Below are answers to some of the questions we regularly receive about the light fittings we sell at Discount Lighting
If your question isn't answered here please contact us and our lighting experts would be happy to help you further.
What do the different the IP Ratings Mean?
Ingress Protection or IP rating is used to determine a fittings resistance against solids and water. The first part of an IP rating is the solid protection rating, this ranges from 1-6. The second part of an IP rating determines how waterproof a fitting is. This ranges from 1-8. The image below shows what combinations of an IP rating can be.
What does the Colour Temperature Refer to?
This refers to the colour of light that is emitted by a light source. The 3 main colour temperatures are 3000K, 4000K & 5000K. The colour temperature of a lightbulb is measured in Kelvin. The lower the Kelvin is the warmer the colour is.
Warm White 3000K
Warm White provides a soft yellow colour which is generally used in bedrooms.
Cool White 4000K
Cool White is a more neutral light being a more neutral white colour when compared to warm white.
Daylight 6000K
Daylight provides a colour temperature that is close to the outside light at noon
Whats the Difference between Wattage & Lumens?
Lumens
Lumens determine how bright your bulb or fitting is. The lower the lumens the lower the light output. The higher the lumens the higher the light output.
Wattage
Wattage is used to measure how much power the bulb or fitting consumes not how bright the fitting or bulb is.
Bulb Conversion Table
What are the different types of lightbulb?
There are many different types of bulbs when it comes to fittings. The most common types are Edison Screw (E27) and Bayonet Cap (B22). Both of these bulbs have smaller variants. The Small Edison Screw bulb is know as an E14. The Small Bayonet Cap is known as the B15.
There are many types of lightbulbs, ranging from E27, B22, E14, MR16 and more. Please see below for a lightbulb identification table.
What is the difference between normal (class 1) and double-insulated (class 2) lights?
While class 1 and 2 lights are indistinguishable from an aesthetic standpoint; their internals differ by quite a margin.
Class 1 lights will always require an earth wire. This is important, as if a light should short-circuit, this cable comes into play to prevent fire or shock, as the current is then sent safely to the ground. Class 1 lights have a clear yellow label in their internals like in the below image to necessitate the need for an earth wire.
Class 2 lights on the other hand have their wiring double-insulated inside a thick, non-conductive sheath, so do not need an earth wire. If there were a faulty wire, there would never be a short-circuit since the wire could not touch the light housing to create a circuit. The fuse box would detect a fault, and would cut the power to the light automatically.
Class 2 lights have a sticker to indicate such on their internals. If a class 2 light, there will be a silver sticker with a black box within a black box as shown below.
