As LED lighting grows in acceptance and popularity, so does the need for better and more ranging color quality. Traditionally, LED lighting gave off a stark white, cool glow that was harsh on the eyes and made it difficult to use as a primary lighting source. Warm-dim LED technology has toned down that cool coloring, dynamically shifting the current and future applications of LED lighting management systems. Dimmability with a warm glow effect creates more opportunities than ever for LED lighting management systems.
Gradual warm dimming allows users to dim LED lighting levels in the same tones as traditional bulbs, creating a cozier, less clinical affect. In a market already featuring both indoor and outdoor options, stage and entertainment applications, and opportunities for industrial lighting, warm-dimming has an important place in the LED space.
LEDs have traditionally dimmed at the same color temperature as when they were at full power. With the advent of warm dimming solutions, LEDs are now able to produce the same aesthetically pleasing effects as an incandescent light or halogen lamp. This occurs because of red or amber LEDs added to the fixture or lamp, creating an effect that is particularly suitable for application in homes, restaurants, hotels, spas, resorts and other locations where the intended atmosphere is cozy or relaxing. Warm dimming enhances the aesthetics of LED lighting, simultaneously enhancing the well being of individuals in LED-lit environments.
GRE Alpha’s Tunable White SLD-DimTW Dimming Module is the perfect solution for VC-type dim-to-warm and warm dimming applications. A constant voltage tunable white LED dimming module, this unique 0-10V/1-10V device provides a control signal and enables smooth, dynamic color temperature shifts of 2000K to 8000K. Depending on the application situation, this plug-and-play dimming module creates eye-catching, color temperature changing effects without color distortion. Offering unparalleled efficiency, the Tunable White SLD-DimTW dimming module is a pioneer in LED lighting, creating options for easy upgrade and color tuning that greatly improve the warmth dynamics of lighting.
Looking for further enhanced or added functions in LED lighting applications? GRE Alpha’s Two Channel SLD-DIM2 0-10V Dimming Module and 7-in-1 Dimming Module (model XDL-7DV1-48V5A) offer further options in warm dimming. The Two Channel dimming module offers 0/1-10V PWM dimming with no shift in LED color temperature, up to 1024 dimming levels of high resolution smooth dimming and 97 percent efficiency. Additionally, GRE Alpha’s 7-in-1 LED dimmer provides full range zero to 100 percent high resolution dimming performance for constant voltage LED dimming applications. Boasting flexibility and easy installation, the 7-in-1 has a multi-colored LED indicator, integrated strain release cover, settable dimming transfer characteristics (linear or logarithmic), and built-in thermal shutdown with auto restart and overload protection.
Visit www.grealpha.com for more information on these and other products.
GRE Alpha is committed to innovation and to delivering high-quality, leading-edge LED LED lighting solutions. For more information about LED drivers, dimming modules and accessories, or to speak with a GRE Alpha product expert, visit the Enquiries page and fill out the Enquiry Form. Sign up for the GRE Alpha newsletter to stay up-to-date on new products and for early access to other GRE Alpha news.
Technological evolutions constantly advance lighting management systems, creating more applications than ever for LED lighting and dimming modules. Those same evolutions are giving rise to the trend known as the Internet of Things (IoT), the general connectivity that results from consumers making the switch to smart, internet-enabled products controlled through smartphone apps and computers. These smart devices simplify the methodology behind commonplace garage door openers, refrigerators, sound and entertainment systems, thermostats and home security systems, among other things, making it possible to modify the statuses of those devices remotely, thus optimizing their efficiency. With the addition of an appropriate Wi-Fi module, LED lighting and dimming easily tops the list of smart technology innovations ready to impact the average household or business.
The progress of smart products can be largely attributed to the enhanced functionality they offer to users. These IoT-centric products save energy, money and time for home and business owners, creating a less hands-on lifestyle for consumers. Automation, instant results and efficiency are hugely positive outcomes of the IoT trend, allowing consumers of individual products or entire IoT-enabled systems to achieve an almost futuristic level of progress in their everyday lives. In fact, according to a recent poll, 68 percent of Americans believe smart homes will be “common” by 2026. IoT is making consumers’ lives easier, and that is paving the way for these smart products and smart homes to become standard in home automation.
Just as it has enhanced the realms of home security and appliances, the IoT movement has officially rooted itself in LED and lighting management. IoT is aiding countless home and business owners in achieving more efficient, higher quality lighting applications that can be dimmed, illuminated or completely turned off with the touch of a button on a smartphone or computer screen. Before IoT, lights were controlled by a “dumb” lighting switch, a piece of unintelligent, wall-mounted plastic that did not quantify energy savings or allow for precise lighting control. With IoT-enabled lighting devices, consumers have the opportunity to enjoy adaptive lighting systems—systems that will eventually learn consumers’ preferences over time, allow them to track energy usage and savings, and improve their overall well-being and quality of life. Internet-enabled LED lighting systems can be controlled in much finer detail than a traditional or non-IoT lighting system, including brightness and color to enhance moods for different occasions. All of this was previously unachievable before IoT-connected lighting.
For example, when IoT-enabled LED lighting is combined with the appropriate sensor, it can provide more localized details about energy usage and improve home security. One specific application involves motion sensor-activated security floodlights. These lights turn on when something moves in front of them, illuminating the yard and discouraging potential human prowlers. The IoT portion sends alerts to the security system’s owner that the lights have been triggered, keeping homes and families safer. IoT creates countless opportunities like this for future LED lighting applications.
GRE Alpha recently presented at the Hong Kong InnoCentre as part of a networking seminar entitled “How IoT and Green Technologies from Science Park Create a Smart Living.” The discussion, led by GRE Alpha’s business development manager, Kelvin Kwong, introduced a new Zigbee-enabled smart lighting module for quick and seamless upgrading of existing LED features into the IoT smart lighting realm. The SmartDim module is an intelligent IoT dimming module that works with the latest IoT-enabled home devices. It easily connects wirelessly to gateways such as a SmartThings® hub or other Zigbee-enabled wireless hubs, instantly converting non-internet LED lighting systems into IoT-enabled smart lighting management systems.
Other features of the GRE Alpha SmartDim include:
For more information on GRE Alpha’s SmartDim, evolutions in dimming efficiency, tips for achieving maximum efficiency and a discussion on the risks of inefficient dimmable drivers, view the presentation by Mr. Kwong.
This summer has seen four product launches by GRE Alpha: the 0-10V dimming module, the DALI dimming module, the DMX dimmer and the SmartDim module. These products are cutting edge, top-of-the-line innovations in LED lighting and dimming, providing countless opportunities for lighting upgrades in homes and businesses. As IoT and other advancements continue to drive growth in the LED lighting industry, GRE Alpha will remain committed to innovation and to delivering high-quality, leading-edge LED lighting solutions.
For more information about products, or to speak with a GRE Alpha product expert, visit the Enquiries page and fill out the Enquiry form. Stay tuned for future news about new and current products, LED lighting applications and more from GRE Alpha.
For the past few years, lighting fixtures and LED chip sales have driven much of the growth in the LED industry. Once an innovative and exclusive technology, LED chip phosphor coating patents have expired, generating an influx into the LED market of cheaper, generic LED chips, crafted by Asian manufacturers. With excess supply and lowered chip prices, LED chip sales have declined, resulting in substantially reduced pricing of lighting fixtures and luminaires. The market is shifting, and that shift is toward installing and upgrading to more efficient lighting management systems.
Traditional lighting control systems use triode for alternating current (TRIAC)-based dimmers for AC voltage input dimming control or electronic low voltage (ELV) dimming controls to regulate brightness. When LED lighting was introduced, 0-10V-based brightness control was made possible through the use of a traditional wall-mounted dial or slide switch LED dimming controls, and was implemented as a low voltage alternative to TRIAC or ELV-based dimming systems. In large, higher-end building lighting systems, digital addressable lighting interfaces (DALI) and digital multiplex (DMX) controls are implemented to achieve greater performance in dimming and control. The DALI dimming systems are intended for the management of building lighting systems containing thousands of installed lighting fixtures and luminaires, and DMX controls are implemented in color mixing applications such as stage lights and façade lighting.
With the advent of Wi-Fi and RF communication-based LED lighting controls—which decrease or eliminate the need for wired communication—a need for Cloud-style lighting control systems such as ZWave, Bluetooth low energy (BLE) and EnOcean has arisen to allow smartphones, game consoles and smart switches to control high-end residential lighting. These evolutions continue to shape the future of lighting management systems and provide numerous opportunities for growth.
GRE Alpha is playing a key role in the functionality of these protocols. Acting as an intermediary to allow these different components and lighting control systems to the interface, GRE Alpha’s host of lighting management devices and LED dimming modules make the process of moving to smart lighting as hassle-free as possible. Purchasing a relevant, compatible GRE Alpha dimming module for 0-10V, TRIAC, DALI or DMX lighting systems allows consumers to upgrade lighting systems of all sizes, transforming traditional lighting systems into the lower-cost, higher-efficiency LED lighting systems.
Paving the way for these upgraded systems are GRE Alpha’s newly released 0-10V dimming module and DALI dimming module. The 0-10V dimming module features dimming with no shift in LED color temperature, up to 1024 dimming levels for high-resolution smooth dimming, and single or dual-channel output versions, among other features. The DALI dimming module offers wide range DC input, integrated strain relief, 256 dimming levels, duplicate terminals for parallel connection and more. Both modules offer 97 percent power efficiencies and enable users to achieve the latest in lighting technological advancements—all in a cost-effective manner and with simplicity and flexibility.
GRE Alpha’s 0-10V dimming module and DALI dimming module are just a couple of the exciting, innovative changes coming this summer. Wi-Fi based systems are in the works and will be released later in 2016.
GRE Alpha is committed to innovation and to delivering high-quality, leading-edge LED lighting solutions. For more information about products, or to speak with a GRE Alpha product expert, visit the Enquiries page and fill out the Enquiry form.
Upgradable Constant Voltage LED Driver with dimming add-on upgrades. (CC and CV mode supported with upgrades)
The industry’s first truly upgradable LED driver designed to maximize to work with any lighting system. With GRE Alpha’s pioneering LED powering platform technology, upgrading your LED powering system with dimming features could not be easier with GRE Alpha’s snap on dimming modules.