Advantages of a Centralized Lighting Systems

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By Mitchell Foster

Advantages of a Centralized Lighting Systems

Advantages of a Centralized Lighting Systems

Greenwich, CT – A centralized lighting system provides your home with a level of luxury and convenience that cannot be compared with a conventional lighting system. 

Before we discuss the advantages of a centralized lighting system let’s understand the difference between a conventional lighting system and a centralized lighting system. 

In a conventional lighting system, the light fixtures (recessed in-ceiling, kitchen pendants, sconces on walls, etc.) are wired with a high voltage wire directly connecting to a light switch or dimmer on the wall. The light switch is then directly wired back to the electrical panel. The switch is only able to control the lights that are directly wired to the switch, resulting in a group of lights having a dedicated switch. You’ll often notice a bank of 3+ switches in an area with multiple types of lights like a  kitchen.

In a centralized lighting system, the lights are not wired to the keypads. The lights are wired with high voltage wire in groups that are to be turned on and off together and run through the low voltage panel to the high voltage panel. The keypads are then wired with low voltage wire directly to the low voltage lighting panel. The low voltage lighting panel is where the communication to turn lights on and off happens.  Dimming and switching modules located in the low voltage lighting panels perform the commands from the keypads. 

Since the communication occurs in the panels and not at the keypads, it allows you to program the keypads to any light in your house that is on the system. A centralized lighting plan allows you to program “scenes” where you can turn on and off groups of lights that you want to turn on and off together. You may want a scene on your keypad in the master bedroom that turns off all the lights in the entire house. Or perhaps in the kitchen, you want an “entertain” button for when you have guests over. In this scene, you could dim your recessed lights to 5%, keep your pendants at 50% and turn off all other lights to create the ambiance you’re looking for.

Why Choose Centralized Over Conventional?

Centralized lighting systems have the ability to do a lot more than a conventional lighting system. When you install Homeworks QS by Lutron you’re able to schedule your lighting so that all your lights are on at a certain point, off at a certain point, or even randomized scheduling while you’re on vacation. You also get access to an app on your phone where you can remotely control your lights. A lighting control system creates the ability for all of a home’s lighting to be controlled together. For instance, one button press can turn on six dimmers, each to the ideal brightness for the task at hand, whether it is relaxing with a book, watching a movie, or cleaning. Automated shades can be added to your lighting control system so your scenes can include lowering or raising your shades as well!

As always you can email us @ info@davcoinc.com or give us a call at (203) 838-5887 if you’re interested in learning more about a centralized lighting plan for your home! Davco services Fairfield County CT, Westchester County NY, and more!

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