What Electricians Need to Know About Installing Sports Lighting Controllers

If you’re an electrician working on public park or recreational court projects, there’s a good chance pickleball or tennis lighting is on your radar. And if you’re getting asked to install control systems for those lights, here’s what you need to know—fast.

Modern lighting controllers like the Theta Labs LC3 are designed to make your job easier, not harder. Whether you’re doing a retrofit or wiring a new install, here’s a breakdown of what matters most.

1. The System is Low-Voltage Friendly

The LC3 controller operates with a low-voltage trigger input. That means you won’t be running high-voltage switching loads directly through the push buttons or timer interface. You’ll wire in a dry contact from the activation station to the control box, which then handles the zone relay.

This keeps things safe, simple, and scalable.

2. Each Zone Runs Independently

Each LC3 box can support 2, 4, 6, or 8 separate lighting zones. Each zone can be wired to a specific circuit—like a single court, a double, or even parking lot lighting.

You can:

• Map each relay to its own lighting breaker
• Set custom timer durations per zone
• Run separate control buttons to each zone (or cluster them at a central pedestal)

This gives you tons of layout flexibility without needing a complex wiring scheme.

3. It Works with Existing Infrastructure

Most installs use the customer’s existing light poles, trenching, and panel boards. You’re just adding a compact control box between the timer button and the lighting load.

Retrofit installs usually take 1–2 days depending on trenching and pole access. You won’t need a special lift or advanced programming tools—just standard wiring gear and a basic drill for mounting.

4. Built-In Beeper and Timer Feedback

When a user presses the button, the system beeps and lights activate. Near the end of the timer, it beeps again to let them know the session is ending. If no one adds time, the lights shut off automatically.

That means:

• Fewer late-night “lights left on” calls
• Less strain on maintenance teams
• Clear, user-friendly interaction with no staff required

5. Built and Supported in Texas

If you have install questions, you’re not calling overseas. Theta Labs ships from Texas and supports from Texas. If anything goes wrong—or you need a quick spec sheet—we’ve got your back.

Planning an install or need wiring guidance?
Contact Theta Labs and we’ll send you a wiring diagram and support guide that’s simple to follow and ready to go.