Category: Uncategorized

Understanding Kelvin (K)

The Kelvin (K) scale measures the colour temperature of light. Lower values represent warmer, yellowish light, while higher values represent cooler, bluish light.

Colour Temperatures Explained

CCT Selectable and Tuneable Fixtures

Some light fittings and lamps offer CCT selectable colour temperature options or Tuneable colour. These fixtures allow you to switch between different colour temperatures, providing flexibility for various activities and times of day. For example, you can have a warm light for evening relaxation and a cooler light for daytime tasks.

Sunset Dim Technology

Sunset Dim fixtures start at 3000K when fully lit and gradually warm to a more amber glow as they are dimmed. This mimics the natural progression of sunlight and is perfect for creating a cozy, relaxing environment in living rooms and bedrooms.

Can LED Lighting Affect My Sleep?

Studies have shown that the colour of light can significantly affect melatonin production, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Exposure to blue light (around 450-480 nm) suppresses melatonin production more than other wavelengths. This is why it’s advisable to minimize blue light exposure in the evening to avoid disrupting your sleep.

• Blue Light and Melatonin Suppression: Blue light impacts the intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs), which regulate the circadian rhythm, leading to greater melatonin suppression.
• Warm Light and Melatonin Production: Warmer light (2400K-3000K) has less impact on melatonin suppression, making it ideal for evening use to promote relaxation and better sleep.

Room-by-Room Colour Temperature Guide

Living Room

• Recommended Colour Temperature: 2400K – 3000K
• Why: Creates a warm, inviting atmosphere perfect for relaxation and socializing. Use 2400K for a very cozy feel and 2700K-3000K for a bit more brightness while maintaining warmth.

Bedroom

• Recommended Colour Temperature: 2400K – 2700K
• Why: Promotes a restful and cozy environment. Use 2400K for a very warm, intimate feel and 2700K for a slightly brighter, but still relaxing, light. Sweet dreams are made of these (lights)!

Kitchen

• Recommended Colour Temperature: 3000K – 4000K
• Why: Provides a balance between warm and cool light, offering both ambiance and functionality. Use 3000K for a warmer, inviting kitchen and 4000K for bright, task-oriented lighting. We have been known to use intense 4000K light on work benches while keeping the rest of the living space lighting at 3000K.

Bathroom

• Recommended Colour Temperature: 3000K – 4000K
• Why: Ensures bright and clean lighting for grooming tasks. Use 3000K for a warmer tone or 4000K for a cooler, more clinical feel. It’s a good idea to bring a sample of your bathroom tiles into our showroom to see how the different light colours will affect your choice of tiles. It’s also worth incorporating warmer lighting into a bathroom that has a bath; Sunset dimming lights are perfect for this, providing a warm relaxing spa getaway.

Home Office

• Recommended Colour Temperature: 4000K
• Why: Enhances focus and productivity with bright, clear light. Use 4000K for a neutral, clean light that boosts concentration.

Dining Room

• Recommended Colour Temperature: 2700K – 3000K
• Why: Creates a warm and welcoming environment for meals. Use 2700K for a cozy dining experience and 3000K for a slightly brighter, but still warm, setting. Perfect for making every meal feel like a special occasion.

Garage and Workshop

• Recommended Colour Temperature: 4000K – 6500K
• Why: Ensures high visibility and clarity for detailed tasks and projects. Use 6500K for bright daylight-like light if you intend your garage to be a workshop or space to get projects done.

Outdoor Lighting

• Recommended Colour Temperature: 2700K – 3000K, consider 4000K for security lighting
• Why: Outdoor lighting can often serve dual purposes: enhancing safety and creating ambiance. Warmer tones, ranging from 2700K to 3000K, are ideal for illuminating garden and alfresco dining areas, creating a beautiful nightscape to enjoy in the evenings. However, for areas where visibility and security are paramount, such as pathways and entry points, cooler tones around 4000K may be more suitable. These cooler temperatures provide clarity and ensure that your outdoor spaces are well-lit and secure, even during the darkest nights.

Tips for Choosing the Right Colour Temperature

1. Determine the room’s purpose: Use warmer temperatures (2400K-3000K) for relaxation and cooler temperatures (4000K-6500K) for tasks and workspaces.
2. Consider the décor: Warmer lights enhance traditional and rustic décor, while cooler lights complement modern and minimalist styles. You can always visit our showroom to see these colour temperatures in action, maybe even bring your paint colour or a tile sample to see how they will look in your chosen colour temperature.
3. Think about the time of day: Use adjustable CCT fixtures to match your lighting to your daily routine, promoting relaxation in the evening and productivity during the day.

By understanding the different colour temperatures and using versatile fixtures like CCT and Sunset Dim, you can create a dynamic and comfortable lighting environment in your home.

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Sources:

1. Gooley, J. J., Chamberlain, K., Smith, K. A., Khalsa, S. B. S., Rajaratnam, S. M. W., Van Reen, E., … & Lockley, S. W. (2011). Exposure to room light before bedtime suppresses melatonin onset and shortens melatonin duration in humans. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 96(3), E463-E472.
2. Harvard Health Publishing. (n.d.). Blue light has a dark side. Retrieved from Harvard Health
3. Chang, A. M., Aeschbach, D., Duffy, J. F., & Czeisler, C. A. (2015). Evening use of light-emitting eReaders negatively affects sleep, circadian timing, and next-morning alertness. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 112(4), 1232-1237.

Top Fans for Lounge Spaces

There is no doubt the Bahama Range is a great looking product, the sleek styling of the ABS blades and modern DC Fan Technology sets these fans apart from the rest. The Bahama Range moves air well and is very quiet, perfect for any lounge situation.

The new Bahama Smart Range includes an LED light and smart controls so you can control the fan from the supplied remote or your Android or Apple phone from anywhere in the world. This simple system integrates with your home Wifi (no Hub or extra components required). You can control the Fan, the light, the colour of the light (warm to daylight) and set up smart automation with the simple smart app.

Top Fan for Large Spaces

The Colossus Range of fans is for large spaces, we have used them in warehouses, open plan lounges and even an open stairwell in a architecturally designed home. The size of these fans ranges from 2 metres to a massive 3 metre span. These fans have DC motors for maximum energy efficeiency and strong aluminium blades for maximum air-flow.

Top Fan for Low Ceilings

For homes with low ceilings, the Preston DC Fan is an excellent choice. With a depth of only 210mm, it can be safely installed on ceilings as low as 2400mm. It includes a quiet DC motor and a 6-speed remote control, combining functionality and style.

See the Full Range of Fans

To optimize the perception of space in rooms with lower ceilings, lighting plays a crucial role. By combining lighting techniques, colours, and materials strategically, you can create a visually expansive and harmonious environment. Consider the following design considerations:

Illuminate Brightly with Lighter Colours

Generally the advice for interior design with low ceilings is to select lighter paint colours for walls and ceilings. Similarly for lighting you should illuminate brightly with cooler colours, using 3000k or 4000k colour temperatures and layering your lighting will give you a bright light effect.

By focusing on lighting techniques that enhance the perception of space, you can transform rooms with lower ceilings into visually expansive and inviting environments. Remember to experiment with different lighting angles, intensities, and colour temperatures to achieve the desired effect.

Lighting Fixtures

To optimize both space and lighting in rooms with lower ceilings, it’s crucial to explore suitable ceiling lighting fixtures that cater to specific needs. Let’s examine the different options and their impact on the space:

Wide Beam or Medium Beam Downlights

When considering recessed lighting, such as LED downlights, you have the choice between wide beam and medium beam options. Wide beam downlights spread light across a broader area, creating a more evenly illuminated space. This can help make the room feel brighter and larger. On the other hand, lower glare medium beam downlights focus the light more directly, reducing glare and providing a more comfortable visual experience. These fixtures are particularly beneficial in areas where you want to minimize direct glare, such as open plan living spaces.

It’s worth noting that surface-mounted downlights offer a refreshing alternative to recessed lighting. While recessed downlights are popular for their sleek and unobtrusive appearance, surface-mounted downlights provide a break from the abundance of recessed lights while maintaining a modern and contemporary look. These fixtures can be mounted directly onto the ceiling surface, making them easier to install and offering flexibility in terms of placement. Surface-mounted downlights can be strategically positioned to create focused lighting or highlight specific areas, adding depth and dimension to the space.

While recessed downlights to a great job of lighting down, and from lower ceilings the cave-like feeling this can create is even more prevalent. If you use downlights for your main room lighting make sure you layer your lighting and include some more ambient lighting (wall lights, pendants or table and floor lamps) too fill in the darkened wall and ceiling areas with light.

While ceiling buttons offer broad lighting coverage for the space, it’s important to consider task lights or accent lights to achieve a balanced lighting scheme. In bedroom spaces, we offer ceiling buttons that also wash light into the ceiling. When paired with a dimmer, these lights are ideal for creating a warm and relaxing atmosphere.

Track Lighting Systems

Track lighting offers flexibility and versatility in directing light precisely where it’s needed. For lower ceilings, explore recessed or surface-mounted track systems. Recessed track lighting seamlessly blends with the ceiling, creating a clean and unobtrusive look. Surface-mounted track systems add a touch of modernity and can be adjusted to illuminate specific areas or highlight artwork. These track lighting options provide an opportunity to enhance the functionality and style of the space while keeping the ceiling height in mind.

For added style check out or low voltage track systems, with a clean plastered in look these are a real talking point.

LED Strips for Recessed Ceiling and Wall Lighting

LED strips can also be incorporated into your ceilings and walls for a seamless lighting solution. LED strips are wide-angle lights that provide uniform illumination, effectively lighting up a space. By recessing these strips, you can achieve a clean and integrated look. This option is ideal for creating ambient lighting or highlighting architectural features.

Wall Lights

Low glare wall lights that can wash light into the ceiling and wall are crucial for providing ambient lighting and creating a sense of depth in the room. These fixtures help to minimize direct glare and distribute light evenly, enhancing the overall ambiance and visual appeal of the space. Wall lights with diffusers or frosted glass shades are also effective in reducing glare and producing a soft, diffused light that gently illuminates the surroundings. By washing light onto the ceiling and wall, these fixtures create a warm and inviting atmosphere, making the room feel more spacious and visually interesting.

When selecting lighting fixtures for lower ceilings, it’s essential to consider both the functionality and aesthetics of the space. Choose wide beam or lower glare medium beam downlights based on your preference for light distribution. Opt for semi-flush pendant fixtures that fit within the lower ceiling clearance. Explore track lighting systems, whether recessed or surface-mounted, for targeted illumination. LED strips recessed into the ceilings and walls offer a seamless and wide-angle lighting option for comprehensive illumination. Low Glare Wall lights can bring ambiance and mood to a space. By carefully choosing the right fixtures, you can optimize both the lighting and visual impact in rooms with lower ceilings.

Room-by-Room Suggestions

Each room in your home requires thoughtful consideration when it comes to lighting. Let’s explore some practical advice and lighting recommendations for key areas

Living rooms

Create a warm and inviting atmosphere by combining ambient lighting, such as dimmable recessed light, recessed LED strips or ceiling lights with task lighting options like floor or table lamps. Use accent lighting such as mini downlights or spotlights to highlight artwork or architectural features.

Bathrooms

Utilize recessed LED lighting for general illumination, especially in shower areas. Add vanity lights on either side of the mirror to eliminate shadows and provide optimal lighting for grooming tasks. Where space is an issue tilting lights aimed at the mirror can provide vanity lighting.

Remember, the key is to strike a balance between functionality and aesthetics while taking into account the limitations of lower ceiling heights. By selecting appropriate lighting fixtures and considering the specific requirements of each room, you can create a well-lit, visually appealing space that feels open and welcoming. You can also take a read of our article on Light Layering for more tips on making the best use of lighting design, or get in touch if you want us to help with a professional lighting plan for your home.

Shedding Light on Safety

Factors to Consider When Purchasing Stair Lighting

How Far Apart Should My Stair Lights Be Mounted?

Mount the first stair light above the bottom most stair and the last stair light over the top most stair, so they will also spread light onto the landing. If your stairs have a middle landing, install two stair lights, one on each wall, to light it. From there, measure between and place a stair light every third stair or roughly 300-400mm apart. If your favorite stair lights have a narrow beam, consider using more lights to give an even light by mounting them every second stair.

What Height Should I Mount My Stair Lights?

Mounting your stair lights at a height of 200mm – 300mm above the middle stairs that you are illuminating will provide an even light.

Stylish Options for Illuminating Every Step

Whether your home exudes modern minimalism or classic charm, there’s stair lighting to suit every style. Choose fixtures that seamlessly integrate with your interior design, enhancing the overall aesthetics of your staircase.

Consider whether you want to have the ability to dim or control the brightness of your stair lights. This feature can create different moods and atmospheres depending on the time of day or your personal preference. Some stair lights come with built-in dimming capabilities, while others can be integrated into smart lighting systems or a sensor, so you don’t need to wake everybody else in the house up by turning on a heap of hallway and staircase lighting.

Innovative Solutions for Hallways and Bathrooms

Remember, stair lights aren’t confined to staircases alone. They have the power to transform hallways into inviting spaces and add a touch of serenity to your bathroom oasis

Hallways—Low Glare Lighting Option with Style

Transform your hallways into welcoming spaces by installing stair lights along the walls. This low-glare option not only guides your way but also adds elegance to your corridors. This less intense option to hallway lighting can help you enjoy a warm and inviting path that ensures both safety and style. Stair lights in hallways can be placed further apart, usually every 2-3 meters. Safety isn’t as much of a concern on a flat surface, and a mixture of light and shadow looks great.

This is a great place to incorporate a smart control system or a sensor to activate the lights at night.

Bathrooms—Nightlights for Peaceful Ambiance

Create a serene atmosphere in your bathroom by incorporating stair lights as nightlights. Install them near the baseboards or vanity to provide a gentle glow for late-night trips. No more fumbling for light switches in the middle of the night!

Incorporate a dimmer on these lights to enjoy a spa-like experience or indulge in a peaceful bathing routine in the tranquil illumination of your stair lights.

LED Strips: A Functional and Stylish Alternative

Let’s explore some innovative ways to take your stair lighting to the next level. LED strip lights are versatile enough to take advantage of the nooks, crannies, and edges that are part of your stairs. This eye-catching option can transform the look and feel of your staircase.

Mounting LED Strip Lights Under the Handrail

For a sleek and modern touch, consider mounting LED strip lights under the handrail. This method not only illuminates the steps but also adds a subtle glow that highlights the architectural beauty of your staircase. It’s a subtle yet stunning way to make a statement. You can use slim LED extrusions mounted into a rebate in your handrail or make the job even easier with our custom handrail system that includes space for an LED strip and wiring.

Installing LED Strip Lights Under the Lip of the Stair

Congratulations! You now have the knowledge to select the perfect lighting for your staircases, hallways, and bathrooms. Remember, safety comes first—illuminate your stairs with low-glare options and consider proper mounting heights and spacing. Don’t forget to embrace the aesthetics and create an ambiance that reflects your unique style throughout your home.

If you have any questions or need further guidance, our team is here to assist you. Embrace the versatility of stair lights and let them illuminate your home with comfort, style, and safety!

Here at The Lighting Centre, we use the term “light layering” to describe our approach to lighting design, but what does it actually mean? In layman’s terms, light layering is the art of using different types of light in a room to create a specific ambiance and highlight certain features. Think of it like a cake – just like how a cake needs different layers to make it delicious, a room needs different layers of light to make it inviting.

But before we dive into the different layers of lighting, let’s talk about the importance of light in general. Light is essential for human survival – it helps us see, navigate, and even regulate our circadian rhythms. But beyond the biological aspect, light also plays a huge role in how we perceive a space. The right lighting can make a room feel warm and cozy and give you options for the mood you want in your home, while the wrong lighting can make it feel cold and uninviting.

Once you understand light layers you can see the difference a professional lighting plan can make, head along to our lighting design page to start your journey with us.

Lets take a look at the Three Layers of Lighting?

Ambient Lighting

Ambient lighting is the most common type of light layering. This is the light that fills a room, providing a general level of illumination. We look to chandeliers, pendants, semi-flush (surface mounted) and recessed lighting to provide this base level of lighting.

Your ambient lighting can be the main focal point of a room but using the right low glare recessed lighting can make the ambient light disappear so the focus can be on the other lighting, or even just the architecture of the space.

Ambient lighting needs to be a general light either in the centre of the room, or multiple lights spaced evenly across the room, this will give you a balanced even light that works perfect with your other light layers.

Task Lighting

Task lighting is all about making a space functional. This type of light layering is used to provide a focused light source for activities such as reading, writing, cooking or applying makeup. Task lighting is typically brighter and more directed than ambient light. Task lighting doesn’t have to be recessed spotlights or track lighting it can also include desk and floor lamps, under cabinet lights, wall lights and even pendant lighting placed over a task space

In working rooms like Kitchens, we work hard to make sure strong task lighting is used over the bench or in the cooking and prep spaces, this could be a pendant over your island or a strip of lighting under your overhead cabinets.

Wall mounted lighting is often used in task lighting. These would be the permanent fixtures that are created next to beds or chairs to be used as reading lamps. A good task lighting layer can give you options for the mood of a space, once the ambient lighting is turned off a home is dark and moody with just specific areas lit, it is lovely to read a good book on the couch or in bed in a dark atmosphere.

Highlighting the architecture can involve lights to wash a vaulted ceiling, or even mini recessed lights to wash up or down pillars in the home. This is a great way to add some visual interest to a space and highlight the unique elements of your home. Shelves and bookcases also look great with an added LED strip or recessed cabinet light.

We also consider your background lighting to be accent lighting, consider having indirect wall lights in relaxing spaces that wash lighting onto a wall without harsh glare, this could be a mood setting wall wash in your bedroom or and background lighting in the lounge for movie time.

One of the perks of a good layer of accent lighting is this is a perfect set of lights to keep on at night to really enjoy the moodiness of a home at night. It is easy to overlook but the accent lighting can really bring your lighting to the next level.

Bringing it all together

Now, you may be thinking, “But wait, can’t I just use one type of light? Why do I need all three?” The short answer is, you don’t have to use all three types of light in every room but using a combination of them can create a more dynamic and interesting space. For example, ambient light alone can make a room feel flat, but by adding task and accent lighting, you can create depth and interest.

Here are a few tips to help you achieve the perfect ambiance in a room:

• Start with ambient lighting: Ambient lighting should be the foundation of your light layering. It provides a general level of illumination and sets the overall tone of the room. Use a combination of ceiling lights, such as chandeliers, pendants, and recessed lights, to evenly distribute ambient light throughout the space.
• Add task lighting: Once you have established the ambient lighting, it’s time to add task lighting. Use a combination of dedicated lights to provide lighting for specific activities.
• Use accent lighting to highlight features: Use spotlights, track lighting, and picture lights to draw attention to these features and create a sense of depth and interest in the space.
• Dimmer switches can be used to control the intensity of the light in a room, which can help you create different moods and ambiances. Use dimmer switches to control the ambient, task and accent lighting, and experiment with different lighting levels to find the perfect balance for your space.
• Layer the lights: Be mindful of the layers of light in a room. Use a combination of lights at different heights, angles and brightness to create depth and interest in the space.
• Adjust the lights to the room’s purpose: The purpose of the room will also affect the balance of lights. For example, in a bedroom, you may want to have a lower level of ambient light and higher levels of task lighting for reading, while in a living room, you may want to have a higher level of ambient light and lower levels of task lighting.
• Consider the colour of the light: The colour of the light can also affect the ambiance of a room. Warmer colours, such as yellow and orange, create a cozy and inviting atmosphere, while cooler colours, such as blue and white, create a more modern and clinical feel.

Remember to always keep in mind the room’s purpose and personal preferences when layering your lights.

When it comes to light layering, the key is to strike the perfect balance between ambient, task, and accent lighting. While it may seem like a simple task, it can be challenging to achieve the perfect ambiance in a room. That’s why at The Lighting Centre, we offer professional lighting design services to help you create the perfect ambiance in your home. Our team of experts will work with you to understand your needs and preferences and create a custom lighting plan that will enhance the beauty and functionality of your space.

From selecting the right fixtures to positioning lights in the right places, we’ll handle every aspect of the process. With our help, you can enjoy a beautifully lit home that will make you feel comfortable and relaxed.

Don’t settle for less when it comes to your home’s lighting. Book a lighting plan here and let us help you achieve the perfect ambiance.

Professional DIY Garden Lighting System

Every now and again we come across a range of fittings that deserves to be given extra attention and explanation. This collection of garden lights and accessories features some extraordinary benefits that make it perfect for both professional installations and DIY customers looking for a premium solution.

Spotlights

Mini Spot 4W – Spike and Surface Mount

Spot 7W – Spike and Surface Mount

Glare Guard Accessory

Anti-glare hoods are available for both sizes of spotlight and work with spike and telescopic pole lights. These can be added to the light after installation.

Mini Pole Lights

Mini Single Pole Spot 4W

Mini Twin Pole Spot 2 x 4W

Pole Lights

Single Pole Spot 7W

Twin Pole Spot 2 x 7W

Spread Lights

Mini Spreadlight 4W

Spreadlight 5W

Bollards

Bollard 360° – Spike and Surface Mount

Bollard 200° – Spike and Surface Mount

Drivers

As the Mariner range is 24VDC a Constant Voltage Driver is required to convert mains voltage (230V) into the required low voltage. It is important to note that as the lighting circuit is low voltage it doesn’t require extra safety precautions and the cabling can be run above ground without conduit or extra shielding.

Drivers are available as either hard-wired or pre-fitted with a 3-Pin Plug to simply plug into a convenient power outlet. The drivers are IP67 rated meaning that are suitable for use in exterior locations and are rated to be exposed to the elements. Never bury the driver directly.

How to select the correct driver

Selecting the driver required is straightforward, one driver will be required for each circuit of fittings. To select an appropriate driver requires you to be aware of the Current requirement of the fittings.

Do not select a driver based on the wattage of the light fixtures. When first turned on the LEDs will draw a higher current (referred to as Inrush Current) and it is essential the driver is large enough to cope with this.

Simply add the values of Inrush Current for each fixture on the circuit and select a driver with a higher Amperage value than this total.

For example:

A circuit will consist of 3 Mini Spikes in a garden bed and
1 Telescopic Spotlight lighting a larger tree at the end of the garden

3 x Mini Spike @ 0.28A ea = 3 x 0.28A = 0.84A
1 x Single Pole Spotlight @ 0.61A
= 0.84A + 0.61A = 1.45A Total

Cross reference the driver chart and we select a 40W Driver with a 1.67A capacity

Tips for selecting and using LED Drivers

• Locate driver as close to fixtures as practical to minimise run lengths
• Locate driver as centrally as possible in larger installs
• Conceal drivers behind plants or landscape features, under decking or within sheds
• If the circuit is longer than 50m or the Amperage is within 5% of maximum amperage select the next highest available driver. If this is not possible split the circuits up
• If lights are flashing or strobing this indicates the driver is not of sufficient capacity
• If a circuit is of significant length or involves a large amount of fixtures please consult us or a registered electrician

What Drivers are Available

Drivers are available in two types – plugged and hard-wired.
All of these drivers are exterior grade (IP67).

Plugged types have a 3-Pin Plug on the Primary side and a Quick-Connector on the Secondary making them perfect for a DIY install.

Hard-wired drivers are available in higher wattages and do not have either a 3-Pin or Quick-Connect Plug. These are readily adaptable to work with a Quick-Connect system on the secondary side via use of a Quick-Connect Feed Cable or a 2-Way IP68 Junction. However a registered electrician is recommended to connect these drivers to a 230V supply (either 3-Pin plug or hardwire).

Click on the specs for the driver you need to be taken to the product page

Plugged Driver – IP67 Rating

Hard Wired Drivers – IP67 Rating

Connectors and Extensions

A full range of connectors, sockets and extensions are available for the Quick-Connect system. Additionally there are IP68 Junctions available that can be used to quickly and easily adapt cabling and non-Quick-Connect fixtures into the system. These are simple way to complete a cable join preventing the need to solder and heat-shrink.

Feed Cables

Extension Cables

Sockets

Junctions And Cable

Junctions are glanded IP68 cable junctions with screw terminals inside and a great way to further extend a system with either 24V fixtures outside the Quick-Connect range (for example ingrounds, more powerful uplights, deck lights and pond lights). These junctions require very little specialist tools (appropriate spanners and a small slotted screwdriver should suffice) to use.

Ensure you maintain cable colour polarity when making these joins.

Loose cable is of use with Junctions and to extend cable runs longer in situation that would be Impractical with Quick-Connect Extensions. Be aware in certain in some scenarios a Quick-Connect may be required to be removed and have cables spliced, or use an additional Quick-Connect Feed Cable

Junctions

IP68 Cable Junctions with Screw Terminals

2-Way Junction

3-Way Junction

Cable

Simply put, Lumens are a measurement of light output, more lumens = more light. Lumens (lm) are helpful to determine how bright your light is, Watts (W) are useful to determine how much power the light will consume. If you are replacing old lamps with new LED lamps and you still don’t know how many lumens you need, well, you’ll be glad you found this page, we have a chart below that shows the relative light output of old-style GLS and Halogen lamps so you can make sure your new LED is consistent.

How Many Lumens is a Standard GLS Lamp

Wattage	Approx Lumens	Efficiency
25W	250 lm	10 lm/w
40W	450 lm	11 lm/w
60W	800 lm	13 lm/w
75W	1000 lm	13 lm/w
100W	1500 lm	15 lm/w
150W	2250 lm	15 lm/w
200W	2800 lm	14 lm/w

How Many Lumens is a Halogen lamp

Power Input	Approx Lumens
12V 20W	180-250 lm
12V 35W	400-550 lm
12V 50W	550-770 lm
230V 50W	300-400 lm

Why we don’t use Watts to determine the light output for LED’s

Are more lumens better?

This is tricky to answer because it comes down to the situation, you are trying to find the right level of light for you and the space. If you currently use a 60W lamp (~800 lumens) but you want a brighter light you could try using a 1000 lumen LED lamp in the same fitting. The only issue is that LED lamps have more glare than normal lights.

A 75W 1000 lumen light bulb is fine to have in your vision but a 1000 lumen LED can be quite sharp on the eyes and can cause discomfort. We always recommend swapping like for like unless the light source is hidden inside a light fitting and cant be easily seen.

We often get asked about fittings that are inadequate for the task, for instance, you could have a light fitting with a single bulb lighting your whole dining room space. This really is a situation where finding the highest power LED lamp could let you down, as it won’t light the space nicely and glare will be an issue. It would be best to upgrade to a fitting or fittings that are more adequate for the room.

What about the colour of the light

Colour of light can affect the light output with LED, generally speaking, you will find cooler colours of LED have a higher lumen value, this is because the LED diode inside the LED light is blue in colour, so to create cooler, bluer lights the manufacturer can use fewer phosphors to change the colour of the light.

There is a perception difference too if you use a 1000 lumen 3000k (warm white) LED and swap it to a 1000 lumen 6000k (daylight) LED you will perceive the second lamp is brighter. It’s not generating more light but your eye feels it is a better working light.

Colour of light is determined by the Kelvin (K) of the lamp, here is a quick chart to sum up the colours but lower numbers are warmer and higher numbers are cooler. This is a very general guide for what spaces to use these lamps in, feel free to break these rules.

Colour Temperature	Colour	Space used
1800k	Ultra Warm	Decorative Lamps
2700k	Extra Warm White	Bedrooms, Living Spaces
3000k	Warm White	Bedrooms, Living Spaces, Bathrooms, Kitchens
4000k	Cool White	Kitchens, Bathrooms, Office, Garage or Retail
5000k – 6000k	Daylight	Commercial, Retail or Office

Warmer colours are generally better for your home, they are more relaxing and help you feel more comfortable. But if you have a working space like an Office or a Garage you should look at cooler colours to make you feel more awake and ready to work in these spaces.

You will note that some room recommendations are shared across colour temperatures – this is because your own perceptions and preferences are paramount.

All LED fittings will have the colour temperature on the packaging, make sure you check this so you have the right colour for the space you are lighting.

How much more efficient are LED lamps

LED’s are many times more efficient than traditional lamps, a 100W lamp puts out roughly 1500 lumens but we have found 15W lamps that can put out that same amount of light that is 85% or higher energy saving.

If you are interested in how to work out the efficiency of your LED lamps take the number of lumens and divide that by the power consumed (watts) and you will have the lumens per watt (lm/w). With some newer technologies we are getting around 100 lm/w and this number will only get higher in the future.

Life expectancy

Bulbs have an hour rating – an Average Rated Life (commonly referred to as life expectancy). This indicates how long a product is rated to last before a percentage (typically 50%) have failed.

For example, of 100 bulbs with a 15,000-hour rating being tested, it would be expected at 15,000 hours 50 bulbs would have failed, with 50 still operating.

A common misconception is that the hour rating on the box is some form of guarantee the bulb will last that long, it simply serves as an indicator of expectations but can be particularly useful for comparison between products.

It should be noted there can be a tradeoff with high efficiency LED lamps and life expectancy. Some manufacturers focus on high lm/w values and trade-off longevity for this, often more prevalent on cheaper ranges. A crass rule of thumb is that you can only select two properties out of high efficiency, high rated life & low cost.

It is important to match all the criteria of product to the application, eg, easy to service fixtures (on a low ceiling stud height for example) may suit an efficient, inexpensive light source, conversely with hard to reach or impractical to service fixtures (a stairwell for example) the priority should be placed on rated life.

Electrical Bathroom Zones Explained

Tip: Be careful if your shower or bath are near your vanity, this may mean your vanity lights will get caught up in the Zone 2 600mm away from the bath or the shower.

What are IP67, IP44, UL Damp Ratings?

An IP Rating (Ingress Protection) is a light fittings protection from particles and moisture. In particular for bathrooms we are looking at Moisture. IP44 means a light is protected against splashes of water, where IP67 fittings are capable of being submerged in water for short periods of time.

The higher the second number in an IP rating the better, so an IP68 light may be used in place of an IP67 and an IP65 or higher light may be used in place of an IP44

UL Ratings are a standard from Underwriter Laboratories that you will find used on American fixtures. UL Damp and Wet rating has been recognised locally as suitable for use in Zone 2 provided a NZ Declaration Of Compliance is available. So a UL Damp rated fixture can be used in Zone 2 as a Vanity Light.

The main other point to check is that any light that is fixed inside the shower base is Extra Low Voltage, which means 12V, many LED fittings are available in 12V so if you have the desire for some feature lights inside your shower this shouldn’t be hard to find.

While Vanity lights that are outside Zone 2 do not need to have an IP rating these fittings are typically better designed for moist/damp spaces.

What IP Rating do downlights need in a bathroom?

Technically if they are above 2.25m from the floor they do not need an IP rating, however it is best practice to use a fixture that is IP44 or higher. Even the best ventilated bathroom has some moisture inside and this protects the light fitting and the driver behind from any moisture.