IP44.de Connect explained: plug & play outdoor lighting with smart control
Quick summary: IP44.de Connect
IP44.de Connect is the plug-and-play installation system from German outdoor luminaire manufacturer IP44.de. It enables the complete installation and operation of garden luminaires above ground – with no buried cables, no transformer, and no electrician. All components are connected via a TWISTLOCK bayonet connector: the system clicks audibly into place, is immediately ready for use, and can be disconnected just as easily. The optional Casambi controller transforms the installation into a smart lighting system controllable via app – and thanks to the open Casambi platform, it can also be operated in a shared network with luminaires from other manufacturers. Leuchtenland plans and configures the system individually to your requirements.
What is the IP44.de Connect system?
IP44.de Connect is an above-ground 230-volt plug system for outdoor luminaires. Unlike conventional garden installations, which require mains cables to be buried underground and permanently wired, the entire Connect system is laid visibly on the surface – for example between ground-cover plants, along path edges, or against house walls.
This eliminates the typical costs and constraints of a fixed outdoor installation: no digging up the lawn, no expensive tradespeople, no building work. If planting or landscaping changes, the lighting system can simply be relocated – no excavator, no specialist required.
The system runs directly on 230 volts from a standard household socket or a dedicated socket post – no low-voltage transformer or complex driver technology needed. All compatible IP44.de luminaires are supplied ready-fitted with a Connect plug and are immediately operational.
TWISTLOCK: the system's connector technology
The heart of the Connect system is the TWISTLOCK connector technology. It works on the bayonet principle: insert the plug into the socket, turn slightly – and an audible click confirms that the connection is correctly and securely locked. This acoustic feedback prevents installation errors and makes the system foolproof even for non-professionals.
A gentle reverse turn is all it takes to disconnect. All connections are designed for permanent outdoor use and meet protection rating IP68 – provided that unused sockets are sealed with the supplied protective caps. Connections must be made above ground and horizontally only – neither vertically nor buried.
IP44.de Connect system components at a glance
The system consists of a small number of clearly coordinated components:
- Connect luminaires: All compatible IP44.de models (lin, pad, piek, piek lettura, shot, slat spike, stic spike, in A, in S) are supplied with a Connect plug. Ready to connect, no tools required.
- Y distribution box: Connects up to 2 luminaires to the system and combines them into a jointly switchable group.
- H distribution box: Connects up to 3 luminaires and enables larger groups – for example, all path lights in a garden section as a single unit.
- Extension cables: Available in lengths of 2 m, 5 m, and 10 m – for flexible spacing between luminaires and distribution boxes.
- Socket post: Above-ground double socket with earth connection as an alternative to a household socket – for positions away from the house facade.
- Underground connection kit: For cases where the mains connection needs to be run underground – the luminaires themselves always remain connected above ground.
- Casambi controller: The smart module for the system. Connected via TWISTLOCK in front of the luminaire or luminaire group and enables Bluetooth control via app.
The Casambi controller: smart lighting for outdoor spaces
With the optional IP44.de Casambi controller, the Connect system becomes a fully fledged smart lighting installation. The controller is inserted via TWISTLOCK into the existing connection chain – directly in front of the luminaire or luminaire group it is to control. Control is via the free Casambi app (iOS and Android) using Bluetooth Low Energy – no Wi-Fi, no gateway, no cloud connection required.
A single controller can switch and dim both an individual luminaire and an entire group of luminaires connected via distribution boxes. When multiple controllers are used, they automatically form a Bluetooth mesh network: the signal range is up to 30 metres from controller to controller – sufficient for generous garden and outdoor installations.
Important installation note: A Y or H distribution box must always be placed between any two controllers. Two controllers must never be connected directly to one another – this would irreparably damage both devices. When using a single controller, the IP44.de logo must face towards the smartphone or tablet, as the antenna is located directly behind the logo. When using multiple controllers, the logos should ideally be angled at 45° to one another.
What can the Casambi controller do in everyday use?
- Switching and dimming: Switch individual luminaires or groups on and off and dim them steplessly – with a tap in the app.
- Saving lighting scenes: Save individually configured lighting moods permanently and recall them at the touch of a button – such as subtle path lighting, a bright terrace scene, or a dimmed ambient mode.
- Timer: Automatically switch luminaires on or off at set times – ideal for security lighting or when away on holiday.
- Presence simulation: The system simulates an occupied home by switching and dimming variably.
- Group control: Combine multiple luminaires or controllers into groups and control them synchronously.
Casambi: the open system – and why that matters
The IP44.de Connect controller is based on Casambi technology from the Finnish company of the same name – an open Bluetooth mesh standard used by a wide range of leading luminaire manufacturers worldwide. This means: IP44.de Connect luminaires can be operated in the same Casambi network as luminaires from other brands that also use Casambi.
In practice, this means: anyone controlling IP44.de Connect luminaires in the garden via Casambi and also using, for example, Occhio luminaires with Occhio air (also Casambi-based) or other Casambi-compatible indoor or outdoor luminaires in the home, can bring all these luminaires together in one shared network. Groups, scenes, and timers then apply across all manufacturers and products – the entire lighting of a home, from the garden to the living room, is coordinated via a single app.
Casambi has established itself as the industry standard for wireless lighting control in professional and premium residential settings. The platform is not tied to any single manufacturer, guaranteeing a long-term open, expandable infrastructure.
IP44.de Connect: who is it for and which projects does it suit?
The Connect system is particularly well suited to:
- New and redesigned gardens where fixed electrical installations are too complex or costly.
- Rental properties and temporary installations where the lighting system needs to be set up and removed without any permanent modifications.
- Extensions to existing outdoor installations without groundwork or intervention in existing electrical systems.
- Smart home integrations where outdoor and indoor lighting is to be combined in a shared Casambi network.
- Planning projects where the lighting layout needs to remain flexible – for example because planting or architecture may still change.
Planning and configuration by Leuchtenland
An IP44.de Connect system can be installed quickly – but for the best results, careful planning pays off: how many luminaires should be grouped together? Where are controllers most useful? Which cable lengths and distribution boxes are needed? How many Casambi networks and scenes should be set up?
Leuchtenland handles this planning for you. We advise you on selecting the right IP44.de Connect luminaires, create a system configuration tailored to your garden or outdoor space with all the components needed, and support you in setting up the Casambi control – so your system works exactly as you envisage from day one.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Do I need an electrician for IP44.de Connect?
No electrician is required to connect the luminaires, distribution boxes, extension cables, and controller to one another – the system is designed as a DIY installation using TWISTLOCK connectors. Standard electrical installation rules apply to the mains connection (socket, socket post, or underground connection kit). Ask Leuchtenland: we will assess your specific situation and plan the overall system.
Can I use IP44.de Connect in rain and during winter?
Yes. The system is designed for year-round outdoor use. When closed, the TWISTLOCK connections meet protection rating IP68 (dustproof and waterproof). Prerequisites: all unused sockets must be sealed with protective caps, and connections must not be submerged in standing water.
Can I control IP44.de Connect together with luminaires from other manufacturers in one app?
Yes – provided the other luminaires are also Casambi-compatible. As the IP44.de Casambi controller is based on the open Casambi Bluetooth standard, IP44.de Connect luminaires can be integrated into the same Casambi network as luminaires from other brands (e.g. Occhio air, further Casambi-compatible indoor and outdoor luminaires). Scenes, groups, and timers then apply across all manufacturers throughout the entire network.
How large can an IP44.de Connect system become?
The system size is flexibly scalable. The range between two controllers is up to 30 metres in open terrain. By adding further controllers that form a mesh network, the installation can be extended to cover outdoor areas of any size. For planning larger systems, we recommend a personal consultation with Leuchtenland.
What happens if I connect two controllers directly?
This must not happen: two controllers must never be connected directly to one another. A Y or H distribution box must always be placed between any two controllers. A direct controller-to-controller connection will cause irreparable damage to both devices.
Can I expand or reconfigure the system later?
Yes – this is one of the core advantages of IP44.de Connect. As all connections are above ground and plug-based, luminaires can be relocated, new ones added, or entire sections replanned at any time – with no groundwork and no tradespeople. Leuchtenland is also happy to support you with expanding existing systems.
In summary:
IP44.de Connect is the thoroughly conceived plug-and-play system for high-quality outdoor lighting without compromise: 230 volts, laid above ground, secured by TWISTLOCK, and expandable or reconfigurable at any time. With the Casambi controller, the system becomes a fully fledged smart lighting solution – and through the open Casambi platform, it can be combined with luminaires from other manufacturers into a single, cross-brand lighting network. Leuchtenland plans and configures your IP44.de Connect system individually – from luminaire selection and system configuration to Casambi setup.
