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Design Award for Z-Wave Switches? You Heard That Right
Nanogrid Z-Wave-enabled dimmer (also available in ZigBee) features built-in energy monitoring and temperature sensor.
Say again? We don’t usually hear “cool-looking” and “Z-Wave” in the same sentence.
Normally, we associate Z-Wave switches with inexpensive plastic rockers used with inexpensive RF control systems. But Seoul, Korea-based Frostdale was just awarded a Red Dot design award for one of its Nanogrid wireless light switches.
The switches feature a wave-shaped button design inspired by the lines in traditional Korean architecture and clothing, according to the manufacturer.
In addition to typical Z-Wave lighting automation, the switches feature built-in energy logging, enabling users to monitor and manage the energy usage of any lighting load.
Also, the devices have built-in temperature sensors, so the respective zones can be tied to a home’s HVAC system – no additional temperature sensors required. Just tell the thermostats to kick in when a particular zone reaches a certain temperature.
Other models even include Braille on the dimmer levels for the visually impaired.
For the Red Dot awards, Frostdale competed with more than 10,000 entries. The Nanogrid and other products in the interior design category will be on display July 5 to August 1, 2010, at the Red Dot Design Museum at the world heritage site of the Zeche Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in Essen, Germany.
Founded in 2007, Frostdale is a manufacturer of Z-Wave- and ZigBee-enabled home automation and energy management solutions for residential and light commercial settings.
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Article Topics
News · Product News · Home Automation and Control · Lighting · Z-Wave · Frostdale · Red Dot ·About the Author
9 Comments (displayed in order by date/time)
Dimmers get HOT. It doesn’t seem like a very good place for a temperature sensor for the HVAC system.
LOL! Turn on the air conditioning! Either the room is hot or the lights are on!
Or maybe you tie logic into it. If lights are off AND temperature goes up, THEN turn on A/C.
But seriously, that can’t work right.
My older parents have problems enough with switches that are anything more than the toggle type.
They would probably think these are one of those new fangled air fresheners and still be wondering how to turn on the lights!
Julie,
Maybe the haters-gonna-hate didn’t read the article -or they’re just trolls.
Nice that someone’s trying to improve on an age-old design.
* dookie & jimstolz76; Wireless dimmers don’t generate heat.
* Mike your parent’s probably wish you would move out now that you are 37 years old, then they wouldn’t need the air fresheners.
*WHAT* wireless dimmers don’t generate heat? If they don’t generate heat then why do you have to de-rate them when you gang them together… and you have to snap off HEATSINK fins….
These modules are most likely wireless, which means they stick on the wall and have a CR2032 or other coin type battery to power the LED, temp and Z-Wave module. GE/Jasco makes a similar scene controller that I use in our Z-Wave network called the GE 45631
Since the switch isn’t near the dimmer module, the temp sensor can be more accurate
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Great design? I just threw up in my mouth.