Watertight electrical connections for Lighting Projects

Architectural lighting enhances buildings and open spaces, enhancing their identity and aesthetics. To protect it adequately, highly reliable electrical connection solutions are needed. This is confirmed by two projects that redesigned the exteriors of a Milanese hotel and a lido on Lake Como: Led Italy supplied the lighting fixtures, Techno the connectors and the waterproof circular branch joints.

The electrical connection is a factor of primary importance for the operation of lighting systems installed in outdoor environments, where dust, humidity, UV rays and atmospheric agents can cause various problems, even potentially dangerous for the safety of operators and users .

Choosing products that allow a highly reliable electrical connection, by virtue of the materials and construction characteristics, is therefore crucial. Techno offers watertight connectors and branch joints, with an IP66/IP68/IP69K protection rating, with functions to prevent the capillarity effect (xDRY®) , i.e. the rise of humidity inside the cable caused by temperature differences between the inside and outside of the powered appliance.

Beautiful Gardens at Night

Techno connectors and watertight joints are present in the LED system of the Italian gardens in front of the Hotel Principe di Savoia in Milan.

In particular, the Flex Midi Line profiles by Led Italy (IP68 protection degree) illuminate the structure using the TH391 mini circular joints and the TH402 3-way "T" type circular branch joints from the TEETUBE® family, both IP68 and easily usable in small spaces.

The TH402 circular joints are connected at the input to the general power supply and, via a 24V DC BUS, at the output to two synchronized DLM 1224 DALI dimmable drivers; the control of the LED profiles occurs both via a switch and via an analogue detection system.

Totally free of resin or gel components, TEETUBE® solutions resist water and dust, making them easily accessible even after long periods of operation and suitable for systems which, as in the case of the Milanese accommodation facility, create plays of light enhancing the architectural profile of the building.

Luminous Umbrella

Another scenario to which Techno solutions offer their contribution is the T Beach of the Grand Hotel Tremezzo, suspended on the shores of Lake Como.

White stainless steel lighting fixtures equipped with a 3000K white LED source were placed on the beach umbrellas, made up of white and orange segments.

The power supply occurs via TH391 mini circular joints of type “I” linear connection, combined with rubbers for single conductors (2-hole rubbers) and series connections.

The electrical panel is connected to a junction box, in which there is a 230/24V converter capable of generating 24V DC BUS and two DLM 1224 dimmable drivers with DALI dimming control: from here, the current is directed to other mini joints TH391 which, through a subsequent connection, power the lighting fixtures present in the umbrellas: their evening switching on creates an evocative mix of lights and colours.

Solutions to increase the quality of the system

“ The market is increasingly attentive to the issues of protection and safety: this is confirmed by the growth in demand for connectors that combine practicality and high quality in terms of materials and construction type. The TEEfamily® range fully responds to these characteristics, thanks to their ease of use and the continuity of service that they guarantee over time, even in extreme operating conditions, reducing installation and maintenance costs ", explains Mauro Nodari, Director Techno Product and Market Development.

In fact, these products resist immersions up to 50m and can be used for temperatures from -40°C to +125°C. They are made of thermoplastic materials such as PA66 with glass fillers, with flammability ratings UL94, 5VA/V0 (f1 – UL 746C).

“ Thanks to the specialist skills developed over 35 years, Techno aims to further enrich the electrical connections sector, placing solutions on the market capable of increasing the general quality of the electrical system” .

A Partnership Made In Italy

TECHNO designs and produces technical items using cutting-edge materials and technologies.

It specializes in the development of innovative solutions for electrical connections with a high degree of protection from water and dust (IP68), through a production cycle completely integrated in the Guanzate (Como) factories.

It offers a vast range of standard catalog solutions and completely "custom" products, investing 10% of its turnover in research and development every year.

LED ITALY specializes in the design and production of flexible linear products for LED lighting. It is based in Carmagnola (Turin) and stands out for its completely Made in Italy production.

Making use of automated lines for the automatic assembly of LEDs, for the sealing and resin coating of the products, every year it produces hundreds of kilometers of LED strips and bars, as well as recessed spot products and hundreds of custom products, for interiors and exteriors.

Techno solutions used:

• TH402 branch joints

• TH391 linear connection joints