Technical Archives

Living Building Challenge Compliant Since 2020

DMF downlights surpass international sustainability standards, helping clear the path towards multiple regulatory incentives

June 5, 2023

DMF Lighting is proud to have its LED Downlight System and Surface-Mount LED carrying the Declared Label and be Living Building Challenge compliant since 2020. The Living Building Challenge is an international sustainable building certification program. Similar to LEED, Green Globes, and other standards recognized by local, state, and international governments, it’s the world’s most rigorous proven performance standard for buildings. People from around the world use its regenerative design framework to create spaces that give more than they take.

Living Buildings are:

Regenerative buildings that connect occupants to light, air, food, nature, and community.
Self-sufficient and remain within the resource limits of their site.
Create a positive impact on the human and natural systems that interact with them.

“An LBC certified building has to use construction materials – including lighting equipment – that do not contain certain toxins. Using an LBC Compliant product meets this mandate, eliminating adverse environmental, health, and social impacts.”

Benjamin Chen
Product Architect, DMF Lighting

DMF’s commitment to better living

Efficiency and sustainability are core values at DMF, pushing us to design ever-more energy efficient lights and informing the materials we use to build our products. Projects using DMF’s downlight system and surface-mount cylinders, are on the pathway to reaching the top classification of Living Certified.

LBC Red List Approved under the Declare program, DMF’s downlight and cylinders fulfill the disclosure credit requirements under LBC Materials Petal Imperatives in fostering a transparent materials economy free of certain toxins and harmful chemicals deemed non-sustainable. In addition, the Declare program is also an officially recognized compliance path in LEED v4 under the Building Product Optimization credit.

Regulatory Incentives

Developers who choose to become LBC compliant ensure the sustainability of their project, and may even qualify for certain regulatory incentives. “In Seattle, projects in certain zones with LBC certification could build up to 25% more floor area and height than regulations allow,” stated Chen. While in Miami Beach, LBC compliant projects may be eligible for a full rebate on mandated sustainability fees. Moreover, LBC certification increases a building’s long-term value, and makes it more desirable for clients interested in reducing their environmental footprint. Compelling incentive case studies can also currently be seen in Vancouver, Washington, Ohio, and Oregon.

Using non-LBC compliant products puts developers and designers at risk of including toxic materials in a project. By using LBC Declared and compliant products like DMF’s LED lighting solutions, projects are one step closer to pursuing the highest level of sustainability and regenerative design.

For more information on DMF’s Living Building Challenge compliance, please visit our Declare Products page.

Learn more about the International Living Future Institute.

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Products Technical

X Series: Performance in a Small Package

See product renders and lighting performance of the X Series 2″ downlight and 3″ cylinder product families.

April 18, 2023

Our X Series line has been thoughtfully engineered to provide the minimal appearance of a 2” aperture, while still delivering the lighting performance of a 4” fixture. To give you a better idea of its light distribution and how you can use it for a variety of purposes, we put together conceptual spaces that we have modeled with X Series and X Series Cylinder.

Note: To best demonstrate the lighting’s effect, the spaces have minimal finishes, a neutral color palette, and no natural light. The fixture types are all 1000 lm, 3000K CCT. Some fixtures types are dimmed and noted as such in the description.

Corporate Brand Wall

20ft (6.1m) x 30ft (9.1m) x 12ft (3.66m) Ceiling Height

D1 | Spot – Housing: X2NCR, Module: XMD10930WFT, Trim: X2TRDSWH
D2 | Wall Wash – Housing: X2NCR, Module: XMD10930WFT, Trim: X2TRDWWH

Corporate Lobby

Corporate Art

Conference Room

Office Huddle Room

Retail Space

Corporate Pantry

Hotel Guest Bathroom

Hospitality Space

Corridor 1

Corridor 2

Learn more about the X Series and X Series Cylinder.

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Products Technical

DRD Series Makes 2022 Best Products List

Architectural Record recognizes DRD + M Series as a product of the year winner

December 1, 2022

The editors of Architectural Record magazine have named the DRD + M Series as a winner of their Best Lighting Products of 2022.

Judged on the basis of innovation, function, sustainability, and aesthetics, the panel of architects and designers were impressed by the lighting solution’s modularity, performance, and high quality finishes. The DRD Series is designed to install into any application including sloped, wood and concrete ceilings, and is engineered for ultimate flexibility.

Architectural Record’s annual competition presents the best new luminaires and fixtures of the year. View the full list of winners.

Learn more about the DRD Series.

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Products Technical

M Series Options

A quick guide to all the options available for the new M Series

November 1, 2022

Note: This Bulletin was originally published on 11/01/22 and has been updated to reflect the new product offerings.

The all-new M Series Housings and Trims bring a host of new features, options, and improvements to our already stellar DRD Series. Here’s a breakdown of all the available options.

Round

Housing

Installation: New Construction, Remodel
Rating: Standard, Fire, Chicago Plenum, Concrete Tight
Specialty Options: Low-Profile, Double Housing, Emergency Lighting

Trim

Style: Round, Hyperbolic, Pinhole, Pinhole, Wall Wash, Flangeless, Decorative, Emergency, Dead Front
Finish: White, Black, Bronze, Clear Diffuse,, Custom

Square

Housing

Installation: New Construction, Remodel
Rating: Standard, Fire, Chicago Plenum
Specialty Options: Low-Profile, Emergency Lighting

Trim

Style: Square, Round on Square, Pinhole, Pinhole, Wall Wash, Flangeless, Decorative, Emergency, Dead Front
Finish: White, Black, Bronze, Clear Diffuse, Custom

Learn more about the M Series.

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Featured Blog Post Products Technical

Our Award Winning Modules Just Got Better

With more options and a simpler installation, the M Series Housings and Trims redefine the DRD Downlighting System

October 5, 2022

The all-new M Series Housings and Trims bring a host of new features, options, and improvements to our already stellar DRD Series. Available in Round or Square, New Construction or Remodel, the housings install easier and more precisely, while refreshed trims pair the downlight with an even wider range of design aesthetics.

Rated E for Everything

M Series housings are designed to install nearly anywhere. Replacing our award-winning OneFrame and SquareFrame platforms, the 4″ housings feature even more ratings and installation options to comply with almost any building code.

Remodel Installation

The M Series Remodel Housing brings all the features of the OneFrame and SquareFrame housings to closed ceiling installations. Available in Round or Square, the housing installs simply — cut hole existing ceilings, insert housing and pop out spring clips.

No Space, No Problem

The compact M Series Housings adjusts for optimal fixture placement in crowded plenum space to accommodate ductwork, framing and plumbing. When even less space is available, the all-new Low Profile Housing requires less than 3″ of ceiling space.

Double Header

Transform the DRD Series into a recessed multiple with the new M Series Double Housing. Increase light output or direct light in multiple directions, all without visible hardware.

New Flangeless Trims

The M Series Flangeless Trims pair with our new Mud Plate, which are lighter, thinner, and easier to mud-in for the cleanest look possible.

In addition, the Flangeless Trims are redesigned for compatibility with wood and millwork surfaces. The new tension clips allow simple installation directly into cutouts created by standard routers or hole saws.

Wall Wash

Completely re-designed, the all-new Wall Wash Trims now offer the same aesthetic as a Beveled Round Trim for a more cohesive fixture-to-fixture design. The trim also reduces light loss to produce brighter, more efficient angled lighting.

More Finishes

In addition to White and Black, which return as the two most popular finishes, we’ve added Bronze, Clear Diffuse and Warm Diffuse options to provide a splash of color to the traditional finish. As always, Custom Color is available for all trims to match any vision.

With a range of new M Series options and increased light output up to 1500 lumens (some restrictions apply see spec sheet for details), the upgraded DRD Series continues to hit every lighting spec you may come across. This versatile solution with integrated TRIAC/ELV and 0-10V drivers keeps up with the fast-paced and ever-changing nature of projects.

Learn more about the DRD Series.

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Products Technical

Open Ceiling Lighting

Configure DMF’s DCC Cylinder System to meet the unique lighting challenges presented by open ceilings

August 8, 2022

Prevalent across office layouts, open ceiling designs have no drop ceilings. Instead, traditionally covered ceiling structures, HVAC systems and electrical are exposed to offer a distinct industrial design. Plus, the removed ceiling increases the height of the room to make it feel more spacious.

However, the exposed structure also presents a unique set of design challenges. While the goal is to create a modern, unfinished aesthetic, visible wiring and junction boxes can make an open ceiling look inadvertently messy if executed poorly. In addition, higher ceilings can make lighting more difficult as light must travel a further distance to the work surface. That’s where the DCC Cylinder comes in.

Custom Length

With dozens of options and over a million configurations, the DCC Cylinder is DMF’s most versatile product. One of the most popular options is customizing the length of the suspended pendants to match whatever your project needs. Available as a Stem or Cord Mount, the suspended cylinder length is among the longest in industry at up to 156″, illuminating even the tallest of spaces.

Junction Box Covers

In an open ceiling layout, the network of conduit powering the suspended cylinders is completely visible. And depending on the lighting layout, each cylinder can feature anywhere between one and four conduit branches. While the solid metal conduit and elbow connections can add to the industrial design, the junction boxes usually do not. So instead of unsightly junction boxes ruining an open ceiling, designers can opt to utilize junction box covers.

Compatible with octagon and square boxes, each junction box cover features interchangeable open and closed knockouts that can be configured to match the desired lighting layout. Available in the same finishes as the Cylinder itself, the junction box covers complete the look for Cylinders in open ceilings.

Emergency Lighting

In addition to junction box covers, the DCC Cylinder’s entire suite of features remain available in open ceiling applications, even Emergency Lighting. Featuring two ceiling mounted remote drivers, the EM cylinder illuminates and dims identically in standard operation. When the emergency LED driver detects the loss of normal power, it switches control to battery power in emergency mode.

Learn more about these and other options for the DCC Cylinder System.

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Products Technical

Protected From Every Angle

The DCC Cylinder System is now IP65 rated against solid objects and liquids from all angles

July 20, 2022

With a host of moisture protection options, including a gasket and protective lens, the DCC Cylinder System has always featured a UL Listed Wet Location option. These protections allow the Cylinder to install in high moisture areas such as restrooms or covered patios. Now, even more safe guards make it compatible with even wetter areas, including outdoors.

Enhanced Water Protection, Same Design

When our engineers set out to improve the DCC’s moisture rating, it was imperative that any modifications not compromise they Cylinder’s sleek, modern design. The new rubber gasket and water-tight wall connector remain completely hidden, while the added cap only shows as a subtle lip near the top of the Surface Mount Cylinder.

These enhancements underwent rigorous water testing, even going beyond what third-party accreditation organizations conduct. We let water pool on the surface of the Cylinder and even submerged them underwater. All this to ensure they continue to meet DMF’s highest standards.

IP65

In addition to UL Listed for Wet Locations, all of our Wet Rated Cylinders are now IP65 rated as well. Administered by the IEC, an IP65 rating equates to the highest protection against solid foreign objects and low pressure water jets from all angles.

As always, Wet Rated is available for the Surface, Stem and Wall Mount Cylinders. The new IP65 rating is being added to our existing UL Wet Rated Cylinders. No changes to ordering or pricing — you’ll now simply receive the new and improved Wet Rated Cylinders.

Learn more about these and other options for the DCC Cylinder System.

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Products Technical

Light It Up

The pendant uplight provides glare-free illumination at elevated levels while highlighting architectural elements

May 4, 2022

The DCC is now more versatile than ever. Its wide range of options, including mounting, beam angles, lumen outputs, finishes, trims and shades, provide brilliant illumination and beautiful design. We pushed this versatility even further with the Cord or Stem Mount Uplight, which provide a truly unique light distribution uncommon for pendant cylinders.

Looking Up

DMF started the uplight project to add more indirect light from our pendant. By adding another light source, you can increase the amount of light in a space by reflecting it back down to the surface. You get more light back down without increasing glare.

We asked lighting designers where they would put a pendant with an uplight, and they said “All over the place!”

People are focused on more comfortable lighting. They’re tired of getting blasted by LEDs and are willing to invest in an indirect light that will make their environment comfortable. Having efficient light fixtures and more comfortable ways of lighting a space using indirect lighting is definitely the future.

Shadowless Design

We developed our own UL certified support system that adds strength while limiting light loss. The unique propeller design channels the cord from the connector to the module, while delivering a shadowless stream of light.

A More Flexible Solution

The addition of a pendant uplight allows the DCC Cylinder to reach new heights. Combining glare-free illumination with the ability to highlight architectural elements replaces the need for unsightly troffers or linear fixtures.

And while linear fixtures efficiently provide direct and indirect lighting, pendants can be arranged in a less restrictive manner. This gives designers freedom to arrange fixtures and customize the space.

Ideal for high or exposed ceilings, the DCC Cord Mount Cylinder is a revolutionary solution for general and accent lighting from one light source.

Learn more about the DCC Cylinder series.

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Products Technical

DCC Cylinder: Modular Design

With interchangeable trims, shades and even modules, the DCC LED Cylinder has reached a level of flexibility and customization unmatched in the industry

April 1, 2022

When DMF set out to design a functional light that could also be decorative, our engineers didn’t start from scratch. Instead, they utilized modular designs to transform our LED Cylinder into an all-new, revolutionary lighting system.

We engineered all the options and accessories with the same exceptional flexibility of our award-winning downlights to create the DCC Cylinder. And like all DMF products, they’re easy to install and effortless to maintain.

Brilliance. Customized.

At the core of the DCC Cylinder resides DMF’s advanced LED modules. With a downlight, uplight or adjustable lighting type, they brilliantly illuminate any space with superior color rendition. They offer tool-free, field changeable optics and accessories that are easy for anyone to use. In addition, you can swap out the entire LED module without rewiring or an electrician thanks to its integrated driver.

Interchangeable accessories = even more applications

With trim and shade options, you can configure the form of the DCC to fit a vast range of applications. Even better, all the accessories feature a Twist & lock component, allowing for simple modifications on-site.

Trims, shades, specialty options, and even a light engine that can be swapped out in the field, the DCC Cylinder provides ultimate control during and after installation. With a full range of options, it can change on the fly to meet the needs of your most challenging specification.

Mix and match to create the light you need for the space you want.

Learn more about the DCC Cylinder.

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Products Technical

Next Generation Dimming

A dimming guidance for the next generation DRD2 and DRD4 LED Modules

March 10, 2022

DMF Lighting’s latest DRD Series Modules offer industry leading performance and guaranteed dimming compatibility thanks to our proprietary T2 and O1 LED Drivers. Designed and developed in-house, the Drivers provide 1% flicker free dimming, smooth fading and compatibility with either forward or reverse phase dimmers.

Fully integrated into the modules for simplified installation and maintenance, we’ve tested and finely tuned our drivers to be compatible with a broad range of dimmers from various manufacturers, including Lutron, Leviton, Eaton and Legrand. While we stand confidently behind the DRD2 and DRD4 performance under all conditions, customers often request guidance when selecting a suitable dimming system.

What to consider when selecting a dimmer

Aside from user functionality and aesthetic preferences, here are three things to consider when selecting a dimmer for a DRD Series Module in order to maximize performance.

Neutral Wire Connection

We recommend a dimmer with a direct neutral wire connection. This ensures internal power supply regulation and is especially needed for smart dimmers or very light circuits, such as only one or two fixtures connected to a dimmer.

Dimming Protocol

Reverse phase or ELV dimming are the recommended protocols for the DRD Series. Reverse phase or ELV dimming eliminate any potential audible buzzing from the dimmer or fixture.

An adaptive dimmer capable of reverse or forward phase dimming can be utilized to maximize flexibility. The default setting for adaptive dimmers is reverse phase to ensure best operation for LED lamps.

Minimum Level Trimming

The minimum setting for a dimmer can output a different voltage. The DRD Series Modules dim to 1% brightness when the dimmers output is 17V. Most dimmers will dim down to this level. For dimmers that do not dim down to this level, the light output of a fully dimmed fixture may not meet expectations.

Some dimmers can output significantly below this level. For these, the modules may dim less than 1% brightness, but may result in inconsistency between the fixtures. For example, some fixture may turn off while others remain dimly lit. To correct this, many dimmers offer some form of trimming to adjust the minimum level up or down. This can establish consistency between fixtures and is recommend for all dimmers. Please refer to the dimmers specification or installation sheet for more details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you recommend the best dimmer to use with my DRD2 or DRD4 Modules?

Performance is guaranteed for a wide variety of dimmer manufacturers. However, our testing shows that the Lutron PRO series of dimmers provide exceptional dimming performance and flexibility. Models within the PRO series include the Maestro MA-PRO, RadioRA3 RRST-PRO and Caseta PD-10NXD.

I am using a Caseta PD-6WCL dimmer. It does not have a neutral wire connection and is rated for Incandescent/CFL/LED. Will this dimmer work well with the DRD2 or DRD4 Modules?

Yes. The Caseta dimmer provides excellent dimming performance when used with the DRD Series Modules. Refer to the Caseta instruction manual for details on trimming the minimum level if required.

Can I use my DRD2 and DRD4 Modules with a centralized dimming panel?

Yes. The DRD Series Modules have excellent performance when using a dimming panel from various vendors including Lutron, Crestron, Savant and Control4.

How many DRD2 or DRD4 Modules can I connect to my dimmer?

Dimmers rated specifically for LEDs will have a max load rating which can be used without any further derating to calculate the maximum number of fixtures.

If the dimmer does not have a published LED rating, the circuit should be limited to 50% of its normal rating, so a 600W dimmer should be limited to 300W LED load or 24 DRD2 modules rated at 12.5W each.

Can I connect a single DRD2 or DRD4 Module to my dimmer?

A single DRD2 or DRD4 Module will provide sufficient load for the dimmer to operate. When possible, a dimmer with a neutral wire connection should be used in this application to avoid any potential dimmer issues.

Still Have a Question?

If you’re still having dimmer compatibility issues, our highly-trained and experienced Customer Solutions is here to help. Simply complete our Contact form and a member will reply back via phone or email.

Located in our Los Angeles Headquarters, the Customer Solutions Team has direct access to our in-house engineers, guaranteeing you expert level trouble shooting.

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