Centralised lighting means every lighting circuit in the house is dimmed or switched from one panel, with keypads on the walls instead of rows of dimmer switches. Crestron's new DIN-4DIMU4 dimmer and DIN-8SWU8 switch, now shipping, let the modules take about half the space and make the panel much easier to set up, so it is worth a fresh look if you are building or renovating in Cork.
The news came in a Crestron blog interview published on 4 November 2026 with Ben Slivka, the product manager behind the modules. Rather than repeat the specification sheet, this post works through the decision a Cork homeowner actually faces: centralised lighting or dimmers on the wall, and if centralised, what the new Crestron panel changes.
Who centralised lighting suits
Centralised lighting is not the right answer for every house. It earns its place when one or more of these is true:
- The house has a lot of circuits: downlights, wall washers, LED strip, garden lighting, a feature light in the hall.
- You want one keypad by each door instead of a bank of four or five dimmers.
- You want lighting scenes, such as evening, cinema or all off from the front door.
- The walls are open, as in a self build, a deep retrofit or an extension, so a cable from each circuit back to one place is easy to run.
- You would like motorised curtains or blinds run from the same panel.
If the house is finished and you only want to control a few rooms, a wireless system is usually the better fit. Our lighting control in Cork page sets out both routes, and our self build lighting design guide explains what to settle before first fix.
What the new Crestron panel changes
For anyone who looked at a Crestron centralised lighting panel a few years ago, four things are different now.
The panel is smaller
Both new modules are six DIN module spaces wide. The DIN-4DIMU4 gives four dimming channels in that width, where the existing DIN-1DIMU4 needs twelve spaces for the same four. Slivka says the new modules need roughly half the enclosure space of the previous solutions, which matters in a Cork house where the panel has to share a utility room with the boiler controls, the alarm and the router.
LED is the starting point
The DIN-4DIMU4 does forward and reverse phase dimming, chooses between them automatically, and has no minimum load. Crestron says this helps avoid flicker and lets low wattage LED fittings turn fully off. Crestron still advises two or more LED loads per channel on any phase dimmer, so we check the fittings you have picked before they are fitted. Each channel takes up to 320 W at 230V, and channels can be joined for larger loads.
One switch module does lights and motors
The DIN-8SWU8 has eight relay channels rated up to 10A for LED and resistive loads, or four pairs for curtain and blind motors. Slivka says that replaces two of Crestron's older DIN-2MC2 motor modules in half the space. Its inputs also take a 24VAC signal, so a heating thermostat can switch a mains load such as a pump or fan through it. For curtains and blinds, see our motorised blinds in Cork page.
It can be tested before the control system is ready
Buttons and coloured lights on each module let the installer set up and test every channel without a laptop. The inputs work locally by default, so a switch or sensor wired to a module turns its light on even with no processor. Slivka describes this as letting issues be found earlier and letting different phases of a project run in parallel. On a build where the electrician, plasterer and joiner are all on different timelines, that helps.
Questions to ask before first fix
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Where will the lighting panel go? | It needs space, ventilation and a short route for every circuit. A hot press is often too warm. |
| How many circuits, and which are dimmed? | This decides how many DIN-4DIMU4 and DIN-8SWU8 modules, and the enclosure size. |
| What LED fittings are you buying? | Large loads may need bridged channels; very small ones should be grouped two or more to a channel. |
| Will curtains or blinds be motorised? | Each motor uses a pair of channels on a DIN-8SWU8, so plan the cables at first fix. |
| Do you want to see energy use? | The DIN-4DIMU4 measures current, voltage, power and kWh per channel; the switch module estimates it. |
Already have Crestron in your Cork home?
Crestron Home 4.12 supports both modules, so they can be added to a house running Crestron Home 4.12 or later, for example when the panel is extended for a new kitchen or an older module needs replacing. We are a Crestron Elite Partner, and our Crestron installer in Cork page explains how we take on existing systems. A visit is €440 plus VAT for up to 4 hours, with extra time at €110 an hour plus VAT, as shown on our installation page. We have not seen Irish prices or stock dates for the new modules published yet, so ask us for both.
Questions we are often asked
Is centralised lighting more expensive than dimmers on the wall?
It can cost more in a small house and compares better as the number of circuits grows, because one keypad replaces several dimmers. The smaller new modules also reduce the size of the enclosure.
Can I fit centralised lighting in an existing house?
Only where each lighting circuit can be run back to the panel, which normally means an extension, a rewire or a deep renovation. Otherwise a wireless system is the practical choice.
What happens if the Crestron processor fails?
By default the modules' inputs control their own outputs without a processor, so basic lighting can keep working if the panel is set up for it. Crestron also notes that the DIN-8SWU8 relays hold their state through a power cut.
Are the new modules available in Ireland?
Crestron says they are now shipping. We confirm Irish stock and lead times when we quote.
For the full Crestron range, see our Crestron shop.
Book a consultation or call our Cork office on 021 202 8107.
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