Electrical construction projects – new construction, retrofits, and renovations – almost all involve updates to lighting and lighting control systems. And many share the same challenges: a shortage of skilled labor, abbreviated project timelines, changing codes, tight budgets, and elevated expectations that make it harder to balance your project load.
Wireless lighting controls can help. From stand-alone solutions for a single room to networked systems for an entire building, wireless solutions support code compliance, install up to 70% faster than wired systems, and are scalable over the life of your projects. But before we dig into the “why” of wireless control, it is important to talk about the “what.”
What is wireless lighting control?
At its core, wireless is an alternative to the traditional wired lighting control system. Both require power wiring to the load, but instead of using low voltage wiring between controls, wireless systems transmit control signals through the air via radio frequency communication. These wire-free devices can be wall-mounted, ceiling-mounted, or free-standing, and can be added to the system virtually anywhere, at any time.
Wireless lighting control systems use just a handful of fundamental building blocks such as load controls, system controls, and sensors, making them intrinsically simple to design and install without the inherent complexities of a wired solution. Two-way communication (wireless controls generally are equipped to both send and receive information) ensures wireless systems can provide important data about energy consumption, space utilization, and required lighting maintenance, adding significant value to facility managers.
Once a wireless system is installed and programmed, it can scale seamlessly. What was originally designed as stand-alone control in a single space can be expanded into a networked solution for an entire floor, building, or campus to accommodate changing space requirements. Updates, including wireless processors that facilitate smart-building features, can be implemented over time as budgets and schedules allow. Added controls operate on the existing infrastructure, which saves time and money while providing next-level functionality.
A simple system comparison
We can illustrate the differences between wired and wireless systems with the following examples. First, we will look at a wired system for a typical commercial space:
A standard 2x2 fixture provides the fixed, overhead lighting in the space, and receptacles accommodate plug-in devices such as desk lamps, desk fans, and computer monitors. From a controls perspective, we have a wired load controller, known as a relay pack or power pack, connected to the junction box and wired directly to the 2x2 fixture. A wall switch provides manual control of the loads in the space, and there are a variety of wired occupancy and daylight sensors for automatic control.
This installation requires two types of wiring. The red wires represent the line voltage used to power the luminaires, receptacles, and controls, and the white wires represent low-voltage hardwiring used to communicate from device to device. It also shows how manual and automatic devices control the luminaires and receptacles.
Compare this to a wireless system with the same control capability:
Using wireless technology, system wiring is simple. Instead of low-voltage hardwiring, RF signals handle the communication between devices (as indicated by the blue squiggly lines you see in the example). The line voltage topology is also minimized. Line voltage is only required to power the loads, making the design and installation simpler, faster, and less expensive. The sensors and wall controls are wire-free. Some manufacturers offer battery-powered devices with up to 10-year battery life.
Reduce risk, save time, and add flexibility
While wired and wireless systems deliver similar control, with wireless we don’t need to worry about having to create a complex design or make critical design decisions due to wiring complexities.
Wireless control is inherently simple to design and install. With just a handful of components that combine to create the lighting control system, you can deliver a full-featured, code-compliant lighting control design with less material and minimal wiring.
With less material and complexity, wireless lighting control systems can install up to 70% faster than wired solutions. So, not only is design faster, but contractors can get on and off one job site, and onto the next.
You can easily meet diverse, and dynamic, client requirements – install a new project, renovate an office space for a new tenant, or update a stand-alone system to a networked system without disrupting workflow in the space.
With its ability to adapt to changing client needs, new technologies, and evolving floor plans, wireless provides simple, scalable, future-proof solutions. For your next project, consider the advantages of wireless lighting control.
Jeremy Fye, Product Manager, has contributed his engineering, technical sales, and business expertise to Lutron Electronics for the past ten years. In his current role, he is the Global Product Manager for Vive wireless solutions – a simple, scalable, wireless control system intended for commercial spaces. Prior to this, he has held positions across a variety of disciplines that span from new product development to product standards and applications engineering.
