LIGHTSAVE LED

Frequently asked questions

Below are some answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding LED lighting.

  • What is an LED?

    LED's have been in our lives for a long time already. In the simplest of examples, they are commonly used in electrical appliances to signal that the unit is on - e.g. the little red standby light on the front of your TV. However, individual white coloured LED's were never bright enough to be considered as a lighting source.

    The combination of many LED's mounted together meant that the light output (measured in Lumens rather than watts) was a viable lighting source. This technology helped define the introduction of LED's into everyday light fittings.

  • Has LED technology been around a long time?

    Yes, LED bulbs have been around for a few years now. Most large DIY stores stock the first generation of LED bulbs which feature a large number of individually mounted LED's. They are not generally appropriate as a direct replacement for existing bulbs throughout your home however as they simply do not produce enough light. They also tend to have a very strong blue tint to them. Technology has advanced greatly since then and you can now confidently replace your existing incandescent / halogen bulbs with LED's without compromising the finish.

  • How long do LED bulbs last?

    LED bulbs have a huge life expectancy in comparison to other technologies. The LED technology is very stable and so LED bulbs should last for between 25,000 – 50,000 hours. The life expectancy figure quoted on LED products related to the L70 value which is when the light still emits 70% of their original brightness.

  • Are they safe?

    All of our products are CE & RoHS marked meaning that they have been tested for conformity and sustainability for use in Europe. We are among the only online retailer to have our bulbs tested independently by the test lab TUV SÜD for safety and conformity. Our bulbs have class II double insulation, thermal cut outs and EMC suppression.

  • Do I need an LED-compatible transformer / driver?

    With some LED bulbs it is necessary to change existing transformers, as they will not be compatible. You would see that they are not compatible with the LED bulb as they would cause the bulb to be very dim or have a very pronounced flicker or strobe. The majority of our products use the Meanwell drivers which are classed as the best available.

  • Are LED lights cost-effective?

    LED lights are very cost effective as the savings are two fold. Firstly, the LED technology is extremely efficient and so you will use around 90% less electricity than traditional lighting. Secondly, as the LED light has a huge life expectancy you will save on the cost of replacing the old traditional bulbs and also the hassle of physically replacing them.

  • What are the best features of LED lights?

    Where do we start!! Choosing LED lights is simply a the best option.

    • LED lights are massively cheaper to run saving you money on your electricity bill and also saving the planet from the harmful effects of having to produce that extra electricity.
    • There are no hazardous chemicals used in LED light bulbs.
    • LED light bulbs are not fragile like traditional bulbs.
    • LED light bulbs have a life of around 30,000 hours which is around 30 times more than a traditional light bulb.
    • You can choose the colour of the light that you want from a LED Light bulb.
    • LED Lights will be standard in all homes in the future; traditional lighting has just simply been superseded by better technology.
  • Can LED light bulbs be used with dimmers?

    LED light bulbs can only be used with a dimmer switch if they specifically state in their technical specification that they are dimmable. If there is no mention of the bulbs dimming facility you should always assume that the bulb is not dimmable.

  • What are SMDs?

    SMD stands for Surface Mounted Diode. In simple terms, this is the LED diodes / chips that are fixed to the flat surface of the bulb. One characteristic of this type of bulb is that you will get a wider beam angle than traditional bulb types, which is more desirable.

    What is 3528?
    3528 refers to a type of chip. This chip has been in production for quite some time and it actually is the size of the chip that is 3.5mm by 2.8mm.

    What is 5050?
    5050 is the type of chip used in a SMD bulb/lamp. This chip is widely used and the size of this chip is 5.0mm by 5.0mm

    What is 6060?
    6060 is the newest type of chip that has just been launched. This chip is 6.0mm by 6.0mm

    What SMD chips are used in our LED bulbs?
    We use different chips in different bulbs in order to have a range of different prices and light outputs. The chips are the same technology but just different sizes. You would need around twice the number of 3528 chips to produce the same amount of light as a 6060 chip.

  • What are the benefits of using LED lights?

    You can save around 90% on your lighting electricity bill by swapping to LED bulbs. Yes, they do cost more than the existing filament bulbs to purchase but they will last on average for 15 years! They also produce very little heat, which is a common problem with flush mounted ceiling spotlights.

    Firstly, it can be dangerous if the spotlight does not have adequate space around it in the ceiling void for the heat to dissipate which can be a potential fire risk. Secondly, the spotlights can contribute significantly to unwanted heat in a room - particularly in summer.

  • What is the difference between warm white and cool white colour bulbs?

    The effect or feel that the colour of a bulb/lamp that is chosen will have on the space that it is used. Warm white most closely replicates the colour of a traditional/halogen bulb. Cool white has a brighter, whiter effect and can give a modern or even clinical feel to a space.

  • Can LED lights be used outdoors?

    Yes, LED lights can be used outdoors as long as the fitting they are used in is suitable for outdoor use.

    To be used outside, fittings should have an IP rating which will tell you how sealed and therefore how waterproof that fitting is.

  • What does IP65 mean?

    The two numbers following the IP ( Ingress Protection ) are in reference to how much protection they offer against both intrusion, and moisture.

    6 = totally dust tight & 5 = protection against low-pressure water jets (all directions).

  • What does IP67 mean?

    The two numbers following the IP are in reference to how much protection they offer against both intrusion, and moisture.

    6 = totally dust tight & 7 = protected against immersion in water.

  • Do I have to have fire-rated fittings?

    Fire rated downlights differ from standard downlight fittings as they are a metal enclosed fitting rather than an open backed fitting. This will give protection in the event of a fire and fire rated downlights are now the accepted standard when installing new downlight fittings.

  • Why are LED lights considered a green technology?

    LED lights are green technology as they require a small amount of electricity compared to traditional lights to give out the same amount of light. LED bulbs also do not use the harmful chemicals that their CFL counterparts use.

  • Do LED bulbs have any toxic materials inside them?

    LED bulbs do not contain the same hazardous materials as CFL bulbs. Due to the electronics inside the bulbs they still need to be disposed of by recycling through the WEEE system.

  • Do LED light bulbs switch on immediately or do they have to warm up?

    LED light bulbs do not have any warm up timer and switch on immediately to full brightness.

  • Does the level of light produced reduce over the lifetime of the LED bulb?

    Yes, the brightness of an LED bulb will reduce over time. L70 is used to describe the point at which the bulb reaches 70% of the original brightness. It is at this point that the bulb is deemed to have reached the end of its life.

CALL US TODAY

If you have any questions that have not been answered then please dont hesitate to call us and we will do our best to answer it for you.

01625 828 999

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