Sunday, January 29, 2006
Lighting Basics: Ambient, Recessed, Task, and Accent Lights
General or Ambinent Lighting:
General or ambient lighting refers to an even overall level of light provided to make a room or space comfortable and safe for its intended use.
Recessed Lighting:
Recessed lighting is popular as a general lighting source. Recessed lighting may be in the form of 3" to 8" diameter "can" type fixtures consisting of a "trim" and a "housing". Recessed "trims" are the visible portion of the recessed light fixture and are available in hundreds of styles and colors to control the spread of light, reflect the light and/or match a particular decor or theme. The "housing" is the actual enclosure that is installed into the attic and connected to the power system. Different housings are available for new construction and remodel construction where attic access is difficult.
CAUTION: Where recessed lighting may be in contact with building insulation, an "IC" rated housing is required to prevent a potential fire hazard. In many office environments, general lighting is provided in the form of luminous fluorescent ceiling panels.
Task Lighting:
Task lighting typically refers to the higher level of light provided on work areas such as kitchen islands, countertops and desks. Additional light is directed to these areas using recessed, track or pendant fixtures. Concealed undercabinet lighting is also frequently used by lighting designers to provide task illumination without seeing the source (fixture).
Fixtures with either low or line-voltage halogen or xenon bulbs provide a whiter, warmer light than fluorescent undercabinet lighting. 5 watt xenon or halogen lamps spaced 6 inches apart are suitable for most task lighting purposes where the fixture is within 24" of the worksurface.
Whether recessed, track or undercabinet style, low voltage halogen or xenon lighting fixtures are smaller than line voltage lighting but require a transformer to change the voltage
from 120 volt to 12 volt. The transformer is included inside many low voltage fixtures but is also sometimes separate depending on the particular fixture and style.
Accent Lighting:
To be effective, accent lighting should be approximately four times the level of ambient (background) light in an area. Focusing light on an "accented object" or "area" draws attention to a picture, vase or other focal point.
Here again, halogen lighting type fixtures provide a whiter, brighter appearance than standard incandescent or fluorescent type fixtures.
The selected fixture should be directional, either a swivel or gimbal type fixture to aim the light exactly where it is needed. Adjustable surface mount fixtures, track fixtures and even recessed style fixtures are available with "aimability" in mind. For a dramatic museum-type effect, some fixtures can include a focusing lens for pinpoint accuracy.
General or ambient lighting refers to an even overall level of light provided to make a room or space comfortable and safe for its intended use.
Recessed Lighting:
Recessed lighting is popular as a general lighting source. Recessed lighting may be in the form of 3" to 8" diameter "can" type fixtures consisting of a "trim" and a "housing". Recessed "trims" are the visible portion of the recessed light fixture and are available in hundreds of styles and colors to control the spread of light, reflect the light and/or match a particular decor or theme. The "housing" is the actual enclosure that is installed into the attic and connected to the power system. Different housings are available for new construction and remodel construction where attic access is difficult.
CAUTION: Where recessed lighting may be in contact with building insulation, an "IC" rated housing is required to prevent a potential fire hazard. In many office environments, general lighting is provided in the form of luminous fluorescent ceiling panels.
Task Lighting:
Task lighting typically refers to the higher level of light provided on work areas such as kitchen islands, countertops and desks. Additional light is directed to these areas using recessed, track or pendant fixtures. Concealed undercabinet lighting is also frequently used by lighting designers to provide task illumination without seeing the source (fixture).
Fixtures with either low or line-voltage halogen or xenon bulbs provide a whiter, warmer light than fluorescent undercabinet lighting. 5 watt xenon or halogen lamps spaced 6 inches apart are suitable for most task lighting purposes where the fixture is within 24" of the worksurface.
Whether recessed, track or undercabinet style, low voltage halogen or xenon lighting fixtures are smaller than line voltage lighting but require a transformer to change the voltage
from 120 volt to 12 volt. The transformer is included inside many low voltage fixtures but is also sometimes separate depending on the particular fixture and style.
Accent Lighting:
To be effective, accent lighting should be approximately four times the level of ambient (background) light in an area. Focusing light on an "accented object" or "area" draws attention to a picture, vase or other focal point.
Here again, halogen lighting type fixtures provide a whiter, brighter appearance than standard incandescent or fluorescent type fixtures.
The selected fixture should be directional, either a swivel or gimbal type fixture to aim the light exactly where it is needed. Adjustable surface mount fixtures, track fixtures and even recessed style fixtures are available with "aimability" in mind. For a dramatic museum-type effect, some fixtures can include a focusing lens for pinpoint accuracy.
Light Bulb Color: What is Your Color Temperature?
Selecting the proper light bulb is the most important (and frequently overlooked) part of installing a new light fixture. All light bulbs actually “broadcast” color either “cool” (blue) or “warm” (red-yellow) that affects the apparent color of the furnishings, plants, carpeting or artwork being illuminated.
How is Light Color Measured?
Two factors are used to describe the color rendering properties of light bulbs. The “color” a light bulb produces is referred to as the bulb’s “color temperature. Color temperature is measured in degrees on the Kelvin (K) scale. The other factor is the Color Rendering Index (CRI), a scale of 1-100, that represents how closely a light source depicts or reflects an object’s true color. For the best interior color rendering, select a bulb or lamp between 3,000 and 3,500 (K) AND over 80 CRI, (the higher, the better).
Typical Color Temperature Ranges:
Ranges for common light bulbs are as follows. Note that fluorescent flamps are available in a wide variety of color temperatures:
- 6,500-7000 K “Daylight" Fluorescent
- 5,500 K “Daylight” Metal Halide
- 4,200 K Cool White Fluorescent
- 4,000 K Standard Clear Metal Halide
- 3.500 K Compact Fluorescent
- 3,200 K Warm (3K) Metal Halide
- 3,000-5,000 K Halogen
- 3.000 K Warm White Fluorescent
- 2,600-3,200 K Standard Incandescent
- 2,220 K High Pressure Sodium
Choosing an Undercabinet Lighting Fixture
Avoid shadows:
Undercabinet light fixtures provide light exactly where it is needed avoiding shadows that may be a problem with other types of lighting.
Types of Undercabinet Lighting:
A wide variety of lamp types are available in undercabinet lighting systems including fluorescent, xenon, halogen, LED or traditional incandescent light sources.
LED Lighting:
LED is also becoming popular because of its high energy efficiency. However, the color rendition of LEDs is generally poor.
Fluorescent Lighting:
Fluorescent fixtures are also energy efficient and operate with the coolest temperature. However most fluorescent fixtures will not work with conventional dimmers.
Halogen Lighting:
Halogen type fixtures emit a very pleasing white light that makes colors vibrant. Although halogen bulbs have a longer lamp life than standard incandescent bulbs, they tend to run rather hot and should not be used when items within 6-10" are affected by heat.
Xenon Lighting:
Xenon fixtures are similar to halogen although xenon bulbs emit less heat and are a little less energy efficient.
Continuity of Light:
An important factor to consider in the selection of undercabinet lighting is the continuity of light. The newest undercabinet systems offer interconnectable fixtures for continuous illumination without “hot” and/or “dead spots”.
Puck Lights:
Where it is desirable to illuminate a single item such as a vase or piece of sculpture for instance, low voltage halogen, xenon “puck” lights with a single bulb are available. “Puck” lights (also known as button lights) are generally 2-1/2” to 3-1/2” in diameter by about 3/4” deep. Because they are usually low-voltage, they require purchase and installation of a separate transformer.
Undercabinet light fixtures provide light exactly where it is needed avoiding shadows that may be a problem with other types of lighting.
Types of Undercabinet Lighting:
A wide variety of lamp types are available in undercabinet lighting systems including fluorescent, xenon, halogen, LED or traditional incandescent light sources.
LED Lighting:
LED is also becoming popular because of its high energy efficiency. However, the color rendition of LEDs is generally poor.
Fluorescent Lighting:
Fluorescent fixtures are also energy efficient and operate with the coolest temperature. However most fluorescent fixtures will not work with conventional dimmers.
Halogen Lighting:
Halogen type fixtures emit a very pleasing white light that makes colors vibrant. Although halogen bulbs have a longer lamp life than standard incandescent bulbs, they tend to run rather hot and should not be used when items within 6-10" are affected by heat.
Xenon Lighting:
Xenon fixtures are similar to halogen although xenon bulbs emit less heat and are a little less energy efficient.
Continuity of Light:
An important factor to consider in the selection of undercabinet lighting is the continuity of light. The newest undercabinet systems offer interconnectable fixtures for continuous illumination without “hot” and/or “dead spots”.
Puck Lights:
Where it is desirable to illuminate a single item such as a vase or piece of sculpture for instance, low voltage halogen, xenon “puck” lights with a single bulb are available. “Puck” lights (also known as button lights) are generally 2-1/2” to 3-1/2” in diameter by about 3/4” deep. Because they are usually low-voltage, they require purchase and installation of a separate transformer.
Friday, January 06, 2006
WAC Lighting with Free Shipping!
We recently decided to offer free shipping on all WAC Lighting orders over $100.
New WAC Products Added to Our Site...
We recently expanded our website to list a few additional product categories.
Are there any WAC Lighting fixures you would love to see on our site that we have not yet published? We carry everything in the WAC Lighting Catalog, so don't be afraid to ask us at sales@ipnlighting.com.
Are there any WAC Lighting fixures you would love to see on our site that we have not yet published? We carry everything in the WAC Lighting Catalog, so don't be afraid to ask us at sales@ipnlighting.com.
