# Getting Started
The following is a break down of what you need to know about the Colorbeam product framework.
# Introduction
Recessed luminaries can be connected to each other in a daisy chain. The amount of luminaries that can be connected on the same daisy chain depends on the wattage of the recessed luminaries being used. The maximum wattage allowed in one chain is 36 watts. LED tapes on the other hand, must be installed in parallel.
Recessed luminaries and LED tapes need to be connected to a DMX driver. This is what powers and controls the lights. Recessed luminaries use a RJ45 connector with a category cable, while LED tapes can use just about any wire (but preferably a 16 gauge, or 12 gauge for very long distances). Keep in mind that the gauge of the wire being used determines how much distance between the light source and the DMX driver you can have. (More about this in the Wiring and LED Tape Installation section).
DMX drivers are configured to listen to a specific DMX address (a simple numerical digit). This is done on the DMX driver itself using the buttons and LCD screen on the device. Multiple DMX drivers can be connected together in a daisy chain, and must to be connected to a single GATEway processor. Having multiple GATEways on the same DMX network can cause conflicts. A DMX amplifier should be used when you are using more than 4 drivers. The DMX amplifier helps keep the DMX signal clean since the DMX cable itself isn't braided. The DMX drivers then connect to the DMX amplifier, and the DMX amplifier should be directly connected to the GATEway.
The GATEway processor is in charge of sending values to the DMX drivers, which in turn will activate the light sources. This means that a GATEway is necessary in every DMX Network. The GATEway configures all DMX drivers on the DMX network by using the driver's individual addresses. The GATEway connects through its ethernet port to the IP network. The web interface allows you to configure and control your lights. More about this in the GATEway section.
Once your luminaries are connected to a DMX driver, the DMX driver is connected to a GATEway processor (either through an amplifier or directly to the GATEway). The GATEway processor is then connected to an IP network, giving you the ability to control your luminaires through our web interface. If you wish to control the lights through a 3rd party system, like Control4®, Lutron® or Crestron®, you may connect the controller to the Gateway processor once the other devices are set up.
# Advantage of Low Voltage Lighting
# Reduced Costs
Class 2 low voltage LED fixtures, powered by 48 volts or less, offer a wide range of benefits for many markets including residential ones, commercial ones, and industrial ones. A core benefit of these lights is the low energy consumption and operating costs of them. In fact, LED lights consume 80% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last 50 times longer. Colorbeam gives its customers the great advantage of lighting with a small carbon footprint, high light output, tuning of white temperatures, millions of color options, and seamless dimming.
# Better color rendering
Colorbeam Lighting products offer a huge selection of color palettes, with up to 16 million options. This insures that you always get the desired color.
# Less hazardous chemicals
LED does not contain hazardous chemicals such as mercury. Mercury is a highly toxic chemical that is known to have detrimental effects on people upon exposure and can cause environmental contamination if leaked in ground waters.
Here are some comparisons with more traditional lighting solutions:
| Colorbeam Tunable White Fixtures | Colorbeam RGB Fixture | Halogen LIGHT BULBS | COMPACT FLUORESCENT (CFLs) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wattage | 9 Watts / 500 lm | 9 Watts / 254 lm | 35 Watts | 6 Watts |
| 16 Watts / 1000 lm | 18 Watts / 586 lm | 50 Watts | 13 Watts | |
| 24 Watts / 1500 lm | 36 Watts / 1021 lm | 100 Watts | 18.75 Watts | |
| Life Span | 50,000 hours | 50,000 hours | 1,200 hours | 8,000 hours |
| Durability | Durable | Durable | Fragile | Fragile |
| Hazardous material | No | No | No | Yes 5mg mercury/bulb |
| Heat Emitted | Low (3 BTU / hour) | Low (3 BTU / hour) | High (85 BTU / hour) | Med (15 BTU / hour) |
| Replacement Frequency | 1 | 1 | 50 | 5 |
# Product Certifications
Colorbeam products are UL listed, CE, FCC certified and "Title 24" compliant for California. Certifications for all of our products can be found on the individual ‘Specification Sheets’ available on our website at www.colorbeamlighting.com