LED light controllers control the intensity, colour, and other features. Depending on the time of day or season, they can also improve the efficiency of your lighting system.
Using these controllers, you can also create various effects by adjusting all lighting elements independently.
As LED light controllers become more popular, more manufacturers are releasing them.
This article will help you determine the right type for your needs and budget.
Types of LED Light Controllers
Based on their level of automation, LED controllers fall into four categories. These are automated LED Controllers, programmable LED controllers, wireless LED Controllers, and IoT LED Controllers.
Most LED controllers are automated. Programmable lighting programs allow you to customise your lighting.
Programs can include sunrise, sunset, sunrise fade, or any combination. The lighting system can also be set for the time of day or season.
Automated LED controllers can also create scenes. Using scenes, you can combine multiple lighting elements for different effects.
With an indoor scene controller, you can create warmth by combining exterior lights and a fireplace effect.
Lighting programs and scenes can be created according to your needs using programmable LED controllers.
Use a programmable LED controller if you have a lot of decorative lights in your house or office.
WRC LED controllers allow you to create lighting scenarios using one or more lights, like automated LED controllers.
Lighting controllers from WRC use radio signals to control the lights and do not require physical access to the wiring.
Wireless LED controllers are also often less expensive than automated ones.
Home automation systems often include Smart Lighting Control System (SLCS) LED light controllers.
They integrate with other components of your home automation system. You can use one or multiple sensors to activate a lighting scenario if you have an alarm system.
The SLCS LED controllers offer functionality beyond primary LED controllers. Sunrise or sunset fade effects can be created with some SLCS controllers.
What to look for in an LED light controller?
Price: LED light controllers come in varying price ranges. So, deciding what price range you are looking for is essential.
Controls: Automated LED controllers allow you to create lighting scenarios using one or multiple lights.
You can create different lighting scenarios with programmable LED controllers. There may be times when you want only one light on.
For example, a single spotlight or a single decorative light in a room. In such a scenario, a programmable LED controller may not be ideal.
Alternatively, you can use a wireless remote control LED controller to operate one light from a distance.
The two types of wireless remote control LED controllers are dimming LED controllers and wireless remote control LED light controllers.
Some LED controllers allow you to dim your lights directly. You can set one light’s brightness to thirty per cent while leaving the rest at a hundred per cent. This is called ‘dimming’.
Scenes: Some LED controllers let you create sets. You can create different effects by combining multiple lights in scenes.
Using a scene controller indoors, you can create a fireplace effect with your exterior LED lights in Australia.
LED controllers can integrate with other components in your home automation system. If your home automation system turns on other components, you can set lights to turn on as well.
DIY Led Light Controller
Controlling LED lights with a DIY LED Light Controller is straightforward. It operates on two basic principles – frequency and dampening. A signal’s frequency is its rate of transmission, and dampening is its reduction.
DIY LED controllers mostly use a frequency of 9.9 kHz. A signal received from the DIY LED controller is split into two frequencies – 9.9 kHz and 2.4 kHz.
9.9 kHz LED lights in Australia can be turned on or off using 9.9 kHz. With 2.4 kHz LED lights, you can directly turn them on or off.
DIY LED controllers are highly affordable and easy to set up. You can only control your LED lights using DIY LED controllers at 9.9 kHz.
Wireless Remote Control (WRC) LED Controllers
Wireless LED light controllers use radio signals to control LED lights. Functionality and design are like wireless remote controls.
Inside the house, a WRC LED controller is installed. You operate it using a remote control or an app.
It uses 900 MHz radio signals to connect to your lights. You create mesh networks by connecting your lights. A mesh network is created between the hub and each light.
It creates a virtual mesh between each light and the hub.
There are three main types of WRC controllers.
– Wi-Fi Light Controllers
– Ethernet Light Controllers
– Cellular Light Controllers
Wi-Fi light controllers control your lights with Wi-Fi signals. Any Wi-Fi-enabled device can use Wi-Fi light controllers.
Lights are controlled over an Ethernet connection. Ethernet networks allow you to run your lights.
Ethernet light controllers are great because they don’t require a Wi-Fi network inside the house.
LED lights in Australia are controlled by cellular networks. Therefore, they are usually more expensive than the other two types.
Your lighting system needs, your budget, and your preferences are pivotal aspects. Make sure the LED controller is set up correctly after choosing it.