by Shane Henson — May 30, 2012—WattStopper, a manufacturer of energy-efficient lighting controls and part of the global Legrand brand, has launched a line of universal dimming room controllers for line voltage lighting loads.
According to the company, the devices can control virtually all load types, including light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and are part of the company’s Digital Lighting Management (DLM) suite of intelligent controls. Applications include daylight harvesting, lumen maintenance and scene control in areas from classrooms to offices, conference rooms, restaurants and galleries.
As a further benefit, says WattStopper, its universal dimming room controllers help facilities managers and others comply with multi-level control mandates by providing easy-to-implement multi-level control solutions that accommodate a variety of lighting types within each space. When a building-wide energy management system is in place, the devices communicate via the BACnet data communication protocol for building automation and control networks.
WattStopper’s one load LMRC-221 and two load LMRC-222 Digital Universal Dimming Room Controllers mount in the plenum and provide distributed control for LEDs, magnetic low voltage, electronic low voltage, neon/cold cathode, dimmable two-wire or three-wire fluorescent, or incandescent lighting loads. The LMRC-222 can control a different type of load on each output. Advanced features include three selectable dimming curves for each load as well as programmable trim levels and fade times. Dimming parameters may be conveniently customized from a wireless handheld configuration tool that can also be used to set up lighting scenes, says WattStopper.
WattStopper’s DLM control suite includes on/off room controllers, 0-10V dimming room controllers and plug load controllers as well as occupancy sensors, photosensors, lighting control panels and more. In addition to the new universal room controllers, WattStopper is also launching five new DLM occupancy sensors, including passive-infrared and dual-technology low-voltage wall switch sensors and an enhanced coverage ultrasonic ceiling sensor. According to the company, Digital Lighting Management devices plug together using pre-terminated Cat 5e cabling, reducing installation time over 50% when compared to analog controls.
