Lighting 101 : Lighting Controls

Lighting controls give you the flexibility to design a lighting plan with multiple uses and decorative effects. With the touch of a button, today's sophisticated dimming systems enable you to:

Lower light level to conserve energy and increase bulb life.

Vary the mood of a room.

Alter the intensity of the light to suit the activity.

Create and save a number of different lighting scenes in each room.
Lighting controls should be an integral part of the lighting design of each room.

Types of Controls:

1. Integrated dimming systems allow you to create multiple preset lighting scenes within a room. Scenes can be recalled with the touch of a button from a single wall box or with hand held wireless remote controls.

2. Touch dimmers allow you to vary the intensity of the lighting while depressing a button. These systems permit one-touch recall of the previous lighting level. Some are equipped with indicator lights that provide a continual readout of the lighting intensity.

3. Slide dimmers provide full-range, manual dimming control. Some are equipped with a touch-button that allows you to return to the previous lighting level. Others have an indicator light that glows in the dark for easy location.

4. Rotary dimmers provide full-range, manual dimming control. Some are equipped with a push-button operation that allows you to turn the light on and off and return to the previous lighting level.