Rako
Rako is a lighting control system designed and made by Rako Controls in Rochester, Kent, a company founded in 2002. Instead of one switch per circuit, you get keypads that recall scenes: several lights set to the right levels with one press, in one room or across the whole house. A Rako system can be wireless, wired, or a mix of both, and it can run curtains and blinds as well as lighting.
A scene is a saved set of light levels. Evening in a kitchen might put the pendants at 40%, the under-cabinet LEDs at 70% and turn the downlights off. One button recalls it and the lights fade to those levels. Another button fades everything off.
Scenes can cover a single room or several. A common setup is an "all off" button by the front door and a "welcome" scene that lights the hall, stairs and kitchen together. With the Hub, scenes can also run on a timer, at dawn and dusk, or in a holiday mode that makes the house look occupied.
Three layers
Every Rako system has the same three layers: keypads that send commands, modules that switch and dim the lights, and a Hub that connects the system to your home network.
Keypads go on the wall where switches would be. There are three styles: Classic, the all-metal screwless EOS, and Modular, each in wired and wireless versions and a choice of plate finishes. Wireless keypads are battery-powered, so they need no cable.
Modules do the switching and dimming. In a wireless system they sit near the lights, in the ceiling void or, with the RMT-PILL, in the back box. In a wired system they sit together in a cupboard, on RAK racks or DIN rail.
The Hub connects Rako to your router. It adds app control, voice control through Alexa, Google Home and Apple Home, timed events, and NFC programming. The RK-HUB is for wireless systems. The WK-HUB is for wired systems and bridges to wireless devices too.
Beyond these, interfaces and accessories add presence sensors, inputs from gates and alarm systems, and repeaters for larger houses.
Wireless Rako works with your existing lighting circuits. A wireless module goes in line with each circuit, and battery keypads go wherever you want them. It suits refits, extensions and single rooms, and you can add to it later.
In a wired system, keypads connect over CAT5 cable and the dimming happens centrally, in RAK racks, DIN modules or wired modules. It suits new builds, major renovations and larger houses where walls are open anyway.
The two can be combined. The WK-HUB bridges wired and wireless devices, and the RX-LINK lets a central RAK stack respond to wireless keypads. A typical use is a wired main house with a wireless extension or garden room.
Match the load
The right module depends on the lights on each circuit.
Always check the lamp or driver maker's dimming details. If you're not sure, send us the fittings on each circuit and we'll suggest a module.
Rako controls motorised curtains, blinds and screens from the same keypads as the lighting, so a "goodnight" scene can close the curtains and turn the lights off together. Wireless options include the RACUB, the RACUB2L for mains motors and the RACUB24DC for 24V DC motors. Wired systems use the DIN-4C or WM-CUB. See all curtain and blind control.
A Rako system has to be programmed, or commissioned, before it works: each keypad button is linked to the right lights and each scene is set. Wireless systems can be commissioned with Rako's RASOFT Pro software through the RAMPI USB interface, and NFC keypads can be added through the Hub. Most homeowners have their installer do this.
If you're planning a project, send us a floor plan or a room list and we'll suggest wired, wireless or a mix, with a parts list you can price up.
Tell us about the houseRako is a complete lighting control system with dedicated keypads, designed scenes and professional commissioning. Shelly turns the switches you already have into smart switches, one circuit at a time, and you set it up yourself in an app. If you want to start small or build automations in Home Assistant, read What is Shelly?.
Not if you choose wireless. Wireless modules fit in line with your existing lighting circuits and the keypads run on batteries. A wired system needs CAT5 cable to each keypad.
You need a Hub for app control, voice control, timed events and NFC programming. Use the RK-HUB for a wireless system and the WK-HUB for a wired or hybrid one.
Yes. The Hub links Rako to Alexa, Google Home and Apple Home through a my.rakocontrols.com account. It also works with Sonos.
Most mains dimmable LED lamps work with a trailing-edge module such as the RMT-500. How smoothly they dim at low levels depends on the lamp, so check the lamp maker's dimming information first.
Rako modules connect to mains wiring and the system needs commissioning, so we recommend an electrician or a Rako installer.
You can show prices inc VAT or ex VAT with the switch at the top of every page.