Which Is Deserving "Hardwired" Or "Electrical Grid" Lighting Control For New And Remodeled Homes?

Of course it is hard to answer the question as to which lighting control technology, hardwired or electrical grid is more deserving. There are numerous capabilities and features of each system to take into consideration when attempting to assess the best technology. So when everything is added up there are surely features of each system which will cause this or that person to lean in either direction.

Hardwired System

Before any conclusion can be taken we should take the time to comprehend the essential technology of both systems. For example, a hardwired system at its heart is one that transmits and receives lighting directives over bona fide wires installed within the walls. On the walls scattered round a given home are low-voltage switches. There are low-voltage cables running through the walls connecting those switches to a switch consolidator electronic device. Low-voltage typically means that a mere 12Vdc power is utilized as power at the light switches. Lighting control directives are produced when one presses one of the paddles of the light switch on the wall. That directive is sent on low-voltage wire and identified in the light switch consolidator component. It is essentially like a telephone switch board that links one caller with another. It does not implement the commands it merely identifies which paddle has been touched and imparts the directive to the proprietary computer.

When the command reaches the computer a program is run. The action initiated depends on the programming downloaded earlier into the computer. For instance, button "A" may be programmed to turn on the kitchen light whereas button "B" may be programmed to activate a lighting scene where selective lights are turned on. Every condition of each light can be programmed specifically. The luminosity level, ramp up rate and fade down rate is programmed. In addition, unique lighting control scenes whereas multiple lights receive commands simultaneously are achievable.

Electrical Lighting Control System

The primary difference between a hardwired system and an electrical grid system is that there are no unique low-voltage control wires installed for command entry inputs to the system at the light switch in the latter. In fact, the electrical grid system has no control wire at all. The wiring of the light loads within the house by the electrical contractor is implemented in the typical way. That is to say that the electrician will mount a J-box for each light then wire in a power, neutral, and ground to power the light switch and eventually the linked light load.

What occurs when one taps a light switch to the "on" point when an electrical bus light switch has been installed? With no programming at all, right out of the box the light switch will allow electricity to stream to the light load which will then luminate. So far there is no disparity between this switch and a standard switch from Ace Hardware® . However, right out of the box container with no programming whatsoever the light switch provides fascinating and useful capabilities. If one touches the top of the switch once the light load will ramp up to 80% illumination over a three second interval thus missing the startlement of the light turning on full steam immediately. If one touches the top of the switch twice it will turn on to 100% immediately.

As it correlates to the electrical grid system we are barely getting cranked up. The upshot is that once all the dimmers and controllers have been installed the programming starts. Every condition of each light can be programmed uniquely. The brightness level, ramp up rate and shut down rate is programmed. In addition, distinct lighting control scenes wherein many lights receive commands simultaneously are attainable.

Underlying Technology

How do the directive signals get from each light switch to other light loads if the switches are wired like traditional switches? Well, first of all it must be understood that the electrical grid switches are not typical switches as you have likely imagined. They are truly very sophisticated electronic components that are able to transmit and receive coded directives over the electrical bus in the home. The technology allows command signals to be fractured down into binary information which is transmitted in the milivolt range at or very close to the "0" volt degree of the 60 Htz electrical sine wave.

What Is The Bottom Line?

A hardwired lighting control system requires the cost of low-voltage wiring and the expenditure of having it installed. Additionally, the low-voltage light switches must then be installed and "wired up". The electrical bus system does not necessitate running of control wires and the switches are installed by the electrical contractor in his agreement to wire the home for AC. Generally the hardwired lighting control system cost in the range of triple what an electrical bus system cost. As far as programming is concerned the two lighting control systems are fairly equal.

My Judgement

I have installed hardwired, wireless, and electrical lighting control systems. For the past five years I only installed the electrical grid technology known as Universal Power Bus®. There is no comparison with other lighting control systems in terms of ease of installation and cost. In addition, it is very tried-and-true.

Installing Technologies

It's been my experience that when home owners are pondering one technology for their new or remodeled home, they are likely contemplating other systems as well. It would be in your primary interest to have installation eBooks on each system you would like to include in your project. Peruse them all then procure your components, special tools, and wire so that they are all on the job ahead of your planned start date.


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Glenn Bell has years of experience in lighting control and wireless lighting control. He offers a FREE 10 Video mini Course and FREE eBook on various low-voltage systems for new and remodeled homes.