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 As if by magic when the sun settles below the horizon, lights begin going on all over the house. The living room sconces gradually brighten to a warm glow, outdoor lights awaken and pinpoint spots highlight the hallway's artwork. And other things happen automatically too--window shades shuttle closed and room temperature creeps up to a comfortable evening level. Thomas Edison, welcome to The Computer Age. A burgeoning world of new home lighting/management controls is pushing the world of the light switch into the 21st century.
The simple toggle switch isn't what it used to be. Granted, it is still the primary lighting control device in most homes, thanks to the fact that it's cheap and does the job. But for many applications, it has become sadly plebeian. A world of newer lighting controls can do the job with so much greater pizzazz, handling many lighting tasks both more efficiently and, in some cases, automatically. By shedding the right amount and quality of light on a given space, they reduce wasted electricity, saving you money. And they help you sculpt spaces with light to create warm, inviting interiors.
Here is a brief primer of your key options in lighting controls:
Dimmers
The most familiar enhanced-control device, the dimmer lets you lower or raise light levels so that they're appropriate to the need. For example, a bathroom dimmer can be set low for restful light when bathing or nighttime lighting, then raised to higher intensity when you need to put on makeup. In a child's bedroom, a dimmer can provide low-level light at night for reassurance or for a parent's nighttime checks, then fill the room with light for daytime play. Likewise, a family room can be lit with low-level lighting for relaxed entertaining, then perked up with full lighting for family activities.
Most dimmers today are solid-state devices. They actually switch off and on very rapidly--120 times per second. Because the human eye perceives the overall light emitted, the brightness of light delivered is actually a product of how long the current is in the "off" and "on" cycles.
Dimmers save money two ways. First, they significantly cut wasted energy by using only the amount of electricity needed. When a light is dimmed by 25%, a dimmer saves about 20% of the electricity required. When dimmed by 50%, it saves 40% of the electricity. Second, a dimmer greatly extends lamp (bulb) life because it reduces strain on the filament. When dimmed by 25%, a lamp lasts 4 times as long as it would at full power, and dimmed by 50%, it will last as much as 20 times longer.
No special wiring is needed for a dimmer --it may replace any conventional light switch, but you must buy specially-rated dimmers for fluorescent or low-voltage lighting and fans. Any dimmer you buy should be rated to handle the type and total load of fixtures it will control.
Dimmers may be operated with a toggle, a dial, a slide, a paddle switch, a touch-pad or electronic button; some types integrate two or more of these methods to handle different tasks. When buying one, whether to choose a toggle, rotary dial or slide switch is really a matter of personal preference; focus instead on the range of control and the features. Does it offer full-range dimming? Can it be preset to specific light levels? How many levels? Is it easy to use?
Of course, the more features a dimmer has, the more expensive it generally will be. The idea is to figure out how it will be used, then tailor your choice to the need. For example, for general dimming applications you might want to choose a multi-function dimmer like Lutron's Maestro, which has a touch-switch control that will recall a preset light level if you touch it once or turn the lights all of the way on if you touch it twice. Small LEDs along one edge show the level of light and it can be adjusted to fade to off very slowly so you have time to leave the room.
Three-way and Four-way Switches
With a standard, single-pole light switch, the most common variety, flipping the toggle up completes the circuit, turning lights or devices on, and flipping it down breaks the circuit, turning them off.
But there are places where you want to be able to control a light --or a series of lights-- from more than one location. Three-way switches, classically used at each end of a stairway or hallway, are the answer --these are not new.
Three-way dimmers will work at those same places. A standard three-way dimming control can be mounted at one end of the hall or stair, or you can buy special two-location dimming controls for dimming from either end. Four-way on/off switches may be combined with three-way dimmers or switches when you want control of lights from three or more different locations.
What is relatively new in this category is a variety of new devices that allow you to operate many different light and equipment circuits from a single location. With these, you can, for example, control all of the house lights from the master bedroom. One typical model, the LiteTouch control station is the same size as a normal light switch cover but operates nine different light (or motor control) circuits. Multiple-station controls can be preset for entertaining so that, with a single touch, they provide candle-like atmosphere in the dining room, relaxed, tranquil lighting in the living room and bright, activity lighting in the kitchen.
Some similar controls can be programmed to handle several circuits in one room--Lutron's Grafik Eye, for example, switches or dims up to six different lighting zones in one area. With it, you can preset light levels for each zone based on activities such as "Party," "Reading," "Cozy," and "Family," then just push one button to activate those settings. You can set up fade times, create paths of light and operate the system with a remote control.
Central Lighting Control Systems
The ultimate in multi-station controls are central lighting systems. Based on commercial lighting systems, these are sophisticated, microprocessor controls. Made by several major manufacturers, they let you monitor and control many different switches and dimmers throughout the house from a central control panel. At a glance, you can tell which lights are on and, with the touch of a single button, you can even turn all of the lights on or off. And some, like Honeywell's LiteCom(tm), can be configured so that you can control any light from any switch. Most are meant for new, custom-built homes--the house's wiring generally must be installed specially for the system.
Some central controls, such as those by AMX, Honeywell, Plexus and Unity are the brains for a complete home-automation system. They handle heating and air, security systems, audio and video systems and more.
Occupancy Sensors
You can also buy infrared or ultrasonic sensors that turn lights off or on automatically, depending upon whether or not they sense the presence of someone in the room. These are made by several companies--Leviton, LightAlert!, and LVS to name a few. Infrared types pick up minute changes in infrared background of a room that occur when a human is present. Ultrasonic are activated by inaudible sound waves that sense motion.
Wall-mount occupancy sensors replace a standard single-pole switch--they don't require special wiring. Ceiling-mount models, which can cover a larger room, are generally installed when a house is built because most have wires that run from the sensor to a switch.
Other related products are available, too. LVS makes a fluorescent light fixture with a built-in occupancy sensor that's ideal for closets or a laundry room. Lamson Home Products makes a motion-sensing light adapter that can be screwed into a conventional light socket--ideal for security lighting.
Remote Controls
You'll encounter two different types of remote controls. First, you can buy hand-held, infrared remotes that work just like a television remote control to dim and operate lights, fans (or even window shades) from your easy chair or bedside.
Second, several different "wireless" systems use a combination of transmitter/receiver technology and your home's existing wiring to give you increased control. Most of these are based on the X-10 Powerhouse system that has been in use for several years. Radio Shack, for example, offers the Plug 'n Power (r) system that utilizes a range of different plug-in modules that receive signals from a remote controller or switch. With these, you can control living room lighting, televisions, stereos, fans and the like from the controller. You can accessorize the system with handheld controls, keychain remotes, security consoles, a set-back thermostat and even a telephone responder that lets you control the system by phone.
Leviton also has an in-wall system based on X-10 protocol that offers all-lights-on security lighting at the touch of a button, centralized switching and thermostat control. The nice thing about these systems is that you don't have to do any special wiring--they work with what you have.
Related, Lamsom Home Products makes a wireless ceiling fixture switch that will turn on any overhead incandescent light or fan from up to 50 feet away, a wireless wall switch that will turn on a lamp, television, or similar appliance, and a wireless three-way switch for hallways and stairways where wiring isn't set up for control from both ends.
Specialty Switches
If all you want a control to do is turn lights off and on, you have a few other options beyond the typical toggle. Switches may be operated by a touch-pad, a flat rocker, a key or, in the case of an outdoor switch, a waterproof lever. They may also be signaled by a timer or a light-sensing photoelectric eye.
If you're clear about what functions an ideal lighting control would fulfill for a particular situation, the chances are good that, with a visit to your local lighting dealer, you will find one that meets the need.
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