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In this post, we will provide you with a short introduction to what lighting controls and lighting control systems are, the different types of lighting controls, and why you should use them. ON and OFF — Lighting controls are really not what they used to be. Over the recent decades, the capabilities of lighting controls have evolved significantly and have influenced how we handle lighting for all types of application environments. Modern lighting controls have given us the ability to manage different aspects of lighting, such as dimming, motion control, and scene setting. With greater control over how lighting is used, we are also able to reap more benefits of using lighting controls, for example, saving energy, greater convenience, enhanced environments, and more safety and security. In this post, we will provide you with a short introduction to what lighting controls and lighting control systems are, the different types of lighting controls, and why you should use them. WHAT ARE LIGHTING CONTROLS? Taking control of our lighting needs is what lighting controls are all about. Lighting controls are part of a lighting control system that give us the ability to manage the quality and the level of a light. Lighting control systems consist of a network of input/output devices, including relays, light control switches, occupancy sensors, and more. These controls are managed locally or remotely using software applications and/or other interfaces connected to the lighting control system. As mentioned above, traditional lighting controls were generally able to manually turn a light on and off. Today, we have a lot more functionalities available that let us manage the brightness of a light, the color temperature, lighting timers, and much more. Being able to control lights in many different ways, enables us to adjust our lighting to different moods and atmospheres. This can have an overall effect on how we live and work. The advent of the Internet of Things (IoT) has made it possible for us to connect our lighting control systems to different devices and applications making it even easier to manage our lighting, no matter where we are. TYPES OF LIGHTING CONTROLS There are many different types of lighting controls, both manual and automatic -some are capable of both. While certain lighting controls are only able to turn on/off specific lights, others are focused on modifying the brightness or color temperature of lights. For some lighting controls, third-party equipment may also be required to take full advantage of all of their capabilities. To give you a better understanding of what types of lighting controls exist and why they are suitable for certain situations, we will list a number of different lighting controls below. BASIC LIGHTING CONTROLS The most basic lighting controls are light switch controls. Basic light switch controls enable lights to be turned on and off manually. They give you the ability to turn off the light and save energy when you leave a room or when lighting is not needed for a space. Although these controls require manual action, these controls will help you to manage your lighting needs at the most basic level. DIMMERS Dimming controls are used to change the overall light output of a light source. The current flow to the light source can be increased or decreased through dimming switches, sliders, touch dimmers, and more. Dimmers can also be used in conjunction with other lighting controls such as timers, motion sensor controls, or preset lighting controls. By not fully utilizing a bulb’s light output, dimmers can help extend the life of your bulbs and help you save energy. TIMERS If you want your lights to be turned on or off at specific times, timers are the most suitable lighting controls to help you with that. Manual timers directly connect to the outlet and essentially stop or open the current flow to the light. For many situations basic time controls will most likely be sufficient to turn off your lighting on a schedule, for example switching off the company lighting after business hours. More advanced time controls can be set with programmable digital timers. These can generally give you more control over a variety of scheduling possibilities. PRESET LIGHTING CONTROLS The ability to use preset lighting settings that fit to situations and moods, or save personal lighting settings is made possible through preset lighting controls. These are generally accessible by using a remote control or an application connected to the lighting system. Today’s lighting control preset can range from lighting settings for moods such as ‘reading/studying’, all the way to scene settings like ‘Christmas’ or ‘Party.’ MOTION AND OCCUPANCY SENSOR CONTROLS Any movement that occurs within a detectable area of a motion or occupancy sensor system can activate and deactivate lights without having to manually switch the light on or off. Motion sensor controls are mostly used for security and utility lighting, while occupancy controls are generally installed to turn on/off indoor lights once motion is detected. LIGHT SENSOR CONTROLS Light sensor controls automatically modify the brightness of light depending on the amount of natural light a space receives from outside. By balancing both natural and artificial light levels, any excess lighting is avoided, always providing the exact level of illumination, no matter what time of the day it is or what type of weather is currently present. 5 TOP BENEFITS OF USING LIGHTING CONTROLS Lighting controls have received more attention in recent years, as people have noticed the benefits of using lighting controls in their daily lives. As lighting technologies continue to evolve, we have gotten so accustomed to many lighting controls that we often can’t imagine not having them anymore. After introducing you to some of the most common lighting controls, we will now explore the 5 top benefits of lighting controls. ENERGY EFFICIENCY Lighting controls can help you save money on your electric bill by automatically turning off lights when they are not needed. With the help of lighting controls such as time controls, motion, and sensor controls, as well

Beautifully decorated outdoor lighting can quickly get damaged and become unsafe if no precautions are taken to protect your lighting against heavy weather conditions. We use outdoor lighting to make our outdoor spaces look more beautiful and inviting. Planning out its conception definitely requires a certain amount of dedication and hard work. Now, of course, we would not want all of our hard work to be ruined again by heavy rain or an unannounced storm. So, that’s why we would like to share with you a few ways how you can protect your external lighting from harsh weather conditions. MAKE SURE YOUR LIGHTING IS SUITABLE FOR OUTDOOR USE This first and most important step is to ensure that your lighting products and their components meet all the requirements for outdoor lighting. Generally, the lights that are being used outside need to be able to handle moisture and withstand mechanical impact. The Ingress Protection (IP) rating, which is used as an international standard to evaluate the degree of protection and sealing effectiveness of an electrical product, will give you more information about how much moisture the lights, as well as the electrical cords that are connected to the lights, can be exposed to. The Impact Protection (IK) rating indicates the level of resistance the lighting product provides against mechanical impact. It’s important to research the proper ratings for your application and ensure the products you specify meet those specifications. Otherwise, you need to make sure that no moisture and no external influences can affect it. PLACEMENT OF LIGHTING After making sure your lighting has the proper ratings for your application, the next thing you can do to prevent your outdoor lighting from being damaged is to place it in shielded locations. Keeping your lighting away from any potential rain, storm, etc. is a surefire way to keep your lighting in good condition. Now, this can be under a roof, in a protected corner, or close to any type of outdoor furniture for it to be hidden from any open areas. Just make sure it is (indirectly) covered from the top or side. However, sometimes it is close to impossible to find a spot for lighting to be sheltered, which is why we have one more way how you can protect your outdoor lighting from harsh weather conditions. WEATHER SHIELDS Another great way to protect your outdoor lighting is to use weather shields. Weather shields cover your lights and keep them away from any type of moisture and adverse weather. You can purchase waterproof weather shields for your light bulbs as well as your external outlets at your local hardware store. If you are thinking of connecting different light sets together, there are also special weather shields for your lighting connections. Without these weather shields, your outdoor lighting is more prone to damage. While covering your lighting fixtures and outlets, also consider putting casing around your wiring or covering it in a different way, for example by burying it underground. Exposed wiring can get damaged outdoors, as the rubber casing of wires can deteriorate and can cause the wiring to split. Another reason to make use of wire casing is to prevent it from being damaged by any animals biting it and increasing the risk of an electrical shock for anyone handling the lighting and potentially getting in contact with the exposed wire. If any wires or cables are damaged, you should contact a professional electrician. IDEOLI TIP: USE LED LIGHTS Our recommendation for setting up outdoor lighting in a secure way is to use LED lights that are suitable for outdoor use. Known for their energy efficiency and long life span, most LED lighting fixtures are sealed and come with built-in wiring, through which they are able to endure more impact from harsh weather conditions and are least likely to get damaged. In addition, LED lights radiate less heat than incandescent lights making them less attractive to animals, which could potentially harm them as well as damage the lighting fixtures and its wiring. CONCLUSION We have covered a few different ways of how you can make sure your outdoor lighting is protected from harsh weather in this post. We have learned that before you install any lighting outdoors, you need to make sure that your lighting is suitable for outdoor use. This can be established by its IP and IK rating. After determining its suitability for outdoor use, the placement of your lighting plays an important role. Keeping it a covered or protected area will help keep your lights safe and intact. Another great way to protect your lighting is through weather shields, which create a physical barrier against weather influences. But don’t forget to protect your wiring as well. Finally, we advise using LED lights due to the sealed and built-in wiring of most LED lighting fixtures. All things considered, we recommend that no matter which suitable outdoor lighting you are using or deciding to use, you should consider unplugging your lighting before any rough weather occurs. Facebook-f Linkedin-in Tumblr Envelope

Lighting in the commercial space is more than just making your products and services visible to your customers. It can affect your customers’ whole way of thinking and feeling – starting from when they enter your store or restaurant. We at Ideoli help our clients to design the right lighting for their spaces, so their customers always feel welcome once they make their first step into their store. However, choosing the right lighting can be a difficult task for many businesses, which is why we want to share with you ‘3 Insightful Ways How To Give Your Customers A Warm Welcome With The Right Lighting’ that can help you with your lighting choices. Set the Right Mood When it comes to creating a welcoming space for your customers, setting the right mood and atmosphere for your business is one of the main things to focus on. Trying to understand how your customers feel when they enter your space will help you choose the right lighting for your space. For example, if you own a restaurant where people come for lunch and dinner. You may want to choose lighting that sets a certain mood that makes people feel relaxed and comfortable. When your lighting fits the mood of your customers, they will feel more comfortable to stick around. Keep Customer Interest With Accent Lighting Welcoming customers by lighting up specific areas or items in your store can spark considerable interest among new customers. This can help customers feel like they are in the right place. A great way to accent parts of your store is with wall sconces, such as Ideoli’s MORUS series. Wall sconces are a choice for accent lighting, as they provide just the right amount of light for illuminating a specific area while also consuming less energy. If you are unsure which lighting fixtures are right to accent certain areas of your store, we can help you with that. We can help you with everything from choosing, designing, and manufacturing the ideal lighting product for your business, so that you can continue focusing on keeping your business going. Working With Natural Light While many businesses aim to be equipped with top lighting fixtures for their spaces, many forget about the amount of natural light they already have. Buildings with big windows and/or large glass doors allow light to fill spaces naturally during daytime. Not considering the amount of natural light of your space can definitely impact the effectiveness of your lighting sources in your space. So, before starting to create any new lighting concept for your space, consider the impact of natural light that is present in your space and how you can work with it, not against it. This will help you to prevent any artificial lighting from being lost. All in all, we hope you have come to understand that lighting has a substantial effect on how customers are welcomed into stores and restaurants. Starting from a store’s appearance and selling points to how it affects the mood of the store’s customers – lighting designers who take on the challenge of designing the perfect lighting for any space have to consider many factors. Luckily, the #Ideoli team thrives on the challenge to create unique lighting fixtures that give your customers a warmer welcome. If you would like to work together with our experienced team, please get in touch with us today to #InvigorateYourSpace! Facebook-f Linkedin-in Tumblr Envelope

Because of the tremendous work that MAC has been doing for its community, Ideoli’s lighting partner reached out to request our lighting fixtures for their new space. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, the Midtown Assistance Center (MAC) provides emergency assistance to low-income members of the community to prevent homelessness and hunger through periods of crisis. Because of the tremendous work that MAC has been doing for its community, Ideoli’s lighting partner reached out to request our lighting fixtures for their new space. In addition, Ideoli also donated K95 masks to distribute to MAC staff, volunteers and clients to protect them from COVID-19 while providing assistance to their community. Founded in 1986, Midtown Assistance Center has been doing an incredible job helping people in the city who need it. Many businesses, foundations, government entities, volunteers, and individuals, have become part of the organization since its inception. By helping with rent assistance to prevent evictions, buying groceries for persons experiencing a temporary shortage, assisting with getting the necessary school supplies for children, and more, everyone at MAC sticks together to help others in need. After Ideoli’s donation, MAC notified us about the positive impact Ideoli’s donation has made. MAC wrote, “Because of your support, we are able to respond to the continued increased need in the community. MAC received a note recently from a mom we helped with rental assistance. She remarked, “Thank you so much! Your assistance will definitely help me back on track. I’m so relieved knowing I won’t be homeless or hungry and able to take care of myself and children moving forward.” – Marilyn and her two children” We are always happy when we are able to help others where we can. Special thank you to Tori Cole of Regency Lighting to engage us for this effort. Keep invigorating your community! To learn more about Midtown Assistance Center (MAC) and to get in touch to also support its efforts, visit their website at www.midtownassistancecenter.org. Facebook-f Linkedin-in Tumblr Envelope

We’ve expanded! We recently opened our newest Ideoli office in the beautiful city of Athens, Greece, to support our local European markets and to continue to create valuable business relationships. In June we hosted an amazing launch event of Ideoli Europe in Athens which took place on the rooftop of the renowned Lalaounis Jewelry Museum, giving an incredible view of the Acropolis. We shared our ambitious expansion plans in Europe with 100+ guests, incl. industry leaders, developers, designers, architects, and government officials, and create new connections with locals and visitors alike. The expansion of our operations in Europe and the establishment of our new Athens office marks the expansion of an already extensive global network that includes the Americas, Asia and Latin America. We are happy that Greece has welcomed us with open arms. We couldn’t have found a better place to launch Ideoli Europe. We are excited about this new chapter and look forward to working on many projects here in Greece and Europe. Facebook-f Linkedin-in Tumblr Envelope

Ideoli has been certified in ISO 45001, ISO 14001 and in ISO 9001 by Perry Johnson Registrars (PJR). We have some great news! Ideoli has been certified in ISO 45001, related to occupational health and safety management, in ISO 14001, related to environmental management, and in ISO 9001, related to quality management by Perry Johnson Registrars (PJR). But what do these certifications mean?  ISO 45001 means the organization has integrated aspects of health and safety into its business processes, resulting in a reduction in the overall cost of incidents, downtime, disruptions, insurance premiums, employee turnover, and more. ISO 14001 is related to the environment. The certification ensures the continual improvement of the organization in this pivotal area and assures that Ideoli’s environmental impact is being measured and improved. ISO 9001 sets out the criteria for a quality management system. It ensures customer expectations are met and exceeded, ensures leadership establishes unity and coherence, and predictability in results good relationships with all interested parties in Ideoli’s orbit. These certifications enable Ideoli to establish an even bigger footprint in global markets, specifically in the European Union and widen the array of customers it services and products it develops.Through receiving these certifications, Ideoli is now in a better position to service the European Government Agencies and other clients with its lighting products. This certification comes just in time for Ideoli’s European expansion and its European office launch event!The expansion of its operations in Europe and the establishment of its Athens office marks the expansion of an already extensive global network that includes the Americas, Asia, and Latin America. To celebrate the occasion, Ideoli has organized an event titled “Ideoli’s European Expansion: A Night Under the Acropolis”. The event will take place at the Lalaounis Jewelry Museum Rooftop which features an astounding view of the Parthenon and the surrounding city – a location fitting the occasion and rich in symbolism. In attendance will be lighting and architecture industry leaders, manufacturers, government officials, and journalists. Facebook-f Linkedin-in Tumblr Envelope