2nd April 2026 · Blogs
For public lighting there is a growing emphasis on energy efficiency and while the transition to LED street lighting has delivered efficiency gains, many installations continue to operate at full output throughout the night. This approach does not reflect real usage patterns and ultimately limits the return on the original investment.
The solution? Smart street lighting.
However, commissioning and installing new lighting systems can be a costly and resource intensive undertaking, be it for streets, roads, airports or campuses. Therefore, across the public lighting sector, there is an increasing desire to extract greater value from existing assets.
A more strategic approach lies in retrofitting – shifting the focus from installation to optimisation through the introduction of intelligent control without replacing otherwise functional infrastructure. This is where our RLD-3 DALI-1 Dimming Photocell comes in. It has been designed to enable asset owners to transition toward smart street lighting in a practical, cost-effective manner by introducing intelligent control, improving energy efficiency, and extending asset life.
Retrofitting is a strategic investment
For many municipalities and contractors, the installed base of LED luminaires represents a substantial capital investment with many years of potential service remaining. Replacing these systems prematurely isn’t economically or operationally efficient. However, leaving them unoptimised also results in unnecessary energy consumption and subsequently avoidable operational costs.
By integrating a dimming photocell, existing street lighting can be upgraded to deliver adaptive performance aligned with real-world demand.
Transforming legacy luminaires
A key barrier to dimming in older LED installations is the absence of DALI bus power within the driver. The RLD-3 Dimming Photocell addresses this limitation directly by supplying the required DALI bus with power. This transforms static lighting systems into responsive assets, capable of being dimmed. The result is more efficient and sustainable street lighting.
What’s more, the RLD-3 can be retrofit without opening the luminaire canopy, which avoids disturbing the fixture and avoids both additional risk and cost.
Why choose Westire’s RLD-3 Dimming Photocell?
Engineered, assembled, and tested at our purpose-built facility in Ireland using the highest calibre components, RLD-3 guarantees reliable operation with the majority of legacy DALI LED Drivers. The RLD-3 utilises our Astroclock Algorithm and is combined with precision ambient light sensor technology with microprocessor control. Particular attention has been given to spectral sensitivity. By focusing on the sky’s blue and red wavelengths, the system minimises susceptibility to infrared and ultraviolet interference. This refinement enhances light-level switching accuracy and contributes to stable, predictable operation over time.
These intelligent design features deliver consistent dusk-to-dawn operation and maximise energy savings, to provide reliable long-term performance throughout seasonal changes and varying environmental conditions.
Engineered for long-term performance
- RLD-3 utilises Westire’s most advanced astro time clock control to enable smart street lighting even for older DALI generation LED drivers.
- Its IP68 sealing ensures protection against water and dust ingress.
- Integrated surge protection safeguards the LED driver and light engine from electrical disturbances, supporting long-term reliability.
- RLD-3 boasts a 15-year design life and is backed by a 6-year warranty with optional 8-year plans.
You can view the RLD-3 technical specifications here.
By enabling intelligent dimming, extending asset lifespan, and delivering immediate energy savings, the RLD-3 allows you to extract significantly greater value from your original lighting investment while taking a practical step toward smart street lighting.
If you are looking to upgrade your current installation, reduce operational costs, and future-proof your lighting strategy, now is the time to act. Contact our team to discuss how the RLD-3 can be retrofitted across your existing infrastructure.