UPB Fixture module or remote load switch for new construction

[robolo]

I'm helping with a new construction project for a friend (really it's not for me) and we are planning to have a number of UPB switches homerunned to the mechanical closet and have 6 button scene controllers on the walls. I am trying to understand the benefit of using actual UPB switches in the mechanical room vs using wired-in fixture modules at the actual light itself. The cost for the wired-in modules are a little more and they are les accessible if need to be reprogrammed. That much I understand but is there anything else?

Would there ever be a reason in new contruction where you have access to everything and can plan all the wiring runs to ever use a wired in fixture module?

 

[drozwood90]

The only thing I can think of, is a wired in module would look better in a closet...not as strange as a wall of switches (someone posted one a while ago...I couldn't find the link).

Personally (not a professional installer), I'd put whatever was cheaper in the closet as no one is going to see them. Heck, you don't even need to buy face-plates, just use a plastic screwdriver to poke the buttons (if Web MTN or SAI) to get them into programming mode!

--Dan

 

[robolo]

Dan,
Thanks for the reply. Seeing that the wall switch is actually cheaper than the fixture module makes me think the wall switches are the way to go. I am actually planning to use 2 of the of the Pulseworx Lighting Control Panel units.

I'm just trying to make sure I was not missing the boat on some important aspect of the fixture modules.

Robert

 

[AutomatedOutlet]

Having switches in the panel also gives you the ability to control the load manually if you need to.

 

[robolo]

Thanks Martin,
We bought the Pulsworx cabinets from you guys this past weekend! After seeing your post I decided to just go ahead and call your store and spoke with Ralph in tech support. He confirmed what I was thinking. During new construction it is best to homerun the fixture wires to a central location and use easily accessible load bearing UPB switches. That way you avoid trying to access a hard-to-reach fixture appliance module if ever need to reprogram.

 

[drozwood90]

Question....why home run all the wires? I don't see the point, as due to the flexibility of UPB's links, you could just have switches in every room, and then link them to another switch.

Or am I now missing something? I guess, what's the advantage to homerun all the lighting?

--Dan