Lighting: A Beginner's Guide to Lighting LED - LED (light emitting diode) technology uses advanced semiconductors to produce light. Unlike conventional incandescent sources - the good old light bulb or halogen lamp - LEDs contain no filament that burns, so they should last a lot longer. They are also more efficient, as a much higher percentage of the electrical power used goes directly into light production
LED lighting often gets a bad reputation in the public eye -. Too hard, too cold, poor quality - when in fact it is the experience of people of low quality lights that gave a bad reputation, rather than the light itself. LED has, indeed, become the go-to source of light for the design of residential lighting, given its efficiency, durability and ability to provide excellent quality of light (when done right).
This is a beginner's guide to help you find your way through the maze of LED lighting.
LED lighting often gets a bad reputation in the public eye -. Too hard, too cold, poor quality - when in fact it is the experience of people of low quality lights that gave a bad reputation, rather than the light itself. LED has, indeed, become the go-to source of light for the design of residential lighting, given its efficiency, durability and ability to provide excellent quality of light (when done right).
This is a beginner's guide to help you find your way through the maze of LED lighting.
Ellen van + Sheryn Architects
The efficacy energy
Any new construction or major renovations that require building control approval will be subject to building regulations. 1L part of Building Regulations covering energy consumption in residential properties, and states that 75% of luminaires shall be energy efficient.
LEDs are energy efficient because they are a way to produce light that is not dependent on heat, where as a traditional halogen or incandescent bulb will produce a significant amount of heat, and are gradually regulated out of existence.
Other sources include energy efficient fluorescent lights, but LED is the most attractive and versatile source for residential projects. It can look great and last for decades.
Any new construction or major renovations that require building control approval will be subject to building regulations. 1L part of Building Regulations covering energy consumption in residential properties, and states that 75% of luminaires shall be energy efficient.
LEDs are energy efficient because they are a way to produce light that is not dependent on heat, where as a traditional halogen or incandescent bulb will produce a significant amount of heat, and are gradually regulated out of existence.
Other sources include energy efficient fluorescent lights, but LED is the most attractive and versatile source for residential projects. It can look great and last for decades.
Lighting Brilliant
quality
the first thing to understand about LED lighting is that there is a significant difference between the fittings and of good quality and poor quality lamps (one lamp the technical term for a light bulb). It is one of those markets where there really is no shortcut or a cheap solution. If you are not paying a lot for a blister or device, there is probably a reason.
The quality of LED lights can vary greatly in terms of production efficiency, the color of the light and how light makes other colors appear, it is important to do your homework. An LED light low quality may look yellow, dirty or too cold.
You need to buy from a reputable source, understand what you are buying, and be prepared to pay much more than you did for halogen sources / tungsten. In the long run, buying a higher quality now will save you money and give you years of enjoyment.
See 10 ways to dazzle with cluster lights
the first thing to understand about LED lighting is that there is a significant difference between the fittings and of good quality and poor quality lamps (one lamp the technical term for a light bulb). It is one of those markets where there really is no shortcut or a cheap solution. If you are not paying a lot for a blister or device, there is probably a reason.
The quality of LED lights can vary greatly in terms of production efficiency, the color of the light and how light makes other colors appear, it is important to do your homework. An LED light low quality may look yellow, dirty or too cold.
You need to buy from a reputable source, understand what you are buying, and be prepared to pay much more than you did for halogen sources / tungsten. In the long run, buying a higher quality now will save you money and give you years of enjoyment.
See 10 ways to dazzle with cluster lights
Lighting Brilliant
built against lighting retrofit
There are two ways you can go with LED lighting - an integrated installation or retrofit lamp (bulb).
joint An integrated LED is where thermal management and light source are both part of the establishment, so you can not just change a light bulb (as you would with a retrofit lamp), but would need to change the whole assembly. An LED retrofit lamp is an LED lamp that resembles an incandescent bulb or halogen bulb traditional and is inserted into the connector in the same manner. It is separated from the fitting and can be easily replaced.
There are two ways you can go with LED lighting - an integrated installation or retrofit lamp (bulb).
joint An integrated LED is where thermal management and light source are both part of the establishment, so you can not just change a light bulb (as you would with a retrofit lamp), but would need to change the whole assembly. An LED retrofit lamp is an LED lamp that resembles an incandescent bulb or halogen bulb traditional and is inserted into the connector in the same manner. It is separated from the fitting and can be easily replaced.
Lighting Brilliant
but different, different light
How do you know when to use an integrated LED light, and when to go for LED retrofit bulb?
often more decorative lighting, such as wall lights and suspensions, are best suited to modernize LED lamps. The designers of these fixtures are often more concerned with aesthetics than thermal management to design them with regular connections. The easiest route here is to go for a (high quality) renew bulb.
For architectural lighting such as ceiling lights, uplights or accent lights, a built-in high quality LED assembly is the best way to go. While changing the entire setup does sound like a lot more work, and would imply an electrician, an integrated LED lighting can offer a much higher quality of light.
How do you know when to use an integrated LED light, and when to go for LED retrofit bulb?
often more decorative lighting, such as wall lights and suspensions, are best suited to modernize LED lamps. The designers of these fixtures are often more concerned with aesthetics than thermal management to design them with regular connections. The easiest route here is to go for a (high quality) renew bulb.
For architectural lighting such as ceiling lights, uplights or accent lights, a built-in high quality LED assembly is the best way to go. While changing the entire setup does sound like a lot more work, and would imply an electrician, an integrated LED lighting can offer a much higher quality of light.
Surface Tiles
life
a retrofit lamp tries to fit everything in the size of the bulb, while a built-in connector can use all the congregation for its thermal management. This means that the potential quantity of light and life are better from an integrated assembly.
An LED lamp retrofit top-quality has a life expectancy of 15.000 to 30.000 hours as compared to 50,000 hours for more integrated LED connector quality. Because it is integrated, and therefore requires an electrician to install, reliability is more important, but reputable manufacturers offer warranties of 3 to 5 years.
Remember to always prioritize quality -. A very good LED retrofit lamp is better than a bad quality integrated assembly
a retrofit lamp tries to fit everything in the size of the bulb, while a built-in connector can use all the congregation for its thermal management. This means that the potential quantity of light and life are better from an integrated assembly.
An LED lamp retrofit top-quality has a life expectancy of 15.000 to 30.000 hours as compared to 50,000 hours for more integrated LED connector quality. Because it is integrated, and therefore requires an electrician to install, reliability is more important, but reputable manufacturers offer warranties of 3 to 5 years.
Remember to always prioritize quality -. A very good LED retrofit lamp is better than a bad quality integrated assembly
Boscolo Interior Design
Drivers
a driver is to LED lighting transformer that is a regular halogen light. This basically means a driver leaves a network input to provide light. Drivers are integral to modernize the LED, but they must be equipped for those integrated. Depending on the output of lighting fixtures, they may need a driver by fitting or may be able to share a driver if they are smaller lights accent.
Work in advance how many lines must be executed in a given area. Drivers must be hidden, some discreet hand but also available, usually 10-20m in the last adjustment, but check the specific installation instructions.
drivers come in different versions depending on whether you want to switch or dim the light and the method you want to use gradation. It is best to get expert advice on the compatibility of connections and drivers to ensure the combination works as desired.
a driver is to LED lighting transformer that is a regular halogen light. This basically means a driver leaves a network input to provide light. Drivers are integral to modernize the LED, but they must be equipped for those integrated. Depending on the output of lighting fixtures, they may need a driver by fitting or may be able to share a driver if they are smaller lights accent.
Work in advance how many lines must be executed in a given area. Drivers must be hidden, some discreet hand but also available, usually 10-20m in the last adjustment, but check the specific installation instructions.
drivers come in different versions depending on whether you want to switch or dim the light and the method you want to use gradation. It is best to get expert advice on the compatibility of connections and drivers to ensure the combination works as desired.
Luke Cartledge Photography
dimming
You must be careful when dimming LED because it is more difficult than traditional light sources. It is best to opt for a proven combination of mounting the driver and control to avoid things like flickering and jerky dimming.
There are a number of "grading standards". 0-10V is widely used for smooth dimming LED fittings. DALI is commonly used in commercial applications, but becomes more and more in residential properties because it gives great flexibility to the individual connectors and can simplify the wiring diagram. DMX is all about color and allows different chips in a color change of connection (red, green, blue and sometimes white) to be controlled individually. You may think that this change of lighting color professionally done.
Each method requires a slightly different gradation cable infrastructure, so it should be thought out in advance. Consult an expert on which the gradation standard makes sense for your project.
You must be careful when dimming LED because it is more difficult than traditional light sources. It is best to opt for a proven combination of mounting the driver and control to avoid things like flickering and jerky dimming.
There are a number of "grading standards". 0-10V is widely used for smooth dimming LED fittings. DALI is commonly used in commercial applications, but becomes more and more in residential properties because it gives great flexibility to the individual connectors and can simplify the wiring diagram. DMX is all about color and allows different chips in a color change of connection (red, green, blue and sometimes white) to be controlled individually. You may think that this change of lighting color professionally done.
Each method requires a slightly different gradation cable infrastructure, so it should be thought out in advance. Consult an expert on which the gradation standard makes sense for your project.
Yiangou Architects
temperature
Concern about the temperature (hot and cold) light is one of the most common problems we hear about LED. The temperature is measured in kelvins and LED is available in a wide range of 1850K (the color of the sunset) to 6000K +. The above temperatures are 3000K cool psychologically, can be invigorating and concentration of aid. 2700K to 3000K is the people of the most temperature associated with 'cosiness'.
Think about your space, this going to be used and how you want to feel. The floating ceiling is lit with a cool white energizing, ideal for this contemporary pool. But while it looks great here, it might not be suitable for a living room or bedroom as well, to give it some thought beforehand.
It is a good idea to test the lights and accessories in advance, as a manufacturer 3000K may seem quite different from another.
Discover the power of the hidden lighting
Concern about the temperature (hot and cold) light is one of the most common problems we hear about LED. The temperature is measured in kelvins and LED is available in a wide range of 1850K (the color of the sunset) to 6000K +. The above temperatures are 3000K cool psychologically, can be invigorating and concentration of aid. 2700K to 3000K is the people of the most temperature associated with 'cosiness'.
Think about your space, this going to be used and how you want to feel. The floating ceiling is lit with a cool white energizing, ideal for this contemporary pool. But while it looks great here, it might not be suitable for a living room or bedroom as well, to give it some thought beforehand.
It is a good idea to test the lights and accessories in advance, as a manufacturer 3000K may seem quite different from another.
Discover the power of the hidden lighting
STEPHEN FLETCHER ARCHITECTS
beam widths
LED lights, both integrated and improved, come in different beam widths. You can think of the beam width as the size of the light cone of the coupling product. smaller beam widths, such as 10 degrees, are perfect to highlight a focal point. 20-30 degrees work well for downlighting in higher ceilings, and 30-50 degree beam widths offer a more diffuse light, which is good for lower ceilings and niches.
LED lights, both integrated and improved, come in different beam widths. You can think of the beam width as the size of the light cone of the coupling product. smaller beam widths, such as 10 degrees, are perfect to highlight a focal point. 20-30 degrees work well for downlighting in higher ceilings, and 30-50 degree beam widths offer a more diffuse light, which is good for lower ceilings and niches.
Anthony Wilder Design / Build, Inc.
integrated lighting
LED can be integrated into the fabric of a building or its retailer of new and innovative ways to create very striking effects. If the integration of fittings, it is even more important to make sure they are high quality, as they will be difficult to change. Remember to take into account the maintenance requirements and access to the design phase. While LEDs have a lifespan much longer than other lighting options, they still will not last forever.
LED can be integrated into the fabric of a building or its retailer of new and innovative ways to create very striking effects. If the integration of fittings, it is even more important to make sure they are high quality, as they will be difficult to change. Remember to take into account the maintenance requirements and access to the design phase. While LEDs have a lifespan much longer than other lighting options, they still will not last forever.
Cassidy Hughes Design & Styling Interior
Color
LED gives us the opportunity to have fun. RGB (red, green and blue) or RGBW (red, green, blue and white) connectors combine color chips and can be programmed to the color you want. You can even control the system from your iPad, which makes it fun for the lighting adventurist.
Tell us ...
light Have you used LED your house? Share your experiences and photos in the comments below.
LED gives us the opportunity to have fun. RGB (red, green and blue) or RGBW (red, green, blue and white) connectors combine color chips and can be programmed to the color you want. You can even control the system from your iPad, which makes it fun for the lighting adventurist.
Tell us ...
light Have you used LED your house? Share your experiences and photos in the comments below.