News

Leax Takes on the Domestic Sector (10/7/2006)

Recognising a growing appreciation and demand for high quality lighting design and control in the domestic market, leading British manufacturer Leax Lighting Controls has launched the state-of-the-art Leax 4x4 programmable wall dimmer switch.

The Leax 4x4 is smaller than its US competitor, the Lutron Grafik Eye, and is described as the neatest package on the market. With an elegant and discreet wall plate it is designed to fit into a double gang back box, 75mm deep, avoiding the clutter of too many controls and unsightly wall switches. The plates can be custom finished to suit the requirement of any scheme. Unlike other lighting control systems, the Leax 4x4 can be programmed direct from the plate and additionally controlled by an infra-red handset.

Designed specifically for small 'stand alone' projects, the unit comprises four circuits of up to 500w each giving an impressive 2000w overall capacity. With an RS232 interface as standard, the Leax 4x4 can communicate with audio systems, making the product a highly desirable addition to the Custom Install (CEDIA) and AV markets where interface between lighting systems, distributed audio and home cinema equipment is now so fundamental. Changing the mood or integration to other systems is all possible at the touch of a button where in the past, several unsightly rotary dimmers and controls would have been needed.

Programming is performed manually from the plate and the fade rate can be set by a dip switch at the back of the unit. Four scenes can be programmed and recalled at the touch of a fingertip. The unit can also run up to three slave plates which are also fully programmable. The huge advantage of the Leax 4x4 is that these slaves provide full programmable dimming control - something that rotaries are unable to do. Additionally, if two units are put together, for example in a cupboard, these slave plates could effectively control up to eight circuits in any one area. Slave plates can also be used in wet areas such as bathrooms or swimming pools as they are powered by signal cable only which is SELV.

Caro Hill, Director of Leax Lighting Controls and Corporate Director of BIDA, said: "The Leax 4x4 is a revolution in the lighting market and it will open up a world of possibilities for the domestic user. We can now offer the consumer a sophisticated, intelligent dimmer switch that is easily programmable and looks great on the wall. Leax has years of experience in design and manufacture of networked dimming control systems and it is a pleasure to be in a position to bring that experience into a product that can be available to all budgets and project types. Best of all, it's British designed and built!"

The Leax 4x4 is a soft-start system making it more energy efficient as it extends the lamp life and saves energy at the same time.

www.leax.co.uk