Helvar 'Digidim' Lighting Control Systems
We exclusively use the Helvar 'Digidim' Lighting control systems in our custom installations.
Who are Helvar?
Helvar are a manufacturer of lighting control solutions. Helvar sells product into 60 different countries around the world. The company was founded in 1921 and started designing and manufacturing lighting control products in 1949. It continues to develop market leading products to this day.
The Headquaters for lighting control is in the UK. Helvar is the Most Innovative and Fastest Growing Lighting Electronic Company in the World.
Why Use Helvar?
Helvar are the lighting control systems for the professionals. They are reliable, use state-of-the-art technology, are extremely energy efficient.
Quality is the key element in Helvar. All products are designed to fulfil and exceed international standard requirements for safety and performance. Thorough component control and the use of the latest production technology, ensure that Helvar quality, reliability and lifetime are justifiably famous.
The lighting control solutions are scaleable allowing us to provide solutions from single room lighting, for example in a Kitchen, right the way to the largest mansions and offices. Helvar is the lighting control system used in prestigious hotels, sports venues, cruise ships and residences.
What is 'Digidim'
DIGIDIM is Helvar’s DALI compatible system. Products include state-of-the-art lighting control hardware and powerful design tools for professionals.
What is DALI?
DALI is the Digital Addressable Lighting Interface standard used in the professional lighting control industry.
Dali is an industry standard lighting control protocol that is supported by major lighting fixture and control manufacturers. Dali was originally developed with a focus on managing fluorescent fixtures in commercial premises but has now been significantly extended to provide extensive control possibilities for both residential and commercial use.
One important consideration is that the DALI protocol is not specific to one manufacturer (as are the control solutions of many systems on the market). This gives freedom to the designer to mix and match products from different manufacturers with the confidence they will operate together seamlessly.
DIGIDIM is flexible, easy to install, simple to configure and runs over only two wires.
What cables can be used for a Helvar DIGIDIM installation?
For the DALI controls cable, connections of up to 300 meters can be made with any 2 wire 0.5 – 1.5mm mains rated cable. There are no special wiring requirements and wiring can be carried out to suit any individual installation.
What types of control panels are available?
A modular range of control panels comprising of pushbutton, rotary or slider combinations in a range of finishes to suit any modern décor style.
A small sample of the range of finishes available in the push-button control wall plates.
In addition to the wall controls shown above, Piquant have developed a range of 'virtual' PC-based lighting control panels. These controls provide all the functions of a wall scene-set control but on a PC desktop. These virtual controls were developed by Piquant in response to client requests for individual user lighting control in office environments.
What types of lighting fixtures can be controlled?
Just about any type of fixture can be controlled. Importantly, this includes LED lighting solutions that are now becoming the preferred choice for low-energy and architecturally stunning lighting. Many manufacturers have expensive and cumbersome control solutions for LED's. Helvar have recently developed solutions that allow simple and flexible control of LED lighting using industry standard TCP/IP and DMX protocols.
What is DMX?
DMX (Digital MultipleX) and was designed for theatre and stage lighting consoles to control dimmers, moving lights and colour wheels etc. It is becoming the control protocol of choice for LED lighting, including colour-changing LED solutions.
What is TCP/IP?
TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) is the universal protocol of networks and the Internet. This is the backbone of communications for the internet, computers and our custom installation solutions.
The lighting control system can be interfaced to the rest of the whole-house or office control system using Lighting Routers. These devices not only provide an interface to allow integration of lighting in a smart home, but allow unattended automation of lighting.
What is Lighting Automation?
Lighting control systems allow many automation possibilities, for example, emergency lights can be turned on if an intruder alarm is activated, lights can turn off is a room is not occupied, the possibilities are almost limitless.
What does the controller look like?
In the past, lighting control systems could be very large, requiring a dedicated cabinet or cupboard. Now the control systems are small and very power efficient. A two-room control system takes up little more space that a residential circuit breaker distribution unit.
Below are examples of the Helvar Digidim 458 8-channel dimmer system and the 920 Lighting Router, these are two of many products we can offer to implement your bespoke lighting custom installation.
Virtual Lighting Controls
Additionally, we have developed new software for lighting control in office and residential situations. You can click here for more information about Piquant's virtual lighting controls.
To see Helvar Lighting Control in action, Contact Us to arrange an appointment to visit our design studio.