Technical planning of LED step lighting for installation, power and control

Planning & technical · Bissinger Lights

Plan LED step lighting.

Select the right system.
Prepare the technical integration.

For theatres, cinemas, auditoriums and performance venues: compare construction types, plan 24 V supply and cabling, coordinate DMX/DALI and prepare the information needed for the next project stage.

A finished specification is not required. Drawings, photographs or approximate dimensions are enough for an initial technical discussion.

Specialist since 2017 System engineering & project coordination 24 V · DMX · DALI · backup operation

System selection & technical planning

First choose the construction. Then engineer the complete system.

The architecture determines how the light can be integrated. Electrical design then determines how the selected luminaires are supplied, dimmed and controlled.

When the construction type is still open

Select the lighting approach

Start with the step geometry, floor finish, architectural appearance and intended light effect.

  • Illuminated stair-nosing and step profiles
  • Flush recessed light lines
  • Stage and platform edge lighting
  • Fixed or portable construction
Compare step-lighting systems
When technical integration is being developed

Engineer power, control and interfaces

Once the luminaire concept is clear, the electrical and installation conditions need to be coordinated with the project team.

  • 24 V supply, circuits and cable routes
  • Cable length and voltage drop
  • DMX, DALI and low-level dimming
  • Backup operation and local responsibilities
View controls & power

Technical planning topics

Installation, electrical design and project requirements.

These are the questions that typically need to be resolved before lengths, circuits and the final system configuration can be released.

24 V planning

Cable length, load and circuit structure belong together.

A 24 V lighting system should not be planned from luminaire quantity alone. The electrical path from the power supply to the last light line matters.

Supply & voltage drop

Consider the complete circuit.

For preliminary planning, record the connected LED load, cable length, conductor size and intended feed points. Long cable runs or high loads may require additional feeds or a different circuit allocation.

  • LED power per circuit
  • One-way cable length
  • Conductor cross-section
  • Permissible voltage drop
Distribution & maintenance

Define circuits before the installation is closed.

Power supplies, dimmers and distribution points should remain accessible. Separate aisles, seating blocks or lighting functions where this supports operation, commissioning or later maintenance.

  • Accessible power and control equipment
  • Clearly assigned lighting zones
  • Labelled circuits and connection points
  • Reserve for future extensions where required

Project requirements

Step lighting, backup operation and safety lighting are not automatically the same thing.

The intended function needs to be defined within the overall project concept before supply, monitoring and testing requirements can be determined.

Orientation lighting

Normal step-lighting operation

Step lighting can provide visual orientation and mark changes in level during normal venue operation. Brightness, dimming and control are coordinated with the use of the room.

Regulated safety function

Requirements must be defined by the responsible planning team.

If the lighting is intended to form part of statutory emergency or safety lighting, applicable local requirements for supply, monitoring, runtime, cable systems, testing and documentation must be established by the responsible electrical and life-safety planning.

Drawings, technical data & project evidence

Use the information needed for the current planning stage.

Product drawings & datasheets

Compare the mechanical geometry of SL1, SL2, SLR, SLD and BL and open the corresponding technical datasheets.

Open drawings & datasheets

Realised projects

Explore documented installations in theatres, cinemas, auditoriums, venues and movable seating structures.

View project references

Technical project coordination

You do not need to have specified the technology yet.

Describe the room, step construction or open technical question. We will structure the information, identify missing details and define the next planning step with you.

Drawings, photographs, sections or approximate dimensions can be included where already available.