Dimming without rewiring

With ready2mains, luminaires can be dimmed directly via the mains. Upgrading an existing non-dimmable lighting system to the latest dimmable LED generation is now much easier and more cost-effective than ever before. Apart from dimmability, the benefits of modern LED lighting include lower energy consumption, the long life of the light sources, high reliability and greatly reduced size. Additional energy savings can be made if sensors such as presence detectors or daylight sensors are used because these sensors ensure that the light is automatically switched on only when it is needed.

The associated drivers must be equipped with ready2mains functionality, such as the LED drivers in the EXCITE and PREMIUM series. The interface between the control unit and the luminaires is the ready2mains gateway, which transmits the dimming commands in digital form via the mains cable, ensuring reliable and robust data transmission. There is no need for any additional data cables such as DALI/DSI or 1-10V systems.

Conventional pushbuttons can be used as the control units, and sensors for detecting presence or daylight, for example, can now be easily integrated. Integration in a DALI network is also possible via the one4all interface at the gateway. The interface also adds DALI, DSI, switchDIM and corridorFUNCTION functionality.

A single control unit is capable of controlling or dimming all the connected luminaires in a room. Multiple control units or gateways can be used in parallel, if required. The total connected load of a gateway in the ceiling installation housing is 400VA, allowing up to 15 LED luminaires with ready2mains functionality to be connected. The maximum cable length is 250m.

"As LED technology becomes more and more widespread there are increasing opportunities for creating flexible application-oriented lighting systems in all areas, including everything from workshops and offices to museums and shops. Up to now, replacing a lighting system took a great deal of time to complete the rewiring and therefore involved high costs," said Martin Thompson, Technical Services Manager, Tridonic. He continued; "We can now offer a simple cost-efficient solution for upgrading lighting systems in the form of ready2mains technology. All that is required is to remove the existing conventional luminaires and install new dimmable LED luminaires."