low voltage lighting

The fact that more and more new and remodeled homes across America primarily rely on low-voltage systems to control the facilities within the homes is revealing. Of course, high-voltage 110Vac is and always will be required. However, low-voltage technologies are already embedded in millions of homes. No doubt everyone has heard that in the coming days of our civilization that items removed from the refrigerator and pantry will automatically be added onto the next week’s shopping list electronically. Security At the present time automatically reordering food items is not on the menu. However, many other security and convenience related technologies are becoming the norm. Let’s just take security as an example. A quality security system in today’s world is expected to accomplish multiple tasks. During the day, while the home owners are away for the day, low voltage tri-tech motion detectors peer over the landscape looking for intruders. This highly evolved electronic device looks for heat variations, Doppler shift movements, and also compares the differences in temperature variations over long periods of time.

Lighting Control Systems There has certainly been a shift towards low-voltage in lighting control. Most really high-end lighting control systems no longer have high-voltage wiring installed within the walls at the light switches. Instead there is a small gauge, low-voltage cable run to each button at a given switch location. In fact, the cable run to a given switch location is likely to contain many individual wires so that multiple light loads and lighting scenes can be controlled from that one location. Whole-House Stereo How about whole-house entertainment, is it controlled with low-voltage wiring? You bet it is controlled all over the house with low-voltage wiring. In fact, most of the main units of whole-house multi-source, multi-zone systems are conveniently located down in the home theater room. Low-voltage keypad controllers are installed within the walls in each listening zone and make control inputs to the main unit. Structured Wiring If you are considering low-voltage technologies for your home make sure you begin with structured wiring. The system is just what the name implies, a wiring backbone for everything that follows. Once you have installed a professional structured wiring system you will have telephone, Internet, intercom, entertainment video, security cameras, whole-house stereo, and intercom.

Telephone and Intercom There are several very fine systems on the market which will provide intercom, however there are systems which will provide telephone distribution as well as whole-house intercom. The telephone system allows for transferring incoming calls to various rooms as well as room-to-room intercom. And of course there are optional front door intercom systems with video. Access Control Systems Just to be fair I will include one other low-voltage technology being installed regularly in new and remodeled homes all across the country. That technology is the access control system which identifies people at the front door. The capability of swiping a card in front of a reader is nothing new. However, unlocking the front door of a residence, disarming the security system, activating various lighting scenes, and turning on one’s favorite music is a new spin on that old technology. Yes that’s right, the system can differentiate between various family members, household personnel, and intruders. I suppose the jury is still out on whether low-voltage will rule as the primary power source in new and remodeled homes of the future. As previously mentioned, high-voltage 110Vac is and always will be required. However, there is no doubt just by examining four of the multitude of controlled systems, that this technology is already the controlling authority. Glenn A. Bell has been a licensed Security & Low-Voltage Contractor since 1998. In more recent years, he has begun offering lots of FREE information on how to install electronics in homes. The information comes in multiple formats like blog articles, how to install videos, and his bi-monthly Electronics Newsletter. In fact, he offers a FREE eBook titled How to Install Electronics in Homes. Please visit his website at: http://www.home-automation-online.com/.

Low voltage outdoor lighting is an economical way of lighting your outside landscape, porch or other outside area. These lights generally range from about four to 50 watts. Furthermore, this lighting eliminates the need of buried or protected cabling for your outside lights. These lights tend to be moisture proof, so they typically do not require protective conduits. Installing low voltage outdoor lighting is also easy, so the novice do it yourself-er can arrange low voltage LED outdoor lighting in many ways.Low voltage outdoor lighting also provides a less obstructive view of your outdoor settings with smaller bulbs and fixtures. In fact, you can find low voltage LED lighting that is itself decorative. Otherwise, you may prefer concealed lighting. Concealed designs may include fake pavers or rocks. Decorative designs such as tiered walkway lights are popular because of their versatility. They can be reconfigured when you have outdoor gatherings. Many people also prefer to use low voltage lighting for gardens and up lighting trees.Pools and water features may also find low voltage outdoor lighting as the most suitable option. If you have trellises, you may want to find directional garden and landscape lights as decoration. If you want to give a dramatic flair to an archway or some type of small area, directional canisters may provide just the right type of lighting you need. Decks, posts and steps may benefit most from flat mounts. These lighting options can hold a wide array of bulbs, so your decorative lights can get a little extra something with a decorative bulb.Installing low voltage outdoor lighting tends to be a simple process. You will need a transformer and cabling to plug in and arrange your lights. The outdoor socket that you use to plug in your transformer must be fitted with a ground fault circuit interrupter. The cabling will be attached and strung to a group of lights. However, you need to determine how many watts you will be using since this will determine the size of the transformer you will need. Furthermore, transformers are priced according to how many watts it can bear.Your low wattage outdoor lighting may come in a kit, so you will probably have all the necessary parts needed to successfully install your lights. There are also lights that come with individual components such as automatic on and off switches, mounting accessories and timers. Some lights also include motion sensors, responding when something or someone approaches them. This is not only a decorative choice but also a security option so that you know when someone is approaching your home. With this in mind, these lights are also good for businesses or organizations in need of an economical outdoor lighting option.