Casambi Lighting Control
December 22, 2024
Casambi is a wireless lighting control system that utilises Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology for the management of luminaires. Casambi allows users to control individual luminaires or entire networks through a mobile app or compatible devices. Its key features include dimming, scene setting, scheduling, and group control.
Casambi typically pitches it’s USP’s (Unique Selling Points) as being easy to install (no cabling) and commission (carried out from Tablet) with a flexible and scalable mesh network (each device communicating with neighbouring devices). Whilst all above are USP’s, there is a deliberate non-delivery of critical decision making information.
The claim that Casambi does not require cabling is not fundamentally true as luminaires in the Casambi network still require power via cabling. However, Casambi does not require a ‘control cable’ connecting the Casambi nodes. This simple fact makes Casambi a questionable choice in new-build applications as further discussed below.
In commercial Lighting installs, DALI is the typical choice for luminaire ballast type due to it’s open-source nature. Coupling DALI with Casambi is therefore counter intuitive as Casambi is a closed protocol system.
The most common DALI installation is ‘addressable DALI‘ whereby each individual luminaire is monitored but may be controlled as a ‘DALI group’. To achieve this functionality with Casambi, every luminaire must be fitted with a ‘field’ device meaning (1) an additional off-site process to retro-fit Casambi devices, and (2) 64 Casambi devices required for an installation that would ordinarily require only 1 (typical DALI Master).
Both of these facts massively outweigh any cost saving claims made from Casambi. In fact, Casambi state up to 40% more expensive.
Further, the additional field devices only adds to long-term maintenance as you now have multiple points of failure in each light which are often not easily accessed (high level or occupied space).
Casambi operates on BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) which has been around for quite some time (2010) yet non of the major manufacturers of Lighting Control solutions have embraced this technology as a core solution. The core reasons for this include (1) Reliability as signal can often be an issue, (2) Security as wireless networks can be penetrated and (3) Interference as wireless technologies can impede other systems.
In summary, Casambi does have strengths in places but specifiers should consider the overall cost implications including:
At KNX Ireland, we only work with non-proprietary solutions on a cabled topology ensuring secure, reliable, scalable and future proofed installations by professional installers. Furthermore with over 8000 certified KNX products and 500 certified KNX Manufacturers in the global market, there are solutions to cover all costs/functionality/aesthetic requirements.
For design, specification and pricing on Lighting Control Systems, contact our sales office.
