Which method is commonly used to control lights and luminaires?

The use of photocells to control lights and luminaires is common due to their ability to automatically adjust lighting based on natural light levels. Photocells detect the ambient light conditions, and when it falls below a certain threshold, they activate the luminaires to provide illumination. This automatic response enhances energy efficiency by ensuring lights are only on when needed, reducing wasteful energy consumption during daylight hours.

In contrast, loop detectors are primarily used for vehicle detection at traffic signals and are not specifically designed to manage lighting. Meter cabinets serve a different function, mainly related to power distribution and monitoring rather than direct control of lights. Timers, while also used to control lighting by programming them to turn on and off at specific times, do not adapt to changing light conditions as photocells do. Combining these functionalities, photocells are particularly favored for their ability to provide automated, adaptive lighting control.