Frequently asked questions

LED Technologies was established in 2008.

LED Technologies are a trade supplier of LED lighting offering over 600+ different products.

Our opening hours are Monday to Thursday 8:30am – 5:00pm, Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm.

LED Technologies aren't open on weekends, we are only open Monday to Friday.

We don’t open over bank holidays so give yourself plenty of time prior to a bank holiday to make sure you get your order in time.

No, our office generally closes from the 23rd of December and Re-open the first week of January.

You can contact our office through this number: 01260 540014

If you have a project in mind, please email sales@ledtechnologies.co.uk and someone will be in touch to go through your project.

Our website is www.ledtechnologies.co.uk

There are 7 staff who work for LED Technologies.

In Sales, we have 3 fully trained staff with full technical knowledge on all our products ready to help you with your project.

We are based in the Heart of Cheshire in Congleton.

Our address is: Unit 1 Third Avenue, Radnor Trading Estate, Congleton, Cheshire, CW12 4XJ

We put everything on a next day delivery with full tracking and notifications.

For all our orders we use DPD and FedEx.

Yes we full car park facilities.

Yes we can do this on a pre booked appointment, please ring 01260 540014 to book an appointment.

If your order has LED Profile on it the cut off is 1pm, if it doesn’t have profile the cut off is 3pm for delivery the following working day.

Yes we can do by 10:30am and by Deliveries and a By 12 delivery for the following next working day.

Yes when you place your order speak to the sales team and they can offer this too you.

Yes we can, let us know the delivery post code and full address and we can find out the cost for a same day delivery anywhere UK Mainland.

We cannot ship out of the UK, you would need to organise this using your own courier, we can offer all the correct paperwork and consignment details.

When you place your order, let us know a suitable Mobile Number and Email address and you can get full tracking information.

Yes we offer a collection service, please let our sales staff know when you place your order and we can have it ready for collection.

Yes if you provide us with the full delivery address and contact details we can send your order to a direct site address.

Yes this is a service we can offer, LED Technologies can ship to the Highlands.

Yes this is a service we can offer.

Yes please speak to a member of the sales staff and they can advise the process for a credit account.

We offer a full spec’ing up service from start to finish, if you send us your drawings / details for any project we can help recommend the suitable product for your application. When coming to installation we can offer full technical support.

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive all the up-to-date information on products and offers.

Over the phone we can take Card payments up to a certain value and can accept all Major Card Issuers and are all secured with Worldpay.

Yes if you order through the website you can pay through PayPal.

Yes, please speak to a member of our sales staff for the Bank Details for payment.

Yes this is something we can offer, get in touch with the Sales team and we can organise the best time for your site visit.

Yes if you email sales@ledtechnologies.co.uk with the spec you are working to and all details we can offer this service.

We offer a warranty on our products ranging from 1 year – 5 years depending on what product you purchase off us.

Yes follow our Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ledtechnologies/

If you register in the top right-hand corner of our website you will then be able to see all trade prices.

Yes email sales@ledtechnologies.co.uk with all your details and we will be in touch to discuss how you could become a distributor.

Yes we can offer detailed wiring diagram to show how all the component supplied for your order are to be used and installed.

Yes in the UK LED Technologies are the sole distributor for all Sunricher products and offering a full 5 year warranty with them.

Yes in the UK LED Technologies are the sole distributor for all Mi-Light/ Miboxer products and offer a full 5 year warranty with them.

Yes, LED Technologies can ship goods to the Isle Of Man.

Please follow this link for all our companies terms and conditions - https://shop.ledtechnologies.co.uk/policies/terms-of-service

Yes follow this link and fill in your details and it will be posted out - https://shop.ledtechnologies.co.uk/pages/request-a-brochure

A Light Emitting Diode (LED) consists of a semiconductor that emits light when an electrical current is passed through it. This differs from traditional incandescent lamps that use heat to alight a filament which then glows. It’s predicted that LEDs are the future of lighting, with halogens facing a ban across Europe in the coming years.

This can vary depending on the lamp. Standard spotlights and bulbs will last up to 25,000 hours. Heavy duty LED products such as floodlights and commercial lighting will last between 35,000 and 50,000 hours. On average, halogen equivalents will last approximately 3,000 hours.

The up-front cost on LEDs is more than halogens. True. But LEDs use up to 90% less energy than halogen lamps, meaning you will often recoup your investment within just 6 months. And the best bit is, you’ll continue saving money on your bills every month thereafter.

LED lamps are highly energy efficient, using up to 90% less energy than traditional lighting sources. The average household lighting bill is £300 a year and switching over to LED could save you £270, which turns into thousands over the bulb’s predicted 15 year lifespan.

LED lighting comes with a lot of big benefits. Here are some of them:

• Extremely energy efficient
• Eco-friendly lighting
• Significant savings on your electricity bills
• Much longer lifespan than halogen bulbs
• Low temperature operation
• Directional light
• Low profile and compact size
• Breakage and vibration resistance
• Life unaffected by rapid cycling
• Instant switch on with no warm up time
• No IR or UV emissions

The IP (Ingress Protection) rating of an electrical product is a guide that’s used to detail the strength of an enclosure that surrounds electrical components. In relation to LED bulbs, the IP rating measures tolerance against dust particles and water or liquids. The first digit is in relation to solids, the second liquids. For example, an IP67 rating means that the LED is totally protected against dust and water to a depth of 6-39 inches. Click here to view an IP Rating table.

LED bulbs run significantly cooler than other types of lighting like halogen or even CFLs as heat is dissipated by metal sinks that take heat away from the light source. This maintains the lifespan of the LED bulbs, however they will get hotter the longer they’re kept on.

Yes. As well as having identical fittings, LEDs can also offer you the same level of brightness as your current bulbs. In fact, our new range of GU10s and MR16s come with halogen wattage equivalents to make your choice even easier.

Radio frequency.

Radio Frequency is a wireless form of control for LED lighting products.

Radio frequency consists of a combination of a receiver and a remote control or wall panel.

Normally with a radio frequency there is a certain distance between the receiver and controller, walls and objects can reduce the range, but the signal will travel through.

If you are wanting a simple bit of control for an LED product, RF is the best system, it is very basic and easy to use.

RF control can be used to dim single colour LED products up and down. Or it can be used on colour changing products to change the colour and dim them up and down.

The most common frequencies that Radio Frequency works off are 315MHz, 434MHz or 868MHz

No, RF control does not require any cables. The remote or wall panel will work wirelessly with the receiver.

Yes, there are things that can affect RF frequency signals. Physical objects, for example, metal structures, buildings can affect the range on an RF control system. Also sound systems can reduce the range for example amplifiers and speakers as they also give off frequencies.

No, RF control does not require line of sight as it works of radio frequency you don’t need to point the remote at the lights.

Most commonly RF can work up to a 20 metre range.

Yes, it would be as it is an easy form of control gear and not complicated to use.

From an RF controller if you are using colour changing LED products you can mix to make around 16.3 million different colours.

The frequencies for RF control range from 9kHz all the way up to 300 GHz.

Depending on which product you use, yes using RF Controllers you can control up to 8 zones together or all separately from the same controller.

DMX is an international standard digital lighting control protocol.

DMX Stands for “Digital Multiplex”.

It is called DMX 512 as there are 512 channels on a DMX controller. 512 DMX channels is known as one DMX Universe.

Yes, it is possible to have multiple DMX universes when more channels are required but each universe consists of 1 to 512 channels.

A DMX channel or DMX has 255 individual steps from 1 – 256.

A single colour LED lamp will take up one DMX channel or DMX address and by increasing or decreasing the value of that address in steps (between 1 - 255) the lamp will increase or decrease in brightness, the higher the number the brighter the lamp will be.

Some products take up more DMX channels, for example an RGB colour changing LED lamp will take up three DMX addresses (one for each colour). By increasing or decreasing the DMX values of each of the three channels will increase or decrease the intensity of each of the colours allowing you to mix more colours.

A DMX decoder decodes the DMX signal from the controller and converts it into a process. For example, when controlling an LED lamp, it decodes the single from DMX to the LED dimming protocol which is PWM.

You can control most electrical products with DMX, for example you can control a stepper motor accurately by assigning a DMX channel value to the number of pulses sent to the motor you can position it accurately.

A typical DMX system will have a controller, that can be a DMX wall panel or DMX desk or even a DMX computer program on a PC or laptop. This is connected to a DMX decoder or a product with a built in DMX decoder through a screened DMX cable. The decoder decodes the DMX digital signal sent from the controller to perform a task.

Yes you can, the lighting device is connected to a DMX decoder which is connected to the controller via a DMX signal cable. The DMX decoder is then set to a DMX address so that it is the only device on the DMX network that will respond to the signal for that address.

Usually there is a digital display and menu buttons on the DMX decoder, you can set the address from 001 up to 512.

First you will need to know how many DMX channels your device uses. For example, an RGBW LED lamp will take up four addresses (one for each colour). If you wanted to control one RGBW lamp separately to another RGBW lamp you would need to set them to different addresses. The first RGBW lamp decoder would be set to address number 001, that then takes up four addresses in DMX so the next available address would be 005. So set the next RGBW decoder to address 005. If you wanted to control both lamps together then you would set both decoders to the same address.

Most DMX decoders have a digital display and menu buttons but some small decoders don’t have the space so they use “Dip” switches to set the address.

Each dip switch has a value in the following format. Switch 1 = 1, 2 = 2, 3 = 4, 4 = 8, 5 = 16, 6 = 32, 7 = 64, 8 = 128 & 9 = 256. By adding these values together, you can set the address to anything between 001 & 512.

The DMX signal travels along a DMX cable and is picked up by all the decoders connected to it, only the decoder that is set to the address that is being sent down the cable responds to the DMX signal.

It is recommended that you use a screened cable for the DMX signal as it is a very low voltage. If this cable is a long cable, you can get interference from other cables such as amins power cables that run alongside the DMX cable. By using a screened cable will eliminate these interference signals.

No the DALI system uses a completely different protocol.

There are wireless DMX systems available, they consist of a DMX transmitter which you connect to your DMX controller and a DMX receiver which you connect to your DMX decoders.

DMX decoders have “DMX in” and a “DMX out” connectors, simply connect each one together in a daisy chain.

The most popular DMX connections are a three pin or five pin XLR connector. RJ45 connectors are also used for short DMX cable runs and most professional DMX decoders have “hard wired” connections.

The DMX signal will bounce back along the DMX line like a ball so it is recommended that a special DMX terminator plug is fitted to the last DMX decoders output terminals on the last decoder in the line.

A DMX terminator plug is a plug that should be placed into the DMX output socket on the last DMX decoder in a chain, it contains a 120 Ohm resistor to put a load on the output and stop bounce back signals from interfering with the DMX signal.

It is recommended to run a DMX cable no more than 100m and no more than 32 devices.

There are DMX booster products available that will boost the DMX signal enabling you to run much longer DMX cables.

When using a DMX signal booster, you can increase the number of DMX devices on the system.

A DMX controller transmits a packet of DMX information which is 8 BITS long and contains 255 steps. When 16 Bit is used it transmits two packets of information a total of 510 steps which enables smoother dimming.

RDM stands for “Remote Device Management”

RDM allows two-way communication between the RDM enabled lighting controller and the RDM enabled DMX decoder.

You can download a DMX program onto your computer or laptop which will enable you to control your DMX lighting very easily. You will need to purchase a USB to XLR converter which are sometimes supplied with the program.

Yes DMX Wall panels are readily available although they tend to have fixed DMX channels so you are limited to the number of zones and channels that are available on the wall panel.

Yes, for example a moving head or moving mirror luminaire or multi-colour laser show system can take up many addresses as they have many functions and will require a DMX address for each function.

Programming a DMX desk can take some time as you have to enter each step of the program into the memory of the desk. Programming DMX on a computer is easier as you can have a visual representation of your lighting rig on the screen.

Yes you can, most DMX desks have a built-in microphone which can be used to pick up the sound in the room.

0-10v is an old analogue system that used to be used in theatres to control the lighting. It required a control cable for each light in the lighting rig, it was a very clunky system. As DMX is digital it only requires one cable to go around all the lights on the lighting rig so there is much less wiring involved.

There are DMX recorders that can store a program onto a memory card and played over and over again.

Some lighting devices have built in DMX decoders so there is no need to have a separate DMX decoder.

Some of the smaller desks are limited to the number of DMX channels they can use however some have upper and lower levels on each slider.

Yes, it is possible, by downloading a DMX program onto your iPad Smart phone or laptop and connecting to a wireless DMX transmitter.

No, there are many home and office automation systems that use DMX as a standard protocol.

With wireless systems there is always a chance that signals can be interfered with whereas with a wired system this would not happen. Most concerts and TV productions use wireless DMX however so the system is improving all the time.

A DMX desk is harder to program and takes more time, a computer program is a lot easier to use and operate however if you only have a few lights on your rig, then a desk should be simple to use.

A lot of band lighting is automated so just plug and play but if you want more control over your lighting such as softer, slow colour changing lights for the slower music then you may want to invest in a small DMX system.

This is possible however you should connect the two controllers to a DMX Merger that will merge the two controllers into one DMX output.

Flickering and banding occurs when the shutter speed of your camera matches the PWM frequency of the controller. To stop this effect with your lights you need a DMX decoder with a high PWM frequency.

Most DMX decoders will allow you to change the dimming curve of your lights from Linear to Logarithmic. Make sure your dimming curve settings are set the same.

Yes, just set the DMX address to the same on the lights that you want to group.

It should be a last resort as a true DMX cable has a higher impedance capability and can handle 110 – 120 Ohms while a standard microphone cable can only handle 75 Ohms.

Pin 1 is the ground (screened) wire, Pin 2 is the data – wire and pin 3 is the data + wire.

The DMX voltage is very low at maximum of 6v DC with a 250mA maximum current.

Master Mode means that you can control basic functions and some programs directly from the DMX decoder.

A Standard DMX decoder is a device that requires a DMX signal to operate it. Some DMX decoders however have a “Master Mode” which enables some basic functions and programs to be run.

DMX originated as a Theatre Lighting control system. Replacing the old 0-10v system.

DMX was developed in 1986.

A DMX BUS is simply another name for the DMX signal cable.

No most standard DMX decoders are 8 BITS. Professional DMX decoders would also have 16 BIT built in.

DMX decoders can have any number of channels but the more channels there are the larger the Decoder.

A DMX Personality is what a DMX channel or group of channels control on a lighting fixture.

A DMX Scene can be a pre-set lighting level or for moving head lighting fixtures it can be a pre-set position which the lights go to when the scene button is pressed.

A chase is a number of pre-set scenes that can be entered into a DMX program on the desk which will then play each of the scenes in a sequence.

That depends on what lights you are controlling, if it is a single light and you just want to dim it up and down then you will need just one channel of DMX but if you have a colour changing light which has Red, Green, Blue and White colours then you will need four channels.

The DMX start address is the first available address on your controller that is free.

You will only be able to control certain features on your DMX light not all of them, you will be able to control only the first eight channels so whatever those eight channels do will be the only features you can control.

DMX Splitters enables you to run longer lengths of DMX cables and control more devices as they boost the DMX signal whilst splitting one DMX cable into multiple cables which can be run to more devices.

Yes you can but you must ensure that the DMX splitter is RDM compatible and will accept bi-directional DMX signals.

No, you can have your devices in any order on the DMX circuit.

You can add additional DMX devices at any point in the DMX universe as long as you do not exceed the total recommended number of devices.

Make sure that you have a terminator plug fitted to the output on the last DMX device. If one is not fitted you can get a DMX Signal bounce back which can cause this effect.

Most DMX decoders or DMX fixtures have a small LED indicator which flickers when a DMX signal is detected.

Yes you can but they will both do the same thing as they will respond to the DMX signal that is sent to that DMX address.

DMX is used mostly in the theatre, TV and stage productions such as concerts etc. DALI is used mainly in large building projects such as hospitals. DMX is probably easier and less complicated for smaller domestic or office installs.

That depends on the type of home automation system you are using; some companies use the DMX protocol in conjunction with their home automation products.

Yes DMX is much better and it is a digital protocol rather than an analogue protocol.

Yes, DMX is an international protocol so any DMX product will work with other DMX products.

You may get something called DMX bounce which is when the DMX signal bounces back down the signal cable, this can cause flickering on your lights or it may cause the system not to work properly.

No you can’t, the voltage on the signal cable is very low with only milli-amps of current.

Most DMX decoders or devices with a built in DMX decoder have an LED either as part of the display or on the unit near the DMX menu buttons which lights up to indicate the presence of a DMX signal.

You have probably set all the DMX decoders to the same address, each light that you want to control separately needs to have its own address.

Some lighting manufacturers reversed the polarity of the DMX cables on the DMX input sockets, if the switch enables you to quickly switch the polarity of your DMX output.

Your RGBW tape will normally have a black wire which is common +, a red, green, blue and white wire. Connect the common + wire to the + output on the decoder then Red to channel 1, green to channel 2, blue to channel 3 and white to channel 4.

Yes you can, you will need to replace your existing RGBW remote control receiver with a DMX decoder.

No, if you are only using the first six channels of the 12-channel decoder, the next available address to set the second decoder to would be address 7.

It could be a number of things, but first check that you have addressed the fitting correctly. If they are then it could mean that there is a faulty cable from the last fitting that works to the rest of the lights in the chain.

It looks like you may have connected the green cable on your LED tape to channel 1 and the red cable on your tape to channel 2 so when you select red the green lights up.

DMX Macros are a series of pre-programmed “effects” that are either built into the DMX fixture or the DMX controller.

In your user manual you will have a DMX mode that the fixture can be set to which has values on one of the channels for running various programs if it has macros.

Your DMX desk will have a fader control that lists multiple functions for different DMX values on the fade.

This depends on the complexity of the moving head unit. A basic moving head luminaire will have one channel for lamp brightness, one channel for pan, one channel for tilt, one channel for colour wheel and one channel for gobo selection so a minimum of five channels.

Moving head or moving mirror luminaires use stepper motors to accurately position the head or mirror. Stepper motors move in small increments or steps, the number of steps that the motor makes are determined by the DMX value on the controller.

A DMX Switch box is a box with a switch that enables you to connect two DMX controllers to the same DMX system but only one at a time. You can switch from one controller to the other in case one system fails.

DALI stands for Digital Addressable Lighting Interface

The DALI protocol is a lighting control system that allows you to address and control lights. It uses a two-way communication allowing users to talk to the lights and issue commands but also the lighting to communicate back.

Some of the advantages to DALI are the fact it is an open protocol, so any manufacturer can use it. Furthermore, with the introduction of DALI 2 interoperability between manufacturers is guaranteed. Installation is simple with DALI as you can run power and control lines together with no shielding. Also, because all devices have their own address, this allows for flexible control.

DALI uses 2-way communication as it allows you to issue commands but it also allows for faults/diagnostics to be sent back to the user so they can see if there are any issues.

DALI originated in the 80’s as an idea to create a standard of communication protocols and components which became successful in the US in the mid 90’s and then became an international standard in 2002.

Yes, it is possible to use DALI to control your colour changing lights. DALI DT8 is typically used for this.

DALI communicates 2 ways by using specific DALI cabling otherwise known as a DALI Bus.

Yes, DALI allows you to address lights separately and is part of why DALI stands for Digital Addressable Lighting Interface.

Yes, there is a maximum number of addresses on a DALI network which is 64 addresses.

Yes, there is a way to run more than 64 addressed on DALI. Whilst you can only run 64 addresses on a DALI “line” further lines or loops can be added.

Yes, the DALI Bus uses its own power supply which is 16v.

As DALI uses two-way communications it can communicate in three ways between the user and the lights. It can control the lights e.g., on/off. It can configure the lights e.g., change a light level or fade time. Lastly is can query, so it will ask what output the light is currently at or if there’s a failure.

DALI 2 is the latest version of DALI improving interoperability between different companies’ products and it also allows for the addition of control devices not originally useable with DALI.

DALI 2 was introduced back in 2014.

A DALI System works by having a controller/master is connected to a network where every DALI light/Slave is assigned a unique address so it can be operated individually.

Yes, DALI will work with DALI 2. However, you may not get all the features available to DALI 2.

The DT in DALI DT6 or DALI DT8 refers to the device type. These are two different control types used to control DALI lighting systems.

The DT numbers in DALI are used so they can respond to the “QUERY DEVICE TYPE” which allows the application controller to check the capability of the control gear on the DALI Bus.

DALI DT6 drivers use a single DALI address to control a single output e.g., the light output on a standard white LED strip.

DALI DT8 drivers use a single DALI address to control 2 or more outputs. As such, DALI DT8 is associated with colour control.

DALI DT8 XY is an extension of DT8 and allows users to specify an exact colour from a chart by plotting X & Y coordinates.

DALI DT8 can help to reduce the number of drivers used in an application also reducing the amount of wiring required as well as reducing the number of DALI addresses being used.

Yes, there is a maximum length you can run on a DALI line which is 300 metres.

Yes, you can extend the DALI bus line by using signal repeaters to enhance the cable up to 600 metres.

DALI systems can be flexible so can be in the form of a star, a tree, a straight line or even any combination of these.

A couple of ways you can’t wire a DALI system is in a ring or in a mesh.

No, if you use different DALI devices you won’t get any differences in dimming. As DALI is a standard it means the equipment/devices will all be interoperable, and the dimming curve is standardized.

Yes, because DALI is digital, it does have advantages over analogue systems. With DALI being digital it allows more precise lighting control and consistent dimming. It also allows for colour control as well.

Yes, it is possible to group lights together on a DALI system and you can have 1 DALI device in several groups allowing for less wiring and flexibility for your set up.

Yes, there is a maximum number of groups you can have on a DALI system which is 16 groups.

Yes, it is possible to run scenes using DALI. Each DALI device can store 16 different scenes to then be called up when required or set to certain times of the day.

No, the DALI bus is not polarity sensitive and a lot of terminals on DALI equipment are just marked DA, DA as a result.

Programming a DALI device can change depending on the equipment being used but will typically involve assigning an address to each of the devices installed.

No DALI wiring does not need to be shielded. The DALI bus is very resilient to electrical interference, so no shielding is needed.

No, you don’t always need a dedicated DALI bus supply unit. Some items can act as controllers and act as a DALI bus power supply as well.

Yes, it is possible to control DALI lights wirelessly. Whilst DALI is a wired set up in nature, it is possible to set up controls that allow you to communicate wirelessly with your set up.

Yes, it is possible to control DALI lights through and app. Much like controlling wirelessly, there are controls that allow you to set up and app to control your set up.

Yes, it is possible to control 0 – 10v lights using DALI and just requires a suitable converter.

Yes, it is possible to use Zigbee to control your DALI lights using a suitable converter.

Yes, you can use DALI to control your mains powered lights as well as LED lighting.

Yes, it is possible to set up your DALI network so you can use a handset.

No, you don’t need a computer system to control your DALI network. Some DALI networks can be kept very simple so don’t need configuring over computer.

Yes, you do need to use a DALI master controller on your DALI network as all DALI control devices are controlled by this.

Yes, it is possible to use sensors to control your DALI lights and can even be configured with scenes so your lights come on a certain way when the sensor is triggered.

To run a DALI system, you will need a DALI master and a DALI bus power supply.

Yes, you can add more lights to the DALI system you have set up if you’re not over the device count or range of the DALI bus.

Yes, it is possible to set up circadian lighting using DALI and usually comes down to how you set the scenes up.

Some of the advantages with DALI over a wireless control system is that you don’t need to worry about range or whether the signal will travel through walls to reach certain areas as it is a wired set up.

There isn’t a DALI 6 or DALI 8. As you either have DALI or DALI 2. DALI 6 or 8 is usually said in error and tends to be with reference to DALI DT6 or DT8.

DALI+ is a new form of control through DALI and allows you to use wireless & IP based systems whilst still using DALI commands. This can be used alongside wired DALI systems.

Zigbee is an industry standard protocol that forms a wireless MESH network. This is a group of products that all communicate with each other so that the wireless signal can find the most efficient route around the network.

The name Zigbee comes from honeybees and their way to communicate newfound food sources with each other. The bees dance in a zig-zag pattern to share information, such as location for the food. This is called the Zigbee Principle.

One of the reasons you would use Zigbee is because it is a great system if you’re looking at setting up a smart home. Zigbee allows you to control lights conventionally but also through an app or hub e.g., Amazon Echo/Google Assistant.

The range for Zigbee devices is approximately up to 30 metres depending on the line of sight.

Yes, Zigbee can allow you to use apps to control your lights from virtually anywhere in the world.

There are many compatible ZIGBEE control devices that can be used which can include: motion sensors, door/window sensors, smart switches, wall panels, ZIGBEE remote handsets, Light switches/Dimmer switches.

Yes, you will require a hub to control a Zigbee network as this will coordinate the system and allow you to control the devices on your network.

No, not only can you control LED lights with Zigbee, you can also control mains powered lights as well using the right equipment amongst many other things.

You can have more than one brand in your Zigbee network although it Is important to check compatibility as not all Zigbee items will communicate with each other effectively.

Yes, you can set up lighting scenes using Zigbee, but it can vary depending on which hub and application you’re using.

Whilst Zigbee does operate on a 2.4GHz frequency, it won’t communicate directly with any radio frequency devices.

Yes, Zigbee can control groups of lights as one zone, this just comes down to how you set up the lights.

No, you don’t need to be restricted to one Zigbee wall panel or handset for your lights. Zigbee control devices can be set up to control several lights at once and different zones as well.

You will need a Hub/Controller to get started with your network and use Zigbee.

Zigbee can’t be used to control Wi-Fi or Bluetooth directly but there are certain hubs that will allow you to control several protocols including Zigbee, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Zigbee is a wireless protocol so there isn’t any additional wiring or cabling for controls making set up quick and easy.

One of the reasons you would want to use Zigbee instead of Wi-Fi is because Wi-fi devices will be added onto your home network router and will need to communicate directly with the router, limiting range. Zigbee acts as a mesh network so you can get more range utilizing a Zigbee network.

Yes, you can add more Zigbee devices one you have a network set up. Zigbee networks are scalable, and it is very easy to add more Zigbee devices to a network.

No, setting up a Zigbee network is not difficult, and most devices can be set up in minutes.

Yes, Zigbee does allow the option of voice control. This mostly just comes down to the application you are using.

Yes, you can use Zigbee lights in your garden as well if you don’t go out of range from the Zigbee network.

If you want to increase the range on the Zigbee network, then you just need to add more powered Zigbee devices to the network. These devices act as nodes or repeaters, allowing you to extend the range of your network.

Yes, it is possible to make your lights flash to music with Zigbee. Certain Zigbee applications have a sound to light function which will then control your lights to the music.

Yes, it is possible to have more than one person set up to control your Zigbee application. It does depend on the application but there are several which will allow several users access to control the Zigbee network if you want them to.

It is possible to set up permissions for a user on your Zigbee network. A lot of applications will allow you to add a user but with limited permissions, so they don’t accidentally alter or delete your set up devices.

Yes, you can use more than one controller to control your lights with Zigbee. As an example, you could use the App, a wall panel, and a handset all for the same lights.

Yes, it is possible to set up a circadian rhythm automation in your house with Zigbee. Zigbee is a very useful tool for setting schedules with lighting and certain apps have a circadian rhythm function to allow you to set this up as well.

Yes, it is possible for Zigbee to control your lights depending on your proximity. There are apps that will track if you’re leaving your property or returning using your phone and can control your lights as per your requirements. On top of this, there are motion sensors available too.

If you remove a node from your Zigbee network, this shouldn’t cause issues. Zigbee networks can “self-heal” and by this, they are always checking for the most efficient way to go through the network so removing a node shouldn’t cause any issues unless it causes other nodes to go out of range.

Zigbee will stay operational in the event the internet does down so you can still use wall panels etc. to control the lights. However, you would lose app control if you were a distance from the Zigbee network and out of range.

No Zigbee and Z-Wave aren’t the same. Whilst Zigbee and Z-Wave are both “mesh” protocols. They are not the same and operate on different frequencies to each other. You could run both protocols alongside each other if you have a multipurpose hub capable of doing so.

No, it is not possible to use a Zigbee device to control Z-Wave devices as they are different protocols and different frequencies so these wouldn’t work together.

Yes, it is possible for Z-Wave to be used to control DALI if you use a suitable converter.

Yes, you can use Zigbee motion sensors that can then be set up to control your lights.

Yes, is it possible to get your lights to change depending on the weather using Zigbee. This comes down to which application you are using.

Yes, you can use Zigbee to control 0-10v lights. There are Zigbee to 0-10v converters available which allow this.

Matter is a new protocol being launched by the ZIGBEE Alliance. The protocol is to be launched to help with operability between all brands’ ZIGBEE devices, so they all work together equally. However the Z-Wave Alliance are also working alongside on the new Matter protocol to improve interoperability.

If you already have Zigbee products, then no Matter shouldn’t cause issues with these. The Matter protocol is using existing technologies already in place so anything you already have should continue to work, the Matter protocol will be more applicable to future products coming out.

Yes, there is a limit to how many devices that can be run from a Zigbee hub. This generally comes down to the hub being used, some can support up to 35, others over 100.

Yes, you can add more Zigbee hubs to your network to increase how many devices you can control. Depending on the manufacturer, you can usually add more hubs so you can control more devices.

The frequency Zigbee works on is the global standard 2.4GHz ISM frequency band.

It is possible for protocols on the 2.4GHz frequency to interfere with Zigbee. If you have a lot of devices using the 2.4GHz frequency, e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and the more you have, the “nosier” the airwaves become. However, there needs to be a great deal of stuff all trying to talk on the same frequency at the same time before you start having any interference.

Yes, Zigbee can penetrate through walls, but it also comes down to what the walls are made of as well as how thick they are. If they are too thick etc. then you may need to extend the Zigbee network range to get around this.

No, not all Zigbee devices act as repeaters to extend the range of the network. Generally, any Zigbee device that is plugged in/runs from the power can act as a repeater.

Yes, there are other things that can cause interference with your Zigbee equipment. If you’re mounting your Zigbee equipment anywhere where there may be a lot of electromagnetic interference e.g., near speakers/amplifiers then this may also cause issues.

Yes, it is possible to run Zigbee alongside other protocols using a multipurpose hub.

The Zigbee alliance is now known as the Connectivity Standards Alliance (soon to be Matter) are a collective made up of hundreds of different companies utilizing Zigbee’s technology in the design and manufacture of their products.

Yes, Zigbee is secure as it uses strong encryption and authentication algorithms to help keep your data safe from any cyber threats.

A Zigbee mesh network is a group of devices that act as a single network. In a mesh network, nodes/devices are interconnected with other nodes/devices to create multiple pathways around the network and to each device.

The 0/1 – 10v protocol is an analogue system used for dimming lighting.

The 0/1-10v protocol is DC (Direct Current).

The 0/10v protocol began as one of the first and simplest means to control lighting and was mainly used in theatre lighting for dimming PAR cans and theatre lighting. It was also used in commercial/architectural lighting.

The 0/1-10v protocol works by applying a variable 0-10v DC voltage to a controller to dim lighting up and down. 0v the light is off, 10v the light is at full brightness.

No 0/1-10v is not wireless, it is a wired system, but it is possible to incorporate wireless controls.

The difference between 0-10v and 1-10v is the direction of the current between the dimmer and the driver. A 0-10v is a current source system which means the dimmer provides the power for the 0-10v signals. Where as 1-10v is a current sink system so just adjusts the power signals.

It can be possible to use a 1-10v dimmer on a 0-10v driver. However, if you do find some which are compatible it is likely the minimum level achieved will not match that available on the driver so it may be brighter. It would be recommended to keep all equipment at either 0-10v or 1-10v and not mix them up.

It can be possible to use a 0-10v dimmer on a 1-10v driver. However, if you do find some which are compatible, it is likely you will encounter low end performance issues such as strobing. It would be recommended to keep all equipment at either 0-10v or 1-10v and not mix them up.

The difference between current source and current sink is whether the dimmer/controller is providing the current (source) or whether it is dissipating the current (sinking). However, for a driver and dimmer to be compatible, one has to source, and one must sink.

The difference between active and passive dimming is the same as current source and current sink. If the dimmer/controller is providing the current, then this is active. If the dimmer/controller is dissipating the current, then this is passive. However, for a driver and dimmer to be compatible, one must be active, and one must be passive.

Yes, it is recommended that the cables used for 0/1-10v shielded, especially if running them near to the power cables and for a distance as this can cause interference.

Some of the advantages you get with 0-10v dimming are that it is a very simple system to install, it’s easy to diagnose faults and dependent on the hardware used, it is possible to dim thousands of watts worth of lights through 1 switch.

Some of the disadvantages you get with are that you need to make sure the dimmers/controllers and drivers are compatible; it is possible to experience voltage drop with this being an analogue system and in more complex settings 0/1-10v can require more wiring + labour costs to install.

Yes, it is possible to control colour changing lights through 0/1-10v. However, this needs to be on a 1-10v system not a 0-10v system and you need a cable for each colour in the set up as well.

It’s not possible to give an exact figure to how many fixtures you can control on a 0/1-10v circuit as there are many factors. Some of these factors are: Rating on the controller and it’s ability to handle inrush current of the total load.

Yes, it is possible to control 0-1/10v using wireless control. There are several control protocols which can be incorporated into a 0-1/10v system and usually just require a converter.

Yes, it is possible to control 0-1/10v using DALI and usually requires a converter.

Yes, you can use and app to control 0-1/10v. For example it is possible to set up Bluetooth or ZIGBEE control on a circuit using the right equipment which will allow control through and app.

Yes, it is possible to set a 0-1/10v circuit up so you can use voice control. An example of this would be to use ZIGBEE which would then allow you to use Amazon Alexa.

No, it’s not possible to link 0-1/10v dimmers to other dimmers. They all need to be wired separately from the controller.

Z-Wave is an industry-standard protocol that forms a wireless MESH network. This is a group of products that all communicate with each other so that the wireless signal can find the most efficient route around the network.

One of the reasons you would use Z-Wave is because it is a great system if you’re looking at setting up a smart home. Z-Wave allows you to control lights conventionally but also through an app or hub e.g., Amazon Echo/Google Assistant.

The range for Z-Wave devices is approximately up to 100 metres depending on the line of sight.

Yes, Z-Wave can allow you to use apps to control your lights from virtually anywhere in the world.

There are many compatible Z-Wave control devices that can be used which can include: motion sensors, door/window sensors, smart switches, wall panels, Z-Wave remote handsets, Light switches/Dimmer switches.

Yes, you will require a hub to control a Z-Wave network as this will coordinate the system and allow you to control the devices on your network.

No, not only can you control LED lights with Z-Wave, but you can also control mains powered lights as well using the right equipment amongst many other things.

You can have more than one brand in your Z-Wave network as all devices that use the Z-Wave protocol are interoperable so they will all work together.

Yes, you can set up lighting scenes using Z-Wave, but it can vary depending on which hub and application you are using.

Yes, Z-Wave can control groups of lights as one zone, this just comes down to how you set up the lights.

No, you don’t need to be restricted to one Z-Wave wall panel or handset for your lights. Z-Wave control devices can be set up to control several lights at once and different zones as well.

You will need a Hub/Controller to get started with your network and use Z-Wave.

Z-Wave can’t be used to control Wi-Fi or Bluetooth directly but there are certain hubs that will allow you to control several protocols including Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.

Z-Wave is a wireless protocol so there isn't any additional wiring or cabling for controls, making set up quick and easy.

One of the reasons you would want to use Z-Wave instead of Wi-Fi is beacuse Wi-Fi devices will be added onto your home network router and will need to communicate directly with the router, limiting range. Z-Wave acts as a mesh network so you can get more range utilizing a Z-Wave network.

Yes, you can add more Z-Wave devices one you have a network set up. Z-Wave networks are scalable, and it is very easy to add more Z-Wave devices to a network.

No, setting up a Z-Wave network is not difficult, and most devices can be set up in minutes.

Yes, Z-Wave does allow the option of voice control. This mostly just comes down to the application you are using.

Yes, you can use Z-Wave lights in your garden as well if you don’t go out of range from the Z-Wave network.

If you want to increase the range on the Z-Wave network, then you just need to add more powered Z-Wave devices to the network. These devices act as nodes or repeaters, allowing you to extend the range of your network.

Yes, it is possible to make your lights flash to music with Z-Wave. Certain Z-Wave applications have a sound-to-light function which will then control your lights to the music.

Yes, it is possible to have more than one person set up to control your Z-Wave application. It does depend on the application but there are several which will allow several users access to control the Z-Wave network if you want them to.

It is possible to set up permissions for a user on your Z-Wave network. A lot of applications will allow you to add a user but with limited permissions, so they don’t accidentally alter or delete your set up devices.

Yes, you can use more than one controller to control your lights with Z-Wave. As an example, you could use the App, a wall panel, and a handset all for the same lights.

Yes, it is possible to set up circadian rhythm automation in your house with Z-Wave. Z-Wave is a very useful tool for setting schedules with lighting and certain apps have a circadian rhythm function to allow you to set this up as well.

Yes, it is possible for Z-Wave to control your lights depending on your proximity. There are apps that will track if you’re leaving your property or returning using your phone and can control your lights as per your requirements. On top of this, there are motion sensors available too.

If you remove a node from your Z-Wave network, this shouldn’t cause issues. Z-Wave networks can “self-heal” and by this, they are always checking for the most efficient way to go through the network so removing a node shouldn’t cause any issues unless it causes other nodes to go out of range.

Z-Wave will stay operational in the event the internet does down so you can still use wall panels etc. to control the lights. However, you would lose app control if you were a distance from the Z-Wave network and out of range.

No Z-Wave and ZIGBEE aren’t the same. Whilst Z-Wave and ZIGBEE are both “mesh” protocols. They are not the same and operate on different frequencies to each other. You could run both protocols alongside each other if you have a multipurpose hub capable of doing so.

No, it is not possible to use a Z-Wave device to control ZIGBEE devices as they are different protocols and different frequencies so these wouldn’t work together.

Yes, it is possible for Z-Wave to be used to control DALI if you use a suitable converter.

Yes, you can use Z-Wave motion sensors that can then be set up to control your lights.

Yes, is it possible to get your lights to change depending on the weather using Z-Wave. This comes down to which application you are using.

Yes, you can use Z-Wave to control 0-10v lights. There are Z-Wave to 0-10v converters available which allow this.

Matter is a new protocol being launched by the ZIGBEE Alliance. The protocol is to be launched to help with operability between all brands’ ZIGBEE devices, so they all work together equally. However the Z-Wave Alliance are also working alongside on the new Matter protocol to improve interoperability.

If you already have Z-Wave products, then no Matter shouldn’t cause issues with these. The Matter protocol is using existing technologies already in place so anything you already have should continue to work, the Matter protocol will be more applicable to future products coming out.

Yes, there is a limit to how many devices that can be run on a Z-Wave Network. You can run up to 232 Z-Wave devices on a network although there is the new Z-Wave LR which is being worked on which can mean 4000 devices could be paired to a Z-Wave network.

Yes, you can add more Z-Wave hubs to your network to increase how many devices you can control. Depending on the manufacturer, you can usually add more hubs so you can control more devices.

The frequency Z-Wave works on is generally between 800-900MHz, the exact frequency depends on where you are in the world.

Generally, it is not possible for other protocols using frequencies to interfere with Z-Wave. A lot of control protocols e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee all use the 2.4GHz frequency. However, with Z-Wave being around 800-900MHz it doesn’t suffer interference from those protocols.

Yes, Z-Wave can penetrate through walls, but it also comes down to what the walls are made of as well as how thick they are. If they are too thick etc. then you may need to extend the Z-Wave network range to get around this.

No, not all Z-Wave devices act as repeaters to extend the range of the network. Generally, any Z-Wave device that is plugged in/runs from the power can act as a repeater.

Yes, there are other things that can cause interference with your Z-Wave equipment. If you’re mounting your Z-Wave equipment anywhere where there may be a lot of electromagnetic interference e.g., near speakers/amplifiers then this may also cause issues.

Yes, it is possible to run Z-Wave alongside other protocols using a multipurpose hub.

The Z-Wave alliance is a collective made up of over 300 different companies utilizing Z-Wave’s technology in the design and manufacture of their products.

Yes, Z-Wave is secure as it uses strong encryption and authentication algorithms to help keep your data safe from any cyber threats.

A Z-Wave mesh network is a group of devices that act as a single network. In a mesh network, nodes/devices are interconnected with other nodes/devices to create multiple pathways around the network and to each device.

No Z-wave operates on a different frequency than Wi-Fi, so even though your hub will plug into your router they won’t cause interference with each other.

The way to know which Z-Wave devices work together is to look for the Z-Wave logo. All Z-Wave products are built to be interoperable regardless of manufacturer.

The difference between Z-Wave and Z-Wave plus is age. Z-Wave items are the first generation with Z-Wave Plus now being the newest generation of Z-Wave products. There is no compatibility issues between the 2 and both generations will work together.

Bluetooth is a low cost, short-range wireless technology that enables you to send data wirelessly over short distances.

You can use a Bluetooth system for any purpose that requires the transmission of data, data can take many forms it can be voice, music or a control signal.

Bluetooth receivers / controllers can be configured to form a MESH network, so providing that power is present at all the receivers in your Bluetooth MESH network the Bluetooth signal is transmitted from device to device so the wireless range is extended.

Yes, by downloading a free Bluetooth application that is compatible with the Bluetooth receivers you can control your lighting products from your smart phone.

Yes you can purchase Bluetooth wall panels and handsets.

Yes, the Bluetooth signal is digital so there is no loss of data between the transmitter and the receiver.

The Bluetooth signal is a short wave length UHF radio frequency signal which ranges between 2.4GHz and 2.485GHz.

The name Bluetooth dates back over 1000 years to a Viking King, Harald “Bluetooth” Gormisson who was well known for two things; uniting Denmark and Norway in 958 and his “dead” tooth which was a dark blue / grey colour which earned him his nickname.

No, Bluetooth does not use an internet connection so it can be used anywhere between two devices that have Bluetooth incorporated into them.

Yes you can, you would simply pair the Bluetooth receiver to your smart phone application and give it a name so if it was controlling an LED lamp you could name it Lounge main Light. You can then add other lights to the application.

Yes you can, simply pair each receiver to the same “zone” on the wall panel.

Yes, you can have multiple transmitters controlling one Bluetooth receiver however this number is usually restricted to up to 8 x Bluetooth controllers to each receiver.

There are advantages of both depending on the purpose of the communication. Wi-Fi is faster than Bluetooth but then with Bluetooth you are not going to be downloading large files, just sending small packets of data.

The Bluetooth signal range is approximately 10m (32 Feet).

You don’t have to have Line of Sight for Bluetooth to work however obstructions between the transmitter and the receiver will cut down the range of the signal dramatically.

No, Bluetooth is independent of Wi-Fi and does not connect to your router or through a Gateway. As long as you have two Bluetooth devices, they will communicate with each other.

No, Bluetooth is a universal system so any Bluetooth transmitter will communicate with any Bluetooth receiver no matter who manufactured it.

Bluetooth is becoming more popular as new devices are brought out that support Bluetooth however you would normally find that the most popular Bluetooth products are Headphones, Speakers and most modern cars have Bluetooth built in so that you can connect your phone to the car wirelessly.

Bluetooth is a low power system so it is ideal for small mobile devices with limited battery power. If Bluetooth used more power, it would drain your mobile devices battery much quicker so it is perfect for small devices with limited battery life.

No Bluetooth is a wireless system it does not work with connecting cables.

Probably the quickest way to add Bluetooth to your computer is to purchase a Bluetooth Dongle which simply plugs into your computers USB port. This acts as a Bluetooth transmitter.

Bluetooth is very secure; the system uses a personal identification number or PIN number which you use to pair your devices.

The biggest issue with Bluetooth is problem with pairing your devices together however this is usually because the pairing procedure is not followed properly.

Bluetooth can transmit packets of data at 721Kbps.

This is a Bluetooth wall panel for controlling your lighting that doesn’t require any batteries or power supply. It uses a tiny micro generator to provide enough power to transmit the Bluetooth signal to the receiver.

This is any device that can receive a Bluetooth signal and decode it in order to perform a function.

Yes you can do this with a Bluetooth system as it is independent of Wi-Fi but will form a MESH network within your home which extends the Bluetooth signal. You can also add Bluetooth wall panels and handsets so your lighting can be controlled from your smart phone or these other devices.

No you can simply pair your Bluetooth wall panels and handsets to the Bluetooth receivers.

Kinetic wall panels don’t require power so they can be installed almost anywhere. Fix the wall panel as required, connect the Bluetooth receiver to the light that you are controlling, press the learning key on the receiver and press the wall panel switch. This will pair the switch to the receiver wirelessly.

Having Bluetooth on your computer enables you to connect various things to it wirelessly such as a Wireless Keyboard, Mouse or monitor speakers. All these will be close to your computer so are ideal for Bluetooth.

Bluetooth 5.0 is the latest version of the Bluetooth wireless standard.

There are many improvements with the Bluetooth 5.0 standard but the mains ones are it has a higher bandwidth and longer range.

Yes you can but the system will only work at the rate of the Bluetooth 4.0 device.

No, Bluetooth is a high-quality digital transmission system so no data is lost between the transmitter and the receiver so Bluetooth 5.0 does not improve on the sound quality of you r headphones.

No, as Bluetooth has a very fast signal hopping capability choosing from 79 available channels and switching frequencies 1,600 time per second other devices will not interfere with your speakers.

Yes, Bluetooth is a digital system and will accurately receive the digital signal from the Bluetooth transmitter so there would be no loss of sound quality.

Yes it does however walls and any obstruction between the transmitter and receiver will reduce the range so if your walls at very thick then the signal will be dramatically reduced.

Yes you can but you will need to have a compatible Gateway that connects to your router which connects to the internet.

ZIGBEE is a wireless protocol with a longer range than Bluetooth it forms a MESH network so all the various ZIGBEE nodes boost the signal however some Bluetooth devices can also form a MESH network. Bluetooth is normally used for close range transmission.

No, one of the advantages with Bluetooth is that it is a low power system so it is ideal for mobile devices such as smart phones.

No, Bluetooth can be found in most devices these days from washing machines to scales and even toasters. Anything that benefits from a short-range communication system is usually fitted with Bluetooth.

Yes you can, as long as your device has Bluetooth built in, it will connect to your smart phone.

Yes it does, any device can have Bluetooth built in, all smart phones will have the technology.

No not at all, Bluetooth is completely independent of your phones data, it is free to use.

Make sure that your smart phone Bluetooth system is switched on and is searching for a Bluetooth device. Make sure that the Bluetooth device that you are connecting to is in discovery mode. Make sure that you are close to the device that you are trying to pair your smart phone to.

The devices data sheet or instruction leaflet should tell you which application is the right one for your device.

It is better to use the application that is recommended by the manufacturer to ensure that it works properly and you are getting the best out of your device.

No Bluetooth is an independent system and does not use a Wi-Fi connection.

As Bluetooth is only short range it is dropping out because you are moving away from the device you are connected to. Try moving closer to the device and don’t move around from room to room.

A MESH network is a group of devices that work together as a network and pass the signal from one device to another, a Bluetooth MESH network will do this as well so each Bluetooth receiver with power connected to it will pass the signal on to the next device effectively extending the range of your Bluetooth system.

No, Bluetooth MESH networking is designed to exchange small messages between a lot of devices not for media streaming.

No, the MESH network will not affect other Bluetooth devices.

No, the audio streaming signal is separate from your Bluetooth MESH network.

A Bluetooth node is a device that is part of a Bluetooth MESH network.

Bluetooth has made provision for up to 32,000 nodes however realistically these numbers are not expected to be achieved. Some MESH networks however have over 1,000 nodes.

No, all Bluetooth commands include an identifier that determines which packed to information belongs to which MESH network, each network is isolated completely from other networks.

Each node on a Bluetooth MESH Network will send out a pulse message every now and will report back if a device is not working.

No, a Bluetooth MESH network sends out the packets of information through multiple nodes at the same time so the message will find another route around your MESH network.

No some nodes such as door or window sensors that are battery powered remain asleep for hours or even days until they have something to report so other nodes in the network take on the additional messaging function to support the low power nodes.

Yes, a Bluetooth network works with all kinds of lighting and supports single colour, Colour temperature adjustable and colour changing lighting.

Yes, mains powered TRIAC dimmers are available that will pair to your Bluetooth application.

Yes, the Bluetooth application also supports a music function that will synchronise your LED coloured lighting to the beat of the music played on your smart phone.

Yes, the Bluetooth application also has built int programs that will flip or fade through the colours of your connected LED lighting strips.

Yes, pre-programed effects on Bluetooth applications will have a speed adjustment control.

Yes, you can adjust the brightness of your lighting either using the Bluetooth application on your smart phone or you can adjust the brightness using a Bluetooth Wall panel or handset.

Yes, most Bluetooth applications will allow you to add additional users.

Bluetooth Kinetic wall panels do not have any batteries and do not require a power connection so they can be mounted just about anywhere. They can be stuck int place using the pads provided or for a more permanent installation they can be screwed into place.

No, Bluetooth is a very low power system and transmits information in short “packets” of data.

Yes you can, providing the lighting you are controlling matches the voltage of your van (normally 12v) you can use 12v LED lighting strip and connect it to a Bluetooth receiver.

You can use a Bluetooth control system for this, connect the LED strip to a Bluetooth receiver and download the associated free application. Pair the receiver to your phone and you are ready to go.

Bluetooth pairing is when you connect two Bluetooth devices together wirelessly, it is a secure way for Bluetooth devices to communicate with each other.

Paging is the process that is sued to get a connection between two Bluetooth devices. One device sends out a “Page request”, the other device responds to this request and to complete the connection.

Yes you can but they will both do the same thing when you operate the wall panel.

Yes you can, but although setting up the Bluetooth system is not difficult, using a specialist company to do this is advisable as you will need to get the right products to suit your home and also it would involve wiring Bluetooth receivers into your mains lighting.

Bluetooth was invented in Sweden by Sony Ericsson.

The most common use of Bluetooth in a vehicle is so you can connect your Bluetooth enabled mobile phone so that you can make hands free calls using your car audio system. It is also used to stream music from your phone to your vehicles audio system.

You can pair multiple mobile phones to your car audio system and even prioritize which phone is connected first when you get in the car but you can only use one device at a time.

No, Bluetooth is very secure and only devices that are paired with your phone can pick up the conversation and then only one device at a time.

Bluetooth SIG is a Special Interest Group that was set up to ensure that Bluetooth is kept as a universal system that works across different manufacturers and improves the system ensuring that companies who produce Bluetooth products comply with the Bluetooth patent and licencing agreement.

A personal area network is another name for a Bluetooth Piconet.

A Bluetooth Piconet is a collection of devices that are connected by Bluetooth to form a small Network of up to 8 devices (one primary or master device and up to 7 secondary or slave devices).

Piconet means small network, Pico meaning very small and net referring to a network.

A Scatternet is a collection of interconnected Piconets.

The first Bluetooth device was revealed in 1999.

The first Bluetooth product was a hands-free mobile headset which was unveiled at the COMEX show in 1999.

The Sony Ericsson T36 was the first mobile phone to have Bluetooth capabilities but the T39 was the first phone to go on general sale in 2001.

The radio frequency that Bluetooth works on is similar to mobile phones at around 2.4GHz, this is non-ionising radiation and no specific health problems have been found with this.

Bluetooth is a standard technology that many companies all over the world contribute to on a daily basis so as far as we can predict yes, it is futureproof as it is continually being upgraded and modified to improve its performance.

Wi-Fi is a much higher-powered communication system so it would not replace Bluetooth as Bluetooth consumes much less power than Wi-Fi so is ideal for short range communications on mobile devices, Wi-Fi would drain mobile devices much quicker so would not be practical.

Bluetooth is only designed for short range communication, under some conditions it can lose its connection, it has a low bandwidth so it is limited to the amount of data it can send.

Yes, you can use your Bluetooth devices on planes as the output power is low and will not interfere with the planes navigations systems however some airlines will not allow them to be used during take-off and landing.

Yes, it does because “Airplane mode” only switches off the Cell phone function on your mobile phone it does not switch off your Bluetooth connection.

There are three stages involved when Bluetooth devices connect together: Inquiry stage, Paging or connecting, and Connection.

This is when two devices that are connected together by Bluetooth are set to recognise each other when they are within Bluetooth range.

No it does, the Bluetooth signal is a radio transmission that can pass through walls etc. however obstacles will reduce the Bluetooth range.

No 5GHz routers do not interfere with Bluetooth.

Yes, there are many companies offering Bluetooth range extenders.

You need to have Bluetooth Version 4.0 or later to support Bluetooth MESH networking.

Tethering is when you are sharing your internet connection with a device that does not have internet connection. For example, if you have a laptop that can’t connect to Wi-Fi you can “tether” it to your mobile phone wirelessly.