Upgrading to Lutron Homeworks QS or QSX
Why upgrade your Homeworks Interactive or Illumination lighting control system?
Lutron Homeworks Interactive was launched in the year 2000, and Homeworks Illumination in 2005. These systems were designed to control the light sources used at that time: incandescent, halogen, low voltage tungsten halogen, low voltage Xenon, Cold cathode. Many of these light sources are no longer in use due to obsolescence and newer more efficient LED technology taking its place.
To reduce energy consumption the UK Government have prohibited the manufacture of halogen lamps. When compared to LED technology, halogen bulbs are inefficient, use more energy and reach high temperatures. Although replacing halogen lamps with LED lamps may seem like a simple task, using LED lamps on a lighting control system that is designed for dimming halogen light lamps, can cause a multitude of problems, such as flicker and not being able to turn lights off reliably.
The reason why your Lutron Homeworks Interactive or Illumination (or other brand of control system) for example, may not work with LED light fixtures, is because the phase dimmers used on older lighting control systems are different to the ones used in newer lighting control systems such as Lutron Homeworks QS and Lutron Homeworks QSX.
There are two types of phase dimmers commonly used:
- Leading edge - traditionally used to dim halogen lamps
- Trailing edge – now used to dim LED’s
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Typical Homeworks Interactive/Illumination lighting control panels (with covers removed)
Older lighting control systems such as Lutron Homeworks Interactive and Illumination used leading edge dimming modules such as HW-RPM-4U-230-CE, HW-RPM-4A-230-CE, HWI-WPM-6D-230CE which are not compatible with LED fittings and lamps. LED’s require trailing edge dimming modules which are designed for lower power lighting loads.
The Lutron Homeworks QS and Lutron Homeworks QSX systems have been designed to control LED with trailing edge dimming, so if you are considering replacing halogen light fittings with LED, to reduce energy consumption and improve performance, you will find that an upgrade will be needed.
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HWI-WPM-6D-230CE |
HW-RPM-4A-230-CE |
Beside the issue with incompatibility, there can also be difficulties with supporting Homeworks Interactive and Illumination. For example, if your Lutron Homeworks Interactive or Illumination Processor fails, there is no way to extract the data from it. These processors are obsolete and so an emergency upgrade to Homeworks QS or QSX would be needed.
To avoid these situations, we highly recommend, being aware of the solutions in advance and factor this in with your timescale and budget when considering a Lutron upgrade. It may be that only certain components require upgrading, if you would like to keep your keypads that you are already familiar with. We can also carry out a phased upgrade plan, if you have ongoing refurbishment plans for example. Upgrading your Lutron system will run a lot smoother and simpler if we are able to extract the code from the existing processor.
Benefits of upgrading:
Upgrading to the latest generation of Lutron lighting control will provide excellent performance and reliability and advanced range of integration opportunities.
Performance
The Lutron Homeworks QS or QSX system will allow you dim LEDs to their optimum performance using the 4A5 Pro LED+ Phase Adaptive Dimmer Modules. For enhanced performance, dimming protocols such as 0-10V and DALI can be used which can offer superior dimming of LED’s and allow colour tunable / tunable white (via DALI Type 6 (DT6) or DALI Type 8 (DT8)) LED’s to be used. For areas where colour changing, or dynamic control is needed, the DMX protocol can be used.
Keypad Flexibility
Lutron have a wide range of elegant keypads including Allisse and Palladiom, International See touch and wireless Pico in a variety of finishes to match your aesthetic as well as an option for you keep your existing keypads.
Automated Blinds
Control the brilliant range of motorised blind options from Lutron including Roller Blinds, Wood Blinds, Honeycomb Blinds and Horizontal Sheer Blinds. Ultra-quiet and battery powered are suited to fit a variety of window treatments. Existing Lutron QED and third party curtains and blinds can also be incorporated into an upgraded system.
Control from anywhere
With the Lutron App you can control lights, shades, from anywhere in the world. You can also make changes to pre-set lighting scenes to your requirements eliminating the need to call out an engineer when you want to make changes.
Integration
The Lutron Homeworks QS and QSX allows you to integrate Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant and Sonos seamlessly, a great solution for people who require the advantages of technology assisted living. Integration via Telnet to legacy third party systems is possible with Homeworks QS. LEAP Integration is available with Homeworks QSX.
Our process to upgrade would include:
- A preliminary discussion to discuss the project, your priorities, phasing and timescale.
- A detailed survey to record the lighting circuits, extract the system code if the processor is still online and take note of the keypad functionality.
- Provide a proposal with cost options for a full or partial upgrade including dimming modules and keypads.
- After confirmation on the project proposal we will produce a lighting control schematic, we will proceed with ordering the equipment and preparing and testing as such as possible offsite. This will minimise downtime and disruption whilst the system is changed over.
- If there are new keypads, we would discuss and agree on any engraving with you.
- Once we have built and prepared the new equipment, we will arrange for a delivery date. All items are packed logical order for ease of installation on site.
- We would arrange a convenient time where the system can be taken off line whilst the new one is installed.
- Once completed and programmed, we will check everything works as intended, and introduce you to the Lutron app, showing you how to make simple adjustments.
There are many benefits in upgrading to a Lutron Homeworks QSX system, so if you find yourselves in a similar position where you would like to change from Halogen to LED or if you are concerned that your system may need upgrading in the near future, please do not hesitate to contact us.