Controls to Scale: From Single Switch to Whole House Lighting Control

Lighting controls allow users to turn lights ON and OFF using a switch and/or adjust their intensity up and down using a dimmer. Because controls are integral to lighting, a good lighting design requires a good controls design. Control options range from simple toggle switches to whole-house lighting control systems. The right choice for the homeowner will depend on their desired lifestyle and budget.

Homeowners often ask: Which level of control is right for my me and family?

The answer is: What do you want your lighting to do to enhance your lifestyle?

Below is a description of available levels of control and the benefits each provides.

Basic switch. The basic lighting control is the wall-box ON/OFF switch. Low-cost, easy to install and maintain, switches offer only two lighting states, ON or OFF, and only control lights they are hardwired to control. If layering is employed, a regular feature in higher-quality lighting designs, multiple groupings of lights in a room will each require their own switch, which can clutter the wall.

Thousands of dollars may be invested in lighting that is controlled by a control device with a purchase cost of about $1.

HLCA says: Not recommended for regularly occupied spaces. Why invest thousands of dollars in lighting that is controlled by a control device that has a purchase cost of about $1 and so little functionality?

⌂ Automatic switches save energy
⌂ Stand-alone dimmers ideal for spaces with one or two lighting layers
⌂ Preset scene control ideal for control of multiple layers, enables scene recall
⌂ Whole-house lighting control the ultimate in flexibility and lifestyle

Vacancy sensor. The OFF function of the wall switch can be automated to turn out the lights when a

room is unoccupied, eliminating energy waste, extending incandescent and halogen bulb life, and saving money for the owner.

Vacancy sensors can save energy in bathrooms and utility spaces. Photo courtesy of Watt Stopper/Legrand.

HLCA says: Great, simple way to save energy and help the home get more “green,” particularly in bathrooms, bedrooms and utility-type spaces such as laundry rooms, closets and garages. All bathrooms in new homes being built in California must have one, according to the state’s energy code.

Timer switch. Timer switches are also automatic shutoff devices that, once turned ON, turn OFF the lights after a preset period of time, saving energy. Note, however, that the lights are switched on a timer, meaning they may switch OFF while the room is still occupied.

HLCA says: Low-cost automatic shutoff option for some utility spaces such as closets.

Dimmer switch. Dimmer switches turn lights ON and OFF like standard switches but also allow the user to adjust the intensity of the controlled lighting, saving energy and changing the look and feel of a space. Dimmers are rated for 300-200W loads and can control line- and low-voltage incandescent and dimmable compact fluorescents. Multiple dimmers can be ganged (with a resultant de-rating of capacity). With basic dimming capability, the user can control light levels for function and desired ambiance.

HLCA says: The basic dimmer switch is the lowest-cost method for controlling the intensity of a light source and achieve a basic selection of looks for the space. Stand-alone controls such as dimmers are best suited for rooms with a single lighting layer, such as bathrooms.

Preset scene control. Multiple lighting layers in a room, each requiring its own wall-mounted switch or dimmer, can result in “wall acne” and make creating scenes a tiresome chore. Preset scene control systems—or integrated dimmers with keypads—consolidate the functionality of multiple dimmers into a single user interface.

Which would you rather have on the wall? Rows or switches or dimmers, as shown on the left, or a single attractive keypad controlling all of the lighting in the space? Photos courtesy of Square D.

The first benefit is to get clutter off the wall, as multiple dimmer switches call attention to themselves. A four-gang configuration of dimmers, for example, is about 8 inches wide, while a single integrated dimmer is about 2.75 inches wide.

The second benefit is that scenes involving all of the lights in the space can be programmed and recalled repeatedly with the push of a single button in a keypad. The keypad interface may be push-button, touchscreen or IR wireless handheld remote or other activator, and may be customizable.

HLCA says: Imagine gaining a home theater experience in an instant, scheduling various lights to turn ON and OFF at certain times to make the home appear occupied while you’re away on vacation, and completely transforming the look, feel and use of a space at the touch of a button. In a dining space, for example, scenes could include “Unoccupied” (but viewable), with a set level of accent lighting; “Mealtime,” with ambient and accent lighting ON at a set level; “Cleanup,” with all lights ON at full light output; and “Late Night,” with all lights OFF.

Preset control is ideal for spaces with multiple layers of lights that need to be controlled separately and where people spend most of their time, such as living rooms, dining rooms, media rooms and others. For best results, keypads should be located at convenient locations, such as at entry/exit points, and should offer consistent functionality to avoid confusion.

Preset scene control eliminates multiple switches on the wall and enables programming of lighting scenes with push-button recall.

Whole-house lighting control. Just as preset scene control systems tie together control of lighting layers into single push-button control, a whole-house lighting control system ties together these systems into a single whole-house control system. A whole-house lighting control system can include scene controllers (generally room or zone), central controller (with timer and programming), dimming rack and processor (depending on the manufacturer), remote control(s), vacancy/motion sensors and related devices such as photocells, telephone, security, Internet and low-voltage interfaces to integrate lighting with other systems. From a few locations, the user can control all of the lighting in the home, including programming, scheduling and scene recall.

HLCA says: Whole-house lighting control systems offer the ultimate in lighting control capability. Scenes can be created in individual rooms, across multiple rooms and throughout the entire home. With the touch of a button during an emergency, an egress path could be lighted and the porch lights told to begin flashing. When approaching the house at night, a press of a button can illuminate the lights leading into the house and key rooms inside the house. Should a burglar attempt intrusion at night, a “panic” button could be pressed at a master control station, causing all of the lights in the house to turn on. Parents can program their lighting to accommodate their children’s schedules. The lighting system can be programmed to turn ON and OFF at certain times while the owner is away on vacation. No light fixture is ON when it is not supposed to be on, saving energy and extending bulb life. And any desired mood, ambiance and function can be created instantly in a room, multiple rooms or the whole house.

Whole-house lighting control systems are often integrated into home automation systems, the highest level of automation in the home. A home automation system can control environmental systems such as lighting, heating, ventilation, air conditioning and blinds; communications systems such as email and Internet; entertainment systems such as stereo, TV and VCR/DVD; and security systems such as alarms, access control and CCTV. With a home automation system, the homeowner can control the lights, thermostat, security and audio/video systems from a single keypad.

Summing it up (part 1).

Summing it up (part 2).

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