Wired or Unwired? Exploring the Features and Flexibility of an Integrated Lighting System
Integrated Lighting Systems 101s
To be wired or not to be wired; that is the question. And, as it turns out, it’s a great question. Integrated lighting can be complicated, but we're here to solve that issue for you.
Up until recently, to have any sort of control system for integrated lighting, the light fixtures needed to be hard-wired directly into a control system.
The Future of Integrated Lighting
While this is not the end of the world, it does mean that once lighting is selected and installed in their locations, the overall lighting is now somewhat “stuck.”
The system is hard-wired, which means the fixtures cannot be moved or altered without some serious rewiring. And honestly, who wants to do that? Remember the “. . . or not to be wired . . .” part posed above?
All the Control & Convenience Without the Wires
Well, that is the topic of focus for this article— light fixtures that allow integral control systems without the need for hard wiring. But first, let’s clarify the various different options to which “control” refers. Today’s LED light fixtures offer many controllable aspects.
Correlated Color Temperature
One controllable aspect of some LED light fixtures is the color temperature (a.k.a. the correlated color temperature, a.k.a. the CCT). This is the visual color of the lighting.
It can appear warm or yellowish to cool or bluish. This type of control is called tunable white. The CCT affects the overall impression of the space as well as setting the mood for the occupants in the space.
Being able to change the CCT of a fixture without rewiring is a desirable control and is available in many LED options for lighting.
WS-10010 0-10V Dimmer
Dimming Integrated LED Lights
Another aspect of an LED lighting that can be controlled without the hassle of rewiring is the lumen package, or the amount of lighting the fixture produces. This can also be determined by the wattage of the fixture; the higher the wattage, the more light the fixture will produce.
Being able to dim lighting solutions is one of the more important controls to have. The most common type of dimming protocol for commercial spaces is 0-10V. This requires two wires, a positive and negative, running from the control switch to each fixture allowing for dimming control via the switch.
Juno AI LED Down Lights
Juno AI LED down lights allow for an incredible level of control from your smart phone, without the need for hardwiring. Dimming, color tuning (tunable white) from 2700K to 5000K, and even a built-in Bluetooth speaker are all controlled wirelessly. You can even use Amazon Alexa to control them with voice commands.
Lighting Sensors
The last control to discuss is sensors. Sensors can do a host of important things with your LED lighting fixtures. They can turn the fixtures on or off depending on the occupancy status of the space, saving energy and resources.
They can also dim the fixtures when there is an abundance of natural lighting. This function is called daylight harvesting, and it can automatically dim the fixtures during daylight hours when the sensor(s) detects ambient lighting. Again, this helps to reduce expenses and improve sustainability.
PLT Solutions: LED High-Bay Fixture With Remote
The PLT Solutions LED high-bay fixture offers dimming and a field installable sensor, all connected wirelessly via a remote.
Contact Us Today for Your Perfect Integrated Lighting Solution
The benefits of these integrated control systems have likely answered that question. To find the perfect lighting fixture with integrated controls for your project, visit 1000Bulbs.com and click on the “pop-up chat” feature at the bottom of the webpage, or call 1-800-624-4488 to speak with one of our 1000Bulbs.com customer service representatives.
