Articles and whitepapers

An Introduction to Integrated Lighting Control (4/4/2005)

By Andrew Glossop, iLight

Not so long ago, a home cinema was the latest and greatest addition to the family home. From there, the concept of having smart homes has grown. Nowadays, it is becoming expected that new-build houses will at least be 'future proofed', if not already fitted with some audio, video, or lighting control - and for the whole home, not just one room. Once you have gone to the trouble of installing a control network around the whole home, it makes sense to use this to control more than just simple audio or lighting.

Often, a proprietary automation system is used to integrate individual systems, but for those on a tighter budget, there are alternatives. Apart from lights, a lighting control system can be used to switch other devices on and off, including pumps for water features, and motors for blinds and curtain tracks. Indeed anything that needs a volt-free contact closure, such as garage doors, electric gates, and heating systems, can usually be easily integrated and controlled. Likewise, using contact closure inputs allows lights to be controlled by other devices. Alarm systems for example, not only make noise, but can also flood the garden or exit route with light.

iLight colour touchscreen

Obviously, there is a cost involved in connecting these different systems together, but if you are installing a lighting control system and an audio system, linking the two together does not add much to the final cost. Beware however, that if the user is asked how much integration they need, the response may well be 'I want everything connected to everything.' The ability therefore, to ascertain what it essential as opposed to what would be nice, and explain what is possible for a given budget, is key.

Single-room solutions

Everyone is aware of the standard rotary dimmer, but if the customer wants something a little more sophisticated, there are now many solutions using IR remotes, touch-dimming and push-button control. Since most of these are still one channel in a backbox, retrofitting is very easy. Such products do not however, offer much in the way of integration with other systems.

iLight control panel for manual selection of up to four scenes

The next step up is still a backbox dimmer, but with several channels and scene setting controls. This is an ideal choice for one room, such as a home cinema. Such products also offer ways to be integrated with audio/visual systems, perhaps via RS232 connections or IR (InfraRed) learning, but at this level, it is usually by means of connection to an automation system such as those by Crestron or AMX.

Multi-room solutions

For controlling more than one room, you must venture into the realm of the network. Although there are some simple wireless systems appearing on the market, the most common method is still to use Cat5 cabling. At this level, integration becomes much more achievable since adding one more device to the network is easy, and relatively cheap. A network system can cover just a few rooms, or the whole house. Indeed, considering all of the home automation equipment that can possibly be installed, larger houses in particular, can become as complex as a small hotel.

The usual methods of integration are by using contact closures and switch inputs, RS232 and RS485 serial data connections, or via IR. Many devices now also have Ethernet, with their own IP address and built-in web server.

Planning

Good planning is essential for any home automation system. Make sure that you have the right wires going to the right places, consider what may happen in the future, and perhaps allow for extra Cat5 cabling - as once the building work is done, it is not so easy to extend later. Also consider how the equipment will be maintained. Many systems can be easily upgraded for improvements or the latest features, and remember that while installing everything behind a panel might be tidy, it can become a nightmare if something goes wrong and needs attention.

Usually, the whole system can be commissioned from one point. This also means that the end user can easily make changes, such as adjusting the light levels, or when the lights turn on and off automatically. With a tablet PC and WiFi, you can even walk around the house to make these changes.

iLight Zen control programmable eight-scene control plate

The future

Twenty years ago there was talk of every device in the home being connected together. So far that dream has not been fulfilled - we still have to mute the TV whenever the phone rings for example - but we are getting there. The whole question of integration - not simply for lighting, but anything electric - is being addressed by initiatives like UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) backed by companies such as Microsoft and Intel. Before long, most of what we use today will connect together without wires - whether via Bluetooth or WiFi, or new wireless technologies such as ZigBee and Z-wave.

Conclusion

In the meantime however, today's integrated control systems offer many advantages. Apart from convenience, comfort and efficiency, perhaps the most obvious one is a reduction of 'wall acne'. As well as looking better, having a single, more expensive control panel is still cheaper than having three or four panels, and with touchscreens, you can have almost unlimited functionality. Furthermore, with Ethernet and an Internet gateway, you can monitor and control the whole system remotely and securely, or even control the system from a mobile phone via an SMS interface.

What is certain, is that before long, there will not be systems that just do lighting control or just do audio. The home network will do it all, and any system that cannot be networked will fast become obsolete. It's a simple matter of integrate or eliminate!

Andrew Glossop is Technical Director for iLight - a Polaron plc company. iLight is a specialist in architectural lighting controls, providing solutions for all lighting control needs, from idea to installation.

www.ilight.co.uk