Latest Updates: Lighting RSS

  • Smarthome INSTEON Wire-in Dimmer Scene Lighting Starter Kit

    themovingforwardguy 1:58 pm on March 6, 2010 | 0 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , Lighting, , , , Wirein


     Powered by Max Banner Ads 

    Smarthome INSTEON Wire-in Dimmer Scene Lighting Starter Kit

    Fill your entire home with personalized mood lighting for any occasion. Easily control your entire house’s lighting design with the INSTEON Wire-in Dimmer Scene Lighting Starter Kit, which includes one INSTEON ControLinc Tabletop Controller, two INSTEON SwitchLinc Dimmers, and two INSTEON Access Points. This starter kit will allow you to control lights individually or multiple lights together as “scenes.” You can even link the SwitchLincs to a LampLinc (sold separately) to turn (more…)

    Business Logo Design

     

  • Keypad Dimmer Scene Lighting Starter Kit INSTEON lighting system with in-wall controls

    themovingforwardguy 9:39 pm on March 5, 2010 | 0 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , Lighting, , , ,

    Keypad Dimmer Scene Lighting Starter Kit INSTEON lighting system with in-wall controls

    part # 2493 * customize lighting scenes in your home * system includes one KeypadLinc Dimmer, two SwitchLinc Dimmers, and two Access Points * built-in dimmer features adjustable brightness and fade settings * 600-watt maximum load *

    (more…)

     

  • Types of Smart Home Systems

    themovingforwardguy 9:12 pm on January 1, 2010 | 0 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , Lighting, Mini-timer, , ,

    There are two types of smart home systems; time- based and parameter-based that can ber used individually or combined. A time-based smart home is where a particular service would occur at a set point during the day, for example, in the hallway the lighting may be set to become active at 6pm or relaxing music could be set to play at a time when the homeowner returns from work.

    If you are interested in setting up a time controlled system, check out the x10 mini-timer, which allows you to schedule the times for up to eight lights and it also consists of a very handy all on/off switch. You will of course need to have your lights etc plugged into x10 receivers.

    A parameter- based smart home system can become active at any point but requires a trigger of some kind to set it off. The temperature of a home may alter depending on outside conditions, you might even consider your household alarm a parameter-based system because it typically works via motion sensors.

    Please visit http://smarthomeguru.blogspot.com for more on smart homes.

     

  • Smart Home Features

    themovingforwardguy 9:06 pm on December 16, 2009 | 0 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , , Lighting, , , ,

    It’s about time I go to the nitty gritty about what kind of features you might want in a smart home. Both x10 and INSTEON have products that can suit these needs. Anyway here are the most common features you might choose to have in a smart home:Lighting

    As lighting is an integral part of a building. The user would be able to choose the time of activation, for example, in the home 7pm when it starts to get dark might be a sensible option. If the user wishes to further customise the lighting settings there should be an option available to implement motion detection, which would involve a person actually stepping into a room, in order for the lights to be activated. This could include a specific room in the home or all the rooms. In a voice controlled format the user could check if the lights were on in any room of the house by speaking into a Bluetooth headset. The system could then ask the user is the lights are in the required state.Security

    With the advancements of smart technology, it makes sense to include security fetures. The user would be able control the arming and disarming of the alarm, as well as edit specific settings of the alarm, such as the key code. The user could also have the option to configure intrusion detection settings. This would work firstly by outside lights detecting motion and then the system would warn the security personnel or house owner of any windows or doors being forced open, through the use of electronic sensors that are connected to the system.Temperature

    The user would be able to control the heating and cooling of the home, through the use of both time and parameter-based functions. The user may choose for the heating to come on when outside conditions drop below a certain temperature, there would be heat-sensitive sensors placed outside to detect varying conditions.Appliances

    The power supply to all appliances in the home could be controlled using the smart system. In a large home this would be a very convenient feature because there may be a lot of electrical appliances that are left on standby, hence the system should contain a feature, which searches all power supply links in the home to determine where energy can be saved.Entertainment

    For a fully capable smart home, entertainment features would be an innovative feature to include. The most widely used aspect of entertainment features would probably be the ability for subtle music to air throughout the household, this would be very welcoming especially if a resident has had a stressful day at work.System Status

    It is worth having an option to verify the current status of the system. This kind of feature would provide the user with the ability to scan the entire system or just parts of it for errors.Vehicle Detection

    When a vehicle approaches the driveway of a home, the system should be able to alert the homeowner. This is only possible if certain types of smart home technologies are used. It would work very well with a Bluetooth headset because the system announce the arrival of the visitor to the homeowner. It would also work well with more long-range wireless standards, such as, GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) because the homeowner could receive an SMS (Short Message Service) when someone arrives at the home, which is especially useful when away from the home.Phone set-up

    A home-based system should be able to initiate with a mobile-phone when the house is empty. The system should provide the ability for the user to enter the name and model number of the phone so it can be verified for use. The user will be able to communicate with the system when approaching home to switch the television or the oven on and any other electrical appliances the house owner may wish to make use of.Wake up

    A useful feature in a home-based smart system would be alarm clock functionality, for example, the user would be able to choose from a selection of wake up sounds from more pleasant sounds to more piercing types. At the weekend the more pleasant ones are likely to be selected.

    Please visit http://smarthomeguru.blogspot.com for more about smart homes.

     

  • Home Decorative Lighting

    themovingforwardguy 9:34 pm on November 30, 2009 | 0 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , Decorative, , , Integration, Kitchen, Led, Lighting,

    Decorative home lighting consists of many layers of lighting sources including display, general, accent, chandeliers and table lamps.Indoor decorative lighting should enhance the interior features of a home without overpowering the general, functional lighting required for daily living and home security. Within the home’s interior, decorative lighting should focus on accentuating key elements of interior design and distinguishing works of art and specialty displays with an aura of significance. Interior decorative lighting should also be used to support positive emotional states by complimenting special activities, celebrations, relaxation, and home entertainment. Lighting control systems and dimmers are important elements of interior decorative lighting because they allow for multiple themes and effects to be created with a single group of fixtures.
    Because the interior lighting design of a home contributes so much to the essence of a person’s unique, individual lifestyle, lighting designers should begin their work with a careful assessment of the home’s existing décor. The dimensions of a room and its respective furnishings should be studied to locate patterns of symmetry, pattern, and color. The height and nature of the ceiling is also very important because it can function as both a direct lighting and an indirect ceiling lighting source. Not only can it function as the source of general overhead lighting, but it can also work as a source of indirect home interior lighting. Decorative cove lights and rope lights shine their light upward to the ceiling, which in turn reflects it back down the walls and into the room in an ambient wash of color and light.
    It is a good idea to treat fine art, specialty display and architectural custom lighting as a separate science. Decorative lights for collectibles and fine art require special fixtures, lenses, and lamping configurations to effectively light the subtleties of fine oil paintings, rare antiques, and special edition collector’s hardbacks. Decorative lights for fine art must also have special UV and infrared filters to protect oils and canvases from the harmful effects of invisible light. As a general rule, retail picture lights do a very poor job of dissipating heat and should be avoided. We recommend using either recessed halogen lights with UV filters or a specialty art projector for advanced filtration and adjustable, optical effects. Display lights also need to be adjustable in order to balance with general lighting in the room. The best display lights are typically linear light strips with Lutron wallbox dimmers that allow light levels to be controlled at will by the homeowner.
    Decorative indoor lighting also plays a role in highlighting activities and establishing a positive state of mind. Every home has certain rooms that are used for special tasks, and other areas used specifically for relaxation and entertainment. The den or bedroom is a preferred place to read. The kitchen is a place for social gatherings and festivities. The bathroom is the mainstay for personal grooming. The home theater is the place for high-tech escape from the mundane drudgeries of society. These are but a few examples of what we mean here by activities that create mindset, and they are familiar to almost every American. Every one of these locations is also prime real estate for interior decorative lights. LEDs are excellent home theater lighting and supplemental reading lights, and they use only 20% the electricity as incandescent fixtures. Cabinet and under cabinet lights in kitchens can cast a special glow over the countertop for a cooking demonstration, birthday party, or wedding celebration. Cove lights in living rooms, foyers, and kitchens can shine light up the walls wrap around the edges of the ceiling, replacing dark shadows with ambient fields of radiance.
    Lighting controls of some sort are essential to every home’s interior decorative lighting system. To maintain overall aesthetics and avoid overpopulating the house with fixtures, a minimum number of actual lights should be used. A specialized electrical contracting firm such as ILD to install both the lights and a home automation, lighting control network pays off in many respects. It Spartanizes the system with a less is more approach to equipment, and it overlays multiple themes and effects onto a single set of fixtures that can be controlled at will with wall mounted dimmers and remote wireless hand held controls.

     

Older Posts →

c
compose new post
j
next post/next comment
k
previous post/previous comment
r
reply
e
edit
o
show/hide comments
t
go to top
esc
cancel

Powered by WP Robot