Spot lights

[M.Joshi]

Hi,

We are planning a new extension and I have been speaking to a fe people in shops about spot lights.

At one shop, I was told that it is better to have mains halogen spo lights with a dimmer as they last longer than the low voltag transformer type.

At another shop, they told me that their lights use high qualit individual transformers which have a three year warranty and tha halogen low voltage bulbs do not blow as much as the the high voltag type?

The person at the first shop also said that a special inductive loa dimmer switch has to be used with transformer lights whereas, at th second shop they said any dimmer switch will work with thei transformers?

I would have thought that the mains spot lights with a good qualit slow-start dimmer are less likely to blow than the low voltage types.

Can anyone clarify this and share their experience of both types?

Thanks

-- M.Joshi

[Andy Hall]

I've found that the low voltage ones do seem to last a bit longer than the mains ones.

I run both on slow start dimmers and use electronic transformers for the LV ones. There can be an issue with some non electronic transformers and some dimmers, but it's a non issue if you use electronic transformers.

You haven't said whether you are looking for contemporary or traditional fittings. I was looking for some exterior lights for another application yesterday and chanced on this site. They seem to have a fair range of spotlights, downlighters and so on in contemporary designs.

[Christian McArdle]

Wrong. LV bulbs last significantly longer than mains voltage ones. In simple terms, this is because the mains bulbs must have very thin filaments to restrict the current.

That is correct.

Most dimmers will cope, although normally at a much reduced maximum power.

See above. Check the maximum inductive loading on the switch.

Also, the idea that soft start on a lightbulb will extend its life is an urban myth. Bulbs last no longer when soft started. The myth starts because bulbs often blow when turned on. However, all the damage to the filament was done through normal usage. The turning on blows the bulb when it is already

99% worn out and would blow within a few hours anyway.

Don't use halogen downlighters at all. They are environmentally irresponsible in almost all cases. They'll also cost you a fortune to run and maintain.

Christian.

[M.Joshi]

Thanks for your replies guys.

Andy, could you please clarify what you mean by Electroni Transformers?

Christian - what are people fitting in new homes now as an alternativ to halogen spot downlighters

-- M.Joshi

[The Natural Philosopher]

They use high frequency inverters and small ferrite transformers, whuich is cheaper than bigger lumps of iron.

Halogen spot downlighters.

[keiron99]

We have just had a rather large extension built. The large kitchen/office/seating area has a total of 16 (sixteen) spots, all burning 50 watts. I have to say, I wish I had done my homework before these were installed. Me being absolutely thick I assumed low voltage=less electricity. How wrong could I have been? I will as a minimu, change some of them bulbs for 20 watters, but will perhaps also investigate some of the LED variants, though I gather their effect is not so pleasing.

I really wish we'd just gone for bog standard cheapo kitchen flourescent lights and would advise everyone else to go this way too.

[Christian McArdle]

Well, my kitchen is lit using two decorative flush lumninaires containing CFLs. The under cupboard lighting is provided by slim electronically ballasted fluorescent tubes, which actually provide a more useful even light for cooking than downlighters.

My other rooms are lit either with centrally mounted pendants or other fittings with CFLs. The exception is the new master bedroom which has no fixed lighting at all. It has three independently switched lighting circuits, which are brought out to round pin sockets to drive table lights and standard lights (but still switched at the door and the bed). Obviously, those table and standard lights are all CFLed.

The en-suite is lit with CFLs, too, which was a great struggle, as it is hard to find a Zone 1 approved luminaire that will take a CFL. They are almost invariably halogen and Zone 1 was the only suitable mounting location.

Whilst halogen downlighters can provide a pleasing effect that is not easily replicated, I find the environmentally irresponsibility of them rules them out, at least until we find a carbon neutral source of electricity.

Christian.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Which may be fine for just illumination in a working area but will look dreadful elsewhere.

[Christian McArdle]

Decent modern CFLs are fine (although there are still some shockers about). Personally, I don't think anyone has the right to release up CO2 needlessly just because they don't like some aspect of the spectrum. There are some that are acceptable. They should be used. It a moral thing.

Christian.

[David Hansen]

On 10 Oct 2006 00:03:42 -0700 someone who may be [e-mail] wrote this:-

There is no need to go for bare tube basic models. There are other types of fluorescent fitting that work well in kitchens.

[meow2222]

cfl downlights, concealed fl uplighting, fl under cupboard lighting, or even a central 100w pendant. Wall lights and table lamps still exist.

LEDs wont gain you anything, bar poor light quality. Look past the hype, theyre not better than filament bulbs.

NT