New Guy - Wiring Question

[adt2]

We are about to start building a new home, and I need a little guidance. Currently we have 11 switches at the front door in three 4-gang boxes. I'd like to eliminate as many of those switches as possible, but I'm not sure what I'm looking for.

Is there such a thing as a single-gang switch with multiple buttons that controls, via low voltage wiring, multiple lights? I'm thinking the 110V wires would go to a control panel somewhere, with just a few smaller-gauge LV wires running from the control box to the switch. Sort of like a network demarc for lighting.

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I'm not sure what the terminology is so I don't know what to ask for. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[tmbrown97]

Not a stupid question at all. There are lots of options for home running the electrical to a closet or panel and using just a local scene controller at the wall. Depending on your budget and what all you want to accomplish.

Others can chime in with specific solutions, but check out things like Lutron and ALC - and others who have more relevant experience or have done more specific research can chime in.

 

[picta]

Check out this site for a hard-wired solution, it does exactly what you've described: http://www.centralite.com/elegance.php. HAI has also introduced an omnibus lighting system, but I am not sure if it's available yet.

 

[adt2]

Check out this site for a hard-wired solution, it does exactly what you've described: http://www.centralit...m/elegance.php. HAI has also introduced an omnibus lighting system, but I am not sure if it's available yet.

Okay, this was exactly what I was looking for, I think. If I understand correctly, what I'm interested in are relays and relay controls. Looks like the 110V wiring for the lights to be controlled goes from the fixture to an electronic breaker to the incoming power source, and low-voltage wires go from the wall switch to the relay controller to the breaker. Does that sound about right?

Next question: Based on what I've read so far, there seem to be several choices if I want to go with a pre-packaged, turnkey-type solution - which would be nice, but I'm guessing expensive. Is there a way to duplicate this functionality with off-the-shelf components for a basic setup? I'm not really looking for advanced scene control, daylight harvesting, etc. etc. I just don't want a huge bank of switches at the exterior doors. I don't need remote setup and monitoring, network control, etc.

 

[potts.mike]

If a lot of those switches are 3 ways you might be able to get away with using a combination of zwave switches and four button controllers.

 

[adt2]

Not many of them are three-ways.

• Foyer
• Front Door - Ext
• Courtyard - Ext (3-way)
• Courtyard fans
• Courtyard foyer (3-way)
• Front gate (3-way)
• Front porch
• Great room (3-way)
• Great room cans
• Great room fans
• Soffit plugs 1
• Soffit plugs 2

There may be some more, but I can't remember off the top of my head. It was piss-poor planning on my part when we built the house we're in; just want to avoid making the same mistakes in the next house.

 

[picta]

one thing you could do is to install a few of you switches, like one or two, near your high traffic areas and the remaining switches all in a closet or other hidden location. Then you could replace the visible switches with multi-button controllers and the hidden switches with equivalent electronic ones. If you say wire 2 switches at the door and 6 in the closet, you can have 2 4 button controllers to operate all the lights.

 

[adt2]

I think the Centralite setup is going to be the closest thing to what I'm looking for. Next issue is going to be finding somewhere to purchase the equipment that doesn't require me to go through an authorized installer/dealer/designer/whatever.

 

[Neurorad]

I think AutomatedOutlet carries Centralite.

Edit - yes, on website. Call, by PHONE, and they explain the situation, and they may hook you up with a dealer.

 

[adt2]

Thanks - I'll give that a shot.