Find the right light for the job

All lamps create light but not all light is equal. Different characteristics of the light produced can be classified by two key characteristics:

- Colour rendering is a general expression for the appearance of surface colours when illuminated by light from a given source compared, consciously or unconsciously, with their appearance under light from some reference source. 'Good colour rendering'implies similarity of appearance to that under an acceptable light source, such as daylight.

- Illuminance is the amount of light that falls on a surface. It does not depend on the colour of the surface and is very easy to measure using a light meter (illuminance is measured in units of lux).

Incandescent lamps

Incandescent bulbs have undergone few changes since the 19th century. They are gradually being replaced by newer technology lamps that emit more visible light for the same amount of electrical energy.

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Low voltage halogens

In most cases, low voltage halogens are lamps integrated with a reflector. They are typically used in downlights or spotlights to produce a whiter light than that produced from mains voltage halogens.

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Mains voltage Halogen

These are a poor subsitute for low voltage halogens. If you must use them, only do so for task or spot lighting (and not general lighting). There are fluorescent replacement options but very few mains voltage energy efficient IRC (Infra Red Coated) bulbs are currently available.

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Fluorescent lamps

Fluorescents lamps – both linear and compact – work differently from incandescents since light is produced by electricity flowing through a gas. Linear versions come in a number of  'whites'.

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High intensity discharge (HID) lamps

Most high intensity discharge lamps are amongst the most efficient light sources in commercial applications. Producing a large amount of light from a very small space, they have been designed to compact dimensions.

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Metal halide lamps

Metal halide lamps are a compact, powerful and efficient light source. Originally used in industrial applications, they are now available in a range of shapes and sizes. Some even come with inbuilt reflectors.

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High-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps

High pressure sodium lamps are a compact, powerful and efficient light source. They are typically used in street lighting and industrial applications where reproduction of colour is not so important.

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Mercury vapour lamps

Mercury vapour lamps are now considered 'old school' – significant gains in light quality can be achieved by replacing them with new technologies

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Light emitting diodes (LEDs)

LEDs are solid state semiconductors – they have no moving parts and no filament that can be broken. They are ideal as simple and efficient light sources for creating fascinating lighting effects and innovative lighting solutions but their successful adaptation to general lighting applications has yet to be demonstrated

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