2007-04-10 - ABB has expanded its Alpha bs range of light switches, with a new comfort switch and a two-gang ‘memory’ touch dimmer.
ABB has expanded its Alpha bs range of light switches, with a new comfort switch and a two-gang ‘memory’ touch dimmer.
The comfort switch can be set to four different control options, to provide a combination of manual and automated switching of lights.
The first option provides basic on/off operation of lighting. The second and third options enable the user to set the light switch to a manual on/ automatic off or automatic off/ manual on setting. The switch uses a sensor that works in a similar way to a movement detector, enabling lights to automatically be switched on or off in response to movement in a room. With a 170 degree range, this sensor reaches up to five metres directly in front and three metres to either side.
The manual on/ automatic off function is useful for areas in which people may enter and exit quickly. A time delay, ranging from one to 10 minutes, can be set on the switch to provide time for users to perform a task.
The automatic on/ manual off setting is beneficial for areas in which people may have their hands full as they enter a room, but would then be able to turn the light off on exiting, such as waiters in restaurants or people entering a room carrying laundry.
Also included on the switch is an override function. The switch detects movement and overrides the automatic off setting, keeping the light on until the person exits the occupied area. This is especially useful for hallways and staircases.
The fourth option provides full automatic switching, turning the lights on and off as people enter and exit an area. As with the semi-automatic settings, the amount of time the light is kept on after an area is occupied can be pre-set.
The two-gang touch dimmer can be used to control two different lights. Each rocker on the dimmer can be used to control an independent lighting circuit. The ‘memory’ dimmer can also be used in a dual frame to create a four-gang switch.
ABB anticipates that this range will appeal to users with standard two-gang switches, as they can be retro-fitted. As the dimmer can be installed into an existing dual frame, users can also have a combination of a standard two-gang switch and the touch dimmer.
In addition, ABB has also improved its high capacity dimmers, which are ideal for commercial applications. By installing them onto a modular DIN rail system, up to six dimming modules can be lined up in a row to provide up to 3kW dimming capacity. Up to nine of these rows can be linked, to provide a potential dimming control of up to 27,000W from a single switch point. A central control facility can also be provided, by adjusting the cover of one dimming module - useful for maintenance and testing.