Systemteq Goes Wireless
Everything you need to know to choose the perfect lighting control system
In the new era of technological advancements, individuals and organisations are striving to increase efficiency and enhance the overall experience for the end-user by reimagining the way in which they work. The installation of a wireless control system for lighting is becoming an increasingly popular choice, however there are a number of factors to consider when choosing between wired v wireless to ensure the perfect solution for a specific application.
Wireless systems offer a fantastic solution for the domestic and low hospitality markets comprising bars, restaurants and small areas of hospitality. The system itself is a basic control device which communicates through the air using radio waves to allows for dimming, scene setting and timed events, whilst eliminating the need for control wiring. It also has the ability to control all types of lighting from constant current to constant voltage, as well as direct mains voltage.
For the domestic market, the wireless system can be easily connected into the existing wiring; this is most common as a simple retrofit solution or a cost saving exercise for new builds. For the purpose of retrofit either two wire switch connections or four wires in line connections can be utilised with each circuit taking approximately ten minutes to install. It is usual for a domestic property to have a limited number of circuits with an average of one to two circuits per room, whereas our wireless lighting control solution can work for up to 200 devices per app control with each device rated at 8 Amps compared with a normal domestic lighting circuit which is rated at 5 Amps.
Systemteq’s wireless system can also be installed to add exterior lighting to a property through the innovative use of stick-on switches spanning multiple circuits and multiple lighting types. Not forgetting table lamps and floor lamps, Systemteq’s in-line device will be soon be available to include the lighting of lamps to the control system.
Systemteq’s superior wireless lighting system does not require devices to be in direct radio range of the initial command. Instead, through mesh networking, messages are sent from one device to another and unlike Wi-Fi, it doesn’t require a router to traffic commands between devices. If you have multiple lighting fixtures, a wireless setup enables you to use just one keypad or smart device to manage every single fixture.
In contrast, the hospitality market requires a much more complex system to provide exceptional service to guests through lighting, heating, blind and curtain control, customer services etc. On average a hotel room consists of 10 circuits of lighting and subsequently a hard-wired system, which sends signals through communication wires, is undoubtedly the better option for hotels or buildings with substantial occupancy.
To create the perfect guest experience, it is important to keep things as simple as possible keeping the number of controls and buttons to a minimum and maximising the guests time without the need to download an app to control a room that might only be required for one night.
Despite the clear benefits of a hard-wired system, it is important to note that this type of system can take up a lot of space, to accommodate the controls equipment, which of course is at a premium for any hotel. Every circuit will need to wire back to a large control box requiring a controls cable wired in a data highway which is an additional expense, alongside the need for an engineer to programme the system.
As with all technology, careful consideration is required before selecting the right product for you; inevitably, there are pros and cons of both a wired and wireless lighting control system. For today’s modern lighting controls ‘wireless’ is generally easier than ‘wired’ to install and commission, it can be programmed in accordance with the user’s preferred setting within minutes while making considerable savings in cable and programming costs. The downside however, is that it is not as smart or as adaptable as a wired system which is far more beneficial for a larger, more complex application.
A hybrid system combining wired and wireless controls together in one system will be the best of both worlds. Systemteq’s hybrid system will be available for installation in early 2022.
The important thing to note is that every application is different. If you are looking to find the right solution for your project, please do not hesitate to contact us by email: support@systemteq.com or telephone +44 (0) 1923 248 008 to speak with one of our experts.
