What are lighting controls?
Twenty years ago, lighting control technology was considered a luxury, reserved primarily for high-end commercial and residential environments. Early lighting control systems were most commonly found in hotel conference rooms, corporate boardrooms, and dedicated home theaters, where precise control of a light system was essential for presentations and video projection.
As large-format video projection systems became more common, the need for reliable lighting control quickly grew. Dimming lights during a presentation or movie and restoring them afterward became a basic functional requirement. In response, lighting manufacturers began developing more accessible, self-contained light system solutions designed specifically for these applications. This shift made lighting control more practical, efficient, and adaptable for a wider range of settings.
These advancements led to the development of programmable preset scene lighting control systems, allowing users to adjust brightness levels with a single command. Whether used in professional training environments, commercial spaces, or residential entertainment areas, modern lighting control enhances comfort, functionality, and efficiency by seamlessly managing how a light system responds to different activities and environments.
Lighting Systems
Since then the application of lighting control systems has grown substantially. Building lobbies, churches, restaurants, video conference rooms, and hotel ballrooms were all being built with lighting controls as an integral part of their design. At home, the application grew beyond the home theater to include areas such as kitchens, living rooms, dining rooms, and exterior lighting. However, systems were still only found in high-end facilities or considered toys only for those who could afford them. Systems were also complicated and required a level of technical knowledge beyond the average installer or operator.
Home lighting controls
Today home lighting controls can be found almost everywhere. Not only has the cost of these systems made them more affordable to the common user, but the new electrical code for commercial spaces requires some sort of lighting control system as part of their design. Automatic time clocks, occupancy sensors, daylight compensation sensors, and dimming controls are now a common part of almost every commercial construction project. Saving energy, safety and security, home automation, and remote control via electronic devices is increasing the demand for residential applications. However, lighting controls are still complex in their design and installation and still require knowledgeable technicians capable of servicing these systems.
Whether your system is 20 years old, or you are considering the purchase or installation of a new one, PGELS can assist with the design, installation, maintenance, and repair of your system. Our staff has been intimately involved with almost all of today’s and yesterday’s major lighting control manufacturers and is thoroughly experienced with the installation of lighting control systems in the commercial, residential, and industrial markets throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania.
