dld led downlight guide v1.3
DESCRIPTION
LED downlight guide for Downlights Direct.co.uk, 2013 version featuring the latest in LED lighting technology.TRANSCRIPT
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► A low energy alternative to halogen which
provide energy savings of around 90%
► Longer lasting, ranging from 25,000 hours
to 75,000 hours. Up to 30 years (based on 6
hours per day usage)
► Eco-friendly and better for the environment
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6W GU10 LED Lamp
► Larger initial investment required, of £16.99+VAT per lamp.
► Costs very little to run, around £0.90 per 1,000 hours of use.
► Long lasting 40,000 hours life expectancy.
► Doesn’t need replacing. Should last for 30+ years based on 3 hours per day usage
50W GU10 Halogen Lamp
► Cheap to buy at around £1.00+VAT per lamp.
► Expensive to run, will cost around £7.50 per 1,000 hours of use.
► Doesn’t last long, just 1,000 to 2,000 hours.
► Regularly needs replacing. Causing an increase maintenance costs (commercial use).
Vs
GU10 LED downlights
► The LED and the downlight housing are made up of two separate items
► Usually sold in kits but can be supplied separately
► The LED can be replaced
Complete LED downlights
► The LED is integrated into the fitting
► The LED driver is supplied with, and often attached to the downlight
► The LED cannot be replaced
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► The LED can be replaced in the event of a failure or taken with you if you move house
► The LED can be easily changed for a different colour temperature, wattage or beam angle
► Mains voltage, no LED driver required
► Cheaper to buy www.DownlightsDirect.co.uk
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► Because the downlight housing and LED are made up of two
separate items, many combinations can be made:
► Brighter (produces more lumen) than GU10 LEDs
► Longer lasting, up to 75,000 hours - designed to last for over 30 years
► More energy efficient, less wattage goes in and more lumens come out
► Complies with Part L of the Building Regulations (energy efficiency)
► Built in heat sink that dissipates excess heat and allows the LED to operate under cooler optimum temperatures
► Sole purpose and design is to be an LED downlight (GU10 downlights were originally designed for halogens)
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► Fire rated or non fire rated?
► Dimmable or non dimmable?
► Fixed position or adjustable?
► Which colour temperature?
► Which room? e.g. bathroom
► Which finish? e.g. personal taste
► Your budget
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Key Considerations
► Fire rated downlights are used to restore the fire integrity of a ceiling. When a recessed downlight is installed, a hole is cut into the ceiling. This hole reduces the ceiling’s natural ability to act as a barrier.
► In the event of a fire, the intumescent material in a fire rated downlight melts or swells up and seals off the hole. This prevents the fire from spreading through the hole and onto adjoining floors, but more importantly protects the building’s structure.
► The structure of most houses is made from wooden ceiling joists, once the ceiling joists are on fire they will inevitably collapse, this could bring the entire building down before anyone has had time to extinguish the fire (fire service) or escape to safety. Fire rated downlights help prevent the spread of fire and minimise the risk of structural damage/collapse.
► For more information refer to Part B of the Building Regulations or consult someone from your local Building Control.
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► If the downlights in question are being installed in houses containing wooden ceiling joists
then they should be fire rated. If the ceiling is made from concrete then they may not need to
be fire rated. If in doubt, why not install fire rated downlights anyway? They cost slightly more
but are safer and provide peace of mind. The ESC (Electrical Safety Council) recommends
that fire downlights should be used in all domestic installations.
What are fire rated downlights?
How do I know if I need to install fire rated downlights?
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Which downlights are fire rated?
► This is really a question of the lighting effect you would like to create in a
particular room. If you want full brightness and a ‘big light’ effect all the time
then there’s no need to go for dimmable downlights. If you’d prefer to be able to
create a more subtle lighting effect then dimmable will allow you to switch
between ‘big light’ and ‘candle light’ brightness at the turn of a knob.
► Not all LED downlights are dimmable and dimmable LEDs are usually more
expensive. Some, such as the Philips range are dimmable as standard but this
doesn’t mean you have to dim them, they will work perfectly well with a
standard on/off wall switch
► Also, if you have any advanced lighting controls installed such as Lutron, check
the compatibility first. The EcoLED is a ‘high end’ downlight and works with
Lutron and Rako systems.
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Do you want to be able to dim your lights?
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► Some LED downlights are dimmable as standard, some are optional and cost extra.
► LEDs will only dim with selected dimmer switches such as trailing edge or leading edge.
► LED dimming technology is different to halogen and incandescent as there are lower loads and
current spikes involved.
Yes No
But depends on which GU10 LED is used
2700K & 3000K
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► This is a matter of your personal preference, extra warm white 2700K is cosy like candle-light
and similar to halogen and traditional light bulbs. Cool white 4000K (or neutral white) is clearer
and brighter but colder in appearance. Warm white 3000K is in-between and is the most
popular choice.
Which colour temperatures are available?
► There are three main colour temperatures available; extra warm white, warm white and cool
white. Not all LED downlights are available in all 3 colour temperatures so deciding on your
preference from the outset is important as it will narrow down your search.
Which colour temperature is best - How should I decide?
► Adjustable (or gimbal) downlights are good if you want to direct the light onto a particular area or object e.g. a picture or a feature.
► Adjustable downlights can be tilted by around 25 degrees (depending on the brand).
► Adjustable downlights are ideal for use in vaulted or sloped ceilings. They offset the angle of the ceiling and allow the light to be directed downwards.
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Do you want to be able to adjust the direction of the light?
► Fixed position fire rated downlights also provide resistance to moisture and air (Part C compliant). Adjustable downlights generally do not provide this level of protection.
► If you’re not concerned about directing the light onto a particular object then opt for fixed downlights to reduce any risk of condensation on the LED. Fixed downlights are cheaper too and usually have smaller hole sizes.
What are the benefits of fixed position downlights?
► Simple design, low cost LED downlight
► Supplied in two parts; die cast downlight housing and GU10 LED
► Can be supplied with budget priced LEDs or more reliable Philips branded LEDs
► Available in fixed and adjustable positions
► Replaceable LED
► Many finishes to choose from
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► Consists of two separate items – a fire rated downlight housing and a GU10 LED
► Many combinations of LED and downlight can be created
► Replaceable LED
► Budget priced
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► Fully fire rated but also open rated
► The open Icage design provides ventilation which allows the LED to breathe and prolongs its lifetime
► Available in fixed or adjustable positions
► Replaceable LED
► Perfect match for the Philips 7W Master LED, will also house many other GU10 or MR16 lamps
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► Long lasting 75,000 hours
► Dimmable version optional
► Also available with baffle to reduce glare
► Die cast bezel
► Supplied with a fast-fix connector for a faster, easier installation
► Good range of accessories available such as hole converter plates and emergency packs
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► Long lasting 75,000 hours
► Compact design, ideal for installations where space is limited
► 6 finishes to choose from
► Can be covered by insulation as it carries the F Capped approval
► Dimmable version optional
► Latest version will work with advanced lighting control systems such as Lutron etc.
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► Higher lumen output of 460lm or 500lm for 2700K version!
► Wide beam angle of 38 degrees, also available in 23 degrees.
► Replaceable LED driver
► Fixed postion, but adjustable version also available see ZEP1E on our website.
► Compatible with advanced lighting control systems like Lutron and Rako.
► Life expectancy of 50,000 hours or 22 years if used for 6 hours per day.
► Diffused front cover, no unsightly LEDs are visible.
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The specification below is provided for the GU10 LED because the LED goes into the downlight housing:
LED Type Kosnic 3.5W Philips 4W Kosnic 6W Philips 6W
Halogen Equivalent 35W 35W 50W 50W
Lumen 210lm 180/200lm 320/330lm 300/320lm
Efficiency 60lm/w 45 to 50lm/w 55lm/w 50 to 53lm/w
Dimmable No Yes No Yes
Life Expectancy
(Hours) 30,000 25,000 35,000 40,000
Colour Temperatures 3000K/4000K 2700K/3000K/4000K 3000K/4000K 2700K/3000K/4000K
Beam Angles 36 Degree only 25 or 40 Degree 30 or 60 Degree 25 or 40 Degree
Reliability A A+ A A+
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Non Fire Rated Fire Rated Icage
With 3.5W Kosnic LED
Non dimmable £9.63+VAT £11.75+VAT £14.32+VAT
With 4W Philips Perfect Fit
Dimmable £13.63+VAT £15.75+VAT £18.32+VAT
With 6W Kosnic LED
Non dimmable £14.39+VAT £16.51+VAT £19.08+VAT
With 6W Philips Master LED
Dimmable £20.63+VAT £22.75+VAT £25.32+VAT
The price includes the downlight housing and GU10 LED combined:
Downlights with a white finish are slightly
cheaper than the prices shown below which
are based on chrome and satin chrome
Prices are for guidance only and change on a regular basis. Please
check our website for the most up-to date prices and special offers.
LED Type Halers H2 3000K Halers H2 4000K Aurora I9 4000K EcoLED ZEP1
Wattage 7.9W 7.9W 9W 6W
Halogen Equivalent 50W 50W 50W 50W
Lumen 330 lm 450 lm 410 lm 460 lm
Efficacy 42 lm/w 57 lm/w 45 lm/w 76 lm/w
Dimmable Optional Optional Optional Optional
Life Expectancy (hours) 75,000 75,000 75,000 50,000
Colour Temperatures 3000K 4000K 3000K / 4000K 2700K / 3150K / 5600K
Beam Angles 34 Degree Only 34 Degree Only 40 Degree Only 38 or 23 degree
Reliability (A to C) B B A A*
Price non dimmable
(subject to change) £27.00+VAT £27.00 +VAT £26.95+VAT £31.20 +VAT
Price dimmable
(subject to change) £31.00 +VAT £31.00 +VAT £30.95 +VAT £33.20 +VAT
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0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
3.5W Kosnic 4W Philips 6W Kosnic 6W Philips 50W Halogen
210 200
330 320
402
*Although the halogen is brighter, LED lighting is clearer and appears brighter to the human eye.
The 402 lumen figure for the halogen is based on photometric data from Philips. Details available on request.
0
100
200
300
400
500
H2 3000K H2 4000K I9 3000K I9 4000K EcoLED ZEP1
330
450
360
430 460
Lumen
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0
10000
20000
30000
40000
50000
60000
70000
80000
Kosnic 3.5W Philips 4W Kosnic 6W Philips 6W H2 I9 EcoLED
30000 25000 35000 40000
75000 75000
50000
Hours
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► Part L is a Building Regulation that relates to energy efficiency.
► For a house to achieve Part L approval, 3 out of every 4 luminaires (light fittings) must
be low energy.
► Just fitting an LED is not enough. For a luminaire to be Part L compliant it must
produce over 400 lamp lumens and have an efficacy (lighting term for efficiency) of at
least 45 lumen per watt.
► Part L1 covers residential buildings.
► Part L2 covers commercial buildings and schools.
► To meet Part L2 requirements, the lamp or luminaire must have an efficacy of 55
lumen per watt. Part L2 is awarded to the building not the lamp or luminaire and also
relates to energy saving controls.
► LEDs that are 5W and below are not included in Part L, they are ignored.
What is ‘Part L’?
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4000K
Yes
4000K
3000K 3000K
4000K
No
Which LED Downlights are Part L1 compliant?
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Mid Range £14.32 - £27.00
► The more money you spend on LEDs, the more reliable, brighter and longer
lasting they generally are.
► We cater for all budgets and only sell high quality products that are designed
to last for a long time.
Premium £30.95 - £33.20
Non dimmable
Dimmable
Dimmable
Low Cost £9.63 - £16.51
Non dimmable
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► If you choose a cheaper downlight option (such as 3.5W or 6W LEDs) you may need to install more
downlights in order to achieve a sufficient level of light in the room (average lux).
► However, if you choose a brighter, more expensive downlight (such as the EcoLED ZEP1) you wont have to
install as many – thus reducing overall costs and minimising installation time.
The example below shows a lounge area:
Vs
12 x Basic Downlights with a Philips 6W LED
Brightness 152 (average lux)
Cost per Downlight £22.75 +VAT
Overall Cost £273.00 +VAT
6 x ZEP1 LED Downlights
Brightness 156 (average lux)
Cost per Downlight £31.20 +VAT
Overall Cost £187.20 +VAT
50W Halogen 6W Philips LED
Wattage 50W 6W
Life Expectancy 2,000 hours 40,000 hours
Days
(based on 6 hours per day usage)
333 days
(or 0.9 years)
5,833 days
(or 15.9 years)
Cost to Buy £1.38 +VAT £16.99+VAT
Running Costs
(2,000 hours @ 15p /KWH)
£15.00 £1.80
Running Costs
(40,000 hours @ 15p /KWH)
£300.00 £36.00
Re-lamping costs
(over 40,000 hours)
20 Lamps =
£27.60+VAT
1 Lamp =
£16.99+VAT
Total cost over 40,000 hours £327.60 £52.99
Saving based on just one lamp £274.61 over 40,000 hours!
► Part L of the Building Regulations (energy efficiency) now states that
continuous insulation should be laid over a ceiling space. Cutting around the
insulation to install a downlight allows the heat from a room to escape through
the downlight hole and is no longer a recommended practice.
► Certain downlights are now available that allow insulation to be laid directly
over them. These downlights should carry the F Capped Approval logo (see
logo on the right). The logo must have a line over the top as without this (just
an ‘F’ in a triangle) means something different.
► The Halers H2 downlight carries the F Capped Approval logo and can be
covered directly with insulation but the manufacturer does not recommend
doing this as it could reduce the life expectancy of the LED.
► The Aurora Sola downlights have been purposely designed to be insulation
coverable and are fitted with a heat sink. Although not included in this guide,
they are available on our website.
► Another option is to install a loft cap (pictured right), loft caps also provide fire
protection (Part B), meaning you could fit non fire rated downlights and the
loft cap would provide fire protection.
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The Varilight V-Pro range is compatible with most LEDs and has a minimum load of just 2.5W (when used with LEDs). This trailing edge dimmer switch can also be ordered as a separate module and swapped over for existing dimmers. If an incompatible dimmer is used the LEDs will start to flicker or strobe either at low levels, i.e. at 50% brightness or at 100%.
Does it come with the bulb & transformer?
Yes, they are supplied as a package. The complete LED downlights have the LED (or bulb) and transformer (or LED driver) built into the downlight. There are no hidden costs.
I have been told that LEDs are not dimmable, are they?
Yes LEDs are dimmable, it is the driver that dims them. They will only dim with certain dimmer switches though.
Which dimmer switches work best?
What type of guarantee do they come with?
The Kosnic GU10s come with a 3 year guarantee and the Philips LEDs with a 5 year
guarantee. The complete LED downlights come with either a 5 or 7 year guarantee
depending on which type.
It depends on the manufacturer, the Philips 7W Master LED has been around for over 4 years
and we have experienced very few failures (less than 1 in every 1000). Each LED downlight in
this guide is given an A*, A, B or C to show how reliable it is. ‘A*’ means it’s extremely reliable
and has a proven track record.
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What is the failure rate? / How reliable is the LED?
I’ve seen other LEDs on the internet that produce more lumen and cost less,
why is this?
At present there are no regulations in place to stop manufacturers or re-sellers from over-
exaggerating the performance of their LEDs. A leading manufacturer recently tested a large
batch of LED downlights and lamps and found that many of the unbranded ones were
overstating the lumen output by as much as 50%. Nobody knows what 300 lumens looks like
without using specialist lighting equipment, so make sure you buy a trusted brand, ideally with
photometric data to back up the claims.
What is the lumen output of the LED?
When purchasing LEDs it is important to compare the lumen output rather than the wattage.
Ideally you want an LED that uses less wattage and produces more lumen, this is known as
the efficacy. As mentioned above, make sure you trust the brand.
Thanks for viewing our guide Insert discount code: LEDGU1 into the shopping
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