NexLight Lighting Control Systems
The PerfectSense Low Voltage Momentary Wall Switches are a series of aesthically pleasing push button wall switches that can be mounted in commercial or residential applications. Product Description LVS low voltage switch, Type: Latching, Number of Buttons: 2, Pilot: No Pilot, Color: Light Almond. LED fixtures cost a lot more than similar ones that use incandescent lamps, and the variety of styles of fixtures with LED light sources is pretty limited. Touch-Plate® switches only have two wires. Each button provides a momentary contact that is intended for use with compatible low voltage relay panels or similar lighting control panels or devices. On decks requiring multiple circuits and transformers, using loops from the transformers to the more distant circuits can eat up a lot of cable. Think of Relays as electrically powered switches, that are often employed by control circuits to energize larger loads, or otherwise isolate circuits. The low-voltage electrical wiring system popularized in the United States by GE® and Remcon permits the use of less-costly and easier-to-install wiring between the relays and the switches in the home. Used this switch to control LED tape lights that required two drivers. Still, larger systems (20 or more fixtures) have larger voltage drops so it’s good to equalize voltage whenever possible. Regular incandescent dimmers often contain a small amount of DC voltage, which is harmless to a regular incandescent load but may damage magnetic transformers. Use plastic wire clips with stainless steel nails to secure the landscape lighting wire to the tree every 3 ft. Two light switches in one box. Single-Pole Dimmers provide control from one location. At least one supplier continues to design, sell, and service low-voltage home wiring systems: Touch-Plate Lighting Controls, in Fort Wayne IN. Some of the suggestions and opinions in this article are quoted from or paraphrase advice offered by that company. First, find a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet to act as the connection point between your home and the outdoor lights. Lay everything out, hook up your lights, test your voltage, and look at your results at night before burying the lines. Product Description LVS low voltage switch, Type: Latching, Number of Buttons: 4, Pilot: No Pilot, Color: Light Almond. LVSW-100 Series Low Voltage Switches are lighting control devices that use conventional point-to-point low voltage wiring for control of single or multiple loads. Newer Touch-Plate low voltage switches, for example, will work in older General Electric (GE), Remcon and Bryant low voltage systems, so they are a great compatible replacement option for many. A switch of basically the same design is also used on Australian power outlet wall-plates. Nowhere in the product description did it mention a relay control. If you can turn your outdoor lights on and off with a light switch then you have two options. The relays, in turn, are connected to manual switches with low-voltage wires. Dimmers for magnetic low-voltage transformers use a technology known as standard phase control or leading edge,” whereas dimmers for electronic low-voltage transformers use reverse phase control or trailing edge.” Standard phase control is for use with either inductive (MLV transformers, fans) or resistive (incandescent) loads. Each of those lights can be automated with the right smart products. 3. Certain MLV transformers may not be compatible with all Lutron® dimmers. Lutron® ELV dimmers are designed specifically for the special electrical requirements of electronic transformers. MLV transformers with built-in input chokes or debuzzing coils” may not be compatible with certain microprocessor-based dimmers. I see 3 wires twisted, so power in, power out, and power to switch. Once you know your transformer will work with your light fixtures, look for other convenience features. The relay are more common to go out than switches but both fail. Low voltage fixtures consume the same amount of power as other lights, but they often produce more brilliant beams. Many original GE® or Remcon® low voltage lighting systems are still in use today. Each lighting load to be controlled is wired through a relay. However, the higher shock and electrocution hazards of line voltage, combined with fewer fixture choices, make me favor low-voltage systems for smaller projects. First, for Touch-Plate® installations, If the relay you are replacing has two wires coming out of the cylinder the relay is a 1550 series and it can be replaced by the Touch-Plate® 2500-B. Depending on the application, transformers can ‘step up’ the incoming voltage (microwaves, arc welders) or ‘step-down’ transformers such as those on the telephone pole in your neighborhood. To minimize voltage drop, I get the power to the first fixture on a 10-gauge cable, and from there create a loop of 12-gauge cable in the area where the fixtures are located. If none of your lights are coming on, the best place to start is the transformer (the metal box all the lights are hooked up to).
Whether you’re a contractor or building manager, it is important to keep Class 2 compliance in mind when retrofitting or creating new construction with low voltage LED lights and systems. While many variations of Australian designs and cover plates are available, some designers and renovators may import UK- and European-designed switches when they desire a particular finish. Besides the outdoor landscape lighting you probably also have some porch lights around the house. In most instances the loud click from the relay seems to be coming from right above the light fixture or track. Multi-Location Control from Each Location – multi-location dimmers can be used with accessory dimmers for full control of the lights from up to 10 locations. Not found: remove the switch and momentarily short the wires in an attempt to manually operate the relay. As a component of an electrical wiring or home wiring system, the installation of light switches is regulated by some authority concerned with safety and standards. Solid State Relay (SSR): With no mechanical action, these entirely electronic relays use very low DC current to switch high AC voltage at much faster intervals than traditional electromagnetic relays. While there are dimmers designed for 12-volt systems, I find that it’s less expensive to dim the 120-volt line going to the transformer. When adding fixtures that require cutting an opening in a post or in the deck, I first mount a dummy block on the surface and run temporary wiring to give the client a preview. This may be included in the fixture, or external as is the case with LED tape light. While a low-voltage bulb, such as a 50-watt MR16, doesn’t use less electricity than a standard line-voltage bulb with the same wattage, the former will provide nearly 100 watts’ worth of illumination for the same power consumption. If all of the switches appear to be working normally, then find the switching relays that are misbehaving, and check for temperature exposure problems. 3. One advantage of using ELV dimmers on an incandescent load is that they can completely eliminate AM radio interference, but they do not provide any advantage at controlling lamp buzz. Tech workshops tend to work best in the winter, before the growing season kicks in. Cold weather and a stiff wind kept us in the classroom and bundled up tight for a brief tour of some of the low voltage control systems around the Grandview Biochar Facility. We include a table of low voltage circuit wire sizes for different run lengths and circuit amperage load. A great deck deserves great lighting, not just a couple of wall-mounted 100-watt floodlights that glare down on the deck — which is almost worse than no light at all. For example, a home with ten connected 7-watt path lights needs a transformer that outputs at least 70 watts of power. But if all the LV switch fail to work then more likely transformer failed. Check your transformer’s manual to determine what kind of cables to use for your grid, and make sure they’ll work with your lights. As we mentioned earlier, all low-voltage lighting fixtures must be certified by an NRTL to pass inspection. Each hub connector can accommodate a limited number of fixture wires. If you’ll be installing 400 watts of lights, buy a 600-watt transformer. Original low voltage wiring systems were installed in mid-century homes during the 1940s to the 1980s and have since become obsolete, with many manufacturers discontinuing their low voltage product lines or going out of business. This protection reduces power to the lighting circuit when dimmer capacity is exceeded, thus preventing problems that could occur if the circuit is overloaded. It is not unusual to see century-old light switches still in functional use. For help in planning an upgrade from an old system to a current system it is necessary to make a count of all the loads controlled by Touch-Plate® relays. Just wire them in parallel so that any switch on the circuit can turn the lights on or off. The low voltage switches are designed to operate with Schneider Electric Light Level Sensors, Powerlink, C-Bus, and Schneider Electric relay panels. Is an innovative design and manufacturer of lighting controls and lighting devices. Touch-Plate® says that 3-Way, 4-Way and even 5-Way switching is a standard feature of low voltage control systems and almost all old Touch-Plate® installations have multiple switches that control the same relay. Another wire connects the relays (from the second hole of relay one to the first hole of relay two (see diagram). Two or more light switches can be interconnected to allow control of lighting from, for example, two ends of a long hallway or landings at the upper and lower landings of a flight of stairs. Because 0-10V dimmers all work the same way, some products are compatible with all 0-10 Volt dimmers.
When you buy a Kichler In-Line Low Voltage Light Switch online from Wayfair, we make it as easy as possible for you to find out when your product will be delivered. Because of their compact sizes, these transformers commonly support low-voltage under-cabinet and cove lighting Magnetic transformers are larger. The more distant fixtures are also on a loop circuit, but the loop doesn’t start and end at the transformer — it starts at and loops back to the fixture in that circuit closest to the transformer, and a single supply line then runs back to the transformer. Although the switches had adequate ratings for usage on 120 V circuits and had advantages of compactness and distinctive appearance, they failed to establish themselves in the American market. To use these plates, first mount a new 1-gang bracket (houses 1-2 switches) or a 2-gang bracket (houses 3-4 switches). Low voltage relays may not operate reliably if exposed to below freezing temperatures, or to temperatures above 120 degrees. Low-voltage wiring reduces wiring cost by eliminating the need for expensive conduit. 2. Do not use regular incandescent dimmers for MLV lighting. Low-voltage systems do have a few downsides, though. Update your old GE switches with modern low voltage parts. If your lights still aren’t coming on, check to make sure your outlet has power. We invite you to follow us as we grow the SENSORWORX brand, build our new production facility, and create products that set The New Standard in Lighting Controls. Minor voltage adjustments can be made using the voltage controls on the transformer (Photo 2). Enjoy the beauty of your landscape (and sure footing) after sunset with low voltage lighting. This approach should be substantially less costly and troublesome than attempting to convert all of the switches in the home to 120V design – that would require re-wiring those areas in the home with new 120V wires. There are two different types of deck lighting systems: One operates on household voltage (120 volts, also called “line voltage”), and the other runs on low voltage (12 volts). The benefits of line voltage include lower-cost fixtures and light bulbs and easier installation. High Dry 100 ft. LED Tape Light allows the option of running three lengths of low-voltage LED tape or hard strips off a single power supply. Inspired by industrial systems that relied on relay switches to control motors, lights and other industrial equipment, vintage remote control wiring systems used relays to switch a current; these relays, in turn, were controlled by small light switches operating at a low voltage comparable to that of a doorbell. These low-voltage transformers are also usually rated for wet and damp environments, so you can safely install them outdoors. Product Description LVS low voltage switch, Type: Latching, Number of Buttons: 3, Pilot: No Pilot, Color: Light Almond. Switching relays that are too hot or too cold may not work properly. Because the relays only required a brief impulse to switch the current, the light switches were momentary (the low volt current only flowed for as long as the light switch was pressed) and this allowed for safer electrical wiring as well as less energy consumption. The 51300L is a 0-10V decorator dimmer switch that provides optimal dimming control for 0-10V compatible LED drivers, fluorescent ballast and HID ballast. Timers offer another way to control your lights. A dimmer switch , properly called a dimmer control, contains a solid-state circuit to allow changing the brightness by reducing the average voltage applied to the lamp. Be sure that your voltage is within the operating range of your fixtures. The dimmer switch is rated for the same voltage as the lighting application. When checking low voltage LED lights and systems, the inspector will check to see if the power supplies are accessible and Class 2 compliant. We ship out tons of low voltage switches and cover plates every day. This terminal plays no part in the action of the switch but, because there is available space, it is provided as an insulated terminal for joining other wires, if required (such as the neutral wires). It is strongly recommended that you consult a professional before attempting any lighting or wiring projects. This offers the advantage of permitting the building to continue to use the existing low-voltage wiring that is already in place between the transformers and switches. First, we’ll take a look at some basic components of a low voltage control system: transformers, switches and relays, and see a few simple control circuits we built for the greenhouse and our tracking solar array. But if the relays are burning up after replacement or other repairs to the system, check the low voltage transformer. Low-voltage transformers need an outlet that connects with your home’s electrical system. Any number of switches can control a single relay.
With daisy chain wiring, one wire is run from fixture to fixture – with a splice at each fixture: 36 fixtures = 36 splices. Relays can be grouped for common control. If you were to pull off the switch cover plate and observe it’s likely any novice would be overwhelmed by a indiscernible mess of wires. Whether you just want to buy a Kichler In-Line Low Voltage Light Switch or shop for your entire home, Wayfair has a zillion things home. We are specializing in producing and exporting various standard mid- high range wall light switch&socket, plugs, circuit breakers, lighting and some other low voltage light socket products. When find these systems during the home inspection you should find the control panel or relay station depending on the complexity of the system. Multi-way switching is supported since multiple switches can all connect to a single relay that controls a single 120V device. Transformers are devices that either raise or lower an incoming primary AC voltage to a usable secondary voltage. Additionally, UL 1838-compliant transformers offer overcurrent protection (that circuit breaker I mentioned above, usually with a push-button reset) and a thermal cutoff switch, which cuts the power to an overheated transformer. Implementing low voltage lighting solutions in your home is not as straight-forward as it may sound. Always leave a little extra landscape lighting wire as you hook up the lights. The dimensions, mechanical designs, and even the general appearance of light switches have changed slowly over time. However, when expressed on a line diagram it’s easy to see that a three-way lighting circuit is nothing more than two SPDT switches wired in series. Because more modern lighting options are available with low-voltage lighting in terms of fixtures, lenses, bulbs and beams, low-voltage lighting is ideal for illuminating artwork, creating a desired ambiance and lighting work spaces. Bryant was using a wiring system based on the same transformers and solenoid relays used in the GE systems, so parts in this series are compatible with GE lighting systems. No. Multi-location dimmers do use standard 3-way wiring, but make use of one wire for communications while the other carries the load current. To pass inspection, a junction box must be installed to encapsulate a 120V AC wire connection to a 12-24V DC power converter (driver). You’ll find $69 prepackaged sets and $100 individual lights; plastic fixtures and metal ones; lights you can shine down from trees and up from ponds. For safety’s sake, call 811 to have your utility companies mark the location of underground wires and pipes before you dig for your low voltage lighting. In the past, low voltage LED lighting products such as tape light, puck lights, light bars, etc. Low-voltage lighting is available in a wide range of styles, including recessed can lights , track lighting , rail lighting systems , low voltage pendant lighting , display lights and suspended cable lighting. Wall switchplates for older GE & Bryant systems are offered in old style, new style (snap-in), RFS, and bracket mount series. Just like switches, relays can look quite a bit different from one another – each with its own application. Otherwise, the fixtures at the far end will be dim due to voltage drop. I am getting a 120 reading at the wall switch but only 107 in the ceiling where the wires come out. While low-voltage light fixtures, bulbs and dimmers are considerably more expensive due to the need for a transformer, the operating costs over time are typically lower than line-voltage operation if the lighting system is frequently used. If it’s lower than 11.5 volts, check it again using the 14-volt tap, and so on. If 15 volts at the transformer doesn’t produce 11.5 volts at the distant fixture, have an electrician run a 120-volt line out closer to the group of fixtures and put a transformer there. With 16 million colours (like any other RGB led), you can create a really nice lighting scene in your garden. I found it, BUT, the voltage across the wires at the ceiling with the switch on was under 20 VAC. This will help you determine if the problem is with your outlet or with your lighting system If you plug your phone charger into the outlet and it won’t charge your phone, then you know that your outlet doesn’t have any power – that’s the problem. No transformer is needed, which saves a few bucks, and adding dimmers to line-voltage systems is easier than adding them to low-voltage ones. Product Description LVS low voltage switch, Type: Momentary, Number of Buttons: 1, Pilot: No Pilot, Color: Gray. Sonoff SV low voltage WiFi switch is an affordable device that provides customers with smart home control. A circuit can accommodate many fixtures and each one can put out a lot of light. You’ll need a different transformer for landscape lights than you’d use with low voltage recessed lights , because low voltage recessed lights already come with their own transformers.
If a product purchased as a 3-way control needs to be used in a single-pole application, cap off one of the traveler wires with a wire connector. Switches are available in both momentary and latching versions and feature multiple button configurations making them the perfect switch solution for HCS’ low voltage occupancy sensors, daylighting controls and networked lighting control panels. Do not mix magnetic and electronic transformers or dimmers on the same circuit. Sierra Electric low voltage light switches, switchplates and relays were installed in mid-century homes built between 1940 and 1980 and were also known as “Square D” or Despard low voltage switches. Low voltage lighting is common in residential and commercial lighting, including display lighting, track lighting, and landscape lighting. This technology has been built into a series of dimmers specifically for electronic low-voltage (ELV) transformer loads. Product Description LVS low voltage switch, Type: Latching, Number of Buttons: 1, Pilot: No Pilot, Color: Light Almond. Now that you know how to prepare your low-voltage installation so that the LED lights, power supplies, connections and wiring are Class 2 compliant, you are ready for inspection. Easily buy replacement parts with confidence for your vintage Remcon, Sierra, Bryant, Pyramid, Touch Plate, and GE low voltage lighting systems at Kyle Switch Plates. Be careful not to place cable where it can be damaged by fasteners added later, and to avoid a short, be sure the power is off when working with low-voltage wiring. They have a very, very high input inpedance and will measure phantom voltage cause by capacitive coupling between open wires and other hot wires. The light is energized when both SPDT switches are in the up or down position. Flexibility – Low voltage switches can be wired in parallel to create 3-way switches wherever you need them for no addition cost for new or specialized switches. Use magnetic low voltage dimmers with magnetic transformers and electronic low voltage dimmers with electronic transformers. The light produced by low-voltage bulbs is sharper and looks more natural than higher voltage bulbs, which produce warm light that’s more diffused. Conceal the LED or turn the lights off and LED is ON. No relays, just circuitry of sensor resistors, chips, and capacitors. Installing low-voltage outdoor lighting is a big-impact DIY project. Product Description LVS low voltage switch, Type: Momentary, Number of Buttons: 1, Pilot: No Pilot, Color: Gray, USA transformed. Perhaps the most obvious way to light stairs is with fixtures recessed into the risers. While it’s difficult to focus the beam of a high-voltage bulb that tends to scatter light, low-voltage bulbs offer a high degree of optical control using just the bulb’s reflector. Additionally, there are a wide variety of low-voltage outdoor fixtures available. Switches typically remain in service for many decades, often being changed only when a portion of a house is rewired. The low voltage WiFi switch is a WiFi based wireless switch that can connect to a wide range of appliances. Transformer Voltage Good: Wiring damaged or stuck switch on the circuit. No. 3-way dimmers may only be located in either of the 3-way switch positions. In protected planting beds, the low-voltage wire can simply be covered by mulch or soil. Lollipop circuits work great when the transformer is 75 feet to 100 feet from the first of a group of fixtures. One being the common wire and the other being the switch wire, and because of our single coil relay, the same button is used to turn the relay on and off. REIGN dimmers are low voltage dimmer switches that operate only with our standard 12V or 24V DC Constant Voltage Drivers and plug-in adapters. If the client wants more light (and I usually encourage them to live with the layout for a week before we make changes), you can add fixtures so that every post has one. Does what it is supposed to do, works well for dimming low voltage under cabinet LED lighting run through a transformer. In addition, each momentary switch could be wired to perform the same function as a single pole switch, 3-way switch or 4-way switch, so one could operate a single light from multiple remote locations without complicated wiring. Product Description LVS low voltage switch, Type: Latching, Number of Buttons: 2, Pilot: No Pilot, Color: Gray. The switching relays made by these manufacturers work differently from those designed and sold today by Touch-Plate lighting. For low voltage replacement options, General Electric (GE) and Touch-Plate actively manufacture updated switches, wall switch plates and relays for use in their older low voltage lighting systems. Dimmer switches should be installed inside, though this complicates matters somewhat. If your home is currently wired with Touch Plate, you’ll find replacement Touch Plate relays, transverters, switch units and cover plates available on our site.
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