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Lighting control with a radio remote control: types, connection diagrams

This WordPress post explores the various types of radio remote controls used for lighting control systems, as well as the connection diagrams required to install them. It highlights the key advantages and features of these remote controls, such as providing convenient access, improved safety, and improved energy efficiency. With this high-tech device, users can control single or multiple lights from one location, and create custom scenes for specific needs. It also gives users the flexibility to adjust settings, such as dimming, to create the perfect ambiance.

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Self-installation of a simple wireless lighting control system with a radio remote control is easy and requires minimal knowledge of electrical engineering. We will understand the varieties, details and principles of connecting remote switches operating over a radio channel.

Lighting control with a radio remote control: types, connection diagrams

In a wireless lighting control system using a radio remote control, two main devices are used:

  1. Command device โ€“ portable or stationary console.
  2. Executive module โ€“ power unit (radio relay, radio dimmer) or RGB controller.

Lighting control with a radio remote control: types, connection diagrams Remote control of lighting: 1 โ€“ radio receiver; 2 โ€“ ceiling lamp; 3 โ€“ radio hercon; 4 โ€“ sconce; 5 โ€“ wall panel; 6 โ€“ light / motion radio sensor; 7 โ€“ portable remote control

Varieties and capabilities of radio remote controls

Portable radio transmitters are similar to a TV remote control or a keychain. The latter can be in your pocket or hang in the hallway and turn off the lighting throughout the apartment.

Lighting control with a radio remote control: types, connection diagrams

Wall-mounted radio transmitters are available in three versions:

  1. Panel with touch buttons (keys) for surface mounting, similar to a conventional switch. It is glued with double-sided tape or fixed with self-tapping screws in any dry place โ€“ where it is convenient, without thinking about laying wires.
  2. Insert-board for compatible push-button sensor. โ€œTabletโ€ is installed inside a flush-mounted box or in a surface-mounted switch housing.
  3. Universal radio transmitter for modernization of the existing lighting scheme. Placed in a deep mounting box and operates from a standard switch.

Lighting control with a radio remote control: types, connection diagrams

In addition to the appearance, the radio remote controls differ in the range (up to 100 m) and functionality. The simplest models are single-channel, turning on and off a single luminaire, sometimes they can control a radio dimmer. Multichannel consoles work with several lighting zones and are configured according to individual scenarios for each power module.

Lighting control with a radio remote control: types, connection diagrams

You can control the light source from different places by installing one radio remote control near the door, and the other at the head of the bed. The only limitation is metal surfaces that weaken the range, so you should not mount the device on the refrigerator. When placing command and executive devices in different rooms, the decrease in the power of the radio signal when passing through walls and ceilings is taken into account, if necessary, repeaters are used.

Table. Loss of radio signal

Material Signal attenuation,%
Plasterboard, wood ten
Brick, chipboard thirty
Reinforced concrete 70
Metal, metal grill up to 90

How to choose an executive block

Communication between devices of various modifications can be carried out using different protocols. The joint operation of the radio switch and the remote control is only possible if they are compatible, which depends on the manufacturer and product series.

Lighting control with a radio remote control: types, connection diagrams

Load

The selection of the power unit is made depending on the nature of the load. The power of the device, indicated as maximum, corresponds to the load from incandescent and halogen bulbs at 220 V. For light sources connected through a transformer, a reduction factor is used:

  • 0.7 โ€“ for low-voltage โ€œhalogenโ€;
  • 0.5 โ€“ for fluorescent lamps.

It is more difficult to determine the real load from energy-saving lamps, due to their high starting current. A simple method that does not exclude overloading and baking of contacts is to make a threefold power reserve. A guaranteed way to protect yourself from troubles is the use of a special module designed to work with LED and energy-saving lamps, or with the ability to connect an external power relay.

Accommodation

The permissible switching power of the units is related to their dimensions. A radio relay for a load of 200-300 W will fit freely in many luminaires โ€“ it is no larger than a matchbox in size. Modules designed for 3-5 kW are equipped with cooling radiators and are much larger in size, but have a flat layout and are easily hidden in the space behind panels.

Lighting control with a radio remote control: types, connection diagrams

Separate series of devices are produced in REG-cases for mounting on DIN rails with a possible connection of an external antenna. Receiving units with increased protection (IP65) are designed for work in wet conditions.

In addition to commands from the remote controls, the power modules are capable of operating from signals from light and motion sensors equipped with a radio channel. Manufacturers of equipment for remote control of light also offer ready-made kits with standard solutions that simplify the selection of suitable devices. The most elementary option is a plug-in radio adapter that does not require installation at all.

Lighting control with a radio remote control: types, connection diagrams

How to connect the power unit

The principle of connecting the entry-level executive module is easy to understand: the phase and zero of the external network are fed to the input of the device, and the load is connected to the output. An antenna wire twisted in a spiral is placed without bends, a straight line is not wrapped around the body, but they try to straighten it as much as possible and not damage the insulation.

Lighting control with a radio remote control: types, connection diagrams

Attention! Electrical work is performed after disconnecting the supply network, connecting the wires efficiently and correctly.

Certain types of loads, such as lamp drivers, pulse converters, etc., are capable of generating high-frequency interference that interferes with the correct operation of devices. Lamps may blink or not turn off, the malfunction is eliminated by including a ballast in the ballast circuit โ€“ a noise suppression capacitor of 0.47 ฮผF / 275 V.

Lighting control with a radio remote control: types, connection diagrams Connection of executive devices: 1 โ€“ lamp; 2 โ€“ ballast; 3 โ€“ power unit for one channel; 4 โ€“ single-function radio dimmer

Advice.To avoid problems with radio communication, devices are placed no closer than 50 cm from household appliances and more than 100 cm from each other.

Minor connection difficulties are associated with the lack of a single standard for color coding of wires, which is solved by careful study of the instructions.

Lighting control with a radio remote control: types, connection diagrams Connection diagram of power units: 1 โ€“ DeLUMO radio relay; 2 โ€“ two-channel radio switch GIRA-mini; 3 โ€“ lamp; 4 โ€“ load of the 1st channel; 5 โ€“ load of the 2nd channel

It is possible to modernize the existing lighting and leave the standard switches by installing both a radio transmitter and a receiving device in them, which, upon a signal from the remote control, will supply voltage to the existing electrical wiring.

Lighting control with a radio remote control: types, connection diagrams Connecting built-in units: 1 โ€“ lamps; 2 โ€“ wire switches; 3 โ€“ radio receiver ROP-02; 4 โ€“ RFSAI-61B wireless relay; 5 โ€“ external switch

The remote control circuit for LED strips is calculated and assembled in the same way as a wired one, the only difference is in the controller equipped with a radio module.

Lighting control with a radio remote control: types, connection diagrams Schematic diagram: 1 โ€“ power supply unit; 2 โ€“ RGB controller; 3 โ€“ three-color ribbon

Lighting control with a radio remote control: types, connection diagrams A small-sized dimmer is suitable for changing the brightness of the monochrome LED strips: 1 โ€“ power supply; 2 โ€“ signal amplifier; 3 โ€“ single-channel dimmer; 4 โ€“ one-color ribbon

After connecting the equipment, the radio remote controls are โ€œtiedโ€ to the power blocks and create the desired scenarios for the lighting devices. In some models, modes are switched by jumpers, in addition to the software setting.

Having tried the simplest option, consisting only of a receiver and a transmitter, you can test the convenience of the โ€œsmartโ€ home system and continue the expansion of the complex, gradually adding new household devices.

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Comments: 1
  1. Henry Davis

    What are the different types of lighting control systems that can be operated with a radio remote control? Can you provide some connection diagrams to help understand how these systems are set up and operate?

    Reply
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