This LEM document is intended to help designers, users, commissioning agents, and other interested parties understand energy-saving strategies, design considerations, equipment, the variety of communication protocols and the importance of commissioning for lighting control systems installed in both interior and exterior applications in all types of buildings (See also IES DG-29-11 Design Guide for The Commissioning Process Applied to Lighting and Control Systems).

Lighting controls play an essential role in all lighting systems, providing the functions of switching (ON/OFF) and/or dimming (raise/lower). These functions are used to enact various control strategies to satisfy visual needs of users and energy management needs of owners.