Read the full article here - http://www.ieslightlogic.org/residential-lighting/introduction-to-lighting-controls-for-the-home/ From flipping lights on to dimming them down, controls can change the tune of your room and help you to save on energy bills.

1. www.IESLightLogic.org
Light Logic aims to help
consumers learn about residential
lighting best practices, design,
energy efficiency and all topics
regarding lighting a home.
Visit Light Logic at:
www.IESLightLogic.org

2. Introduction to Lighting Controls for the Home
What You Need To Know
About Home Lighting Controls
• All lighting must be controlled Basic
functions include switching (on/off) and
dimming (raise/lower) Switching can
be automated for energy savings and
security Dimming can be tied together
for convenient, single-button scene
recall Room control systems can be
tied together for whole-house control
All lighting must be controlled Basic
functions include switching (on/off) and
dimming (raise/lower) Switching can
be automated for energy savings and
security Dimming can be tied together
for convenient, single-button scene
recall Room control systems can be
tied together for whole-house control

3. Introduction to Lighting Controls for the Home
Why Do You Need Lighting Controls In Your Home?
Lighting controls can transform a room from bright and airy to dusky and
romantic with just the push of a button or the flick of a switch.
By giving you a choice of different light levels, lighting controls allow you to
create various moods and visual scenes to accommodate your preferences or
to change the ambiance of a room.
They also offer energy-saving benefits by turning off the lights when they’re
not being used or by dimming the lights while they’re on.

4. Introduction to Lighting Controls for the Home
Flip the Switch: Lighting Control Fundamentals
At the most basic level, all lighting requires controls that provide switching
(on/off), dimming (raise/lower) or both. Here are options for controlling a
single zone, lamp (light bulb) or group of lamps tied together on a single
lighting subcircuit
Switch: This simple control device turns the lights hardwired to it on and off.
Vacancy sensor: Suited for bathrooms and utility spaces, this automatic
switch detects whether a room is occupied, and turns the lights off when it’s
not, saving energy by making sure the lights are off when the room is not
being used.
Timer switch: Ideal for utility spaces such as closets, these automatic
switches, once set in the on position, turn the lights off after a
predetermined time.
Dimmer switch: This device provides switching as well as
dimming, which is the ability to raise or lower light output.

5. Introduction to Lighting Controls for the Home
Beyond the Basics: Lighting
Controls for Scene Setting
Room- and whole-house controls
enable homeowners to control their
lighting to an even more detailed
degree than basic lighting controls.
These types of controls allow you to
set a scene, or a programmed visual
effect achieved by dimming each layer
of lighting to a different level. Scenes
can change the ambiance of a room or
accommodate different tasks, or
activities, such as reading or watching
television.

6. Introduction to Lighting Controls for the Home
Preset scene control
The next step up from a single-load control device is room control, in which
every light in the room is controlled individually or with other lights to create
various lighting scenes.
Suppose we layer the lighting in a room—ambient (or general), task and
accent lighting—and want to separately control each layer, or even different
groupings within each layer. We could assign a single dimmer to each of
these zones, but in a large room with complex lighting needs, this can result
in a lot of dimmers on the wall.
Preset scene control systems, or integrated dimmers with keypads,
consolidate the functions of multiple dimmers into a single user interface.
Scenes can be programmed for single-button recall. The keypad
interface may be pushbutton, touchscreen, a wireless handheld
remote or some other activator, and may be customizable.

7. Introduction to Lighting Controls for the Home
Whole-house control
The next step up from room control is whole-house control. Just as preset
scene controls tie together lighting layers into a single push-button room
control system, a whole-house system ties these rooms into a single whole-
house system.
A whole-house lighting control system can include scene controllers (room or
zone), a central controller (with timer and programming), dimming rack and
processor (depending on the manufacturer), remote controls, vacancy/motion
sensors, and related devices such as photosensors and various interfaces
that can integrate lighting with other home systems such as home
automation.
From a few locations, you can control all of the lighting in the
home, including programming, scheduling and push-button
scene recall.

8. Introduction to Lighting Controls for the Home
Wireless versus wired
For a home lighting control system to be responsive to its owner, the owner
must be able to command the controls.
The command is issued as a control signal, which in turn requires a
communication pathway between connected devices in the system.
Communication methods include line-voltage power wiring (powerline carrier),
dedicated low-voltage wiring and infrared or radio-frequency (RF) wireless.
When choosing the control method that is right for you, remember that there
is a distinct difference between controlling the lights and lighting control.
To maximize flexibility, savings, security and
lifestyle/convenience, consider going beyond the basic switch.

9. www.IESLightLogic.org
Light Logic aims to help
consumers learn about residential
lighting best practices, design,
energy efficiency and all topics
regarding lighting a home.
Visit Light Logic at:
www.IESLightLogic.org

10. www.IESLightLogic.org
Light Logic aims to help
consumers learn about residential
lighting best practices, design,
energy efficiency and all topics
regarding lighting a home.
Visit Light Logic at:
www.IESLightLogic.org