Summarize
- Careful consideration of the location of electrical wiring in log houses and CLT houses
- Wireless lighting control saves materials and effort
- Wireless controllers offer freedom in lighting placement
- Wireless control using RF technology and battery-powered controllers
- Led strip lighting can be easily added and controlled wirelessly
The location of the electrical wiring in a new log or CLT house should be carefully considered. In particular, if the wood surface is exposed, any extra electrical wiring, for example to light switches, will all be visible on the wall surfaces. Reliable wireless wall controllers are available for lighting control, which are labour-saving and material-efficient.
Wireless control gives freedom in the positioning of lighting applications
In timber-framed houses, especially log houses and CLT houses, the drilling of the frame for electrical wiring is carefully considered. Retrofitting electrical wiring is more challenging. In a new house, labour and materials can be saved by making lighting control wireless. Wireless controllers can be placed in exactly the places you want and can be used with many types of LEDs, including spotlights, panels, plafond and LED strips. Architect SAFA, Juhani Harju, is actively involved in the development of wood construction as an advisor to TILAGroup, and he sees material efficiency as an advantage of wireless control. He sees wireless also bringing production benefits to construction. “Wireless lighting control in timber frame houses is recommended because the products themselves are of high quality and there is a clear continuity in RF technology. According to various calculations, wireless control achieves material savings of around 50%, as less electrical wiring is required. Also, fewer materials are needed for the controllers and they can be positioned freely.”
There are several viable options for wireless lighting control
Wireless means that the control signal between the RF transformer of the luminaires and the controller travels at radio frequency, i.e. wirelessly. The RF transducer of the luminaires has the characteristic of wireless connection to the controllers, i.e. it contains a receiver in itself. The controller is powered by a button battery and can take the form of a wall switch or a remote control. The battery has a lifetime of several years and is easily replaceable. Wireless control can also be achieved by combining wired and wireless buttons. In this case, the wired dimmer has a wireless connection feature. A dimmable, typically triac transformer of a luminaire or group of luminaires is connected to such a wired dimmer. Transformers do not always have to be RF transformers for wireless dimming. Wireless control can also be achieved by a receiver mounted on the primary or secondary side of the non-dimmable transformer, which is paired with the wireless controller. Three types of wireless controllers are shown: a wall-mounted two-piece dimmer, a remote control for four groups of colour temperature controlled luminaires. The third is a wired wall-mounted dimmer, which also provides a wireless connection to other dimmers to control a group of luminaires connected to the same wired dimmer.
Wireless control of colour temperature adjustable or single colour temperature luminaires
The CCT LED luminaires easily provide white light to suit different moods and needs by adjusting the Kelvin level. Wiring is required for the transformer and between the transformer and the luminaires, and remains in the false ceiling. A wireless control link is established between the RF transformer with wireless receiver and the controller. Several controllers can be connected to the transformer, so that, for example, the lighting in a staircase can be easily controlled from the controllers at the top and bottom of the staircase. The size (wattage) of the transformer (DC power supply) for the luminaires is chosen according to the total power of the luminaires. On the colour temperature control, a button on the right-hand side of the control allows the warm white (WW) and cold white (CW) to be adjusted in a sliding scale. The following figure shows an example of the colour tone of the light at six different points in the range 2500K-5500K. On the left side of the control is a brightness control and an on/off control. Wireless dimming works on the same principle with single colour temperature luminaires. In these, Kelvins are typically selected to be a warm 3000K, or a neutral 4000K.
In the following picture, the wireless buttons are mounted on a wall frame to control two groups of colour temperature control. The controls are similar in size to the Schneider EXXACT dimmers, so the electrical fittings fit together, even if some of them use wireless control. The wireless controller is battery powered, so no wall-mounted power supply is required from the transformer to the controllers. The battery is replaced by removing the central part of the push button. The battery is on the back of the push button.
Wireless lighting control for LED strips
Led strip lighting is one of the typical lighting methods that can be easily added afterwards and can be controlled wirelessly. In addition to the LED strip and the mounting rail (aluminium profile), LED strip lighting requires a transformer to power the LED strip. The transformer is connected to the mains power supply, either to a ready-made socket, or as a fixed installation by an electrician. The easiest way to operate and dim the LED strip is to use a touch dimmer, which is installed inside the LED strip. In this case, the LED strip is turned on and off and dimmed reliably by adjusting the LED strip.
Ask more about wireless LED lighting control options at LedStore! All the luminaires mentioned in this article can be found in the LedStore showroom store, which is connected to the company’s services and warehouse. We also serve consumer and professional customers on-site and remotely for custom led strip lighting installations, as well as lighting design. Our visiting address is Mesikukantie 16, 01300 Vantaa. Call or e-mail, tel. 045 251 4510 and myynti@ledstore.fi. You can also find LedStore on FB and IG with the tag ledstore.fi.
