Low Energy Light Bulbs




The picture above shows some of the types of "low energy" light bulbs that we stock. Our range of this kind of light bulb is expanding as more types come onto the market. It should be noted that a "low energy bulb" is somewhat larger than the filament bulb that it is replacing in most cases. The vast majority of "low energy" are miniature fluorescent lamps. All of the ones in the picture are fluorescent. LED technology is progressing and some of the smaller types of reflector filament bulbs will find an LED equivalent. Now we have concerns over climate change more effort is being put into all forms of "low energy" bulbs. As fluorescent lamps have always been noted for long life and low energy consumption it is to be hoped that the manufacturers will design some attractive fittings and bring this type of lamp back into "fashion".

Warning!
Most of the current generation of "low energy" light bulbs cannot be used on dimmer switches. There are some newer types in the "pipeline" that can be used on a dimmer switch.




Filament Bulbs

Information:

We have had a number of reports of premature failures of halogen bulbs. The failures have been found to be caused by vibration or mechanical shock whilst the lamp is switched on. The halogen bulbs that have failed in this way have been fitted to "uplighters" and recessed ceiling lighting units. With the uplighters we have found that the lamps have been "bumped into", sometimes knocking them over. Quite often it has been reported that children playing has been the route cause of the problem! With the ceiling lighting systems we are hearing reports of lamp failures due to vibrations and mechanical shocks coming from the floor above.

With the filament of a halogen bulb running at a very high temperature it becomes more frail and prone to failure when subjected to vibrations and mechanical shock. When deciding to use these lamps this factor should be taken into account. This is fact has been known for some time as the instructions for photo projectors have warnings not to move the unit whilst it is switched on.

Some customers have confused low voltage with low energy. That fact is that a 50 Watt bulb will consume 50 Watts whether it is running at 240v (i.e. mains voltage) or 12v (low voltage). Some of this can be blamed on misleading information from politicians and journalists who do not seem capable of (or do not want to!) explaining exactly what a "low energy" bulb is! To be be really "picky" on low voltage systems the total power consumed will be the bulb wattage plus transformer losses.

Ordinary GLS bulbs such as the pearl 60w and 100w types are gently being replaced by bulbs with smaller glass envelopes. These smaller glassed bulbs have the same fittings and filaments as their larger counterparts. They look a little different but will work just the same. The only time you may have a problem is where the shade clips onto the glass envelope, careful bending of the clip should solve that.

The wattage of a bulb can be very critical for the health and safety of the light fitting. With low voltage halogen lamps it must be remembered that they are running on a transformer. Fitting a bulb with a wattage that is too high can overload the transformer and could burn it out. With some electronic transformers the system will automatically shut down.

If a filament bulb that is too high in power is fitted to a desk or table lamp overheating and destruction of the lampholder will occur.  The same applies to the centre light hanging from the ceiling.

For the centre light choose an attractive shade that has plenty of ventilation as this helps to prolong the life of both the bulb and its holder.

When buying a shade make sure that you get one that is compatible with the lampholder to which it is to be fitted. We have had quite a number of customers wondering why the shade they have just bought will not fit the lampholder. The reason is that the bayonet and Edison screw lampholders are not the same diameter. The Edison screw lampholder has a much larger diameter than the bayonet holder. There are some adaptors around but they are not easy to track down, but we have managed to find a supply! These adaptors will allow you to fit a shade meant for an Edison screw fitting onto a bayonet holder. Adaptors are a bit of a compromise and it is better to get the right fitting at the start.