A sophisticated Rapid EBR-DIN-LCM 5 lighting control system from CP Electronics has been installed during the recent restoration of HMS Victory, situated in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. The CP system was the preferred choice of prime contractors BAE Systems Maritime Services, ION Consulting Engineer Ltd and electrical installers SSE Contracting, as it could easily be incorporated into the 18th century vessel without the cost and complexity involved in using other lighting control systems.

The 104 gun first-rate ship was launched in 1765 and is most famous as being Lord Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Moved to Portsmouth in dry dock in 1922, she is the oldest naval ship still in commission and is soon to be the flagship of the First Sea Lord.

The recent maintenance programme has included dismantling of the topmasts and rigging, in addition to the provision of a completely new interior lighting system which includes energy efficient light sources.   Each of the decks had lighting controlled by individual manual switching, however, it was agreed that a simpler system could be used whereby one switch controlled the illumination on all decks. The installation includes ‘scene setting’ so that desired light levels can be achieved in specific areas as required.

Rapid is a fully addressable system with networking capabilities that can meet the needs of the most demanding applications. Easy to configure, Rapid allows multi-floor lighting control via area controllers, separate room control or complete floor control by networking the system control modules. 

The DIN Rail series of modules provides a solution for the switching of light loads in applications where a traditional 10-way control module isn’t suitable. CP offer two sizes; a single channel as a switched output only or a 5-channel which provides five individual addressable outputs for switching. Scene setting can also be incorporated using ‘scene setting plates’. Fully flexible, Rapid can allow for additions and reconfiguration at any time to meet future lighting scheme changes.