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Outdoor Architectural & Bridge Lighting Control System Support.From Specification to Commissioning.

TPK manufactures the luminaires and helps engineering teams put the control package around them. From controller architecture and universe sizing to wiring drawings, addressing, factory system tests and remote commissioning support, we help turn a lighting specification into a control system that can actually be installed and checked on site.

Send Your SpecificationView control products
TPK architectural lighting control system topology diagram

If your consultant or client has already specified Color Kinetics, Lumenpulse, Pharos, MADRIX or another DMX/eDMX-based solution, send us the specification, fixture schedule and project drawings. We can review the control requirements, propose compatible TPK luminaires and build the required control, signal and accessory package around the project.

One control package across six project stages

01 · Project Input

Specification Review

Review fixture schedules, BOQ, CAD, protocol, voltage, certification and existing control requirements.

02 · Engineering

System Architecture

Size controllers, universes, ports, nodes and the network path from the actual fixture schedule.

03 · Signal Path

Signal & BOM

Plan splitters, amplifiers, connectors, cable routes, termination and signal accessories.

04 · Factory

Configuration & Test

Prepare addresses, mapping, agreed scenes and system-level factory verification where required.

05 · Handover

Project Files

Provide drawings, BOM, address schedules, configuration backups, installation notes and test records.

06 · Site Support

Remote Commissioning

Support start-up, addressing, signal checks, software recognition and fault isolation remotely.

Start with the information you already have

You do not need to redesign the project before asking TPK for a quotation. Send the consultant specification, fixture schedule and drawings you already have; we identify what is complete, what still needs clarification and what the control package must include.

Competitor or consultant specification

Color Kinetics, Lumenpulse, Pharos, MADRIX or another DMX/eDMX-based requirement can be used as the starting point.

Fixture schedule and channel mode

Quantity, RGB/RGBW/pixel mode and channels per fixture drive the universe and port calculation.

Project layout

CAD, elevation or marked-up plan helps us place controllers, nodes and signal routes before the site is closed.

Electrical and approval requirements

Call out project voltage, ETL/cETL or other luminaire requirements and any existing controller platform.

You send

Competitor or consultant specification, BOQ, CAD/elevation, fixture count, channel mode, voltage, certification requirement and existing controls.

TPK reviews

Protocol, channel load, project zones, topology, signal route, control distance, accessory requirements and existing-system compatibility.

You receive

Control path, controller/node sizing, principle drawing, accessory BOM, address plan and factory/handover scope.

Project inputs and TPK control-system engineering outputs

Control system sizing starts with the project

Fixture quantity, channel mode, project zones, control distance and the installation layout determine controller capacity, universes, ports, nodes and signal accessories.

Project inputs define the control package

Fixture count, channel mode, project zones and control distance determine universes, ports, nodes and signal accessories.

Customer supplied project files used for architectural lighting control system planning

Fixture quantity

Count by fixture type, facade area, bridge section or project zone.

Channels per fixture

Confirm RGB, RGBW, pixel or custom channel mode before sizing outputs.

Total channels

Calculate the actual DMX channel load from the approved fixture schedule.

Universes & ports

Map output capacity, project zones and the physical installation sequence.

Controllers & nodes

Select controller and node capacity with appropriate spare room for the project.

Control System Topology Examples

Pharos architectural lighting control system principle diagram
MADRIX architectural lighting control system principle diagram without signal splitter
Six-port DMX signal splitter principle diagram
Sunlite STICK-DE3 architectural lighting control system principle diagram

Shown diagrams are reference layouts. Final controller location, output count, accessories and cable routing follow the approved fixture schedule and site conditions.

Architecture before brand

We review channels per fixture, zones, standalone playback, wall-station needs, control distance, existing systems and required protocols before recommending MADRIX, Pharos, Nicolaudie/Sunlite or another compatible path.

Controller & node quantity

Controller capacity, universes, output ports, distributed nodes and appropriate spare capacity are sized from the final fixture schedule and channel mode.

Controller placement

Based on the site layout, we can recommend practical controller/node locations to shorten difficult cable runs and keep the signal architecture easier to troubleshoot.

Project-specific drawing

For suitable projects, we can issue a principle schematic showing the main controller, network path, nodes, DMX outputs, signal accessories, fixture runs and project-specific connection order.

Signal integrity

We review Ethernet and DMX routing, selected equipment, physical distance, switch locations, isolation and whether amplification or fiber conversion is required.

Existing-system compatibility

If a building already has Pharos, MADRIX, Sunlite/Nicolaudie or another system, we review how the proposed TPK luminaires and addressing should fit that existing control environment.

What the control drawing can show

  • Main controller / playback-controller location
  • Network switch or Ethernet distribution
  • Remote node / gateway locations
  • DMX output lines and universe assignment
  • Fixture connection order and run identification
  • Installation-side cable responsibilities where relevant

What we review on the signal path

  • Ethernet and DMX routing
  • Controller / node placement
  • Long-distance network or fiber architecture
  • Splitter, repeater, amplifier or isolation requirement
  • RJ45 / DMX connection arrangement
  • Termination and outdoor cable requirements

What can be included in the BOM

  • Controllers, nodes or gateways
  • Network switches or fiber-related components where required
  • Signal splitters and amplifiers
  • Input / converter cables
  • Y / T connectors and extension cables
  • End caps or termination components

A controller alone is not the whole system.

ControllerSoftware
NodeGateway
SwitchFiber
SplitterAmplifier
Y / TConnector
ExtensionCable
FixturesEnd

TPK rule: if an item is required in the quotation, it should also appear on the control drawing.

LLT → XLR Adapter

Interface between luminaire wiring and XLR/DMX equipment where required.

Y-Type Power Input

Power-feed accessory selected according to the luminaire connection layout.

Signal Amplifier

Used where the approved signal topology requires regeneration or distribution.

5-Core Signal Cable

Project cable option for control-signal connections where specified.

Y-Type Mid-Run Power

Intermediate power-injection accessory for approved fixture runs.

Signal Input Cable

Signal-entry cable selected to match the fixture and controller-side interface.

T-Type Mid-Run Power

Alternative mid-run power-injection option used in selected connection layouts.

120Ω End Terminator

End-of-line termination accessory where the approved DMX wiring requires it.

Waterproof Connector · 1-to-2

Branch connector option for approved luminaire wiring layouts.

Project requirement review

Luminaire certification

Review required luminaire certification such as ETL/cETL where applicable and identify documentation needed for the agreed project scope.

Voltage & electrical architecture

Confirm project voltage, including project-specific 120 V / 277 V requirements, and whether high-voltage or low-voltage fixture architecture is appropriate.

Protocol requirement

Review DMX512, RDM, Art-Net, sACN, DALI or other interfaces stated in the project documents and existing-control requirements.

Outdoor installation conditions

Coordinate cable, connection, controller/node placement and environmental requirements with the intended outdoor installation.

Third-party documentation

Check relevant controller documentation and compatibility rather than relabeling third-party hardware as TPK-manufactured products.

Deviation review

Identify meaningful differences between the original specification and the proposed TPK luminaire/control package before the BOM is frozen.

Configure and verify the system before shipment

The objective is not only to test an individual luminaire. Where the project scope requires it, we prepare the addressing and mapping logic, connect the agreed control chain and verify signal response and playback before shipment.

DMX address preparation

When the final channel mode, installation sequence and address schedule are confirmed, we can prepare the recommended address plan and pre-address fixtures where suitable.

Port-to-fixture mapping

Controller output, universe, fixture ID, installation position and start address can be organized so the software patch follows the same numbering logic as the physical installation.

Agreed test scenes

For projects that require defined static colors, chase or other verification sequences, project-specific test content can be prepared for factory verification. Creative show design can be scoped separately.

Mock-up & system-level test

A minimum control set can be used for mock-up verification where required. Applicable orders can include controller/node recognition, fixture response, power-cycle verification and a project-specific factory test record.

Handover files your installer can use

Depending on the project scope, the handover package can turn the control engineering into documents and files the installer can actually use on site.

Control System Drawing

Principle wiring, control topology, major signal components and project-specific connection logic.

Control BOM / Accessory Schedule

Controllers or nodes supplied for the project plus the agreed signal accessories included in the shipment.

Address & Port Schedule

Fixture IDs, positions, universes, ports and DMX start addresses where applicable.

Factory Test Record

Project-specific test video or verification record for the agreed control configuration where applicable.

Configuration / Backup Files

Relevant controller, patch, parameter or show files where they are part of the agreed scope.

Installation & Operating Notes

Project-specific connection notes plus standard operating instructions for the selected control platform.

Remote commissioning & fault isolation

TPK provides remote commissioning and troubleshooting guidance for supported projects. Instead of replacing the controller first, we help the installation team narrow the problem down to the layer that is actually failing.

PowerSignalAddressSoftware / Program

Remote support can include connection review, IP/network checks, software recognition, fixture patching, address verification and playback testing according to the agreed system scope.

01

Fixtures flicker or respond intermittently

Check signal chain, cable quality, splitter/amplifier status, connector wiring and connection order.

02

Colors appear in the wrong order

Check RGB/RGBW mode, channel order, fixture type and addressing.

03

Two fixtures respond to the same address

Verify the address table and field replacement/re-addressing logic.

04

Running effects do not follow installation order

Check port-to-fixture mapping, patch order and actual installation sequence.

05

One branch or zone remains dark

Isolate the fault by power, signal, address and output rather than replacing the whole controller.

06

Software cannot discover the controller or node

Check IP settings, network path, switch power, device recognition and interface configuration.

07

Signal becomes unstable over distance

Review topology, selected equipment, distributed nodes, switches, isolation, amplification or fiber architecture.

08

Amplifier, splitter or connector is wired incorrectly

Check the actual accessory path against the principle drawing and approved connection order.

09

Standalone playback fails after laptop disconnect

Confirm upload, storage, schedule and playback configuration after the laptop is removed.

10

Replacement fixture needs re-addressing

Replace and re-address the fixture while keeping the existing controller and show file where the system design allows.

Third-party control platforms we can integrate around TPK luminaires

TPK manufactures the luminaires. Controller brands below are selected according to project requirements and remain products of their original manufacturers.

PlatformBest fitTypical TPK supportOfficial links
MADRIXPixel-heavy façades · media-driven effects · scalable DMX/eDMXMADRIX 5 / KEY sizing · node selection · patching · address schedule · factory verification
MADRIX 5
Pharos DesignerPermanent systems · standalone playback · distributed DMX/RDMLPC/LPC X sizing · RIO G4 topology · Designer 2 review · fixture compatibility
Pharos LPC RIO G4
Nicolaudie / SunliteStandalone · wall-panel · multi-zone controlSTICK-DE3 / DINA-DR1 selection · zone planning · eDMX/DMX · addressing · factory test
STICK-DE3 DINA-DR1

MADRIX, Pharos and Nicolaudie are independent brands. References are for compatibility and project-selection purposes only and do not imply ownership, manufacturing origin or brand affiliation.

Control support in real projects

These references matter because control, signal accessories, fixture configuration and commissioning support were part of the project work — not because they are generic night-view photographs.

DMX51212 UniversesNicolaudie STICK-DE3
RGBW DMX architectural facade lighting at Living World Mall Indonesia
Living World Mall · Indonesia

DMX512 | 12 Universes | Nicolaudie STICK-DE3

RGBW architectural facade lighting with DMX-controlled linear and wall-washer luminaires. TPK supported controller sizing, signal accessory planning, addressing logic and project commissioning preparation.

View project
Pharos Control SystemDMX Architectural Facade
ETL linear lighting and DMX facade control project at Live Casino and Hotel USA
Live! Casino & Hotel · USA

Pharos Control System | DMX Architectural Facade

Facade lighting project where Pharos control, fixture certification, project voltage, signal accessories and installation requirements were coordinated as one control-support package.

View project
Fiber/eDMXPharos LPCLong Distance Signal
Dynamic bridge lighting project on the Volga River Bridge Russia
Volga River Bridge · Russia

Fiber/eDMX | Pharos LPC | Long Distance Signal

Large outdoor bridge-lighting project where long-distance signal architecture, distributed control, fiber/eDMX planning and signal-path reliability were central to the system design.

View project

Common questions

Yes. Send the original luminaire/control specification, fixture schedule and drawings. We can review the required performance, control protocol, certification and connection architecture, then propose a TPK fixture and control package for approval. Final equivalence is always based on the project specification and approval process.
No. TPK manufactures the luminaires and integrates compatible third-party control components when they fit the project. Controller brands and certifications remain those of their original manufacturers.
Yes. We calculate the requirement from fixture quantities, channel mode, total channels, zones, output capacity and appropriate spare capacity before recommending controller or node quantities.
Yes, when the project information is sufficient. We can provide a project-specific principle drawing showing the main controller, network path, nodes, DMX outputs, signal accessories and fixture runs included in the agreed scope.
Yes, when the final channel mode, fixture sequence and address schedule are confirmed. For some installation methods, field addressing after installation may still be more practical; we will recommend the appropriate approach.
We can prepare agreed test scenes or control sequences for factory verification and handover. Creative show design, complex media content or ongoing programming can be scoped separately when required.
We review the selected protocol, equipment, physical route and installation distance. Depending on the architecture, the solution may use distributed Ethernet nodes, switches, eDMX, fiber conversion, signal isolation or amplification.
Depending on the scope, documents can include the principle wiring drawing, control BOM, address/port schedule, configuration or backup files, installation notes and a project-specific factory test record.
Yes. TPK can provide remote commissioning and troubleshooting guidance for supported projects, including controller/network recognition, fixture patching, addressing, signal checks and playback verification.
Send the fixture specification or schedule, quantities, RGB/RGBW/pixel channel mode, site voltage, project zones, control requirement, CAD/elevation/BOQ if available, required certification and any existing or specified controller information.

Send us the specification before the control package is frozen

Share the fixture schedule, control requirement, CAD/BOQ and any specified controller information. TPK can review the luminaire, signal, control and accessory requirements together and return a project-ready proposal for discussion.