Using Ceiling Downlights for Spotlight Lighting
There are several misconceptions behind the usage of spotlights. For one, people believe that they are required only for stage performances and in a library s reading section. They couldn t be more wrong. Spotlight lighting has the ability to morph themselves to the needs of a person. Besides working as task lights, they can be used as a source of ambient lighting, coupled with several spotlights. For accent lighting, a single spotlight focused on any designer piece can be used.
Spotlight lighting can be used in almost every setting of the home, right from the kitchen to the reading room. They can also be used to produce exceptionally bright lights with the use of parabolic aluminized reflector bulbs. These bulbs contain several prismatic lenses and reflectors which help in producing concentrated beams of high intensity.
Spotlight lighting comes in a wide array of designs and colours. There is always one that will fit the ambience of your home. Despite this variety, the basic design still remains the same. The bulb is contained inside a casing above the ceiling. This casing or housing is then sealed away to ensure that the bulb does not start acting like a chimney. This refers to a situation where the bulb, after heating up, starts sucking up the hot air towards itself. Modern casings are closed with the use of simple clips.
Types of Spotlight Lighting based on Power Ratings
1. Low Voltage Downlights: These make use of transformers that can cut down the standard 240V supply to 12V. This, however, does not mean that the power consumption is reduced. It often happens that the transformer will waste a lot of energy to give the end result. Most of these transformers come with an internal thermal cut-off, which triggers when:a. They are made to drive more number of fittings than they are designed for.
b. They do not have sufficient free air to cool down.
Still, these downlights have a longer-than-average life.
2. 240V Downlights: These are the preferred choice for those who want bright illumination. They are cost effective, as they do not require a transformer for their working.
3. 240V GU-10 Downlights: The light produced by them is yellow toned. They are a good alternative to low voltage downlights and do not need transformers.
Traditionally, ceiling downlights have always been used as task lights. This gives them the advantage of being used with a host of other lighting varieties. Some designers even use them as the primary source of general lighting. However, for doing so, they have to keep in mind the space between each successive lighting piece. Depending on style, the ceiling downlights are divided into fixed and adjustable varieties. Some of them have the option of a dimmer, which allows for precise light control. The various bulb options are:• CFL
• Halogen
• LED
• Energy Efficient Halogen
The number of ceiling downlights required to illuminate any room depends directly upon the dimensions of the room. Other parameters to be considered are the colours present in a room, the intensity of light required and the areas where they will be installed. Proper installation is also very important. For instance, halogen downlights entail a high risk of fire if all the installation requirements are not met. All such installations must be made away from any other ceiling installation in the room. Various fire shields can be coupled with the downlight installation to provide extra protection.
