Nelo Neves, Managing Director at LEDVANCE UK, explains how the company is supporting better lighting through simple wireless control.

Lighting is increasingly expected to do more than provide basic illumination. It must support visual comfort, adapt to different activities and respond to changing conditions, while also helping to reduce energy use. As a result, lighting control is becoming a standard part of modern installations rather than a specialist addition.

LEDVANCE Direct Easy has been developed as a straightforward wireless control system that enables lighting to respond to how spaces are actually used, without adding complexity to installation or commissioning.

Direct Easy operates using Zigbee 3.0 wireless communication and is set up via Bluetooth using a smartphone app. This approach allows luminaires to be grouped and adjusted quickly, making it suitable for both new installations and refurbishment projects where layouts or occupancy patterns may change over time. Because no control wiring, gateways or cloud connections are required, lighting can be configured locally and adapted later without disruption, which is particularly useful in occupied buildings such as offices, schools and retail environments.

A broader range of customers

As wireless control becomes more common on everyday projects, having accessible systems that do not require specialist configuration helps wholesalers support a broader range of customers, from maintenance contractors to small commercial installers.

Once installed, up to 40 luminaires can be grouped within a zone, allowing lighting to be tailored to specific areas rather than treating entire spaces as a single lighting environment. This supports more even light distribution across working areas, while allowing circulation routes or peripheral zones to operate at lower levels. From a lighting quality perspective, this helps avoid over-lighting and improves visual comfort by reducing unnecessary brightness contrasts within a space.

The system also supports daylight harvesting and presence detection, enabling lighting to respond automatically to available natural light and occupancy. When daylight levels are sufficient, luminaires dim to maintain consistent illumination, while unoccupied areas can be reduced or switched off entirely. This not only lowers energy consumption but also helps maintain stable visual conditions throughout the day, reducing the risk of glare or excessive brightness when daylight levels fluctuate. When combined, these features can deliver energy savings of up to 50% compared to LED installations without lighting control.

Direct Easy supports dimming, Tunable White and dynamic RGB control where compatible luminaires are used, allowing light levels and colour temperatures to be adapted to different tasks or times of day. In practical terms, this means cooler light can be used in task-focused environments to support concentration, while warmer tones may be more appropriate in social, hospitality or customer-facing spaces. This flexibility allows lighting to contribute to the overall function and atmosphere of a space, rather than remaining fixed at a single setting.

Visual comfort

The system is designed to work with Zigbee 3.0 compatible LEDVANCE luminaires, which offer high luminous efficacy and low flicker performance. High efficacy ensures required light levels are achieved with lower power consumption, while low flicker supports visual comfort, particularly in environments where people spend long periods under artificial lighting. Combining efficient luminaires with responsive control enables both lighting quality and operational efficiency to be addressed together as part of a single system.

Adaptability over the life of a building is also an important consideration. Direct Easy installations can remain as simple, locally controlled wireless systems, or they can be expanded and integrated into more comprehensive lighting management platforms if future requirements change. Because the system is based on open Zigbee 3.0 standards, upgrades can be achieved without replacing luminaires or control devices, supporting longer system lifecycles and more sustainable refurbishment strategies.

For wholesalers, installers and end-users, the move towards wireless control reflects a broader shift in the market towards lighting that is efficient, adaptable and responsive. Having accessible control solutions available alongside luminaires supports installers who are increasingly asked to deliver lighting that balances performance, comfort and energy efficiency across a wide range of everyday projects.

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An innovative addition to Ovia’s industrial Highbay range, the Inceptor Hi-Bloc is designed with both performance and versatility in mind.

The Hi-Bloc is a CCT and power switchable linear Highbay, aimed to deliver high-performance illumination across environments that demand both precision and intensity – such as warehouses, factories, gymnasiums and other large-scale, high-ceilinged industrial or commercial spaces.

The launch of the Hi-Bloc marks a strategic expansion of Ovia’s Highbay offering, with a deliberate shift toward an aesthetically unique yet highly practical product. The distinctive diffuser design not only elevates the visual profile of the fitting, but also supports superior glare control, with a UGR rating of ≤22. This reduction in glare significantly enhances the working environment in high-demand industrial settings, promoting comfort, focus and safety.

What also sets the Hi-Bloc apart is its distinct linear design, engineered specifically to improve lighting efficiency in tight aisles and long rectangular spaces. The Hi-Bloc’s rectangular form and narrow 72 degree beam angle focus light directly where it is needed most, ensuring optimal visibility in every corner of the space.

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The Tenax range of polycarbonate bulkheads from Knightsbridge has just got tougher and more versatile with the introduction of the Tenax Pro Series and two more gear trays.

The modular design and wide range of options enable the Tenax Pro to be tailored to any situation without requiring an extensive inventory – there are up to 48 different combinations out of the base choices of cases and gear trays.

The casing can be square or round, black or grey, standard or anti-vandal eyelid design and there is a choice of eight gear trays: standard, emergency, self-test, microwave, emergency microwave, self-test microwave and the two latest additions, which are equipped with daylight sensors.

The standard LED gear tray delivers luminosity ranging from 1,200lm at 10W to 2,100lm at 20W, ensuring adequate illumination while maintaining energy efficiency. The emergency LED gear tray goes further by incorporating a three-hour emergency backup powered by a lithium (LiFeP04) battery, ensuring continued operation during power outages.

By offering a choice of six casings and eight gear trays, Knightsbridge enables customers to streamline their inventory and installation processes, providing a mix-and-match approach that reduces the need to stock a wide variety of components.

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The EDA’s Product Knowledge Modules help businesses like yours create cross-selling and up-selling opportunities by building knowledge and confidence. These training modules have won a Princess Royal Training Award so you can be assured of their value.

Introduction to Lighting is one of the 12 EDA’s Product Knowledge Modules created to develop the professional knowledge and confidence of your team. After studying this module you could move on to study Lighting Systems & Controls, also available in this series.

Training in Introduction to Lighting includes:

• Fundamentals of lighting
• Basics of lighting design
• Safety considerations of lighting
• Maintenance considerations of lighting
• Environmental considerations of lighting

Online learning

All the EDA Product Knowledge Modules are available to study electronically via The EDA Academy, the Association’s e-learning portal. Each training course is delivered through video and interactive learning, but if the original hard copy text book is preferred these are still available.

Years of knowledge to give your team a commercial edge

City & Guilds accredited, this training programme harnesses decades of combined expertise from product experts at EDA manufacturers and allied trade associations to create an accessible and practical training opportunity for you and your team.

Test your knowledge

Have a go at this quiz sampled from the Lighting Introduction module. Then check your answers below. If the results show that you need to boost your team’s know-how, talk to the EDA today.

Q1: Why is emergency lighting necessary?
Q2: What is WEEE?
Q3: What do you understand about lumens per watt?
Q4: What is a maintenance factor?
Q5: What is light pollution?
Q6: Describe two ways that controls help with energy efficiency of lighting.

Scroll down for answers

Answers

Q1: Emergency lighting is necessary because it provides coverage and direction over specific areas or defined escape routes when the mains power is lost.
Q2: WEEE stands for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment.
Q3: ‘Lumens per watt’ compares how many lumens are produced by a lamp for each watt of energy taken from the electrical circuit.
Q4: A maintenance factor is a numerical expression that accounts for any potential lumen depreciation within the lighting design.
Q5: Light pollution refers to the use of excessive or obtrusive exterior lighting.
Q6: Two ways that controls help with energy efficiency of lighting are:

(a) by switching off lighting in areas that are not in use; and
(b) by switching off lighting in areas where there is sufficient daylight.

How did you do?

Full marks: Well done.

3 – 5 out of 6: Not bad. Could the EDA training help you to fill in any gaps in your knowledge and help you progress in your career?

Less than 3: The EDA Product Knowledge Programme could be just what you need to boost sales.

Watch the video and download the course directory

There’s plenty of information online at www.eda.org.uk, including videos and a downloadable course directory, giving you a summary of what’s covered in each of the 12 training modules.

The EDA team is ready to help. Call 020 3141 7350 or email training@eda.org.uk

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As we arrive in September it feels like a return to normal life after a summer dominated by Euro 2024, the Olympics and the general election, which I will come back to later.

The sport was obviously lots of fun as I quickly learned (and just as quickly forgot again) all about ‘kickflips’ and ‘lipslides’ (skateboarding), ‘twists’ and ‘tucks’ (diving) and ‘carving’ and ‘cutbacks’ (surfing). And it was of course fantastic to see Team GB bring home so many medals.

Earlier this year it was claimed by organisers that the Paris Olympics would be the ‘greenest ever games’ as they aimed to use existing or temporary venues for most events and focusing on low carbon building for the rest. The statistics will hopefully reveal in due course just how successful the event has been in terms of sustainability, but it’s important that huge global events like this set an example in reducing our carbon footprint, as the technology used in large sporting arenas can be used in our homes and everyday workplaces.

Two of our special features this month, Lighting and Home Automation, are key industries in the UK’s aim to achieve its sustainability targets. An increasing shift towards LED lighting is helping to improve the UK’s position in its aim to meet its Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050 target, and it is becoming widely acknowledged that lighting – and lighting controls – will play a significant role in a new, modern built environment.

In this issue we not only have articles focusing on the latest products from some of the industry’s leading brands, you can also discover how wholesalers can work with their suppliers to offer LED upgrade kits to their customers. On page 26, Recolight CEO Nigel Harvey explains the role of the wholesaler as the key link between customer and manufacturer and why supporting remanufacture and upgrade solutions will ensure wholesalers do not lose out as the increased focus on sustainability and Net Zero emissions drives growth in this sector.

On a final note, the general election brought with it all the usual empty promises, soundbites, media hysteria and mudslinging we’ve come to expect but we’re now through all of that, for now at least, and a new Government is in place and Sir Keir Starmer is our new Prime Minister. Number 10 Downing Street became a virtual revolving door during the last administration, which did very little to help further initiatives in dealing with matters such as climate change. At the moment an era of government stability I think will be welcomed by all.

But for anyone who’s keen for a bit more political excitement…..if you can call it that…..the US presidential election is just around the corner!…‘Sigh’….

– Tracey Rushton-Thorpe

Catch up on previous ‘Editor’s Viewpoint’ here

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LED Flex strip lighting from Knightsbridge is ideal for creating ambient lighting in kitchens, bedrooms and other spaces deserving colourful and energy efficient accents.

Flex’s low profile – from 1.5mm to 2mm – and 8mm width makes it ideal for hard to access, space-constrained locations, while its 3M self-adhesive backing tape provides a robust and durable fixing. Waste is kept to a minimum because installers can cut the LED Flex to fit at 50mm intervals and use the excess elsewhere, re-connecting it to other strips of product where necessary.

Both single and four colour (red, green, blue and white) versions are available, supported by dedicated drivers, controllers and profiles that offer a quick solution to most indoor installations.

The colour-changing RGBW LED Flex are available with smart technology so they can be controlled through Knightsbridge’s proprietary SmartKnight app.

The company has also introduced ‘COB’ single colour seamless strip lighting. COB stands for Chip on Board, meaning the LED diodes are built directly into the printed circuit board. The seamless strip lighting is ideal for illuminating indoor spaces since it offers a larger lighting area than traditional alternatives, resulting in no dark spots and perfect colour consistency and uniformity. The COB strip lighting is supplied with 150mm of cable and is dimmable with the appropriate control.

Rated IP20 for indoor use, the 12V single colour range offers colour temperatures from 3000K to 6500K and light outputs from 510lm per metre upwards in white only. Its 24V equivalent is also for indoor use, but available in various colour temperatures of white as well as red, blue and green. The colour-changing models are rated at IP20 for indoor use and IP67 options are also available.

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THORNeco has announce the latest update to its Anna recessed LED panel. Designed with precision and engineered for excellence, the Anna recessed LED panel redefines workspace lighting with its exceptional quality, low glare, and fantastic energy efficiency.

The highly versatile Anna recessed LED panel comes equipped with the VARIO feature, which allows a choice of colour temperature using the easily accessible integrated CCT switch and the FLEX feature which allows for effortless adjustment of lumen output with just the flick of a switch.

Ideal for retrofit projects, this panel is a 1:1 replacement for 4 x 14 W T5 or 4 x 18 W T8 fluorescent panels, so it is possible to upgrade lighting without the hassle of major installations.

With UGR<19, Anna offers gentle, soft, and glare-free lighting ensuring a comfortable and productive workspace. While the efficacy up to 125 lm/W saves energy and reduces operational costs, making it an environmentally and economically sound choice.

Thanks to its integrated connector, Installers can save time and money with the panel’s easy, quick, and tool-free installation. The four pole push terminal accommodates up to 2.5mm2 wires, enabling loop-in loop-out wiring, and the detachable connector facilitates first fix wiring and high-voltage circuit testing while the luminaire is detached.

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Knightsbridge has just published its 2024 catalogue. The handy A5-sized, full colour publication – which runs to nearly 500 pages – is rammed with over 3,000 products, including over 400 new ones, featuring the latest innovations in wiring accessories and lighting.

Conveniently divided into three sections – Wiring Accessories, Lighting and Smart Home – it is further sub-divided into easy-to-reference chapters, from moulded switches and sockets, metal clad switches and weatherproof through to domestic interior, outdoor and commercial lighting.

As a result of consultation with customers, all wiring accessories have been revamped with the introduction of ‘top down termination’ for even easier installation; and all decorative sockets now feature USB A and USB C charging outlets as standard. New designs for wiring accessories also include raised edge in matt black, building on the continuing trend for dark finishes.

2024 sees Knightsbridge placing great emphasis on commercial lighting, and the new collection is truly comprehensive, covering bulkheads, downlights, battens, high and low bays, non-corrosive; and recessed, suspended and surface lighting.

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With the choice of three colour temperatures and five bezel finishes, the CFR5CCT fire-fated downlight from Knightsbridge is able to adapt lighting to fit the demands of every location.

Providing a versatile three-in-one lighting solution, the CFR5CCT features tri-CCT that provides three colour temperatures: 3000K, Warm White; 4000K, Cool White; and 5500K, daylight. Supplied with a white bezel as standard, the CFR5CCT can be accessorised with interchangeable bezels in five finishes – brushed chrome, matt black, polished chrome, white and brass.

Robust, durable, and easy and quick to install thanks to push-fit terminals for loop in/loop out connections, the downlight meets fire safety standards, being rated for 30/60/90min in solid timber, 30min in web joist, and 30min in I-joist (Staircraft).

Providing up to 115lm/W, the CFR5CCT downlight is also acoustic rated, minimising noise interference, and is insulation contact-rated, as well as rated IP65 for dust and water-tightness. It has a three-year warranty and is designed for use with Trailing Edge dimmers.

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Robust and easy to install, the TorlanComm LED battens from Knightsbridge answers the need for a non-corrosive, energy efficient and high performance lighting in variety of applications from residential to industrial or agricultural.

Ideal for commercial applications – both inside and out – the TorlanComm comes in two versions: CCT adjustable and Digital Addressable Lightning Interface (DALI) CCT. The wattages vary from 26W to 62W, outputs are from 3955lm to 9025lm, and colour temperatures offered are 3000K (warm white), 4000K (cool white) and 5700K (daylight). The options available include self-test emergency, microwave and microwave self-test emergency.

TorlanComm is IP65 and IK08 rated, with bodies and diffusers manufactured using impact-resistant, non-corrosive polycarbonate with durable stainless steel clips, and with ceiling and end conduit fixings. The DALI version has built-in control gear for intelligent control integration. Accessories enable the units to be installed onto BESA conduit boxes or suspended from the ceiling where necessary.

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