What are other factors in choosing a lighting control system?

● Programming Simplicity - another consideration in choosing a system is the controller itself. Lighting systems are traditionally controlled from a dedicated controller or PC. The programming of individual lights or entire groups of lights (lighting scenes) is commonly performed via a menu driven keypad or software program running on a PC. The most user friendly systems can be programmed directly from the light switches themselves in a simple 3-step process.

In this type of programming scenario, the homeowner would simply place the system into program mode by pressing and holding the switch or scene button that they’ve selected to control lighting levels in an area or room. The homeowner would then simply go around and set lights to their desired levels. This programming method is the simplest and provides the additional benefit of allowing the homeowner to actually see first hand, all of the desired lighting levels. Once the homeowner has set all lighting levels to their satisfaction, they simply press the scene button one more time to complete the programming.

● Flexibility – a lighting system should support control of anywhere from 1 to over 100 lights. The system should provide the ability to control the homes lighting from various input sources including multi-button scene switches, remote controls and programmable inputs that can be connected to sensors within the home. Even though all programming could be performed directly at the lighting switches themselves, in some large scale installation scenarios, programming software could make programming more efficient. A flexible lighting system will support both programming methods.

● Cost Effectiveness – the purchase of a lighting system should only require the user to pay for those features they desire. The system should be modular and scalable. That is, if additional features like programmable inputs and outputs are desired for interfacing to sensors or controls (e.g., sprinkler systems), then those features should be purchasable as a separate module. If interfacing or programming via PC is desired, then the interface should be purchasable as a separate item and the software should be economical as well. The modularity of the system should enable it to support basic lighting functions as well as expanded functions that enable it to work with sensors in the home as well as with automation systems.