Setting Up Your Electrical Lighting System To Achieve The Best Light And Shade Control

Date: 9 November 2018

Installing the right lighting system in your home or workplace is important as it plays a big role in setting the mood of each room. Ideally you want to have a lighting system that creates an ambient light to promote relaxation and comfort in some places, as well as having stronger and more practical lighting in specified areas. You might also want to consider accent lighting to set off a feature wall, or highlight the artwork you have displayed in a room. A carefully thought out lighting system can create dramatic effects and bring new life to a room.

Designing a Flexible System

The way that your lights are positioned, the type of bulbs you use, and other factors like fixtures and shades can make a big difference in the quality of light that you have in the evenings. All of these things can work together to create the perfect mood, but the right balance must be struck. There are limitations when working with natural light. It can only be controlled to a certain degree by blocking it out or amplifying it. Artificial lighting, on the other hand, can be completely controlled if you have experienced electrical contractors to set up the right positioning. When you select the right combinations of bulbs and fixtures and get the positioning right you can achieve the perfect lighting effect. As there are many options to consider when dealing with artificial lighting, it is a good idea to get professional advice to ensure you achieve your desired outcome.

Designing an electrical lighting system is a delicate process. You can have wiring and sockets put in easily enough, but the wrong balance of lighting elements can throw things off considerably. You don’t want to end up with lighting in a sitting area that is too bright and hinders relaxation. On the other hand you want to make sure that you have have decent ‘task lighting’ in a study or office. A good electrical lighting system will be designed so that you can set the mood for each activity in a room at the simple flick of a switch. A professional electrical contractor will be up to speed with all of the latest lighting options and will have experience working with lighting in different types of spaces. They will be able to take your ideas and come up with a plan to create the particular effect that you want to have in each room.

If you are using a room both in the evenings and late at night, you may want to have an even more flexible lighting system. Some automated lighting systems take artificial lighting to the next level by providing additional options that can change lighting effects to match ambient light from outdoors and other rooms. The most basic of automated electrical lighting systems allows one-touch on and off control for individual connections. One level up, you can have dimmers. The more complex lighting systems provide for an array of options such as scheduling and lighting profiles, as well as remote control switching and dimming. The most advanced lighting systems can be connected to other electrical systems to offer one-touch remote controlling of shades and drapes, thermostat settings, media system startup, and more. This is all controlled according to pre-programmed settings. All the systems can be changed at once, in combination, or separately, as desired. Once your electrical lighting system is properly set up, all you have to do is touch one button to select the setting you are after.

Wired Or Wireless

Your electrical lighting system can also come in a wired or wireless variety. Wireless control solutions are easier to install since they do not require a lot of electrical work. They can cost more if your home or office is not yet set up for wireless connections but this can be considered an investment. The advantages of wireless lighting, aside from easy installation, are that you can control the system from a smartphone in addition to the main control panel, and there is no need for retrofitting or a big box of wired connections that takes up space. Wireless systems make use of the existing wiring in a room to make connections to and control lights. As long as your device is in range of the wireless system, you can control it. You can even go one step further and have your device set up for remote access through your WiFi signal. This means that you will be able to control your lighting and other connected systems even if you are not on the premises.

Combining centralised wired and wireless electrical lighting is also an option. Wireless systems can be expensive, after all, and a hybrid electrical lighting system is more practical particularly for spaces that already have basic wired systems in place. This combination can also save on the expense of a completely wireless setup in a new structure by installing wired connections where access is convenient and remote controlling is unnecessary, and then setting up the wireless ones where they are needed most. The wide range of choice available for combining these options makes it possible to have the exact level of access needed to all electrical systems in any individual space or structure as a whole.

Whichever natural or artificial lighting system or combination you choose, it is important to consult with trained electrical contractors before you have any work done. Any type of electrical work, no matter how simple it may seem, should always be undertaken by the professionals. Dealing with electrical currents can become very dangerous if handled by untrained hands. Safety should always be the primary concern, and electrical safety starts with experience and knowledge that only trained professionals can boast of. Moreover, professional electrical contractors will always take care to safeguard each of the connections that they work on before and after they install new wiring. This will ensure that you do not run into any issues with loose connections, grounded wires, or any other problems that can be a potential fire or safety hazard in the future.

Skilled electrical contractors have the knowledge and experience to discuss with you what might be best suited for your home or workplace in terms of functionality and design over the long term. Do not hesitate to contact an experienced electrical contractor when you are considering an installation of a new electrical lighting system or alterations and additions to your existing one. They can save you a lot of time and stress, and most importantly, they can offer you a safe solution to your electrical lighting needs.

Whether you are looking to add some ambience to a room, liven up a work space with carefully thought out task lighting, or highlight some artwork in your home, contact us today, our friendly team will be more than happy to help out.