Which dimming method to choose to make a smart lighting scene for a retrofit project?

22 Apr

Usually, In the home to do smart lighting scenes, we can choose phase (Traic), 0-10V, DALI, Bluetooth, ZigBee and other dimming methods. as to which to choose, that is according to the control function requirements, the use of light sources, interior decoration, budget constraints and other requirements for comprehensive consideration.

Someone might ask if there is a cost-saving and convenient way to dim the lights if you are going to do a smart lighting scene for a retrofit project. Before we answer this question, let's understand the details of common dimming method.

Generally speaking, the following dimming methods are common: phase (Traic), 0-10V, DALI, Bluetooth, ZigBee. They have different functions and features, as follows:

1. Phase (Traic)

Phase-cutting dimming is an older technology, we often say that "Traic" is a device, and its dimming principle is "Phase cut" dimming. Traic dimming is also divided into leading edge dimming and trailing edge dimming, next time we will explain in detail.

In layman's terms, Traic dimming is to adjust the brightness of lamps by giving less power. Because it is simple and inexpensive, so it in incandescent lamp era was large-scale applications, There are still a lot of lamps that using this dimming.

Advantages:

direct control via power cord (no additional control cable required), low installation cost.

Disadvantages:

(1) noise. 

(2) flickering at low light levels. 

(3) need to perform matching tests to select the right dimmer. 

(4) poor dimming performance: poor dimming range and smoothness.

2. 0-10V

0-10V is the earliest ballast control protocol, which can produce voltage changes between 0V and 10V to control the light output of the light source through voltage signals, and is mostly used for dimming control of fluorescent lamps and other light sources.

At a control voltage of 1V, the luminous flux is approximately 1% minimum, and at a control voltage of 10V, the luminous flux is 100% maximum.

Advantages:

0-10V working principle is simple and effective, the power consumption is 0 when the lights are off, a module generally has 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, etc. voltage return circuit optional.

Disadvantages:

the need for a separate control line, when encountering large systems, complex wiring and high cost, and now the use of multi-channel lighting systems, it is Being a simple analog signal is not possible. Also, the luminaires on a circuit can only change at the same time, so if you want a single light and a single control, the wiring becomes more and more.

3. DALI

DALI uses digital signals for dimming control, with each lamp corresponding to one address, so that it can communicate directly with the components in the luminaire, enabling single lamp control.

Advantages:

simple and flexible wiring, independent strong and weak power circuits, control signal line length of up to 300 meters, lighting from 0.01%. The DALI luminaires can be preset for up to 16 control points in a single DALI circuit. scenarios with 16 groupings. As a result, DALI is a powerful system that is easy to install and modulate.

Disadvantages:

the DALI dimming power consumption is high and the system power consumption does not stop even if the luminaire is switched off. 

Module installation: the vast majority of modules are rail-mounted, and other mounting options are rare.

4. Bluetooth

Bluetooth are easy to install, short in duration and flexible in use, and are heavily used in retrofit projects, given that they do not require extensive construction. . Like the DALI system, a single Bluetooth gateway can control up to 64 control points, enabling a single light and a single control.

Advantages:

① ready to use, no need to change the wiring; ② flexible grouping, can build scenes at will; ③ mobile phone Bluetooth direct connection, App real-time control; ④ sensor can judge the human touch and illumination control.

Disadvantages:

Bluetooth wireless communication is based on the relationship of the 2.4G public frequency band, the reliability of its communication is susceptible to interference from other wireless signals, reliability Weaker than several of the previously mentioned wired protocols. 

Bluetooth gateway installation: exposed or embedded.

5. ZigBee

ZigBee protocol is also a wireless transmission protocol with short transmission distance, low power consumption and high security, and is used in many fields such as electronic combination locks.

ZigBee control protocol is very different from other protocols. In other protocols, the module/gateway communicates with each fixture and transmits data, while Zigbee protocol allows the fixtures to communicate with each other and the gateway only exchanges data with the main fixture.

Advantages:

its lights interconnected to bring ultra-long transmission distance, and power consumption is extremely low.

Disadvantage:

Weak communication stability, diffraction, wall penetration ability is weak, because the lamps communicate with each other, if some lamps in the middle of the disconnection situation, the rear lamps will be out of control.

Zigbee protocol is based on the same 2.4G public frequency band as Bluetooth, and its communication reliability is susceptible to interference from other wireless signals. The reliability is weaker than several of the previously mentioned wired protocols.

Since there are so many common dimming options, which one should we choose for a retrofit project?

1.Traic dimming

For retrofit projects, the first key word is Traic dimming. Like some common control system DALI, 0-10V these all need a signal line. But as a retrofit project, it is difficult to add a signal line to it. Since Traic dimming requires no signal line, it is more suitable for retrofit projects..

Thus, the first step in a retrofit project is to replace the original driver with a Traic dimming driver, different drivers are available depending on the type of luminaire.

1. If it's an LED tube/spotlight, select a constant current dimming driver.

2. If it is an LED strip, select a constant voltage dimming driver.

3. If it is an incandescent lamp, there is no driver inside, and it can be controlled directly with a Traic.

After the completion of the first step, the original wall switch has been replaced with a Traic dimming knob, which can be dimmable, but this can only be dimmable, it does not constitute a system.

2.Wireless

Traic dimming is not a system, so this brings us to the second keyword in our retrofit project - wireless. In addition to Traic, there are now wireless methods of control that don't require signal line, like the popular Zigbee, Wifi, Bluetooth... There are many ways to control a system wirelessly. For example, we connect the wireless driver to the lamp, and then connect the remote controller to the wireless driver, that can form a remote control. As soon as we press the remote controller, the light turns on, and we can use the controller to control the different light colors, such as adjusting the light from cold white to warm white, all of which can be done wirelessly.

If you want to use wireless to make your entire home a unified system, you will need to have a wireless gateway. This wireless gateway is connected to each wireless driver, and then through your phone or control panel, when you give this wireless gateway commands, which are then sent to each wireless driver, thus making a wireless control system.

In summary, for the retrofit project, the two key words are Traic dimming + wireless control, making full use of existing lines to reduce the number of wireless control points, and implementing a rational and efficient retrofit solution.

Any question about that, please contact us.