Lighting Design Guide

8
System design types
System design types
At the beginning of the system design process, you will need to
consider a number of factors about the project:
• Construction type (new or existing)
• Construction materials
• Building size and layout
• Load types and requirements
• Room aesthetics
These factors will largely determine the type of Control4 lighting
solution you should specify for your client. Awareness of the key
system design types is a good first step in determining the ideal
lighting solution for a given project. Control4 lighting solutions
can be placed into four main categories:
• Wireless
• Centralized (Panelized Lighting)
• Distributed (Panelized Lighting)
• Hybrid (Panelized and Wireless Lighting)
NOTE: Control4 provides a Lighting Design Review Service to
help dealers in the correct specification of Control4 equipment
before client proposal and purchase.
NOTE: A recommended process for planning, specifying, and
installing Control4 lighting projects is listed in the Appendix.
Wireless
Control4 Wireless Lighting devices feature time-tested and
reliable ZigBee• two-way wireless communication. ZigBee is a
standards-based, wireless mesh technology designed to address
the unique needs of low-cost, low-power wireless sensor and
control networks, eliminating the need for control wiring to be
pulled throughout a home or business. Utilizing a wireless mesh
topology, every Control4 wireless switch, dimmer, or keypad
serves as a wireless repeater, providing increased range and
network reliability due to signal redundancy. All Control4 wireless
switches and dimmers are compatible with traditional electrical
wiring standards, allowing basic controls to be easily upgraded to
intelligent lighting.
Recommendations
Wireless Lighting systems are ideal for both existing construction
and new construction installations. It’s the best solution for
clients who already have electrical wiring in place or want to
route all electrical wiring the traditional way (to wall switches
and then to loads). There are applications where wireless
communications can be problematic due to building size,
construction materials, or wireless interference. In these projects,
care must be given to deploy wireless nodes, repeaters, and
ZigBee extenders/ZigBee access points to ensure good lighting
performance. Building size and construction materials have an
impact on overall system performance. See Control4 training
materials for best practices on ZigBee installation.
MASTER
BEDROOM
BEDROOM
W.I.C.
HALL
KITCHEN
DINING
ROOM
LIVING
ROOM
MASTER
BATH
BATH
PATIO
ENTRY
UTILITY
ELECTRICAL
BREAKER BOX
Indicates line-voltage from breaker box
Indicates wireless communication