Is the Light Fixture Termination plug used in switches?
No, the shorting plug is used in fixtures chains only.
I found Cat5 cable that is cheaper, can I use it?
No, purchase ONLY solid copper Cat5 cable.Copper coated aluminum which is half price will NOT work with our system. See links for the proper cable to purchase here.
I’m installing switches, which side is up?
Buttons are numbered from left to right, top to bottom. When installing the switch, the open side of the RJ45 connectors on the back should be facing down.
Why are there so many lights on the ceiling?
Please refer to the article Lighting Transformed for insights on an effective and efficient lighting plan.
Am I correct in assuming more lights are needed since the lights are running at 33% capacity?
No. We can operate at 33% power because our fixtures have more on-board chips than would be required if we drove them at 100%. Our fixtures actually have higher luminous flux per watt than they would have if they were designed to operate at 100%. The only fair way to compare fixtures is to look at the lumen rating. If they have the same lumen rating, that should roughly equate to similarity in terms of number of fixtures required. Some of our customers prefer to “over light” the space since our system offers complete control of light level. Total light coverage, elimination of shadows, with the capability of taking lighting from 100% to 1% with a button, command or app allows for beautiful and exciting effects.
Can I tie in other LED light strips into your system, such as RGBW light strips that would be run in trim work, under desks, cabinets, etc?
We do not currently support color tuning using RGBW strips. And since the Lighting & Control System uses a “constant current” method to control light rather than the “constant voltage” method most off-the-shelf strips use, it’s not likely that 3rd party strips will work. We do, however, offer strips that accomplish such highlighting with a single color (3000K). These strips can be set to illuminate at a very low level for a very nice highlighting effect.
Do you offer training?
Comprehensive information on planning, installation, and configuration are available under the Design Center tab on the website, and we are standing by to answer any questions you might have through phone and email support. We are developing training programs for installers and end users.
The system is delivered with a customized software configuration. After the purchase and delivery of a system, a live, virtual training session is available to guide the new user through the excel spreadsheet that sets up the control and automation of the system. This allows the new owner confidence to make future lighting changes. But again, we are always just a call or message away and happy to support any questions.
How much will a PMMI Lighting System save on my monthly electricity bill?
According to the U.S. Energy Information Service, lighting represented roughly 14 percent of the average household electric bill in 2010. Most existing homes use primarily incandescent lighting and the PMMI Lighting system will save about 86% of that.
Do you have customer service?
Of course! Our friendly and knowledgeable customer services reps are available to answer your questions. Just email or call and we will get back to you ASAP. Click here to contact us.
I am building a tiny home, would your system work for me?
Yes! In fact, we have designed a system just for tiny homes, RVs, and small cottages. Our Single Board system is a very cost effective this application. Click here to learn more about the Single Board system. If you are off grid, combine the Single Board system with solar panels and a battery pack for a perfect lighting solution.
If a light goes out, can I replace the fixture myself?
Fixtures are held in place by two clips. Carefully, pull the fixture out of the ceiling, one side at a time, unplug the CAT5 cables, plug connectors into the new fixture, and press the fixture back into the ceiling.
I think I messed up my configuration file. Can you help?
PMMI Lighting customer service is happy to help. Please email your configuration spreadsheet to customer support with a brief explanation of the problem, and we will get back with you asap. It’s always a good idea to make a backup copy of your configuration file before making changes. Simply copy the file named pmmi_cfg.txt on the flash drive to a different name (e.g. pmmi_cfg.sav) before saving a new configuration file over the original.
Is the Lighting & Control System approved under the building code?
The Lighting & Control System is a purely DC system and not addressed directly by the National Electric Code. It’s a little bit like asking if a flashlight must be UL approved. Certainly not. The PMMI Lighting System is among the safest systems available, but until the regulatory authorities catch up, the answer is, unfortunately, not straight forward.
Lighting regulation is covered under NEC Articles 410 (over 30V) and 411 (30V or less), but both of these standards are written around a basic assumption that lighting is part and parcel to the AC electrical system. For example, most LED fixtures and bulbs on the market are powered by high-voltage AC and have built-in transformers, rectifiers, and drivers to convert the line power for use by LEDs. The PMMI Lighting system is pure DC. For grid-powered installations, 3rd party UL/ETL accredited AC to DC power supply provides DC power to the PMMI system. From there, each branch circuit (i.e. Channel) in the PMMI system operates at 12 to 48V DC and at one amp max current. PMMI fixtures also run much cooler – about 100ºF compared to much higher temperatures for incandescent and conventional LEDs with on-board electronics.
Back to the question of code. There are three constituents that need to be addressed; inspectors, builders, and insurers. If there are questions about this issue, we welcome the opportunity to dialog these with these constituents on your behalf.