Manufacturers Focus on Programming Simplicity and Retrofit
For years, lighting control was the last item considered by a custom installer who was typically more focused on more glamorous categories like home theater and multi-room audio. These days, however, any ESC worth his salt knows that promoting green integration usually means getting more green in the wallet, and no product category is more “green” than lighting control.
GREEN LIGHT UPGRADE
Crestron’s new GLS-SIM is a system integration module that connects Crestron Green Light and third-party sensors directly to the lighting control system via Cresnet.
LiteTouch’s FIVEk CCU lighting control system can be installed as all wired, all wireless, or both
Crestron Green Light connects the company’s line of user interfaces to lighting and dimming control, and offers remote monitoring, management and control over standard IP networks. Cresnet, the Crestron platform that provides bidirectional communication and 24V power to devices on the network, can be used throughout a wide range of system design scenarios, including traditional wiring with local intelligence or distributed, high-voltage wiring with centralized and/or distributed intelligence systems. Crestron processors enable manual and automatic controls; turning on exterior lights based on an astronomical clock, presets, such as providing a single button press to turn all lights on, illuminating safe exits in case of emergency and many other lighting functions. Now shipping, the new GLS-SIM is a system integration module that connects Crestron Green Light and third-party sensors directly to the lighting control system via Cresnet. The GLS-SIM works with occupancy sensors, photocells, and partition sensors, and can support multiple sensors in parallel.
A HYBRID SOLUTION
LiteTouch began shipping its Hybrid Technology products last spring and made a big splash with the first public introduction at CEDIA EXPO in September. The company’s new line allows the topof- the-line LiteTouch 5000LC CCU (now called the “FIVEk CCU”) to be installed as all wired, all wireless, or as a combination installation. The company wanted to not only to support existing homes with no lighting control, but also LiteTouch owners who wanted to efficiently add on guest rooms, closets, bathrooms, etc. to an existing, wired system. By adding the LiteTouch C2000+ Card to any Lite- Touch 5000LC CCU, an ESC can gain the ability to add wireless communication into the existing system. Hybrid Wall Box Dimmers/Relays can be added to any location not currently connected to the original LiteTouch system, allowing for whole-home control of all locations regardless of specialty or conventional wiring. In addition to adding the wireless capability, LiteTouch System can be upgraded to include a new FIVEk CCU, delivering the latest functionality with no need to rewire. LiteTouch Hybrid offers new features such as an astronomical time clock and new faceplates. One-, three-, and sixbutton Wall Box Dimmers serve as relays for the system, helping designers avoid home run wiring back to a central panel. The designer or traditional faceplate styles come in white, almond, and black, with custom engraving included (with our without the backlighting option).
LUTRON’S BIG LAUNCH
The Main Repeater for Lutron’s RadioRA2 system features an astronomic time clock.
Lutron completely overhauled its RadioRA flagship lighting control system in the months leading up to CEDIA EXPO 2009. RadioRA 2, which is scalable from two to 200 devices, incorporates a main repeater with astronomic time clock, RS-232 and IP integration built-in, a new seeTouch hybrid keypad-dimmer for retrofit applications, wireless Pico Control, Radio Powr Savr occupancy/vacancy sensors, and native system support of GRAFIK Eye QS lighting control and Sivoia QS shading solutions (no interfaces required). But best of all for dealers may be the addition of PC programming, which allows the programmer to define zones and locations, light and shade levels, and occupancy/vacancy sensing in every room in the home from one location, and a public integration protocol that allows devices capable of sending and/or receiving RS232 or IP commands to control lights and shades.
LEGRAND TAKES CONTROL
Legrand’s RF Lighting Controls
Legrand’s RF Lighting Controls offer a new line of wired and wireless lighting control products that offer safety, security, convenience and energy efficiency. RF Lighting Controls enable automation and dimming for complete control of permanent lighting as well as lamps, ceiling fans, and small appliances. The RF Lighting Controls line will include controllers, dimmers, plug-in modules, repeaters, remote controls and key fobs for convenient access. The system incorporates and saves “scenes,” or pre-set lighting levels, that the homeowner can select to create the ambiance of their choice.
BATTERY-LESS RF
PCS Lighting’s RFI-E EnOcean Radio Frequency Interface and battery-less RF Switches and Remotes are designed to allow homeowners to put a switch anywhere in the home without running wires.
PCS Lighting’s RFI-E EnOcean Radio Frequency Interface and battery-less RF Switches and Remotes are designed to allow homeowners to put a switch anywhere in the home without running wires by utilizing existing power lines. The EnOcean RF switch sends out a radio frequency command to the RFI-E. The RFI receives this signal from as far away as 50 feet and then turns that into a UPB signal, thus transmitting it on the power line to one of the company’s devices.
LEVITON EXPANDS SWITCHES
Leviton’s expanded Vizia RF+ line includes a fourbutton zone controller, four-button scene controller, or a two-button scene controller with switches.
Having had success with its Vizia RF+ line, Leviton Manufacturing has expanded it with combination devices that allow installers to replace existing switches with a four-button zone controller, four-button scene controller, or a two-button scene controller with switches. Leviton also launched what it says is the industry’s first slide dimmer specifically designed for use with a wide variety of dimmable CFL bulbs. The Leviton Decora CFL Slide Dimmer optimizes the performance of dimmable CFL bulbs and works with the widest range of dimmable CFL bulbs available.
