01 MEASURE
Accurate Lux Measurement
Tracks changes in available ambient daylight and provides the foundation for more intelligent lighting decisions.
Photocell Advance™ · Integrated daylight intelligence
See daylight clearly.
Control lighting intelligently.
Measure the daylight that matters—not the light produced by the luminaire. Photocell Advance™ enables concealed sensor integration, reliable daylight-based control and a cleaner fixture design.
NATURAL LIGHT · MEASURED WITH PURPOSE
Why advanced light sensing?
The sensor is inside. Its view of daylight stays clear.
A sensor installed inside a luminaire can be influenced by the luminaire’s own output. Photocell Advance™ is designed and calibrated to minimise that influence, so the control decision is based on changing ambient daylight rather than a misleading combined reading.
Ambient daylight
Changing natural light entering the space
→Changing natural light entering the space
Useful control signal
Lighting responds to actual daylight conditions
Lighting responds to actual daylight conditions
Concept diagram only. Performance depends on luminaire construction, diffuser material, sensor position and product calibration. Always refer to the latest product datasheet.
Designed into the luminaire
Move daylight sensing from add-on to built-in.
The change is more than cosmetic. Integrating compatible light sensing within the luminaire can simplify the external design while protecting the daylight-control capability the project needs.
TRADITIONAL APPROACH
→DESIGN IT IN
PHOTOCELL ADVANCE™
01Luminaire surface
Visible opening or external housing→cleaner, concealed integration
02Production process
Extra drilling and sealing steps→fewer external integration tasks
03Environmental exposure
Externally exposed sensing point→sensor positioned within a compatible luminaire
04Architectural intent
An added component on the visual line→daylight control designed into the fixture
4 Key Functions
Four ways to turn daylight information into better lighting control.
Photocell Advance™ is not one fixed programme. It provides dependable daylight information that compatible Hytronik products can use for measurement, automatic switching, daylight priority or continuous light-level control.
02 SWITCH
Dusk & Dawn Auto Control
Turns lighting on as daylight falls and off again when sufficient natural light returns.
03 PRIORITISE
Daylight Priority Switching
Keeps lighting off when the space is already bright enough—even if occupancy is detected.
04 BALANCE
Proactive Daylight Harvesting
Continuously adjusts artificial output as daylight changes to maintain the intended light level.
Value beyond the sensor
One feature. Clear benefits across the project.
The value changes depending on who is making the decision. Photocell Advance™ connects product design, commissioning, energy performance and visual comfort in one understandable control feature.
Cleaner integration
Protect the fixture aesthetic while reducing reliance on an exposed photocell arrangement.
A clearer control intent
Define how lighting should react to available daylight across different spaces and times.
Flexible commissioning
Select the required thresholds and behaviour using the adjustment method supported by the product.
Comfort without attention
Lighting quietly adapts as daylight changes instead of relying on repeated manual adjustment.
Application examples & typical settings
See the control logic play out in a real day.
Settings only make sense when customers can see the result. These two examples connect the selected functions and typical parameters with what occupants actually experience. Final values must always be commissioned for the project.
APPLICATION 01 · CORRIDOR
Safe after dark. Quiet when empty.
At sunset, the photocell allows the corridor lighting to become active. Daylight priority prevents unnecessary operation while the space is still bright. After dark, motion raises the light level for people passing through, then returns it to standby.
Dusk / dawn photocellDaylight priority to motionHold time · 10 minStandby · 10%
Daylight is sufficientLighting stays off even when movement occurs.
Dusk threshold reachedThe system becomes available for motion-based control.
Person detectedLighting rises to the occupied level for safe passage.
Corridor clearsAfter the hold time, lighting returns to the selected standby level.
APPLICATION 02 · OFFICE
Use daylight first. Add only the light that is missing.
Daylight harvesting continuously balances artificial output against the light entering through the windows. Occupancy control remains in the background, ensuring that an empty office is not lit simply because the measured daylight level changes.
Proactive daylight harvestingDaylight priority to motionTarget level · 300 lux*Hold time · 30 min
Office emptyNo occupancy: lighting remains off.
ArrivalLighting comes on to help reach the target level.
Strong daylightArtificial output reduces as daylight increases.
Daylight fallsArtificial output gradually increases to maintain comfort.
Office empty againOccupancy logic turns lighting off after the delay.
*Example settings are for explanation only, not universal recommendations. Thresholds, target lux levels, hold times and standby behaviour depend on the application, product and commissioning requirements.
Where it fits
Different spaces. Different reasons to use daylight intelligence.
Photocell Advance™ becomes most valuable when the project needs both a considered luminaire design and a clear response to changing natural light.
Preserve clean visual lines
Useful for minimalist, linear and design-led luminaires where an exposed photocell would interrupt the fixture appearance.
Follow dusk and dawn
Support automatic operation for façades, paths, entrances, public areas and surrounding external spaces.
Use available daylight
Reduce unnecessary artificial output in offices, classrooms and other spaces with windows or rooflights.
Combine daylight and occupancy
Coordinate daylight priority, motion detection, hold time and standby behaviour in corridors and circulation areas.
What makes the result dependable?
Good daylight control starts with the luminaire, continues through calibration and finishes in commissioning.
Designed around the fixture
Sensor position, diffuser material and luminaire construction influence how ambient light reaches the sensing system.
Matched to the control behaviour
Select a compatible product according to whether the project needs switching, daylight priority, harvesting or combined occupancy control.
Set for the actual space
Thresholds, target lux, hold time and standby levels should be verified under real installation and daylight conditions.
Compatible products
Photocell Advance™ in practice.
SAM20
HF low-bay sensor head with daylight harvesting and Photocell Advance™ compatibility.
View product
SAM11/I
HF low-bay sensor with Photocell Advance™ and RJ12 connection to the control body.
View product
HIR03
PIR low-bay sensor with Photocell Advance™ and RJ12 connection to the control body.
View product
DS06
Dedicated daylight sensor for daylight harvesting and ON/OFF control.
View productWant daylight control without compromising the luminaire design?
Talk to a Hytronik specialist about the fixture construction, sensor position, control behaviour and commissioning method required for your project.