Mr Fernandes, Lutron Lighting Controls
Project Overview
We started a large extension project some months ago, combining a kitchen, living room and dining room and extending the back of our house 3m to create a single living space of some 90m2. In addition to this, we also built a wine cellar and refurbished our hall and landing and re-fitted the downstairs cloakroom.
Parts Used
- 1 x Lutron GRAFIK Eye QS 6 Zone - QSGRK-6PCE-WH
- 1 x Lutron Pico Wireless Controller - PK-2B-MAW-L01
- 1 x Pico Wall Station - PFP-1-B-FAW
- 1 x Lutron GRAFIK Eye QS Infrared 4 Scene Remote - GRX-IT
- 38 x Fire Rated Downlight GU10 240V Fixed- FR-D-WH-GU
- 12 x Fire Rated Adjustable LED Downlight - FR-DT-WH-GU
- 50 x Megaman 6W GU10 LED Dimmable - 141401
- 2 x Bespoke LED strips with remote control - LEDST**
The project took some 5 months start to finish, and our objective was to make the living space a real statement piece for us to enjoy on a day-to-day basis and to use for frequent entertaining. We had a very clear vision of what we wanted to achieve, though it's worth pointing out that neither my wife or I have any sort of experience with building projects, lighting systems or wiring electrics.
What happened?
We were very keen on having a number of home automation devices installed, so after extensive online research, settled on Lutron as the system that seemed to tick all the boxes as far as our lighting requirements were concerned. What we particularly wanted to achieve, was being able to use a single control unit for eight discrete lighting zones, whilst still being able to run them independently.
What we hadn't appreciated was the complexity of the options that Lutron offer and certainly had no appreciation of the difference between DALI and non-DALI lighting.
Getting the Right Kit
Our electrician wasn't very clear from the outset, as he had never fitted a Lutron system before and wasn't in a position to advise us on the options available, so we read up on the systems and bought a load of kit without discussing it with anyone else, and simply assumed (incorrectly) that it was fit for purpose from Downlights Direct.
We received the kit very quickly, though it’s important to note that we ordered the parts some eight weeks before it was scheduled to be fitted as part of the build plan, so it was sitting around unopened for quite a while. When it was finally time to fit the lighting, our electrician told us that the main Lutron unit couldn't be used with LED strip lighting or downlights.
It had been over six weeks since we’d received the parts, so I was convinced that I would be lumbered with circa £800 of lighting equipment that was unusable. Well, I was suitably impressed when, after explaining my predicament to Chris at Downlights Direct, he was totally understanding, pointed me in the right direction in terms of the correct parts to make the whole thing work. Furthermore, he agreed to swapped out the main Lutron unit with no fuss whatsoever, which really helped us out.
On the back of this, the guys also advised us on a couple of other things (many thanks to both Matt and Craig, both of whom I was on the phone to pretty frequently for a couple of weeks!) that really helped us get the look and feel of what we wanted spot on.
Outcome
We now have a fabulous living space that really is made by the lighting – we’re absolutely
delighted with the way it’s all worked out. What’s impressed me more than anything though, is that for a supplier that really didn't have to do anything more than take the order and process it, the whole team at Downlights Direct took an active interest in what we were trying to achieve, always did so with good humor and patience, and changed the dynamic of a transactional process into a really great experience.