Lutron RA3
RA3 is Lutron’s wireless lighting and shading system – it controls lights, blinds and curtains from Pico controls, Vierti keypads or the Lutron app, without the panels and rewiring a full HomeWorks installation needs. Below: what RA3 does, where it stops, and what it costs in the UK.
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The system
What is Lutron RA3?
RA3 (RadioRA 3) is Lutron’s wireless lighting and shading control system for homes that don’t need the scale of HomeWorks. Dimmers sit in ceiling voids or wall boxes rather than in centralised panels, and the system is controlled from Pico controls, Vierti keypads or the Lutron app.
The only cabling an RA3 installation needs is an Ethernet run to the processor, which is powered over that same cable. Everything else communicates wirelessly over Clear Connect – this is why RA3 suits renovations and extensions where new control cabling isn’t practical.
Lutron RA3 systems are a great choice for renovations and/or retrofits.
which system
Is RA3 the right system for you?
RA3 and HomeWorks aren’t competing products — they’re built for different projects. This is the honest read on which one fits.
| Lutron RA3 | Lutron HomeWorks | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical UK cost | £3,000–£20,000+ | £20,000–£300,000+ |
| Best suited to | Renovations, extensions, apartments, single floors | Whole homes, new builds, large estates |
| Architecture | Wireless / hybrid — dimmers in ceiling voids | Wired — centralised panels in a plant room |
| Needs a plant room | No | Yes |
| New control cabling | Ethernet to the processor only – dimmers, keypads, controls, sensors and blinds communicate wirelessly over Clear Connect | Required |
| Devices supported | Up to 400 (200 Type X + 200 Type A) | Up to 10,000 zones |
| DALI / DMX fittings | No | Yes |
| Third-party integration | Control4, Crestron, Savant, HomeKit and Alexa | Deeper integration via LEAP, plus direct control of gates, locks, water systems and non-Lutron blinds |
Not sure which you need?
If lighting and Lutron blinds are the whole project, RA3 is usually enough. If the lighting needs to be integrated with third-party devices – gates, pedestrian locks, water systems or non-Lutron blinds – HomeWorks QSX is the preferred control system.
Read our full guide to Lutron HomeWorks →Working with other systems
Is RA3 the right system for you?
RA3 uses LEAP, Lutron’s encrypted integration protocol, to work alongside the control system running the rest of the house. Lighting and blinds can be driven from Control4, Crestron or Savant interfaces, or by voice through HomeKit, Alexa and Google.
What RA3 doesn’t do is drive non-Lutron hardware directly – gates, climate, AV and third-party blind motors need HomeWorks for that.
| System | What it does | Works with RA3 |
|---|---|---|
| Crestron | Lighting and blinds controlled from Crestron touch panels and keypads. | Yes |
| Control4 | RA3 scenes triggered from Control4 interfaces and automations. | Yes |
| Savant | Lighting and shading alongside AV and climate in one Savant interface. | Yes |
| Apple HomeKit | Siri voice control and Home app scenes. | Yes |
| Alexa / Google | Voice control of lights, scenes and blinds. | Yes |
| Sonos | Music triggered alongside lighting scenes. | Yes |
| Lutron blinds | Triathlon and Sivoia QS Wireless on the same keypads as the lighting. | Yes |
| Non-Lutron blinds | Third-party motors and curtain tracks. | No — HomeWorks only |
| Gates, CCTV, climate, AV | Whole-home scenes across other systems. | No — HomeWorks only |
CONTROLS
RA3 Keypads and controls
The part of the system you can actually touch. RA3 is controlled through Lutron’s wireless Pico range and the new Vierti keypads, available in the UK in a choice of finishes and engraved to your scene names.
Pico keypads
Wall-mounted scene control, engraved to match how each room is used.
Pico
Free-standing or handheld, so control isn’t fixed to a wall.
Vierti Keypads
Lutron’s newest keypad range, with a slim profile and a choice of finishes.
Installation
Lighting control without rewiring
The practical appeal of RA3 is what it doesn’t need. There’s no plant room, no DIN rail panels and, in most properties, no new control cabling — dimmers sit in ceiling voids or behind existing wall boxes.
The processor is powered over Ethernet, so it can be mounted centrally for coverage rather than wherever there happens to be a socket.
No plant room
No dedicated utility space or equipment cupboard required.
Minimal disruption
Existing wall boxes and finishes stay in place in most cases.
Phased installation
Start with key rooms and expand later — devices can be added to the system.
Shading
Blinds and curtains
RA3 drives Lutron’s wireless shading from the same keypads as the lighting — Triathlon battery-powered blinds, Sivoia QS Wireless, and Palladiom wireless shades for retrofit installations where no shading cabling exists.
sExisting systems
Upgrading from RadioRA 2
RA3 is backwards compatible with much of the RadioRA 2 range, so an upgrade usually doesn’t mean replacing everything. seeTouch keypads, Maestro dimmers and existing Lutron shades can typically stay in place while the processor is replaced.
What carries over from RA2
Existing seeTouch keypads, Maestro dimmers and Lutron shades generally remain usable. What changes is the processor and the app experience.
BUDGET
How much does a Lutron RA3 system cost in the UK?
A Lutron RA3 system typically costs between £3,000 and £20,000+ ex-VAT in the UK. A single-room or extension installation starts around £3,000, while a larger multi-room system with blinds runs into five figures. Cost is driven mainly by the number of lighting circuits, since RA3 uses one dimmer per circuit.
Published ranges below are based on a real 2026 quote. Every project differs, but these are honest starting points rather than saying “contact us for pricing”.
£3,000+
A handful of circuits, a few Pico controls
£5,000+
15 circuits, 10 Pico controls, one processor
£20,000+
Full-floor or whole-home with Lutron blinds
| Element | Indicative cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| RA3 Dual Radio Processor | ~450 | Per unit. One covers most homes; larger systems pair two. |
| RA3 in-line dimmer | ~£150 | Per lighting circuit. The main cost driver. |
| Pico controller | ~£80-£130 | Per unit. Wall-mounted, pedestal or free-standing. |
| Vierti keypads | ~£120-300 | Per unit. Varies by finish and button count. |
| Programming & setup | £950 | Scene setting, app configuration and handover. |
| Project management | Usually £0 | Typically included on standard wireless installations. |
Common questions
Lutron RA3 FAQ
What’s the difference between RA3 and HomeWorks?
RA3 is wireless and handles lighting and Lutron blinds. HomeWorks is wired, uses centralised panels, and integrates with systems beyond Lutron. See the full comparison →
Can I upgrade a RadioRA 2 system to RA3?
Usually yes. Many RA2 devices including seeTouch keypads, Maestro dimmers and Lutron shades are compatible with RA3.
How many devices can RA3 handle?
Up to 400 devices across paired processors.
Is RA3 the same as RA2 Select?
No. RA2 Select was a smaller, simpler system in the previous generation. RA3 is the current platform.
Can I install RA3 myself?
RA3 is programmed using Lutron software and is designed for installation by a trained Lutron professional.
Does RA3 work with Lumaris tape lighting?
Yes — RA3 supports Lumaris tunable white tape lighting for coves, joinery and architectural detail.
RESOURCES
HomeWorks brochures and guides
Official Lutron brochures and specification documents, free to download.
RA3 brochure (UK version)
The full RadioRA 3 system — capabilities, devices and how it works.
Lumaris linear lighting
Tunable white tape lighting for coves, joinery and architectural details.
Triathlon shading
Battery-powered roller blinds that install without shading cabling.
Triathlon selection guide
Choosing fabrics, sizes and mounting options for Triathlon blinds.
Palladiom wire-free shades
Battery-powered shading for retrofit installations with no shading cabling.
Residential shading solutions
Lutron’s blind, curtain and fabric ranges for the home.
Considering Lutron RA3 for your home?
We’ll talk through what the system can do, what it’s likely to cost, and whether RA3 or HomeWorks is the right fit — without pressure.
