Installing the lighting system

[treedabc]

I see a couple of posts about lighting but when starting from scratch which is the best lighting control dimmer/switch to use and which occupancy senser is to be used for both the lights and security. would it be better to use cfl or led?
 
Thank you
Tony

 

[Desert_AIP]

You really can't use the same occupancy sensors for both security and automation with any kind of satisfactory result.
 
Security motion sensors are tuned to prevent false alarms so they don't nuisance trip, occupancy sensors for autoamtion on the other hand are tuned to trip at the slightest movement so the automation occurs reliably. 
The two applications are polar opposites and really require different sensors.

Door and window contacts used for security can be used for automation with no problem.
 
 
As for lighting, you need to decide on a technology first.
Since you are posting this in the HAI section, I assume you have an Omni panel.
There are several options available depending on your budget and the level of DIY you are willing to undertake.
 
Many DIY people, like me, chose the UPB (HLC) power line carrier (PLC) lighting technology.
I chose it for it's relatively low cost, expandability, availaility of units and DIY friendly programming.
The Omni panel also comes with a UPB interface by default.
There is also Z-wave and to a lesser extent Zigbee and ALC in addition to some of the higher end technologies like Centralite.
X-10 is also an option, but that is really a dinosaur relative to the current technologies.
 
Since you are at the "clean slate" stage, it is probably helpful to read about the different technologies to decide which one best fits your needs.
 
There is a great UPB primer in the resource section. 

 

[Madcodger]

For lighting, there is also Insteon from Smarthome. Acceptable price point for automation and good in residential use based on my experience. I am on my 2nd home with it. The ISY controller from Universal devices helps with that

Agree with Desert_AIP re Occupancy and sensors, but if you just need lights to come on based on motion many tie lighting in with security systems from Elk and HAI (I use Elk). Big difference in motion vs occupancy as threads here will note.

Your question re CFL vs. LED is very different from questions re home automation. HA systems can work with either. I used CFL a few years back and will put it in less critical areas due to lower cost. But LED is the technology I'm investing in for my more important / longer term needs

 

[picta]

There are several lighting technologies that integrate well with HAI panel, and these three types are used the most by DIY: UPB/HLC, Leviton Vizia RF and Centralite JetStream. RadiRA2 is also an option, but it is only semi-DIY. Insteon is not "naturally" supported by HAI. Like Desert_API suggested, you should do some research to decide which technology may best suit your needs.
 
You can use HAI panel for both automation and security, but you'll need a separate set of sensors for automation, these sensors should be configured as "Auxiliary" type so they will not be monitored by security. A good choice for occupancy sensors are SensorSwitch devices.