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Lutron Smart Home Lighting
What is lighting control, and do I need it?
Lighting control covers the ability to dim lights in your home, set up automated lighting functions, and easily control a host of lighting scenes. Lighting control allows flexibility in light output as well as the convenience to set light levels at a single press of a button, or perform other automated functions such as whole house scene control. The more advanced solutions can even work by geo-fencing to perform certain actions via the app. Traditionally this control has been achieved by simple standalone switches and dimmers, but lighting control is now far more sophisticated and feature packed, using the likes of wireless switches and app control.
With this newly added technology brings additional benefits: automated lighting via timeclock; voice assistant control using Amazon Alexa for example; movement sensors to turn on or off lights and a host of other options. The new technology in the dimmers is also more efficient and by dimming the lighting will provide energy savings as well as prolong lamp life. The dimmers are also all designed to work with modern LED light sources, providing smooth-flicker free dimming. It is even possible to set the low end of the dimming range to ensure light sources behave as expected and to the requirements of the homeowner.
RA2 Select Overview
Lutron’s RA2 Select lighting control system is an affordable option for modern lighting control, suitable for retrofitting into an existing home or installation into a new build dwelling.
The system uses all wireless components in the form of wall switches, in-line dimmers, movement sensors, and even window shades and blinds which can be connected wirelessly to one RA2 Select control system. Installation is relatively simple and low impact, but the results give you the same benefits as a fully wired, and much more expensive whole house system.
Ra2 has been designed for small to medium size homes and as such has a limit on the number of devices on the system, a maximum of 100 devices including the Main Hub, necessary for app control and system setup. That should be more than enough for all but the largest homes.
Setup and programming are all done via the app and do not require any specialist training, however, we would always recommend using an accredited installer. Simple scene setup and tweaks can be made by the homeowner.
What components do I need to get started with a Lutron RA2 Select lighting control system?
Every RA2 Select system comprises of 3 main elements…
RA2 Select Main Repeater Hub
The Main Hub, the brains of the operation. This compact unit simply plugs into your home network via Ethernet giving your access to the system via the Lutron app.
Wall Switches (Pico’s)
Lutron’s Pico RF Wireless switches are your day-to-day control for the lighting in your home. To keep the system simple and cost effective Lutron has slim-lined the available styles and finishes for the Pico controls. They can be wall mounted in surround plates or free standing on a small quality feeling pedestal stand accessory.
The Pico’s use a small, readily available battery for power, which typically will last between 6-10 years depending on the amount of usage per day.
Load Controllers / In-line dimmers
Load controllers also known as in-line dimmers/switches are what control your lighting circuits. In Lutron’s RA2 Select system, these come in either a dimmable version which will dim the lighting they are attached to, or a basic switched version which can be used to turn lights, motors, pumps, fans, and more on and off.
These devices have been designed for simple installation into existing homes (a process known as retrofitting) and as such are small slimline units that can be easily fed up into a ceiling void through a downlight hole. This covers the majority of retrofit installations, but these in-line devices can also be discreetly hidden in the back of or on top of kitchen cupboards for example.
Lutron RA2 Starter Kit
Lutron offers a starter kit for those looking to start small, and expand the systems across their home over time. The kit comes with all the elements discussed above
- In-line Dimmers
- Pico Wireless Controls
- Pico Scene Pad
- Dual Column Pico Faceplate
- Pico Wireless Pedestal
- Main Repeater
Battery powered wireless blinds
Another offering from Lutron for the RA2 Select control system is battery powered window shades. These look stunning and super silent in operation. They really do complete your system, when you consider the automation that can be built in.
There are various styles ranging from Roller Blinds to Wooden Venetian, to Honeycomb blinds. All these options use standard AA or D type batteries that you can buy from anywhere, with an average operating life of 5-6 years.
There is also a plugin power supply that can be used instead of batteries if you’d prefer a more maintenance free version.
Our sales team can help provide you with an estimate for blinds, contact us to discuss your requirements
Is Lutron’s wireless technology reliable and are there any limitations?
Lutron has spent a large amount of time and effort developing its wireless technology to make it the most robust in the industry. The technology they developed, called “Clear Connect” uses a two-way communication to ensure any signals sent from the wall switches has been heard by the load controllers and this is confirmed back to wall switch. This ensures that every time you press a button there will always be a resulting action.
The technology, although wireless, doesn’t use the same wireless technology as your home Wi-Fi. The wireless signal used is more similar to your car key fob. This means the Lutron system will not take up any of your wifi signal or slow down your home internet access.
Lutron has done intensive field testing of their wireless technology and as a result, they can ensure their devices will communicate in any environment successfully up to a distance of 9 meters. This means 9 meters through your home’s walls, floors, and insulation, creating a solid and reliable user experience.