GE Total Lighting Controls (TLC) Retrofit to LightSweep
Case Study - GE Total Lighting Controls (TLC) Retrofit to LightSweep
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Overview
Sacramento County manages numerous public facilities equipped with GE Total Lighting Controls (TLC) systems originally installed decades ago. These systems were once cutting-edge, providing automated relay-based lighting control for large buildings and campuses. However, as technology evolved, the TLC product line was discontinued, and replacement parts—including critical components such as the ProSys Clock (RCLK8PS)—became unavailable.
Over time, the County’s maintenance team began to face an increasingly common problem—a lack of support and parts for the GE TLC Lighting system. A major issue is that the ProSys Clocks (RCLK8PS) are no longer available. Without it, the lighting system can only be operated manually, eliminating all automation and scheduling capabilities.
Replacing the full panel and rewiring the system would have been expensive and disruptive. Instead, Sacramento County turned to Chipkin Automation Systems for a cost-effective retrofit that would restore automation and reliability — while reusing existing relays, switches, and most field wiring.
Challenge
GE TLC systems are robust but aging:
- Once the ProSys Clock — the system’s programmable time-based controller — fails, it cannot be replaced.
- Legacy TLC electronics and control boards are discontinued and unsupported.
- Knowledge to support and operate TLC Lighting systems is disappearing.
- Replacing the entire enclosure, relays, and field wiring would be costly and time-consuming.
The County needed a drop-in retrofit that could reuse the panel’s existing relays, switches, and wiring, while replacing only the obsolete control electronics.
Chipkin’s Solution
Chipkin provided a LightSweep retrofit kit engineered to replace the internal control electronics of the TLC panel while preserving all existing hardware and wiring.
The retrofit included:
- INT24-RET24 LightSweep retrofit assembly for 24-relay panels
- CLCRMS6 relay control modules and CLCGSM8 group input module for switch zone control
- CLCDLS Dataline Scheduler, replacing the ProSys Clock (RCLK8PS)
- CLCTRM Dataline Terminators for network stability
- Contractor documentation (CAS-RENG1) and remote support (CAS-RENG3) for installation guidance
Most field wiring, relays, and switches were retained and reconnected to the new LightSweep controller, dramatically reducing cost, installation time, and waste.
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Results & Customer Advantages
The retrofit successfully restored automated lighting control and extended the useful life of the County’s existing infrastructure for many years.
Key benefits:
- Restored scheduling and automation through the new CLCDLS module
- Minimal downtime — installation completed using existing relays, switches, and wiring
- Significant cost savings compared to full panel replacement
- Reliable, serviceable components supported by Current LightSweep manufacturing
- Sustainable solution — reused infrastructure reduced material waste
- Future proofing — modular, expandable system
Sacramento County’s facilities team regained reliable lighting control without replacing the entire system — a cost-effective, future-ready solution that keeps their lighting network running for years to come.
About Chipkin
Chipkin Automation Systems specializes in lighting control retrofits and legacy TLC system maintenance and modernization. Our retrofit kits for GE TLC legacy systems allow clients to extend the life of existing panels, reduce costs, and eliminate obsolete hardware — all without replacing relays or rewiring facilities.
FAQ
Can we restore automation on GE Total Lighting Control (TLC) panels without replacing the entire enclosure? +
Yes. A LightSweep retrofit replaces obsolete TLC control electronics while reusing existing relays, switches, and field wiring. This approach restores scheduling and automation with minimal downtime and cost.
What replaces the ProSys Clock (RCLK8PS) in this retrofit? +
The CLCDLS Dataline Scheduler replaces the ProSys Clock (RCLK8PS), restoring time-based control and scheduling within the panel.
Which components are typically included in the TLC to LightSweep retrofit? +
Typical parts include INT24-RET24 for 24-relay panels, CLCRMS6 relay control modules, CLCGSM8 group input modules, and CLCTRM terminators, plus contractor documentation (CAS-RENG1) and remote support (CAS-RENG3).
Do we need to rewire the building or replace existing relays? +
No. Most field wiring, relays, and switches are retained and reconnected to the LightSweep controller, avoiding extensive rewiring and reducing installation time and cost.
What are the main benefits of this retrofit versus full panel replacement? +
Restored automation and scheduling, minimal downtime, significant cost savings, supported and serviceable components, reduced material waste, and a modular, future-ready platform.