At a Glance
Company
The Waldinger Corporation
Region / Country
United States
Industry
Mechanical, Electrical, and Communications Contracting
Panduit Solution
TX6™ PLUS Category 6 Modular Plugs
TX6™ PLUS UTP Patch Cords
PanGen™ Category 6 Copper Cabling Infrastructure
PoE-enabled network infrastructure supporting intelligent lighting
Power over Ethernet Lighting Preserves Design While Driving Efficiency
The Waldinger Corporation sought to modernize aging headquarters lighting while preserving the distinctive aesthetics of its office environment. Working with Intelligent Lighting and Panduit infrastructure solutions, Waldinger deployed a PoE-powered LED lighting system supported by a Category 6 network. The solution reduced energy consumption, improved lighting performance, enhanced user control, and provided valuable hands-on experience with intelligent lighting technology that Waldinger can now confidently recommend to customers.
Challenges
- Existing lighting fixtures were costly to operate and difficult to maintain.
- Headquarters leadership wanted to preserve the unique architectural appearance of the space.
- Waldinger wanted first-hand experience with intelligent PoE lighting before recommending it to customers.
- The organization sought a scalable, network-based lighting solution that could improve control and efficiency.
Solution
- Retrofitted existing pendant fixtures with GENISYS™ PoE-powered LED lighting technology.
- Implemented a Category 6 PanGen™ cabling infrastructure using Panduit connectivity
- Connected lighting through Cisco PoE switches and intelligent lighting controllers.
- Enabled software-based lighting management with individualized control of brightness and color temperature.
Outcome
- Reduced lighting energy consumption by approximately 60%.
- Lowered ongoing maintenance requirements by eliminating routine bulb replacement.
- Improved lighting quality, uniformity, visibility, and data collection capabilities.
- Gained practical PoE lighting deployment experience to support future customer projects.
“Now we can show our customers how it works. They can see it and experience it first-hand, and we can have confidence designing it into their projects.”
– Tom Mass
President, Iowa Electrical Division, The Waldinger Corporation
Challenges
The Waldinger Corporation’s Iowa headquarters is recognized for its distinctive architecture, featuring exposed ductwork, high ceilings, and large pendant lighting fixtures. While visually appealing, the existing lighting system had become increasingly expensive to maintain and operate. Leadership wanted to replace aging fixtures with a more efficient solution without compromising the building’s established aesthetic.
At the same time, Waldinger was evaluating intelligent lighting technologies as a strategic service offering for customers. As an organization that already designs and installs low-voltage and IP network solutions, Power over Ethernet (PoE) lighting represented a natural extension of its expertise. However, company leadership believed it was critical to gain operational experience with the technology before recommending it to clients.
The Panduit Strategy and Solution
To achieve both operational and business objectives, Waldinger selected a retrofit strategy that preserved existing fixtures while converting them to a modern LED and PoE-powered lighting environment.
The intelligent lighting system incorporated GENISYS™ PoE Lighting technology, including intelligent lighting controllers, software management capabilities, sensors, and LED components. Supporting the deployment was a robust network infrastructure built on Category 6 copper cabling and Panduit connectivity solutions.
The lighting infrastructure utilized:
- PanGen® GenSPEED® 6 Category 6 cabling
- Panduit TX6™ PLUS Category 6 Modular Plugs
- Panduit TX6™ PLUS UTP Patch Cords
- Cisco Catalyst PoE switches
Together, these components created a reliable network capable of delivering both power and data to the intelligent lighting system.
Implementation
The project focused on a 15,000-square-foot open office environment housing approximately 30 occupants, along with several private offices used as pilot areas for advanced lighting control capabilities.
Waldinger’s low-voltage technicians completed the installation, networking, and commissioning activities internally. Existing pendant fixtures were converted to LED technology and connected to the PoE network through intelligent lighting controllers. Additional office spaces were outfitted with PoE-powered 2x2 troffers that allowed occupants to customize lighting settings.
The web-based lighting management platform enabled both individual fixture control and zoning capabilities, providing flexibility for workplace preferences and operational requirements. The simplified network architecture also allowed Waldinger to demonstrate how lighting can be managed using familiar IT infrastructure practices.
The Outcome
The completed deployment delivered measurable operational benefits. Monthly lighting energy consumption was reduced by approximately 60 percent, with fixtures consuming significantly less power than the previous system. Maintenance requirements declined because LED technology reduced the need for frequent lamp replacement.
The upgraded lighting environment also provided improved visual consistency and eliminated issues previously caused by shadows and uneven light distribution. Users gained control over brightness and color settings, enabling a more personalized and productive workspace.
Perhaps most importantly, the project served as a successful proof of concept for Waldinger. The company gained valuable real-world experience designing, deploying, and operating an intelligent PoE lighting system. The success of the installation led Waldinger to consider incorporating PoE lighting into future facilities, including plans for a new headquarters building.