LED dimming has always been an issue that has troubled installers. Voltimum Australia reflects on the growth of smart lighting controls and how these will affect the installation of dimming solutions, which he states will be made easier for installers.
Installation of smart lighting control can seem a daunting prospect – there is much confusion and uncertainty over the skills required to install a smart lighting control solution, even when controlling something as simple as dimming. Adding a new service such as smart lighting control to a business can be a worry. No one wants to get it wrong and end up with inconvenient and costly call-backs. But that need not be the case with simple plug-and-play systems now available on the market.
Make smart controls your business
It’s a common misconception that an installer needs a competent level of programming skills to install controls. Yes, some smart lighting control systems do need to be programmed but these tend to be very high specification systems to deal with complex projects that require a very high level of bespoke functionality. This concept is compounded by the high-end custom installer. It’s in their interest to keep the traditional electrician out of their sector to protect future lower-end work, but these two job roles are set to have more crossover in the future as smart lighting controls continue to develop and installation becomes more accessible.
More control, lower energy bills
Lighting control offers great functionality for consumers, with dimmed scenes providing excellent energy saving capabilities of up to 80%. Dimming LEDs throughout a property can provide energy savings of 20-30% that can be further increased when paired with PIRs so lighting is only on in spaces currently in use. Additionally, using a soft start dimmer for smoother current switching reduces the lamp temperature and can extend the typical 25,000-hour life of a LED to reduce failure and maintenance. This is a great selling pitch for lighting control and dimming, opening a new lucrative business avenue for installers.
Keeping it simple
With these benefits – and the increasing demand for high-tech solutions from the tech-savvy – it’s no surprise that lighting control is becoming more popular. To make smart lighting control more accessible manufacturers are simplifying the systems.
Use quality LEDs
There is one more thing to take into consideration when dimming LEDs and that is lamp compatibility. As most installers know, cheap LEDs are a false economy and can lead to flickering problems when dimming, so good quality branded LEDs should always be used. And try to use the same brand throughout the installation to ensure consistent light quality and colour.
Become a Smart installer
In terms of easy-to-install smart lighting control that offers simple dimming, the technology is already here. It’s quick and easy for electrical installers to fit without additional training or programming knowledge. Smart lighting control doesn’t have to be complicated – it is already making dimming easier.