Category Archives: Lighting Design

Informtaion of lighting schemes and architectural lighting together with details of how energy saving light bulbs can contribute to interior design.

Light Bulb General Information, Lighting Design, Technologies

An Introduction to DMX Lighting Control

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DMX1DMX lighting control is all about taking your lighting experience to another whole new level. It has revolutionized the lighting industry with intelligent technological advancements.

In the past, intelligent lighting domain was a preserve for those considered professionals. However, with the development and design of more affordable electrical, electronic, plus computer control systems, superior good lighting effects can now be realized.

Understanding Intelligent Lighting?

DMX2Intelligent lighting comprises unique elements that can be controlled remotely. At an intricate level, this might involve moving heads, patterns & colors. And on a simple level, only the color can be controlled with RGB LEDs or a dimmer. In short, intelligent lighting is amazing.

Integrating a controller, DMX lighting makes it possible for you to simultaneously send signals to multiple devices, sequencing them automatically with a pre-determined view or operating the effects live on-the-fly. If you have watched the popular Halloween house lights video set to thriller, you should know that it utilizes DMX intelligent lighting control.

So, What Is DMX?

DMX is a digital, unidirectional serial protocol without error checking capabilities. It’s very reliable but prone to interference, something which makes it unfit for hazardous effects like pyrotechnics. For instance, a stray signal/electrical interference might cause a flame tower. Like many digital cables, the quality of produced signals decreases over long distances & repeaters can be incorporated into the lighting system to increase the distance/split the signal using Ethernet switches. The DMX cabling itself comprises 2 shielded twisted pairs. Technically, 5-pin DMX wiring should be used, but certain manufacturers have designed 3-pin versions that can run over conventional microphone XLR cabling.

Are Your Lighting Fixtures DMX Capable?

DMX3A DMX-capable lighting fixture should have more than two XLR connectors (which must be marked as DMX IN / OUT) and a way to set the DMX address (i.e. either small switches arranged in a row or a control panel). Note that the XLR connectors can have three or five pins, but it depends on the manufacturer. Just refer to the fixture manual to establish the number of DMX channels the light uses.

Will your lighting system work with DMXIS or Even D-PRO?

DMX supported fixtures can be controlled using any DMX software /console. So, whether yours is a dimmer pack, a moonflower, or even a scanner, it can perfectly work with DIMXIS. Moreover, moving head, laser, and LED spot can work well with DMXIS. In fact, DMXIS & D-PRO are capable of controlling all lights, provided they have DMX connectors.

What About Sound Activated Light?

DMX4However, “sound activated” lights with no XLR connectors cannot be controlled by DMX. LED lighting has undergone massive technological advancements that have completely revolutionized the lighting industry, offering improved performance and highly efficient lighting options both for residential & commercial applications. The 0-10V and the DALI (digital addressable lighting interfaces) dimming modules are two unique components that provide true innovations for various dimming control projects. Working alongside these elements is the DMX control (digital multiplex), an important component often utilized in color mixing applications.

 

Light Bulb General Information, Lighting Design, Technologies

IP Ratings Explained

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IP Ratings Explained111The IP ratings (an abbreviation for International Protection ratings) is a two-numbered representation for protection against solids and water. The first digit represents the protection rating against certain solid foreign objects (such as dust) while the second digit is the actual protection against water.

Understanding IP rating for lights

The IP rating (Ingress Protection) is an internationally recognized method utilized to describe and measure the level of protection of electrical appliances against water and other technical components. It’s always advisable to choose the right IP rating for your exterior lights plus ceiling fans so as to prevent hazardous accidents.

For enclosures, the emblematic “waterproof” IP ratings include IP67, IP66 & IP65 enclosures.  The table below explains the meaning of each of these ratings and how they’re arrived at.

IP Ratings Explained1

IP Rating The actual Protection offered Description of the offered protection Test Method
IP65 Enclosures These ones can protect against any water jets Water entry is projected by a nozzle (which is 6.3 mm long) against enclosures from all directions and must not have any harmful effect. Test duration: The test takes about 15 minutesWater volume: It requires about 12.5 liters of water per minutePressure: The test requires a pressure of 30 kPa at a 3m-distance
IP66 Enclosures This one can offer protection against water jets Water is projected in dominant jets (i.e. a 12.5 mmNozzle) against enclosures from all directions and shouldn’t have any harmful effects. Test duration: It requires about 3 minutesWater volume: The test requires 100 liters of water per minutePressure: The test must be done at a pressure of 100 kPa and at a 3m
IP67 Enclosures These ratings can protect against an Immersion of up to 1 m It protects entrance of large volume water and when the enclosure in question is immersed in water(but under pre-defined under pre-defined pressure and time conditions) Test duration is 30 minutes The immersion should be at a depth of more than 1 m measured from the  bottom of the device and more than 15 cm measured from the top of the device

 

IK Rating: What is it?

IK ratings denote the European standard EN — the equivalent of IEC 62262 (2002) standards. This represents an international numeric classification concerning degrees of protection by enclosures for all electrical appliances against external mechanical forces/impacts.

IP rating in electrical appliances

The IP Code is an International Protection Marking that interprets the IP code as an Ingress Protection Marking. It also classifies & rates it as the level protection against intrusion, dust, unintentional contact, as well as water.

IP ratings brief history

IP Ratings Explained1111111IP ratings were first developed by the International Electro-technical Commission. They are mostly used in Europe & Asia, but find some adherents in parts of North America.  Since they’re international standards, testing and certification is done by the TUV and not UL.  Note: IP ratings were developed to address harsh environments and not ultraviolet rays (UV) protection. Thus, engineers should incorporate additional materials that offer UV protection.

Light Bulb General Information, Lighting Design

Architectural Lighting for Buildings

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Architectural Lighting 1Light defines space. And architecture lighting is an art that entails the masterly, correct, as well as magnificent consolidation of masses in form of light. The human eye is attracted by light. Simple design additions can enhance the effectiveness of any building, turning it into a happier, healthier, & productive environment.

Architectural Lighting & Daylight

The largest impact on lighting & design is derived from the buildings’ architectural orientation and massing. Other key players include ceiling height plus the section profiles, which influence the availability of daylight in any building. Naturally, a south facing orientation, slender floor plates, raised ceilings, in addition to open divisions tend to allow more usable light into a building, thus correspondingly reducing the amount of electric lighting used. That’s why you should bring lighting designers onto any architectural project team early enough to bring an impact on the massing decisions.

Illuminating the Actual Building Architecture

Architectural Lighting2Architectural lighting is meant to illuminate your room’s actual architecture, including walls and ceilings. It’s meant to create a balanced, indirect, lighting environment that enlivens a room’s architecture. Exciting interiors, such as brick /stone veneers can go a long way in enhancing your home’s architectural lighting features.

Architectural Lighting: The Importance

Lighting can help inject more value into any architectural building. It plays a key role in the overall architecture of any building. Whether you light your building and structure naturally or artificially, you should endeavor to do it right—-since lighting allows people to see and appreciate your buildings’ beauty.

Lighting also brings an emotional value of architecture to any building. From those occupying the building to the visitors, the right architectural lighting will let your building sparkle with class and elegance. Whether yours is daytime or artificial lighting, the right design can draw attention to your textures, space, and colors, helping your lighting scheme achieve its purpose.

Think Aesthetics, Function, and Efficiency

To achieve a successful lighting-architecture balance, it’s vital to take into consideration:

  • Aesthetics
  • Function
  • Efficiency

Aesthetics

With aesthetics, designers tend to focus on the impact of emotional balance (i.e. the lighting- architecture balance). It helps people feel different when they’re in and out of the building. Ideal for retail locations; this exterior lighting aspect will help draw attention and create an everlasting impact.

Function

Function is another vital aspect that shouldn’t be overlooked. As much as you’ll want the light to look in a certain way, you should also ensure that it serves the purpose – to help people see. Illuminate spaces to guarantee the safety of the occupants who navigate through the building.

Efficiency

SONY DSCEfficiency is another key aspect architectures and interior designers should seriously consider. Create a breathtaking light layout that’s incredibly energy-efficient. And the easiest way to go about this is by installing the LEDs as opposed to fluorescent lighting—since LEDs are far much more energy efficient than other lighting sources.

The Three Elemental Types of Light

Invest in these three “elemental types of light”. They are the heartbeat of any modern lighting design.

  1. Focal glow – Also known as task lighting, focal glow points out vital elements and help draw attention to spaces. They are directive in nature, creating brighter centers. Bonus, they can effectively highlight the important element.
  2. Ambient luminescence – Also referred to as general/ambient lighting, ambient luminescence is the background lighting, which illuminates the entire space. Mostly, it should be uniform. Moreover, it shouldn’t cast shadows.
  3. Play of brilliants – Play of brilliant (accent lighting) is a dynamic & colorful architectural lighting that aims at stimulating people as well as their emotions. It excites peoples’ optic nerves, which helps stimulate their body and spirit. This awakens the curiosity and sharpens the wit.
Light Bulb General Information, Lighting Design

Buyers Guide on LED Bulbs

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LED Bulbs 1LEDs bulbs, an abbreviation of light-emitting diodes bulbs, are kinds of light sources that exhibit a high level of efficiency.  They are different from other conventional types of bulbs like incandescent & halogen lamps. Their lifespan is superior and they consume less energy and emit little amount heat.

LED bulbs: How long do they last?

A high-quality LED bulb can last for at least 20,000 hours, and serve you for around 50,000 hours. For comparison purposes, incandescent bulbs and CFLs have a lifespan of 1,000 hours 9,000 hours respectively. With consistent daily use—8 hours a day—a good quality LED bulb could serve you for about 17 years!

LED bulbs: The Advantages over CFLs

  • Durable: LED bulbs are more durable, lasting about 5- 10 years.
  • Efficiency: LED bulbs are highly energy efficient. They consume half of the electricity that conventional bulbs use.
  • Environment: LED bulbs are Eco-Friendly. They don’t use mercury like the CFLs.
  • Heat dissipation: The heat dissipation of LED bulbs is lower than the conventional ones. Their bulb filament is fairly cool and there is no heat around the bulb

Top 9 Factors to Consider

LED Bulbs2Lighting is an important aspect of any home. So, doing it right will uplift your home. However, before purchasing LED bulbs, you should consider vital factors, including:

1. Fitting

Fitting is an important aspect of LED bulbs. Thus, you should always select the bulb that has the right fitting. For instance, if you’re replacing an old bulb, take it to the store. However, if it’s impossible to take it with you, have the fitting reference number and share it with the store technicians.

2. Cost

Don’t be scared by the upfront (initial) cost of LED bulbs. In the long run, LEDs could save you big.

3. Note Color Rendering Index

The CRI is used to indicate the accuracy of colors under the LED bulb’s light. The CRI, which ranges from 0-100, is high during the day (i.e.  100). Recommended CRI for interior lighting is 80. To compare LED bulbs, observe the CRI of different bulbs with similar Kelvin temperature.

4. Brightness

LED Bulbs ReadingWhen purchasing LED bulbs, ensure you understand your brightness needs. Therefore, purchase one that quenches your brightness thirst.

5. LED Lamp Voltage

LED bulbs come in different voltage ratings. The voltage ratings vary from 6V- 240V. For searchlights, low voltage LED bulbs are preferred. However, 120-240 V LED bulbs are ideal for normal room lighting.

6. Shape & Direction of Light

The shape of your LED light bulb determines the style of the room plus its holder. So, depending on your style, you can either choose Omnidirectional, Flood reflector, or even Flame tip LED bulbs.

Finding the right LED bulb shape is part of your room’s aesthetics. So, get the right brand with the right characteristics. For instance, a golf LED bulb will spread its light in 360-degrees, making it ideal in golf courts.

7. Quality matters

Ensure that the quality of the LED bulb you buy is superior. You’ll not want to buy something and after a few days, it’s spoilt.

8. Think lumens, not watts

Don’t purchase your bulb by the number of watts. With the new technologies focusing on energy-efficiency, LED bulbs can now emit the same light amount for less power.

The Bottom-line: Lighting Your Home

LED Bulbs garden 5Most living rooms require general, ambient LED lighting complemented by unique task-explicit accent lighting.

Thus, getting ambient lighting for your room will radiate an entirely comfortable amount of brightness. Always ensure that all your rooms are supplied with a central ambient LED lighting source.

Additionally, install a task LED lighting system that is easily switched on & off –depending on your preferences & needs. For instance, bulbs for reading & sewing should have an elaborate control system. Moreover, don’t forget to include an explicit on and off switch or bulbs that give extra light over your kitchen benches as well as bathroom mirrors.

Accent lighting, when done right, are powerful at emphasizing paintings, gardens or house plants, and even collectibles.

Light Bulb General Information, Lighting Design, The Environment

Lighting Building Exteriors

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Lighting Design 1You have pulled out numerous stops–just to make that house, building, backyard and its surrounding of yours look superb. So, why let all your labored work go in vain when, with a glide of a switch plus some strategically positioned landscape exterior lights, you can confidently roll back the dimness and let the display do the talking?

When done right, exterior lightings can turn your environment into a bliss. They help highlight any home’s architectural features—something which will obviously draw attention to the backyard.

Whether you are looking for architectural or even security outdoor lighting, the right systems will definitely provide that visual oomph in addition to a safety boost to your home or business building.

Security Is a Key Factor

There are so many reasons that can prompt you to light your outdoor area. The most obvious one being safety and security. The lighting requirements for a parking lot is dependent on traffic. However, this shouldn’t worry you because recommended illumination levels can be obtained from the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES). Carefully observe its suggestions to avoid possible insecurity issues.

Safety: Safety means staying safe from tripping over an obstacle or walking into a tree and the required light levels for this are actually very low. One can see quite well in the moonlight and that’s just about 0.02 foot-candles.

Security: On the other hand, security refers to protection from people and threats. To achieve a considerable sense of security for your property, you’ll need to boost outdoor artificial lighting. If you are in the garage or parking area, you need to know if someone is plotting to mug you. You also need facial recognition to choose between fight and flight. And picking such visual cues requires an illumination level of 3 foot-candles. A safe outdoor is very important to any home, building or organization, so be keen to provide sufficient lighting in the exteriors.

 The Power of Aesthetics

Lighting Design 2The other reason for enhancing your outdoor lighting is aesthetics. Remember, lighting is an important feature of attracting renters to your property. So, it should be taken seriously. You want to ensure that your building looks open and inviting, just like a community beacon.

Exterior Spaces Require Attention

Illuminating outdoor spaces entails paying special attention to light fixture position, intensity, and color in addition to duration. When properly combined, these factors will surely realize the right lighting design that is capable of achieving safety, efficiency in terms of energy consumption, and cost reduction.

Exterior Lighting: The Golden Advice

Exterior lighting is effective at giving dimension to any building plus the surrounding landscape. However, they are not all about flooding your surfaces with light. You should highlight small. This means highlighting a few structural parts with a vivid spotlight. Showering the walls with twinkles of light can create a dramatic effect, giving the exterior a different appearance at dusk. However, when designing your exterior lighting fixtures, consider the texture, brick & stone color and steelwork.

Exterior Lighting – The Power of Going Architectural

Rather than simply lighting your exterior space with ordinary bulbs, use architectural lighting to brighten it up and add some elegance. But, take caution not to create glare or light pollution. Also, consider other users (for instance those inside) since badly placed lighting can cause glare-related problems to other building users.

Façade lighting: Making Non-engineering Decisions

Façade lighting Façade lighting 3Façade lighting is not about numbers. Of course, engineers will compute the vertical luminance, luminance plus uniformity values for your building—however, that isn’t the prime goal.

You need to make numerous non-engineering decisions. For instance, determine if you are intending to let the building blend in /stand out. Are you after a subtle or “in the face” effect? Which colors do you want?

Making your building look “wow” is down to your aesthetic judgment. In case you are unsure about your decisions, consult an exterior lighting designer, an architect, or planner about your target effect. Remember, it’s always better to highlight certain parts of the building as opposed to flooding the entire façade with uniformed light.

 

Light Bulb General Information, Lighting Design

New Ideas on Lighting Design

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Lighting Design 1Modern lighting design is all about incorporating ambiance, task as well as accent lighting. Ambient will provide your home with overall illumination while the task lighting will be responsible for directing light to specific work zones. On the other hand, accent lighting will help highlight explicit objects.

However, within these basic requirements exists tons of new lighting ideas. So, whether you are looking for something fun, or want something a little bit subdued, there’re virtually endless new lighting ideas for each and every home/room.

Go for A Robust Assortment

Do a clever mix of different lighting types and strategically place them at different locations in your room if you want to create a proper, layered, and robust lighting scheme.

What About Two-in-One

Use two dissimilar types of overhead (also called ambient) lighting. This adds elegance to your living room. For instance, include pot lights (which help provide the bulk of light and spread it across the entire ceiling) and a suspended transitional fixture to emphasize your living room’s seating area.

Multiple Fixtures Can Be Incredible

When it comes to a large living room, it’s always better to go for pot lights– a single overhead fixture might be insufficient. However, if you aren’t into recessed lighting, you can hang multiple fixtures all through the room. But keep it simple and go for fixtures featuring clean silhouettes. Suspend them on a grid, and not to any random spot.

Ceiling Accent Brings Class

Lighting Design 3Think outside of the box and light around the edge of your ceiling to achieve your dream accent light plus create a unique detail. This will accentuate the unique architectural niceties of your ceiling and breathe some aura of elegance to your living room.

Consider an Nice Arc

Don’t have ceiling lights? Well, don’t worry! There is a solution. Just design a central source of light featuring an arc-like floor lamp

Sculptural Sconces

Make a statement by embracing exceptional sconces. But ensure your up-to-date sconces are adjustable, permitting you to adjust the size, and the direction of the light. They provide an exclusive and sculptural element that is capable of setting a contemporary tone for your living space.

Built-In Accent Will Just Kill It

Include an accent lighting fixture into your built-in shelving to highlight special objects as well as accessories. This will immediately draw eyes to your lit-up shelves, creating a bright and exquisite focal wall.

Visual Balance

Visual balance can be tricky. However, it’s very simple. Get a table and floor lamps. Then place them on either side. This will help your guests (who are sited at either side) to receive light equally.

Consider Mix & Match

Lighting Design 4Who said that you must match your lighting sources? Make a bold statement by going the mix and match way. For instance, you can add chandeliers and sconces (which are very classy) to table lamps (which are considered modern). Moreover, you can mix old and new ones to give your living room a sense of character plus personality.

Other ideas

Consider hanging a statement fixture, highlighting the architectural details, think beyond your living room, and trust your instincts.

 

Light Bulb General Information, Lighting Design, Technologies

LED Drivers : All You Need To Know

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An LED driver refers to an electrical device that regulates the power supply to a string or LED. It responds to the changing needs of the LED device by providing a consistent amount of power as its electrical properties vary with temperature.
IP67 driver
With outputs that are compatible with the electrical features of the LED, a LED driver may offer dimming through pulse width modulation circuits and may include several channels for separate control of various LEDs/LED arrays. Without the right drivers, LED fixtures may become extremely hot and unstable, thus causing poor performance or even permanent failure.

LED Drivers: The Different Types

There are many different types of LED drivers categorized by the output voltage, output current, maximum switching frequency, form of packaging, and supply voltage.

Each channel’s output can range between 250 µA and 50 A, with common chips carrying an output current of 20, 25, and 100 mA per channel. The commonly available voltage sizes are 2.3 to 5.5 V and 3 to 5.5 V. However, you can readily find LED drivers bearing a supply voltage of up to 630 V.

  1. Constant Voltage

Constant voltage LED drivers can be obtained in numerous manufacturing standards and are designed to meet high specifications for quality and efficiency.

  1. Dimmable LED Drivers

By dimming your LED lights, you get the freedom to enjoy different scenes. You can create a romantic atmosphere in the dining room, or establish a spectacular viewing experience for your guests during office presentations. You need a dependable LED driver that meets all electrical requirements if you want to dim your LED lighting system.

Dimmable LED Drivers: Understanding LED Driver Dimmer Controls

LED drivers with dimming capability offer the flexibility of dimming the lights from 0-100% while maintaining color and temperature. Remember, dimming an LED light can also reduce the operating temperature of your fixture, ultimately boosting LED efficacy as well as lamp life.

In the olden days, LEDs and dimmers weren’t always so expedient. But as technology advanced, powerful dimming controls entered the market to add more definition to their performance. To effectively control your LED light intensities, you’ll need to fix a dimmer that’s compatible with the LED driver you intend to use.

3.0-10V Dimming Drivers

LED technology is virtually taking the market by storm. Complimenting a 0-10V dimmer with an already power-efficient LED lighting is not only efficient but also effective. A LED lighting high-quality dimmer (powered by ERP LED driver) can help users save big on costs associated with energy consumption. Moreover, they assume a superior control capability when compared to other lighting applications.

LED Drivers: Their Applications

LED drivers can be used as:

  • Industrial, outdoor, residential, and commercial lighting
  • Automotive interior, tail lights, and portable flashlight
  • Signage and LED backlighting
  • Garden and elevator lighting

LED drivers: How to Select the Right LED Driver

When you’re searching for reliable LED drivers, you should take into consideration several attributes, including Output Voltage, Supply Voltage (-0.3 to 20 V, 2.7 to 5.5 V, and 3 to 5.5), as well as Maximum Switching Frequency ( between 200 Hz and 200GHz). You’ll be able to get the right chip that’s suitable for use as a high-power LED driver, dimmable LED driver, constant current LED driver, RGB driver or 24v LED driver on an integrated circuit or any other circuits that might require such driver chips.

Light Bulb General Information, Lighting Design

A Guide to LED Emergency Lighting

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E1LED Emergency lighting is usually meant for emergency situations where the primary power supply gets disconnected and every normal illumination fails. This could result from a power cut or a fire outbreak. It’s essential that LED emergency lighting automatically operates fully and provides sufficient illumination to enable all occupants to leave the premises safely.

So, if you are considering LED emergency lighting system, here is all you should know:

LED Emergency Lighting: The basics

Most buildings nowadays incorporate sophisticated LED emergency lighting fixtures installed during construction; the design of equipment being chosen by the architect as per the current local authority requirements as well as Building Regulations. Emergency LED lighting is often sub-divided into standby lighting and emergency escape lighting.

Cost matters

Generally, the decision to utilize a self-contained LED Emergency Lighting system or a central battery will probably be determined by cost. If an installation is durable and has low maintenance requirements, then central batteries, though quite expensive, might be ideal for larger projects. Typically, costs and luminaries are major issues of concern, especially on smaller jobs, and it’s this criterion that makes the self-contained systems more popular.

LED emergency lighting driver temperature

Ensure that your LED emergency lighting has been subjected to aging plus electronic load tests. This helps to ascertain whether the LED emergency lighting panels can withstand excessive temperatures. This guarantees performance, safety, and stability.

Emergency escape lighting

Emergency escape lighting refers to that part of the emergency lighting system, which supplies illumination for the safety of persons vacating a location or attempting to end a potentially hazardous process beforehand.

Standby lighting

Standby lighting is often provided to allow normal activities to continue substantially without being changed.

Consultation and design

The first thing to do when installing LED Emergency Lighting escape illumination is consultation and design. Both the fire risk assessor and the designer should meet and make comprehensive decisions on where the system is required and chalk up a plan illustrating the type of power supply, the locations to be covered, facilities, duration, and mode of operation.

The next step…..

Having decided on the type of LED emergency lighting system you’d like to install, then go ahead and choose specific positions for the lighting signs and units within specific premises. This will then help you choose the right equipment. Remember, emergency LED lighting signs should be carefully sited in order to create clear exit routes that lead to the ultimate exits from the building. Where the exit isn’t identifiable, a visible sign should be utilized instead of a lighting unit. Special concern should be paid to directional changes, individual stairways, floor level changes, corridor intersections, plant rooms, and toilet areas. Access to firefighting equipment as well as fire alarm call stations should be properly illuminated.

Mode of operation

Mode of operation is a vital factor to consider when choosing LED Emergency lighting systems. Thus, you should take into considerations principle factors like maintained or non-maintained. The use of the premises in question determines whether to go for a maintained or non- maintained LED Emergency Lighting system.

LED Emergency Lighting Advantages

• Installation is extremely fast and affordable
• Low hardware material costs
• Standard wiring material might be used
• Reduced maintenance costs
• Burn-through will automatically fulfill the need for luminaries to be lit
• No unique sub-circuit monitoring requirements
• Increased integrity and efficiency

LED Emergency Lighting: Disadvantages

• Testing requires isolation
• With varying environmental conditions throughout the system, the batteries might be severely affected by high or low ambient temperatures
• Battery life is often limited to four years, depending on the application

Bottom line

E2LED Emergency Lighting systems have become very popular these days- thanks to their low energy consumption, efficiency, and flexibility. However, before you rush into getting your LED Emergency Lighting system, it is vital to understand the basics (what they are and how to choose the best). The above guide will help you in getting the best.

Light Bulb General Information, Lighting Design, Technologies

The advances in G9 LED capsules

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CAPSULE 1With the escalating need for new lighting systems, it seems you are living in the world of new trends, where the possibilities of emergent technologies are endless. New lighting systems like G9 capsules (popular lighting systems) have continued to rock the lighting industry. The G9 capsules are ideal in small spaced settings that require a higher amount of light. Since their discovery, these LED options have continued to be a whimsical alternative to ancient halogen capsules. The G9 LED capsules save energy, are cheaper to run, and do emit the same amount of light as ancient halogen capsules.

With that in mind, here is what you should know about the advances that have catapulted the LED revolution.

But, first get the basics right.

Why move from watts to lumens?
Watts is a measure of how much energy the light bulb uses, while lumens are used to measure the amount of light the lighting system gives out. Similar to watts, the higher the value of lumens, the brighter your light will be. For instance, a 1521 lumen bulb (which is a 100W equivalent) is brighter than an 800-lumen bulb (which is 60W equivalent).

G9 LED Capsules

G9 LED Lamps & Capsules can be direct replacements for G9 halogen capsules, however, they can be a lot larger than normal halogen capsules; so, it is important to check if they will fit into the fitting or not. It is also imperative to check that the LED G9’s have adequate ventilation because otherwise the LED’s or internal drivers can overheat resulting in failure.

G9 capsules are LED in nature. As such, they emit minimal heat, which makes G9 capsules efficient and energy-saving. In fact, they can save up to 88% amount of energy as compared to standard capsules.

Omni-directional

The Omni-directional G9 LED capsule is  indisputably effective due to the fact that they emit light equally, effectually as well as multi-directionally. Moreover, they do not heat up –which allows the LED capsules to be surprisingly efficient and reliable. Most G9 LED capsules feature a warm white color which perfectly suits interior living areas.

G vs. ES

The most common type of light bulb is indisputably the Edison Screw (ES) light bulb. Actually, ES is the threaded connector which Thomas Edison had patented and utilized. These types of bulbs are available in sizes like E11, E14, as well as E17. The numbers denote the base size. On the other hand, the “G” in G-type LED bulbs represents “glass,” from which they were initially made.

The G-Type revolution

CAPSULE 2Invented towards the end of the 19th century, the G-type bulbs offer a fantastic alternative to conventional bulbs to circumvent Edison’s patent. That is why they have a unique base shape. Similar to the Edison Screw bulb, the G bulb is manufactured in different sizes, the G9 light bulb being one of them. The “9” is meant to denote the actual number of millimeters in between the 2 adjacent pins.

1. Wider beam angle

With a 360° beam angle, the G9 capsule bulbs offer the widest beams you can find on the market today. So you only need a fewer number bulbs to light up larger spaces.

2. Durability boosted

They last over a decade.

G9 technology takes care of how long your LED lighting system will last. The technology ensures that your lighting system lasts for at least 25,000 hours, which is about 15 years (on average use) of service.

The bottom line

LEDs are ruling the lighting sphere. They are efficient and consume low energy. That is why, if you haven’t embraced this new trend, you are missing a lot. Try G9 LED capsules today and redefine your living space!

Light Bulb General Information, Lighting Design

Buyer Guide To LED Tubes

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TUBE 1Purchasing lighting systems used to be a cinch. When your 80-watt incandescent burnt out, all you could do is simply buy more 60-watt bulbs. However, incandescent could waste lots of energy and created warm a glow. Consequently, they were phased out. As technology advanced, energy-saving CFLs were introduced to replace incandescent, temporarily, and as time went by, LED tubes arrived in major electrical stores.

Solicitous choice for your living room

Energy-efficient, long-life, as well as environmentally friendly, LED tubes are the solicitous choice for any modern living room. Contemporary LED lighting choices are becoming more and more diverse. This means that they can find their way into any home, whether as exquisite chandeliers, lighting beneath your kitchen cabinets or vivifying the exterior of your compound. To help you get the best deal in the market, this article is going to deep dive you into the basics of buying the best LED tubes for your living space.

Choosing the LED that’s right for you- Factors to consider?

Almost all lighting manufacturers have migrated to LEDs. So if your lighting fixture is non-LED, you are missing a lot. Make a move today.

Shop for a LED lighting system that addresses your lighting needs. Nonetheless, it is vital to understand your preferred design.

So, if you’ve been looking a “set-and-forget” like LED lighting fixture that can serve you for years to come, here are the factors you should consider:

 

  • Thermal Management: Always ensure that your LED lighting fixture has been designed with proper thermal management plus heat dissipation.
  • Color Quality and Accuracy: Always ask for a proof that the LED fixture has the color you want.
  • Safety Certifications: Don’t forget to check the UL listing and RoHS registry to ascertain the safety of your lighting fixture.
  • Material Quality: Then material used determines the fixture’s performance and longevity.
  • Test Reports: Always ask your supplier for test reports to confirm claims of brightness as well as longevity.
  • Warranty: Also, demand to be given a warranty.

Pros of LED lighting fixtures

In simple terms, LED lights are efficient. Typically, a LED light fixture uses about 90% less of electricity when compared to an incandescent version. Also, LED light bulbs tend to last significantly longer than their traditional counterparts-the incandescent lighting system. As such you won’t spend much effort and time replacing your living room’s bulbs. Think about those recessed lamps that are hard-to-reach, especially in a vaulted ceiling!

Other benefits of using LED lighting fixture include:

  • Robustness/Durability: LED lighting fixtures are relatively sturdy, a feature that minimizes the risk of breakage and continual repairs/replacements.
  • Safety: LED lighting systems are safe since they do not heat up like conventional light bulbs. This reduces the risk of light-related fires and burns.

LED fixtures: The options

TUBE 3You can swap out your living room’s existing light bulbs for LED tubes, or update the fixtures to one featuring integrated LEDs, or go for lamps which have been built into the lighting fixture’s design.

While you were used to LEDs primarily for task lighting and outdoor spaces, the versatility of new design means that you can use them in any room of your choice, including:

  • Decorative ceiling lighting systems
  • Recessed lighting settings
  • Wall lighting system
  • Bath lights
  • Vanity lights
  • Desk and task lamps
  • Under cabinet lighting systems
  • Outdoor and landscaping lights

 

 

LED tubes

Here are common LED tubes you can buy on the market today:

T4 LED tubes

T4  tubes are compact, light, and easy to install, which makes them ideal for lighting up your kitchen counter and worktop. These tubular bulbs consume 8-10 times less energy than conventional light bulbs and will realize a 50% saving on fluorescent tubes.  This makes them a perfect choice for households looking to save big on energy costs

T5 LED tubes

T5 LED  tubes are installed to light-up almost everything -from aquariums to factories, learning institutions, modern offices, retails shops and supermarkets, and underground railway tunnels. T5 tubes are cost-effective and can effectively light up larger spaces. They can last 30,000+hours and feature relatively low mercury content, which ensures that they have a negligible environmental impact.

T8 LED tubes

T8 tubes possess excellent color rendering capabilities, which vividly bring out the details of your clothes as well as furniture. Common settings where T8 LED tubes can be used include retail stores, auto garages, modern offices, schools plus conference rooms. These come in a variety of lengths 2 foot, 4 foot, 5 foot and 6 foot with the most popular being the 5ft led tube.

The diversity of LED tubes

LED lighting fixtures possess exceptional directionality features, which makes them a great option in lighting applications like task and reading lamps, pendants and overhead, accents and displays, cove lighting, outdoor and landscape accent lighting, linear strip lighting, ceiling cans, and stair as well as walkways. LEDs can also be used in art lighting since they do not produce Ultra-Violet (UV) radiation, which makes them safe for artwork.