Home>Articles>Belmar Remote Control Lights - The Easy Way

Belmar Lighting convenience made easy: Wouldn't it be nice to never have to get up to turn a light on and off? Would you enjoy the convenience of being able to dim the lights from your couch or bed when you want to set a different mood? Do you have lamps and ceiling fixtures that you'd love to be able to dim but the closest you get is a 3-way bulb? Are you anything like me in that you love having remote controls for so many other devices in your home?

Well if you answered yes to any of the above questions, there are solutions that don't require an electrician or even for you to be the slightest bit handy. I've been using a technology for over 25 years and have turned many friends and relatives on to it because it's so simple and inexpensive. It surprises me though that most people still haven't even heard of it. While there are many companies that participate in the remote power control and remote lighting arena, X10 has been the market leader for many years. That's probably because they build reliable, easy to install and use, and very affordable products. Being a gadget nut, I was naturally attracted to these products over 25 years ago while representing them as a manufacturer's rep. As the years have gone by, the breadth of products available and the various companies getting involved with home automation have expanded greatly but the technology itself is still the same.

X10 uses the existing wiring in a Belmar home or business to carry a control signal to communicate with "modules" that are either plugged-in or wired in to the building. The most basic is a small box or module that would get plugged into an outlet and then you plug a lamp into the module. Now to tell that module to turn the lamp on, off, dim or brighten, you need to send it a control signal. This can actually be done in a variety of ways including a handheld remote that wirelessly sends a signal directly to the receiver in the module. This module can also receive signals from the remote and send them to other modules throughout the home. By using a combination of the building wiring to carry the control signals to other modules, a single receiver for the remote control is all that's necessary to control up to 16 devices. A signal can also be sent from a programable timer, a motion detector, a wall switch that operates on a battery that you can place anywhere, a computer interface and other methods. There are also modules that handle appliances, wire into the wall to replace a basic light switch (installing this is no different than changing a switch or installing an old fashioned dimmer), and a variety of accessories that can completely automate your home.

Most people will start out with a basic hand-held remote control with a receiver/module that plugs into the wall and will control a single lamp. You wouldn't believe how inexpensive this is as X10 has specials and current sale prices put it under $20. From this point it's very easy (and addicting) to expand to control more electrical devices. The actual limit on the technology is 256 devices at a single location. I've not even come close to that and practically everything electrical in my home is using this stuff. In future articles I'll share some of the great things that this technology has done for my family and me.

Just think what your family will think when you show them the new convenience that you've added to their lives. Even if you can't put a nail in the wall or are afraid of electricity, you are sure to amaze people with your newfound electrical sophistication. You'll also become the envy of your friends and will wind up becoming the authority on home automation in your circle. Future articles will provide solutions to some security and other issues that you may be facing.

Our trained professionals are here to assist you with all of electrical needs so if you still need assistance seting up a X-10 system give our professional Belma electricians a call and see what they can do for your home electrical needs.

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