You can choose the ideal LED lighting in these 6 steps:
STEP 1: A LAMP OR A SPOT?
We make a formal distinction between an LED lamp and a LED spotlight.
A LED lamp has a much larger light angle and seems almost round all around.
A LED spotlight has a much smaller light angle and is used as accent lighting. The advantage of a spot is that you can aim it well and that no light is lost.
STEP 2: WHICH FITTING?
Over the years, a proliferation of different fittings (or 'feet') has been developed. Some you have to stick, others to screw, etc. We offer the most common lamp bases. On the section 'Lamp fittings and feet' you will find an overview.
STEP 3: DO YOU HAVE A TRANSFO?
Does your lighting work with a transformer (12V) or directly on 230V?
If you have 12V and want to continue using the current transformer, you have to take into account a few things:
- Does your transformer work on 12V AC, DC or AC / DC? Check carefully whether your new LED spotlight matches the voltage.
- Do you have a minimum load for transformer? Then the consumption of all connected LED lamps must reach the minimum power. Otherwise, the LEDs will flicker or will not work.
STEP 4: DO YOU WANT TO DIMM?
We have a dedicated special section to the aspect of dimming LED lighting.
STEP 5: WATTAGE VS LUMEN?
With LED lighting we no longer speak in 'wattages', but in 'lumen'. Technological development does not stand still. You get more and more lumen for a lower wattage (more light, less consumption).
REPLACE A HALOGEN LAMP
To replace a halogen spot, we have made a simple rule. You can find it on the section ' Which equivalent in LED do I have to choose to replace my 50watt halogen spot ?'
- In the answer to the question "" How much light do I need in each room? "" You can find the number of lux (lumens per square meter) per room or per activity. The rest of the data can be found on the relevant product page.
STEP 6: COZY WARM WHITE OR BRIGHT WHITE?
The color temperature is one of the success factors of LED lighting. You can provide the appropriate atmosphere for every situation.
The lower the Kelvin value, eg 2700K, the warmer and cozier the light. If you opt for 6500K, you have a real white light.
The color temperature depends on what you want to do in that space. Warm white light is suitable for almost everywhere in the house, except in the places where you 'work' (eg kitchen top).
How to recognize a 'good' LED lamp?
There is a huge range of LED on the market, often of substandard quality.
A word (technical) explanation of the price differences and quality differences between LED lamps:
The price differences are determined differently: components or functionalities in the lamp itself, the point of sale, the guarantee, the service and the advice you get wit hthe lamp.
DIFFERENCES IN THE LAMP
The quality of each individual part determines the total price. You may not need the best quality of all facets, but you still want your lamp to shine for several years.
- The radiated light: is expressed in lumen: the more lumens per watt you have, the more efficient your lamp. So compare the lumen value, because it says more than the wattage.
- Consumption (wattage): on light products sometimes a lower wattage is mentioned than they actually consume. This can easily be determined by a measurement, but of course you do not do that when you buy the lamp in the store. Qaledo lamps are certified and effectively consume as little as there is mentioned on the packaging.
- Stability in light color: in the case of quality lamps, the light color remains the same during the life of the lamp and over the various production processes (important for repeat orders). This is often not the case with cheaper lamps.
- Color Rendering Index (CRI): an indicator of how the colors are displayed. If this is below 80, the colors are distorted.
- Housing: cheaper housings do not conduct the heat properly and as a result, LED lamps break down faster.
- Internal driver: most LED lights have a built-in driver. Here is a HUGE quality difference to be found. The high-quality lamps have a driver that works under its capacity. As a result, the lamp lasts much longer and is less sensitive to power surges.
- Dimmability: dimmable drivers are more expensive than non-dimmable drivers. So dimmable LED lights are logically also more expensive (the Luminus lamps and spots are dimmable).
DIFFERENCES IN SALES METHOD
Some department stores and do-it-yourself chains purchase large numbers of LED lamps at 'sell-out' or 'end-of-the-line' in the Far East. It is usually lamps that have outdated technology (sometimes even with the same outside work, so not visible to the consumer).
They sell these lamps in one-off promotions and at very low prices.
The disadvantage is that if the action is no longer running (usually after a few weeks), you can no longer order the lamps (even if they are from a well-known brand) or that defective lamps can not be replaced.
The lamps of the Luminus EXTRAS! action remain standard in our range, even after the promotion. We ensure that there is always sufficient stock for additional orders. The possible internal improvements to the lamp will not change the appearance of the lamps.
DIFFERENCES IN SERVICE AND ADVICE
LED lighting is a new technology and you may have a number of questions about it. Service, advice and support are therefore very important.
In a supermarket or large store there is rarely someone who will be able to answer your questions about LED, in case of problems, how to choose the right LED lamps, installation, etc.
DIFFERENCES IN WARRANTY
We offer you an EXTRA year warranty on top of the normal warranty period of 2 years.
If you notice that your lamp is defective within 3 years, we will replace it for you. You do not have to bother too much to search for your original 'cash ticket'. We can find this for you!
Which fitting should I choose for my spots?
There are 2 types of spots: on 230V and 12V.
- 230V spots have a foot that we call GU10.
- 12V spotlights have a socket that we call MR16 fitting.
So check out the feet of the spot you want to replace and you immediately know whether you should choose a spot on 12V or 230V.
There are also other fittings possible in LED, but these lamps / spots are not provided in the EXTRAS! action for loyal Luminus customers.
Which color temperature to choose: warm white or just white?
The traditional halogen spotlights and the traditional home lighting give warm white light. To perform functional tasks, natural white or cold white is better to be used.
Which equivalent in LED do I have to choose to replace my 50Watt halogen spot?
A few simple rules to choose the equivalent in LED:
1. Replacement of classic incandescent lamps: I choose for a LED lamp that has 10 times less power
2. Replacement of halogen lamps: I choose a LED lamp that has 8 times less power
3. Energy saving bulb or classic fluorescent tubes: I choose a LED lamp that has 2.5-3 times less power.
Why do I need a transfo for a LED lamp of 12V?
12V-LED lighting works with direct current. As you get alternating current from your electricity supplier at home, that's why a transformer is needed that converts alternating current into direct current, which also ensures a conversion from 230V to 12V.
If you want to convert 12V spots to LED spots and you want to continue using your current transformer, you have to take into account a few things:
- Does your transformer work on 12V AC, DC or AC / DC? Check carefully whether your new LED spotlight matches the voltage.
- Does your transformer have a minimum load? Then the consumption of all connected LED lamps must reach the minimum power. Otherwise, the LEDs will flicker or will not work.
If the flickering continues with the 12V spots, it is best to replace the existing transformer with an LED transformer of the required power + 20%. For example, if you have 4 LED spots of 4.5Watt, you should choose a transformer of 24 watts.
The TEA-Energy LED transformers operate on 12V DC and are compatible with all the LED products.
Why do I need a stabilizer in my boat or in my caravan?
In batteries, campers, caravans and cars, a battery provides the energy.
When that battery runs out, it is recharged. The reload provides a power surge (eg 12V battery has a peak of 14V and a 24V battery has a peak of 28V). This peak can damage the LED lighting and a stabilizer neutralises this peak.
I would like to dimm my LED spots and lamps. Can I do it?
Of course you can, the spots and lights in the EXTRAS! Action for Luminus customers are all dimmable.
See all the details on the answer to the question 'Is LED lighting dimmable?'
