Casambi Explained: Debunking the Top 5 Questions Our Customers Ask

Smart Lighting with Casambi: Debunking the Top 5 Questions Our Customers Ask

In a recent discussion with our Casambi expert, Martin Bevz, we aimed to address the top five questions that our customers frequently have.

Whether you're a building owner, facility manager, or installer, understanding the nuances of installing and operating a Casambi smart lighting system is essential. Here are the most common inquiries we've encountered, along with insights to help you navigate the process with confidence.

How compatible is Casambi with my existing lighting infrastructure and other building systems?

Casambi is built on the Casambi Bluetooth Module (CBM), which can be integrated into nearly any lighting product, including LED drivers, dimmers, smart switches, and sensors. This flexible ecosystem supports a wide range of lighting scenarios, whether wireless, wired, or without any existing control system. Casambi boasts out-of-the-box compatibility with common protocols such as DALI, KNX, DMX, and 0-10V, while its open API allows for easy interfacing with third-party platforms, including Building Management Systems (BMS), audiovisual (AV) systems, and Internet of Things (IoT) frameworks. With thousands of interoperable devices from major lighting manufacturers classified as Casambi Ready, users can expand or retrofit their systems without falling prey to vendor lock-in.

The open ecosystem encourages third-party development, leading to a growing market of innovative Casambi-compatible products. Additionally, the wireless mesh topology eliminates the need for new control wiring, ensuring reliable performance in both new constructions and retrofit projects. Over-the-air updates and backward compatibility keep the system current without requiring significant hardware changes. With over 15 years of proven technology deployed in global projects, Casambi is trusted in environments such as hospitals, airports, heritage sites, and high-performance settings.

What are the security and privacy implications of using a wireless lighting control system like Casambi?

Casambi networks function as decentralized, self-healing mesh topologies that can accommodate up to 250 nodes, with each node maintaining a full backup of the network configuration. These networks are not internet-facing and do not have IP addresses; instead, they communicate using a proprietary Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocol. Users have control over firmware updates, can lock devices to prevent unauthorized unpairing, and can choose to hide networks or back them up to the cloud.

To ensure robust security, Casambi employs layered encryption across all communication channels, utilizing AES-128 encryption, SHA-256 hashing, elliptic curve cryptography (ECDH and ECDSA), and unique rolling codes to thwart replay attacks. Casambi's commitment to network security is further demonstrated by its ioXt Alliance cybersecurity certification, affirming its dedication to protecting customers and stakeholders. Additionally, the company's vulnerability disclosure policy and collaboration with ethical hackers highlight its proactive approach to threat mitigation, ensuring secure deployments in critical environments such as hospitals and airports.

How easy is it to set up, control, and maintain a Casambi system, especially for non-technical users?

Casambi is easily controlled through a free, intuitive mobile app that eliminates the need for laptops, gateways, or programming tools. The app features a visual, drag-and-drop interface designed for non-technical users, allowing for quick grouping, scene setting, scheduling, and automation. Commissioning is efficient and cable-free, as devices automatically establish a secure wireless mesh network upon power-up. Normal operation does not require an internet connection; everything functions reliably via Bluetooth locally. The app offers flexible network access levels (User, Manager, Admin) to ensure control without the risk of accidental changes. Users can deploy pre-configured profiles, templates, and scenes across multiple devices with just a few taps. Maintenance is minimal, with firmware updates and configuration backups easily handled via the app and delivered over-the-air.

Additionally, advanced features such as daylight control, presence detection, and timers can be activated without the need for external hardware or complex wiring. With ongoing support from a global user base, extensive documentation, and a continually expanding ecosystem of compatible tools and devices, Casambi ensures an efficient and user-friendly experience.

What are the energy efficiency and cost-saving benefits of using Casambi, and what is the return on investment?

Casambi facilitates smart lighting control strategies—such as daylight harvesting, presence detection, and time-based scheduling—that significantly reduce energy consumption. This means lights are only on when necessary and at the optimal brightness, directly resulting in lower electricity costs. The wireless commissioning feature eliminates the need for control wiring, which minimizes installation time, labor, and material costs. Additionally, Casambi is retrofit-friendly, allowing existing luminaires to be upgraded without the need to replace fittings or rewire buildings. Ongoing maintenance costs remain low due to the robust mesh networking capabilities, remote diagnostics, and over-the-air updates. The open ecosystem promotes competitive procurement, avoiding vendor lock-in and the expenses associated with proprietary infrastructure. Payback periods are typically short, particularly when factoring in the savings from bypassing high rewiring costs or the space required for control cabinets in retrofit projects. Furthermore, additional savings can be realized by integrating Casambi with broader building systems to achieve centralized efficiency gains.

What are the limitations of the Casambi wireless mesh network, particularly in large or complex buildings?

While Casambi is well-suited for most commercial and institutional projects, ultra-high-density or high-security environments may necessitate enhanced design considerations. Each Casambi network can support up to 250 nodes, meaning larger deployments will require segmentation into multiple networks, which can be bridged but needs careful planning. Since Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) has a limited physical range of approximately 30–50 meters indoors per hop, the presence of dense building materials or expansive open spaces may require strategic node placement. Additionally, metallic enclosures can significantly weaken BLE signals, potentially necessitating the use of external antennas or signal repeaters. The performance of the network can vary based on mesh density, with sparse networks possibly experiencing weaker communication or longer response times.

Remote access capabilities require a dedicated gateway and internet connectivity, while cross-network coordination—such as synchronizing scenes or schedules—will also depend on gateways or integration through APIs or Building Management Systems (BMS). Battery-powered nodes, such as sensors or switches, may require maintenance in difficult-to-reach locations, depending on their usage and battery life.