theme parks: lighting for themes and special effects; B. Studio lighting for film or photography,
  • § 140.6 High relevance — show source text

    It can be a line voltage switch or a low voltage switch selecting between two relays. It cannot be overridden or changed in any manner that would permit both loads to operate simultaneously. 2. Reduction of wattage through controls. In calculating adjusted indoor lighting power, the installed watts of a luminaire providing general lighting in an area listed in Table 140.6-A may be reduced by the product of (i) the number of watts controlled as described in Table 140.6-A, times (ii) the applicable power adjustment factor (PAF), if all of the following conditions are met: A. An installation certificate is submitted in accordance with Section 130.4(b), and B. Luminaires and controls meet the applicable requirements of Section 110.9, and Sections 130.0 through 130.5; and C. The controlled lighting is permanently installed general lighting systems and the controls are permanently installed nonresidential-rated lighting controls. When used for determining PAFs for general lighting in offices, furniture mounted luminaires that comply with all of the following conditions shall qualify as permanently installed general lighting systems: i. The furniture mounted luminaires shall be permanently installed no later than the time of building permit inspection; and ii. The furniture mounted luminaires shall be permanently hardwired; and iii. The furniture mounted lighting system shall be designed to provide indirect general lighting; and iv. Before multiplying the installed watts of the furniture mounted luminaire by the applicable PAF, 0.2 watts per square foot of the area illuminated by the furniture mounted luminaires shall be subtracted from installed watts of the furniture mounted luminaires; and

    v. The lighting control for the furniture mounted luminaire complies with all other applicable requirements in Section 140.6(a)2.

    D. At least 50 percent of the light output of the controlled luminaire is within the applicable area listed in Table 140.6-A. Luminaires on lighting tracks shall be within the applicable area in order to qualify for a PAF. E. Only one PAF from Table 140.6-A may be used for each qualifying luminaire. PAFs shall not be added together unless allowed in Table 140.6-A.

    F. Only lighting wattage directly controlled in accordance with Section 140.6(a)2 shall be used to reduce the installed watts as allowed by Section 140.6(a)2 for calculating the Adjusted Indoor Lighting Power. If only a portion of the wattage in a luminaire is controlled in accordance with Section 140.6(a)2, then only that portion of controlled wattage may be reduced in calculating adjusted indoor lighting power. G. Lighting controls used to qualify for a PAF shall be designed and installed in addition to manual, multilevel, and automatic lighting controls required in Section 130.1, and in addition to any other lighting controls required by any provision of Part 6. PAFs shall not be available for lighting controls required by Part 6. H. To qualify for the PAF for daylight continuous dimming plus OFF control, the daylight control and controlled luminaires shall comply with Section 130.1(d), 130.4(a)3 and 130.4(a)7, and the daylight control shall be continuous dimming and shall additionally turn lights completely OFF when the daylight available in the daylit zone is greater than 150 percent of the illuminance received from the general lighting system at full power. The PAF shall apply to the luminaires in the primary sidelit daylit zone, secondary sidelit daylit zone and skylit daylit zone.

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  • § 140.6 High relevance — show source text

    F. Only lighting wattage directly controlled in accordance with Section 140.6(a)2 shall be used to reduce the installed watts as allowed by Section 140.6(a)2 for calculating the Adjusted Indoor Lighting Power. If only a portion of the wattage in a luminaire is controlled in accordance with Section 140.6(a)2, then only that portion of controlled wattage may be reduced in calculating adjusted indoor lighting power. G. Lighting controls used to qualify for a PAF shall be designed and installed in addition to manual, multilevel, and automatic lighting controls required in Section 130.1, and in addition to any other lighting controls required by any provision of Part 6. PAFs shall not be available for lighting controls required by Part 6. H. To qualify for the PAF for daylight continuous dimming plus OFF control, the daylight control and controlled luminaires shall comply with Section 130.1(d), 130.4(a)3 and 130.4(a)7, and the daylight control shall be continuous dimming and shall additionally turn lights completely OFF when the daylight available in the daylit zone is greater than 150 percent of the illuminance received from the general lighting system at full power. The PAF shall apply to the luminaires in the primary sidelit daylit zone, secondary sidelit daylit zone and skylit daylit zone.

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    COMPLIANCE APPROACHES FOR ACHIEVING ENERGY EFFICIENCY

    I. To qualify for the PAF for an occupant sensing control controlling the general lighting in large office areas above workstations, in accordance with Table 140.6-A, the following requirements shall be met: i. The office area shall be greater than 250 square feet; and ii. This PAF shall be available only in office areas which contain workstations; and iii. Controlled luminaires shall only be those that provide general lighting directly above the controlled area, or furniture mounted luminaires that comply with Section 140.6(a)2 and provide general lighting directly above the controlled area; and

    iv. Qualifying luminaires shall be controlled by occupant sensing controls that meet all of the following requirements, as applicable: a. Infrared sensors shall be equipped by the manufacturer, of fitted in the field by the installer, with lenses or shrouds to prevent them from being triggered by movement outside of the controlled area. b. Ultrasonic sensors shall be tuned to reduce their sensitivity to prevent them from being triggered by movements outside of the controlled area.

    c. All other sensors shall be installed and adjusted as necessary to prevent them from being triggered by movements outside of the controlled area.

    v. Occupant sensing control zones, in offices greater than 250 square feet, shall be shown on the plans. J. To qualify for the PAF for an Institutional Tuning in Table 140.6-A, the tuned lighting system shall comply with all of the following requirements: i. The lighting controls shall limit the maximum output or maximum power draw of the controlled lighting to 85 percent or less of full light output or full power draw; and ii. The means of setting the limit is accessible only to authorized personnel; and iii. The setting of the limit is verified by the acceptance test required by Section 130.4(a)7; and iv.

  • § 130.1 Medium relevance — show source text

    C. The daylight responsive controls shall meet the following: i. For spaces where the installation of multilevel lighting controls is required under Section 130.1(b), allow the multilevel lighting controls to adjust the light level with continuous dimming; ii. For each space, ensure the combined illuminance from the controlled lighting and daylight is not less than the illuminance from controlled lighting when no daylight is available; iii. For areas other than parking garages, ensure that, when the daylight illuminance is greater than 150 percent of the illuminance provided by the controlled lighting when no daylight is available, the controlled lighting power in that daylight zone shall be reduced by a minimum of 90 percent; and iv. For parking garages, ensure that when daylight illuminance levels measured at the farthest edge of the secondary sidelit zone away from the glazing or opening are greater than 150 percent of the illuminance provided by the controlled lighting when no daylight is available, the controlled lighting power in the combined primary and secondary sidelit daylit zones shall be reduced by 100 percent; and D. Photosensors shall be located so that they are not readily accessible to unauthorized personnel; and E. The location where calibration adjustments are made to the daylight responsive controls shall be readily accessible to authorized personnel but may be inside a locked case or under a cover which requires a tool for access; and F. The automatic daylighting control shall permit the multilevel lighting control to adjust the level of lighting.

    Exception 1 to Section 130.1(d): Areas under skylights where it is documented that existing adjacent structures or natural objects block direct sunlight for more than 1,500 daytime hours per year between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

    Exception 2 to Section 130.1(d): Areas adjacent to vertical glazing below an overhang, where the overhang covers the entire width of the vertical glazing, no vertical glazing is above the overhang, and the ratio of the overhang projection to the overhang rise is greater than 1.5 for south, east and west orientations or greater than 1 for north orientations.

    Exception 3 to Section 130.1(d): Where daylight responsive controls are not required for the primary sidelit daylit zones, and where the total wattage of general lighting luminaires in the secondary sidelit daylit zones is less than 85 watts, daylight responsive controls are not required for the secondary sidelit zone.

    Exception 4 to Section 130.1(d): Reserved.

    Exception 5 to Section 130.1(d): Rooms that have a total glazing area of less than 24 square feet, or parking garage areas with a combined total of less than 36 square feet of glazing or opening.

    Exception 6 to Section 130.1(d): For parking garages, luminaires located in the daylight adaptation zone.

    Exception 7 to Section 130.1(d): Luminaires in sidelit daylit zones in retail merchandise sales and wholesale showroom areas.

    (e) Demand responsive controls. See Section 110.12 for requirements for demand responsive lighting controls.

    (f) Occupancy sensing controls interactions with space-conditioning systems. For space-conditioning system zones serving only spaces that are required to have occupant sensing controls as specified in Sections 130.1(c)5 and 6, and where Table 120.1-A allows the ventilation air to be reduced to zero when the space is in occupied-standby mode, the space-conditioning system shall be permitted to be controlled by occupancy sensing controls as specified in Section 120.2(e)3.

  • § 160.5 Medium relevance — show source text

    All daylight responsive controls shall meet the following requirements: vi. All skylit daylit zones, primary sidelit daylit zones, secondary sidelit daylit zones and the combined primary and secondary sidelit daylit zones in parking garages shall be shown on the plans; and NOTE: Parking areas on the roof of a parking structure are outdoor hardscape, not skylit daylit areas. vii. The daylight responsive controls shall provide separate control for general lighting in each type of daylit zone. The daylight responsive controls shall meet the following: a. General lighting in overlapping skylit daylit zone and sidelit daylit zone shall be controlled as part of the skylit daylit zone.

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    b. General lighting in overlapping primary and secondary sidelit daylit zone shall be controlled as part of the primary sidelit daylit zone. c. General lighting luminaires longer than 8 feet shall be controlled as segments of 8 feet or less according to the type of the daylit zone where the segment is primarily located; and Exception to Section 160.5(b)4Dviic: Where a luminaire contains a factory-assembled housing and light source as an integral unit in segments longer than 8 feet, the luminaire is allowed to be controlled according to the type of the daylit zone in which the segment is primarily located. viii. The daylight responsive controls shall meet the following: a. For spaces where the installation of multilevel lighting controls is required under Section 160.5(b)4B, allow the multilevel lighting controls to adjust the light level with continuous dimming; b. For each space, ensure the combined illuminance from the controlled lighting and daylight is not less than the illuminance from controlled lighting when no daylight is available; c. For areas other than parking garages, ensure that when the daylight illuminance is greater than 150 percent of the illuminance provided by the controlled lighting system when no daylight is available, the controlled lighting power in that daylight zone shall be reduced by a minimum of 90 percent; and d. For parking garages, ensure that when daylight illuminance levels measured at the farthest edge of the secondary sidelit zone away from the glazing or opening are greater than 150 percent of the illuminance provided by the controlled lighting when no daylight is available, the controlled lighting power in the combined primary and secondary sidelit daylight zones shall be reduced by 100 percent; and ix. Photosensors shall be located so that they are not readily accessible to unauthorized personnel; and x. The location where calibration adjustments are made to the daylight responsive controls shall be readily accessible to authorized personnel but may be inside a locked case or under a cover that requires a tool for access; and xi. Interaction with other lighting controls in a space where manual controls are required, the manual controls shall be capable of turning off or decreasing light levels below the light level set by the daylight responsive controls. Exception 1 to Section 160.5(b)4D: Areas under skylights where it is documented that existing adjacent structures or natural objects block direct sunlight for more than 1,500 daytime hours per year between 8 a.m. and 4

  • § 130.4 Medium relevance — show source text

    The setting of the limit is verified by the acceptance test required by Section 130.4(a)7; and iv. The construction documents specify which lighting systems shall have their maximum light output or maximum power draw set to no greater than 85 percent of full light output or full power draw. K. To qualify for the PAF for a demand responsive control in Table 140.6-A, the general lighting wattage receiving the PAF shall not be within the scope of Section 110.12(c) and a demand responsive control shall meet all of the following requirements: i. The controlled lighting shall be capable of being automatically reduced in response to a demand response signal; and ii. General lighting shall be reduced in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 130.1(b). L. To qualify for the PAFs for clerestory fenestration, horizontal slats, or light shelves in Table 140.6-A, the daylighting design shall meet the requirements in Section 140.3(d). The PAFs shall only apply to lighting in a primary or secondary sidelit daylit zone where continuous dimming daylighting controls meeting the requirements of Section 130.1(d) are installed.

    TABLE 140.6-A—LIGHTING POWER ADJUSTMENT FACTORS (PAF) Col2 Col3
    TYPE OF CONTROL TYPE OF AREA FACTOR
    1. Daylight continuous dimming plus
    OFF control    		 Luminaires in skylit daylit zone or primary sidelit daylit zone or secondary sidelit daylit zone 0.10
    2. Occupant sensing controls in offices
    larger than 250 square feet    		 One sensor controlling an area that is no larger than 125 square feet 0.30
    3. Occupant sensing controls in offices
    larger than 250 square feet    		 One sensor controlling an area that is 126-250 square feet 0.20
    4. Institutional tuning Luminaires in non-daylit areas:
    Luminaires that qualify for other PAFs in this table may also qualify for this tuning PAF.    		 0.10
    4. Institutional tuning Luminaires in daylit areas:
    Luminaires that qualify for other PAFs in this table may also qualify for this tuning PAF.    		 0.05
    5. Demand responsive control General lighting luminaires not in the scope of Section 110.12(c).
    If DR controls are required of Section 110.12(c), this PAF is not available for any lighting in the
    project. Luminaires that qualify for other PAFs in this table may also qualify for this demand
    responsive control PAF.    		 0.05
    6. Clerestory fenestration Luminaires in daylit areas adjacent to the clerestory.
    Luminaires that qualify for daylight dimming plus OFF control may also qualify for this PAF.    		 0.05
    7. Horizontal slats Luminaires in daylit areas adjacent to vertical fenestration with interior or exterior horizontal slats.
    Luminaires that qualify for daylight dimming plus OFF control may also qualify for this PAF.    		 0.05
    8. Light shelves Luminaires in daylit areas adjacent to clerestory fenestration with interior or exterior light
    shelves. This PAF may be combined with the PAF for clerestory fenestration.
    Luminaires that qualify for daylight dimming plus OFF control may also qualify for this PAF.    		 0.10
    a.
  • § 160.5 High relevance — show source text

    Interaction with other lighting controls in a space where manual controls are required, the manual controls shall be capable of turning off or decreasing light levels below the light level set by the daylight responsive controls. Exception 1 to Section 160.5(b)4D: Areas under skylights where it is documented that existing adjacent structures or natural objects block direct sunlight for more than 1,500 daytime hours per year between 8 a.m. and 4

    p.m. Exception 2 to Section 160.5(b)4D: Areas adjacent to vertical glazing below an overhang, where the overhang covers the entire width of the vertical glazing, no vertical glazing is above the overhang, and the ratio of the overhang projection to the overhang rise is greater than 1.5 for south, east and west orientations or greater than 1 for north orientations.

    Exception 3 to Section 160.5(b)4D: Where daylight responsive controls are not required for the primary sidelit daylit zones, and where the total wattage of general lighting luminaires in the secondary sidelit daylit zones is less than 85 watts, daylight responsive controls are not required for the secondary sidelit zone. Exception 4 to Section 160.5(b)4D: Reserved. Exception 5 to Section 160.5(b)4D: Rooms that have a total glazing area of less than 24 square feet, or parking garage areas with a combined total of less than 36 square feet of glazing or opening. Exception 6 to Section 160.5(b)4D: For parking garages, luminaires located in the daylight adaptation zone. Exception 7 to Section 160.5(b)4D: Luminaires in sidelit daylit zones in retail merchandise sales and wholesale showroom areas.

    E. Demand responsive controls. See Section 110.12 for requirements for demand responsive lighting controls. F. Occupancy sensing controls interactions with space-conditioning systems. For space-conditioning system zones serving only spaces that are required to have occupancy sensing controls as specified in Sections 160.5(b)4Cv and vi, and where Table 120.1-A allows the ventilation air to be reduced to zero when the space is in occupied-standby mode, the space-conditioning system shall be permitted to be controlled by occupancy sensing controls as specified in Section 120.2(e)3.

    (c) Outdoor lighting and control equipment. Multifamily buildings shall comply with the applicable requirements of Sections 160.5(c)1 through 160.5(c)2.

    1. Luminaire shielding requirements. All outdoor luminaires of 6,200 initial luminaire lumens or greater shall comply with backlight, uplight, and glare (BUG) (in accordance with ANSI/IES TM-15-20, Annex A) requirements in accordance with Title 24, Part 11, Section 5.106.8. Exception 1 to Section 160.5(c)1: Signs. Exception 2 to Section 160.5(c)1: Lighting for building facades, public monuments, public art, statues and vertical surfaces of bridges. Exception 3 to Section 160.5(c)1: Lighting not permitted by a health or life safety statute, ordinance or regulation to be a cutoff luminaire.

    Exception 4 to Section 160.5(c)1: Temporary outdoor lighting .

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  • § 160.5 High relevance — show source text

    Exception 3 to Section 160.5(c)2C: Lighting subject to a health or life safety statute, ordinance or regulation may have a minimum time-out period longer than 15 minutes or a minimum dimming level above 50 percent when necessary to comply with the applicable law.

    (d) Sign lighting controls. All sign lighting shall meet the requirements below as applicable:

    1. Indoor signs. All indoor sign lighting other than exit sign lighting shall be controlled with an automatic time-switch control or astronomical time-switch control.

    2. Outdoor signs. Outdoor sign lighting shall meet the following requirements as applicable: A. All outdoor sign lighting shall be controlled with a photocontrol in addition to an automatic time-switch control, or an astronomical time-switch control.

    Exception to Section 160.5(d)2A: Outdoor signs in tunnels, and signs in large permanently covered outdoor areas that are intended to be continuously lit, 24 hours per day and 365 days per year. B. All outdoor sign lighting that is ON both day and night shall be controlled with a dimmer that provides the ability to automatically reduce sign lighting power by a minimum of 65 percent during nighttime hours. Signs that are illuminated at night and for more than 1 hour during daylight hours shall be considered ON both day and night.

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    Exception to Section 160.5(d)2B: Outdoor signs in tunnels and large covered areas that are intended to be illuminated both day and night. 3. Demand responsive electronic message center (EMC) control. See Section 110.12 for requirements for demand responsive EMC controls.

    (e) Lighting control acceptance and installation certificate requirement. Multifamily common use areas shall comply with the applicable requirements of Sections 160.5(e)1 through 160.5(e)3.

    1. Lighting control acceptance requirements. Before an occupancy permit is granted, indoor and outdoor lighting controls serving the building, area or site and installed to comply with Section 160.5(b)4D, 160.5(b)4C, 160.5(b)4E, 160.5(c)2 or 170.2(e)1Aiij shall be certified as meeting the Acceptance Requirements for Code Compliance as specified by Reference Nonresidential Appendix NA7.6 and NA7.8. A Certificate of Acceptance shall be submitted to the enforcement agency under Section 10-103(a) of Part 1 that the equipment and systems meet the acceptance requirements:

    A. Reserved;

    B. Reserved; C. Daylight responsive controls shall be tested in accordance with Reference Nonresidential Appendix NA7.6.1; D. Lighting shut-OFF controls shall be tested in accordance with Reference Nonresidential Appendix NA7.6.2; E. Demand responsive lighting controls shall be tested in accordance with Reference Nonresidential Appendix NA7.6.3; and

    F. Outdoor lighting controls shall be tested in accordance with Reference Nonresidential Appendix NA7.8; and G. Lighting systems receiving the Institutional Tuning Power Adjustment Factor shall be tested in accordance with Reference Nonresidential Appendix NA7.6.4. H. Demand responsive controls required to control controlled receptacles shall be tested in accordance with Reference Nonresidential Appendix NA7.6.5. 2. **Lighting control installation certificate requirements.

  • § 130.1 High relevance — show source text

    General lighting in the secondary sidelit daylit zones shall be controlled independently of general lighting in the primary sidelit daylit zones.

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    D. For skylights located in an atrium, the skylit daylit zone definition shall apply to the floor area directly under the atrium and the top floor area directly adjacent to the atrium. E. Parking garage areas where the total installed wattage of the general lighting in the primary and the secondary sidelit daylit zones is 60 watts or greater, the general lighting in the primary and secondary sidelit daylit zones shall be controlled by daylight responsive controls. 2. All daylight responsive controls shall meet the following requirements: A. All skylit daylit zones, primary sidelit daylit zones, secondary sidelit daylit zones, and the combined primary and secondary sidelit daylit zones in parking garages shall be shown on the plans; and Note: Parking areas on the roof of a parking structure are outdoor hardscape, not skylit daylit areas. B. The daylight responsive controls shall provide separate control for general lighting in each type of daylit zone. The daylight responsive controls shall meet the following: i. General lighting in overlapping skylit daylit zone and sidelit daylit zone shall be controlled as part of the skylit daylit zone. ii. General lighting in overlapping primary and secondary sidelit daylit zones shall be controlled as part of the primary sidelit daylit zone. iii. General lighting luminaires longer than 8 feet shall be controlled as segments of 8 feet or less according to the type of the daylit zone in which the segment is primarily located; and Exception to Section 130.1(d)2Biii: Where a luminaire contains a factory assembled housing and light source as an integral unit in segments longer than 8 feet, the luminaire segment is allowed to be controlled according to the type of the daylit zone in which the segment is primarily located. C. The daylight responsive controls shall meet the following: i. For spaces where the installation of multilevel lighting controls is required under Section 130.1(b), allow the multilevel lighting controls to adjust the light level with continuous dimming; ii. For each space, ensure the combined illuminance from the controlled lighting and daylight is not less than the illuminance from controlled lighting when no daylight is available; iii. For areas other than parking garages, ensure that, when the daylight illuminance is greater than 150 percent of the illuminance provided by the controlled lighting when no daylight is available, the controlled lighting power in that daylight zone shall be reduced by a minimum of 90 percent; and iv. For parking garages, ensure that when daylight illuminance levels measured at the farthest edge of the secondary sidelit zone away from the glazing or opening are greater than 150 percent of the illuminance provided by the controlled lighting when no daylight is available, the controlled lighting power in the combined primary and secondary sidelit daylit zones shall be reduced by 100 percent; and D. Photosensors shall be located so that they are not readily accessible to unauthorized personnel; and E. The location where calibration adjustments are made to the daylight responsive controls shall be readily accessible to authorized personnel but may be inside a locked case or under a cover which requires a tool for access; and F.

Frequently asked questions

What exactly is the “150 percent” comparison measuring?

The code compares the daylight illuminance measured by the photosensor in the daylit zone to the illuminance provided by the controlled lighting system when no daylight is available. If the measured daylight is >150% of that baseline, the mandated reduction (90% or 100% depending on area) must occur. § 130.1(d) and § 160.5(b)4D require this.

Where must the photosensor be mounted?

The photosensor must be located and installed so it is not readily accessible to unauthorized personnel; calibration adjustments must be at an accessible location for authorized personnel (may be in a locked case or under a tool‑required cover). The code does not mandate one specific physical mounting location — it requires the placement to prevent tampering and allow authorized calibration. § 130.1(d) / § 160.5(b)4D.

Can an occupant override the daylight control?

Yes — manual controls required in the space must be able to turn off or decrease lighting below the daylight control level. However, standard tampering or leaving sensors exposed to occupants is not allowed; sensor locations and control logic must meet the code. § 130.1(d).

Will simply adding a photocell at the roof satisfy the control requirements?

No. The control must provide continuous dimming behavior (with OFF capability at the threshold), meet the combined‑illuminance requirement, meet sensor accessibility and calibration rules, and pass acceptance testing where required. Device performance requirements in § 110.9(b)2 (setpoint resolution, linear response, calibration capability) also apply.

What energy credit do I get if I comply?

If you install continuous dimming + OFF daylight responsive controls and meet the installation and acceptance requirements, the affected luminaires may qualify for a PAF = 0.10 (i.e., a 10% lighting power adjustment) as listed in the PAF tables (Table 140.6‑A / Table 170.2‑L). See the PAF table notes for qualification conditions.

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