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Engineer John Yoon on the Sentry Switch lighting control system

Aug. 11, 2010
5 min read

Sentry Switch lighting control devices replace conventional wall switches to enable remote and automatic switching of light fixtures. Recommended for office, industrial, and educational buildings, Sentry Switch can greatly reduce power consumption and lamp maintenance costs by initiating pre-programmed power interruption sweeps to turn off lights when desired. The switches are easy to install (no additional wiring runs are required) and are not sensitive to changes in temperature, airflow, or humidity. The devices work with virtually any digital time clock, computer-controlled contact panel, or smart breaker.

John Yoon, P.E., senior engineer with McGuire Engineers, Chicago, specified Sentry Switch lighting control devices for a recent conference center project at Motorola’s headquarters in Schaumburg, Ill. The switches were installed in all storage closets, electrical closets, and other unoccupied rooms to enable automatic shut-off of lights in those spaces.

Why John Yoon specified Sentry Switch for Motorola’s HQ:

“It’s a simple solution for saving energy costs; lights are turned on and off on timers.”

“It doesn’t need special wiring, like automatic lights usually do, so it can be installed in an existing system.”

“It looks and functions like a regular light switch, so your average office employee can turn it on and off. Other energy-saving light systems are sometimes damaged by employees who try to turn lights on and off but damage light sensors, thinking they’re buttons.”

 
John Yoon, P.E.
Senior engineer, McGuire Engineers, Chicago

Yoon has more than 13 years of experience in the electrical engineering field, including 11 with his current firm, McGuire Engineers, Chicago, and two with Consolidated Consulting Engineers, Wheeling, Ill. He is licensed in Florida, Illinois, and Wisconsin.

Yoon specializes in the design of low-voltage power distribution systems for data centers and commercial office lighting control systems.

Yoon has a BS in engineering from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana.

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