Control4 announces the Control4 Puck Lighting (240V), a ZigBee-enabled smart switch and dimmer solution working with 3rd-party keypads designed to fit standard round and square wall boxes used in EMEA territories.

It works with a variety of switch types, including momentary and latching switches.

Ideal for both new constructions and retrofit installations, it works including incandescent, halogen, magnetic low-voltage, electronic low-voltage, flourescent, compact flourescent and LED lighting.

Load type auto sensing ensures automatic dimming adjustment while over-wattage protection prevents the device from driving a too-high load by shutting down power to the load before it over heats.

Go Control4

Niko aims to future-proof any type of dimmable lighting installation with the Universal Dimmer Plus-- with support for dimmable energy-saving lamps and LEDs.

It allows both customers and installers to adapt to a changing light bulb market, where incandescent lamps will soon stop being available while energy-saving lamps and LEDs grow further.

The Universal Dimmer Plus dims bulbs ranging from 5-350W, with both phase and reverse phase control-- and one only requires to change dimmer settings according to the light bulb in use.

The modular dimmer is also quite compact, being only 1U wide.

Two models are available-- the 330-00700 (230V push button or 8-24V operation, with brightness level memory settings) and the 330-00701 (0-10V and 1-10V current control operation).

Go Niko

Google and the Lighting Science Group (LSG) reveal their take on the lightbulb, the A19-- an Android-based LED lamp one can control wirelessly via android devices.

This follows earlier Google announcements of the Android@Home platform, which connects home devices via Google protocols and APIs.

The A19 lamp itself replaces standard 60W bulbs. Users can turn it on or off (or possibly dim it) through Android devices via an open-source wireless protocol Google itself is developing.

Will Google get to rule the energy management and lighting control markets? One will have to wait at least til later this year, which is when the A19 lamp should start being available.

Go Lighting Science Group

Go Google Goes Home: Android Feet on Your Couch

Crestron announces the CLCI series of in-ceiling lighting dimmers and switches for 230V international installations.

CLCI dimmers and switches enable wireless control of most installed lighting fixtures as part of a Crestron lighting control system. Without running control wire throughout the home or building, the CLCI series of components lets you convert any fixture into a wireless controlled light. With in-ceiling mounting, either on or near a fixture, the CLCI device enables long range wireless control of all lighting from any Crestron keypad, touch screen, handheld remote or mobile device.

With the market for energy management retrofits on the rise, Leviton suggests the use of its LevNet RF solutions-- wireless switch offerings requiring no new wiring, external power or batteries.

Leviton's switching solutions are self-powered, gathering (and saving) energy from various changes in state-- from the kinetic energy generated by pressing a switch to temperature- and light-sensitive sensors.

Alongside the self-powering technology Levnet technology uses the RF 315MHz frequency, which needs low power consumption on wireless receivers (less than 1 W per device, according to the company). The RF transmitters and switches don't require to remain always on, but switch off after a set length of non-activity.

The switches can be placed anywhere within a compatible wireless device's range while elminating the need for switch legs, traveller wires and other raw materials. The company says its switches are particularly ideal for energy-wise lighting and HVAC control, as well as building remodelling and automation.

Go Leviton Levnet RF Solutions

Frostdale's attractive nanogrid wireless light switches win a Red Dot 2011 design award.

Nanogrid switches have a wave-shaped button design and feature built-in energy logging (displayed via web or smartphone apps) alogside Z-wave lighting automation. They also carry temperature sensors-- meaning one can tie the switches' respective zones to a home's HVAC system without the need for temperature sensors.

The switches have a selection of interchangeable faceplates (in x5 different colours) also include lettering in braille to aid visually impaired users.

Go Frostdale Wireless Light Switches Win 2011 Red Dot Award