Automatic controls for lighting, common in commercial buildings, are now available in a variety of options for residences ranging from a simple outdoor light fixture with a built-in photosensor to whole-house programmable controls that can activate lights for various scenarios (e.g., time of day, vacations, entertaining) from a central command center. Once a luxury for the wealthiest homeowners, centralized lighting controls are now affordable to the average homeowner.

Controls can switch lights on and off, or dim lights based on input from sensors which include simple timers, occupancy sensors to detect motion or infrared radiation from a person, or photosensors which operate lights or adjust light levels based on the amount of available daylight. There are also sensors, suitable for accessibility, that operate lighting by voice or sound. Many systems include the option of remote control via phone, computer, or a standard remote control.

Controls can be hard-wired or wireless. Most hard-wired controls rely on low-voltage CAT-5 wiring for signal transmission. However, there are a few products on the market that transmit signals over standard household wiring (and therefore require no additional wiring). Some systems are "plug and play" while other systems - typically ones that provide the most flexibility - require design and programming by the installer. All whole-house systems require some user programming, although programming can be as simple as programming a preset radio station in the car.

Central lighting control systems can be "zoned" to provide pre-programmed lighting levels (often called "scenes") for different situations. Examples of modes that may be preprogrammed include: vacation, dining, entertaining, and morning.

A manual-on occupancy sensor is a wall switch that will allow regular on and off switching of lights and can be used as an electronic occupancy sensor, as well. The occupancy sensor operates on low frequency sound waves that can sense movement in an area. After a prescribed time delay of six to fifteen minutes, dependent upon manufacturer, the sensor will turn off the light if movement has not been detected.

Dimmer switches can allow one fixture to serve several lighting functions, such as task lighting at full ballast and decorative or safety lighting on a lower setting. Dimming increases lamp life and saves energy - a light that is dimmed by 25% uses about 20% less energy while lamp life is increased fourfold.

One wireless controller, ideally suited for retrofit, works with a transmitter and receiver located in the same room. The transmitter is a push-button switch that generates its own electricity when pressed (and therefore does not require a separate power source such as batteries). The receiver is either an electrical outlet or a hard-wired device, and the light source (or any connected electrical device) can be toggled on or off via the transmitter switch. A single device or a group of electrical devices can be controlled via the toggle switch.

For more information please click on the link below.

www.aboutlightingcontrols.org/

Low Voltage Controls

TURN YOUR THERMOSTAT UP (OR DOWN) FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR BED

DESCRIPTION
Replace your thermostat with an remote control thermostat and use a handheld remote to recall your favorite temperature presets at the touch of a button, from anywhere in the house.

TURN YOUR THERMOSTAT UP (OR DOWN) FROM THE FRONT DOOR

Use a KeypadLinc near the entry way to turn your thermostat off as you leave or on when you come home.
DESCRIPTION
One of the largest energy hogs in your home is the A/C system. The idea behind this solution is to make create a simple "Home" and "Away" button on a wall keypad that would be near the front entryway. Because the KeypadLinc has a built-in switch it can replace an existing wall switch (not sacrificing control over what the old switch used to control) and has buttons that can be programmed to control preset temperatures on the remote control thermostat. Expand your energy savings by adding remote control switches and plug-in lamp and appliance controllers throughout your home so that as you leave, one press of a button can set back your thermostat and turn off lights.

ACCESS YOUR THERMOSTAT WHILE ON YOUR WAY HOME FROM WORK

Using your web-enabled phone or PC, access your home and set the thermostat to your favorite temperature setting. This way your house will be at the perfect temperature when you arrive.
DESCRIPTION
iPhone or any web-enabled device communicates to the SmartLinc which sends signals over your homes existing power wires and then to the Thermostat via an Access Point. Easily expand the system to control lighting with plug-in lamp dimmers, wall switches and more.

PLUG-IN LIGHT CONTROL

This kit will get you up and controlling 2 plug-in lights in less than 10 minutes. It consists of a handheld remote (RemoteLinc) and 2 lamp controllers (LampLinc Dual-Band dimmers)


DESCRIPTION
RemoteLinc sends RF commands (On, Off, Dim, Bright) to the LampLinc dual-band modules allowing you to control lamps up to 150' away. The remote is capable of controlling a total of six devices or can be setup to control six scenes of any large number of devices (movie time, dinner party, goodnight, etc).

CONTROL LIGHTS USING A TV REMOTE

Use your universal remote control to turn lights on or off or to dim them when it's time to watch a movie. You can even setup scenes that control your lighting to preset levels just like they do in the movie theaters.
DESCRIPTION
Set the IRLinc's sensor eye somewhere in view of your remote (on a shelf next to your TV for example) and plug it into an available outlet. Set up your universal remote with the pre-programmed code (or use the included remote to teach the codes to your learning remote). Next, replace your existing wall switches with remote control dimmers or for plug-in lamps, use an remote dimmer. Follow the steps to program each switch or plug-in module to respond to your remote commands and you're set.

CONTROL LIGHTS WITH YOUR IPHONE OR IPOD TOUCH

Connect SmartLinc to your router and turn any iPhone or other web-enabled device into a home controller. Use it to control your lighting such as plug-in lamps & overhead lights.
DESCRIPTION
Access your home from anywhere you have internet access. Use any of the kits shown above OR make your own.

GARAGE DOOR STATUS AND CONTROL FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE

DESCRIPTION
Replace an existing wall switch with the KeypadLinc, set up your I/O Linc Garage Door Control & Status Kit and wirelessly link one button on the KeypadLinc to the I/O Linc. Now when the garage door opens, the LED on that button will light up. Press the button to close the garage. It's that simple. Easily expand the other unused buttons on the KeypadLinc to control the garage lights or any other light in the house. Just add additional compatible wall switches or plug-in modules to the lights you want to control.

Important: You should only remotely close a garage door when you can be sure it is safe, either by watching it directly or through a camera. Use of safety beam devices can further increase the safety of remote garage door control and are usually required by law.

REMOTE CONTROL FOR YOUR A/V EQUIPMENT

Use a remote to set a romantic mood by turning on your stereo, setting the radio station and dimming down the lights.

DESCRIPTION
RemoteLinc sends a wireless RF signal to Access Points or dual-band products which send signals over your existing electrical wires to the IRLinc Transmitter. IRLinc then converts the signals to IR commands to control your A/V equipment. You can also link switches, plug-in modules, outlets and more to respond to the same command; creating elegant movie-time scenes.

CONVERT AN EXISTING WALL SWITCH INTO A CUSTOM IR REMOTE

Replace an existing wall switch with a KeypadLinc and be able to turn the lights off in addition to the TV or other A/V gear. This works well for the master bedroom: when leaving your room, turn off the bedside lamp, ceiling light and TV or stereo all at the press of a button.
DESCRIPTION
KeypadLinc transmits commands to other devices and to your A/V devices via IRLinc Transmitter.

CONTROL YOUR HOME THEATER EQUIPMENT FROM YOUR iPHONE

Use a web-enabled portable device such as an iPhone or iPod touch to control your TV, Stereo and even lights and drapes.
DESCRIPTION
By connecting a SmartLinc to your home's internet router you can access your lights and IR controllable equipment via a webserver that is stored within SmartLinc. You can even create schedules that will automatically turn lights on at sundown or open your drapes in the morning. Because SmartLinc is a web-based controller it also allows you to control your home from anywhere in the world. Either way you use it, SmartLinc gives you some awesome control possibilities.

LET MOTION CONTROL THE LIGHTS

DESCRIPTION
Would you like to turn on a light every time a closet door is opened and then have the light turn off when the door is closed? Maybe you just need a light turned on without having to feel around for the switch in the dark. Either way, we have a solution for you. In the above illustration we show a door/window sensor (TriggerLinc) and a motion sensor. Both can turn on a light when activated. The TriggerLinc turns the light off when the door or window is closed and the motion sensor turns it off after a period of time of no motion. Both communicate wirelessly to an AccessPoint which plugs into a standard outlet and communicates over the homes electrical wiring to either a plug-in module or wall switch.

Call Mike Counsil Electric, Inc. at 408-212-0230