Provided is control method and a lighting system having a plurality of lighting elements that includes a power supply for supplying power, a lighting driver having a microcontroller and configured to receive power from the power supply and output power to the plurality of lighting elements for operation thereof, a control system in electrical or wireless communication with the microcontroller, and configured to communicate with the microcontroller, to control an operational mode of the plurality of lighting elements via the lighting driver, wherein the microcontroller is configured to transmit an output reference signal as a control signal, and a peak detection circuit that receives the output reference control signal from the microcontroller, and generates a standby control signal from the output reference control signal received, to thereby operate the plurality of lighting elements in an on or standby mode.