April 14th, 2011 | Published in Low Voltage
Lutron’s new Radio Ra2 phase adaptive dimmer is shipping! I’ve been waiting for that one. Dimmers have to be compatible with the load type as you can read about in the previous post and learn about in the linked tutorial. This new adaptive dimmer senses the load type and sets itself for forward or reverse phase dimming. If the fixture type is changed someday the dimmer will adjust. Nice….
April 14th, 2011 | Published in Home Automation
Lutron’s Radio Ra2 system is maturing and has lots of nice features. The thermostat is becoming available this month. This will be so nice to have the “I’m Home” and “I’m Away” keypad buttons set the proper temperatures (activate the setback points). I may be one of the few that actually programmed my wall thermostat with morning wake up, off to work/school, home in the afternoon and bedtime. The trouble is that in this home our schedules vary and that has never proven to be very practical. Much better will be to just tap a single button as we leave to shut off all of the lights and set back the thermostat.
Even more exciting is the release with product shipping of the new HomeWorks QS which does all that Ra2 can and MORE! QS takes HomeWorks into the future with the cool iPad app, dynamic keypad, thermostat, wired and wireless system occupancy sensors, etc. More on QS later as it matures.
August 28th, 2008 | Published in Home Automation
Keypads are the most prominent part of a lighting control system. Lutron’s engraved SeeTouch are elegant to use and blend quietly into the walls with over 27 colors plus custom colors and even beautiful metal wall plates possible.
While competing systems can sound similar in general, in details they operate differently which makes some things easier or harder to do. Lutron has one of the only central processor based systems with “scene saver” which means you can design a system to allow a homeowner to readjust and capture new light levels onto their scene buttons without getting into any software. Lutron’s latest remote power modules can be programmed to shed and bring loads back on in steps after a generator has started up and stabilized. Lutron’s car visor receiver can work with the existing buttons in your car or with their longer range transmitter. Lutron has the best shade interface in the business because they make shades, too. With the latest QS systems one can make some scene level and time clock adjustments from an iPad as well as use it as a portable, simple yet powerful keypad. HomeWorks QS also has a dynamic keypad that I’ll describe as a small touch screen.
August 27th, 2008 | Published in Dimmers
The link is a dimming tutorial. You must use the proper dimmer for the load type and it is straightforward till one starts working wth an electronic transformer rather than the more common magnetic.
Some low voltage recessed fixture companies offer fixtures with either electronic or magnetic transformers. Dimming electronic transformer type fixtures can be very interesting and it is best if you can verify with the manufacturer which dimmer brands and models are compatible.
Transformers and dimmers can fail if mismatched.
Here is a link that might be useful: Lutron dimming basics
August 27th, 2008 | Published in Lighting Design
If the cabinets need to be close to the ceiling it would be best to stay with lower wattage to minimize hot spots. If your entire kitchen is to be high efficiency lighting then you can use warm color LED above the cabinets for a soft glow. Not all LED is Title 24 approved. Much is not all that efficient for general lighting applications. If you are trying to hide enough fluorescent to get some incandescent then you’ll want to stick with fluorescent on top of the cabinets and lower the cabinets so it looks nicer. There are low profile fixtures available to help hide behind crown molding.
