The Evolution of an Industry…

What is the difference between an automation only contractor and Light Composers, Inc.?

Since the early 1970’s, Light Composers, Inc. has been involved in the lighting and power industry.  Commercial and residential automation back then existed but it was different in nature consisting of low voltage control relays operating various loads.  Very much similar to today’s automated relay modules but different as there was no computer processor for programming.  Back then the professional licensed to work on such systems was the electrical contractor state licensed in high and low voltage power.

Industries and product evolve however and change comes.  Light Composers, Inc. has been observing the changes for decades but unfortunately this evolution isn’t optimized for the most ideal outcome.  There is no roadmap for manufactures or installers and in fact, manufactures push product out on the market with one thing in mind, profit. 

Fast forward to today…

Over the past decade or so the industry has exploded with manufactures offering the public one or another type of computerized automated control.  It is based on various hierarchies with some better than others and Light Composers, Inc. has researched most of it.  Sadly however  most electrical contractors did not keep up with the industry changes and didn’t want to make the effort to continue their education in new systems.  While they would have been the ideal person for any such installations, for various reasons, it just didn’t happen…a serious error in the evolution clearly.   This created a gap in the industry and a new type of business started to pop up with a low voltage only state contractor’s license.  It is a relatively easy license to acquire requiring minimal formal education and experience.  Telephone cable installers, and early computer cable installers began picking a automation manufacture and running with their product as the new low voltage automation only dealer. 

“A serious error in the evolution clearly”…now why is this?  It’s rather simple once you understand  the construction process more clearly.  To begin with, the electrical contractor is highly skilled and trained in the installation and maintenance of electrical high and low voltage power systems.  High voltage is of course dangerous if not properly installed so training in the mathematics, theory, codes and techniques is rigorous.  A journeyman electrician spends 4 to 5 years in college apprenticeship training along with his daily field work.   Many years ago it was the electrical contractor installing all pre-wired systems and if a specialty contractor (low voltage only) was brought in to a project it was due to unique manufacture component requirements that such contractors had factory training in.  As computers became more and more main stream however, dedicated cabling systems did too and with that more and more low voltage contractors started to pop up.  When the electrical contractor failed to keep up with the evolving low voltage automation product the low voltage only contractor picked up the ball and ran with it creating today’s “specialist” installer.  Sadly for today’s consumer, it’s an installer that simply is not needed on the project.  Another phone call to make, yet another contractor that is a burden to the project. 

As mentioned before, industries evolve and such evolution will often have no road map for an optimal outcome.  The construction of a structure has many stages.  From the CAD blueprint design to the jurisdictions final inspection and customer’s walk through, the details can be deep to meet today’s requirements.  The low voltage only license is fragmented in what they can do during the construction process because of their license limitations.  They will specify their underground conduit and other piping needs for the electrical contractor to install as the electrical contractor has the training to properly install all types of plastic and metal raceways and he is already on the job doing such for the high voltage needs.  Automation systems control high voltage power yet the automation dealer is not licensed to touch this power or terminate it so once again they must contact the electrical contractor for the needs related to landing high voltage wires in automation control modules and other requirements.  It becomes rather clear at this point, why have a low voltage license on the project at all when they can’t get their job done without hiring others to finish it?  It simply makes no sense and ultimately costs the consumer. 

In a nutshell this is what we refer to as the failing of the industry and its evolution.  Today there is a bumper crop of low voltage contractors with the flavor of the month automation system.  Many of these automation manufactures may or may not be in business tomorrow and one can begin to see how this is very bad for the consumer whom owns a structure with a system that they can’t get programming, parts or service for anymore.  Allowing a low voltage only contractor to set controls related to lighting and other systems they are not trained in is another failing that can lead to problems.  Today’s lighting is a complex discipline and the needs related to it require far more than the low voltage license has the training and skills for.  But many consumers do not realize this reality and will allow them to simply “turn on and off” the lights.  Sadly it is far from that simple and the project fails to realize its full potential. 

While Light Composers cannot control the evolution of an industry, we can recognize the problems and offer the consumer a correct means to an end.  We have taken the time and effort to obtain the training and credentials needed to design and install systems related to lighting, integrated automation, high and low voltage power.   Under the roof of our firm is the complete construction service that the consumer needs.  From the moment they walk in our door with a cost budget we can provide complete CAD blueprints related to the lighting and all voltage needs.  Combine this state of the art design with complete system installations needing no subcontractors and it quickly becomes clear that we have recognized the failing of the evolving industry and have stepped up to do our part to fix it.