The properties of GU10 bulbs

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Armadillo

The bulb can be something that is an important choice for any person looking to light any locale, private or public, and the choice of said bulb is entirely dependent upon the wants and needs of each individual customer. However, as a general choice, the increasingly popular choice of bulb, over the halogen bulb, is that of the LED bulb, as owing to the energy efficiency of the bulb and, also, the cost effectiveness of said bulb. There are many variances of these LED bulbs and the most popular of these LED bulb choices is that of the GU10 bulbs.

The GU10 bulbs are presented in two main colours and these are those of warm white and of cool white colouration. Both of these different kinds of GU10 bulbs colour possess their own benefits and positives for the purchaser and for the user and these benefits and types of light will typically inform which colour of light they will wish to purchase. The warm white GU10 bulbs emit a light that is more akin to the light emitted by a halogen bulb and is altogether warmer than its typical LED counterpart. The cool white GU10 bulbs emit a light that is altogether more naturalistic and, as is titular, cooler than the other variety of bulbs, advised for implementation into such rooms as the bathroom.

The properties of the GU10 bulbs should be displayed upon the packaging of the GU10 bulbs and if these properties are not displayed, then the GU10 bulbs are advised to not be purchased. These GU10 bulbs include those of voltage, of wattage and of an average lifetime. The average lifetime for the GU10 bulbs is typically ranging between 30-50,000 hours, which equates to a number of years of regular usage. This is a far higher number than that of the atypical halogen bulb, which will typically last for less than a year and will utilise more energy within that year in powering the bulb.

The GU10 bulbs are internationally recognised as being environmentally friendly and effective bulbs as they are ranked at an A upon the EU energy efficiency chart. This A upon the EU energy efficiency chart ensures that the GU10 bulbs are not only friendly to its surrounding environment, but are also cost effective for the user as the initial costing price for the GU10 bulbs is stretched further as the energy for the GU10 bulbs lasts longer.

Posted in GU10 | Comments Off

The properties and uses for GU10 LED bulbs

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Armadillo

The bulb is something that is very important for anybody purchasing a home and for anybody looking to light any locale, and the choices for bulbs out the many varieties available is an important choice in itself. The old favourite bulb choice is that of the halogen bulb but this is fast becoming replaced by the new, and more environmentally friendly, choice of the LED bulb. There are many varieties of this LED bulb and the most popular of these is that of GU10 LED bulbs, which possess many benefits to the bulb purchaser in the lighting of any locale for which the bulb has been purchased to light.

The properties of the GU10 LED bulbs should be presented upon the packaging for the GU10 LED bulbs and, if this information is not present, then those particular GU10 LED bulbs are advised to not be purchased. These GU10 LED bulbs properties should include that of the wattage of the bulbs, the voltage of the bulbs and the average lifetime of the bulbs. The average lifetime of the GU10 LED bulbs is typically around 30-50,000 hours, which equates to a number of years of regular bulb usage, which ensures that the GU10 LED bulbs have a cost effective initial pricing system.

The GU10 LED bulbs are qualified by the EU efficiency chart as being an A rating upon the EU efficiency energy saving chart, ensuring that the bulb is internationally regarded as being energy efficient and in saving upon energy. This ensures that the GU10 LED bulbs are not only healthy for the environment but, as owing upon the low energy threshold that they utilise, are also, as aforementioned, very cost effective for the purchaser and the user of the bulbs.

There are two colours that the GU10 LED bulbs are typically available within and these are the colours of warm white and of cool white. The warm white GU10 LED bulbs typically emit a light that is more akin to the light emitted by a halogen bulb, whilst the cool white GU10 LED bulbs tend to emit a light that is more like the light emitted upon a naturally sunny day. The choices for customers’ preferences for the GU10 LED bulbs is entirely dependent upon their preferences and for which colour that they would prefer in any range or type of room. The warm GU10 LED bulbs, for example, may be advised to be placed in a room such as the living room.

Posted in GU10 LED Bulbs | Comments Off

The properties of GU10 bulbs

Posted on May 13, 2012 by Armadillo

The choices for what a person wants for their lighting source within their home or any other locale is an important one and is one that can change the method and fashion in which a home is lit. The increasing use of bulbs for customers is that of the LED bulb, over the halogen bulb which was previously popular, and the reasoning for this being due to the inherent energy saving capabilities and properties of the LED bulbs. There are also a variation of these LED bulbs that are available for purchase and one of these most popular variations is that of the GU10 LED bulbs.

The inherent properties of the GU10 bulbs should be showcased upon the packaging of the GU10 bulbs and if these properties are not displayed clearly upon the GU10 bulbs packaging, then those GU10 bulbs are advised to not be purchased by the bulb customers. These different, and inherent, GU10 bulbs properties include that of the average lifetime of the bulbs, the voltage of the bulbs and the wattage of these GU10 bulbs. The average lifetime of the GU10 bulbs is ordinarily around, and varied between, 30 to 50,000 hours, which is typically a number of years of regular GU10 bulbs usage. This is a far higher number than the average lifetime of a halogen bulb, as an example, and the cost effectiveness of the GU10 bulbs reveal themselves through the sheer length of time for which the same bulbs can be utilised for the same initial costing price.

There are a range of different colours available for the GU10 bulbs and these different colours offer different benefits to the user. These two different types of lighting that the GU10 bulbs are available in are those of both cool white and warm white GU10 bulbs. The cool white GU10 bulbs emit a light that is more naturalistic and cooler than the warm GU10 bulb, and is a bulb that emits a light that is more akin to the light that is emitted by an LED bulb. These cool white GU10 bulbs are advised for implementation into rooms such as the bathroom or the kitchen. The warm GU10 bulbs, meanwhile, emit a light that is more akin to the light emitted by a halogen bulb and is a bulb that would be advised for implementation into a room such as a living room or a bedroom.

Posted in GU10 | Comments Off

The properties and uses of dimmable LED bulbs

Posted on May 13, 2012 by Armadillo

There are a range of different bulbs that are available for purchase, with which can be utilised to light a home, a building or any other public locale, as to the purchaser’s discretion. The increasingly popular choice for bulbs for people to utilise and implement into different buildings and structures are that of LED bulbs, as they are energy conserving bulbs and are far more effective than halogen bulbs, which were the former favourite type of bulb for most residents of Britain. There are a wide variety of different types of bulb for purchase, that each possess their own capabilities, other than that of the ordinary LED bulb and these are those of dimmable LED bulbs.

The main alteration and difference of the LED bulb as opposed to other iterations and forms of LED bulbs is that of dimmable LED bulbs ability to be able to dim and to introduce atmosphere and the like into any room in which they are placed. These dimmable LED bulbs can dim the LED light to any gradient of brightness or darkness as to the discretion of the customers’ and their wish and wants for the darkness or brightness of the dimmable LED bulbs.

There are two main colours available for the dimmable LED bulbs and these are those of both warm and cool white. The warm white dimmable LED bulbs emits a light that is more alike the light emitted by a halogen bulb and emits a warmer light, that could be described as being homelier and more apt for implementation in rooms such as bedrooms and living rooms. The cool white dimmable LED bulbs emit a light, however, that is more naturalistic and is more apt for implementation into rooms such as bathrooms and kitchens.

The properties of all of the LED bulbs remain near enough the same and these same properties are shared by the dimmable LED bulbs, but they also, of course, possess the ability to be dimmed. These properties are ordinarily showcased upon the packaging of the dimmable LED bulbs as an indication as to the effectiveness of the bulbs and, if this information is not present, then these particular dimmable LED bulbs are advised to not be purchased. These properties include that of voltage, of wattage and of average lifetime, the latter of which is typically 30-50,000 hours, which relates to a number of years of regular bulb usage.

Posted in Dimmable LED bulbs | Comments Off

The properties of GU10 bulbs

Posted on May 13, 2012 by Armadillo

The choice of lighting for an individual is an important choice and is one that informs a person’s preference for lighting and the method through which they would want to light their room. These choices for bulbs has changed with time and with the continuing preferences of bulb purchasers and these have changed from that of the halogen bulb to that of the cost effective and energy efficient LED bulb. There are a variety of these LED bulbs and one of these variances are those of the GU10 bulbs, which offer all of the benefits of LED bulbs to the user and are useful in lighting any range of locales.

There are two main different colours of light that the GU10 bulbs are available within and these choices are made as owing to the preferences of each individualistic customer. These two different GU10 bulbs colours are those of both warm white and cool white. The warm white GU10 bulbs emit a light that is more akin to the light emitted by a halogen bulb and are advised for implementation into a room such as the living room and the bedroom. The cool white GU10 bulbs meanwhile emit a light that is more akin to the light of a naturally sunny day and is a cooler light that would be advised for implementation into a room such as a bathroom or a kitchen. The choices for GU10 bulbs implementation is entirely upon the wishes of the customer.

The properties of the GU10 bulbs should be advertised upon the packaging of the bulbs and, if these properties are not advertised then that particular stocking of GU10 bulbs is advised to not be purchased. These GU10 bulbs properties include that of wattage, of voltage and of an average lifespan. The typical average lifespan for the GU10 bulbs is that of 30-50,000 hours, which equates to a number of years of regular GU10 bulbs usage and proves that the GU10 bulbs initial pricing is made cost effective through its continued usage over time.

The majority of the GU10 bulbs are approved by the EU efficiency chart and are placed at an A upon the EU efficiency chart. This placing upon the chart by the EU efficiency table assures that the GU10 bulbs are internationally renowned and regarded for their energy saving abilities and capabilities. Their cost effectiveness is also presented through this EU energy efficiency chart.

Posted in GU10 | Comments Off

The uses for GU10 LED bulbs

Posted on May 13, 2012 by Armadillo

There are a range of different lighting sources that are available for those who are looking to purchase lighting sources and modes for their homes or for any other location in which the light is utilised. One of these popular forms and methods of lighting is, increasingly, that of the LED bulb, which is both cost effective and is also environmentally friendly in comparison to the other popular method of bulb, being that of the halogen bulb. There are many iterations of these LED bulbs and one of these types of LED bulb is that of the GU10 LED bulbs which offer their own benefits and positives to those who are utilising them.

These GU10 LED bulbs are classed by the EU efficiency chart at an A, which assures that these GU10 LED bulbs are internationally regarded as being both energy efficient, environmentally friendly and cost effective. These different variables that are recognised by the EU efficiency chart in the GU10 LED bulbs are co-dependent, as the environmental friendliness and energy efficiency of the bulbs inform the cost effectiveness of them.

The properties of these GU10 LED bulbs should typically be presented upon the packaging of the GU10 LED bulbs and if these properties are not advertised and presented upon the packaging for such then they are advised to not be purchased. Some of these varied GU10 LED bulbs properties include that of the average lifetime of the bulbs, the wattage of the bulbs and the voltage of the bulbs, as just three examples. The average lifetime of the GU10 LED bulbs is typically around 30-50,000 hours of usage, which equates to a number of years of regular GU10 LED bulbs usage.

The GU10 LED bulbs are typically available in two main different colours, being that of both cool white and also warm white and are available for purchase as to the customer’s specific preferences. The cool white GU10 LED bulbs emit a light that is more akin to the light of a naturalistic sunny day and emit a cooler light and one that may be more appropriate for different kinds of rooms, such as that of a kitchen or bathroom. The warm GU10 LED bulbs meanwhile emit a light that is more akin to the light emitted by a halogen bulb and is a warm light that would be apt for incorporation into a room such as a bedroom or living room.

Posted in GU10 LED Bulbs | Comments Off

The uses of candle LED bulbs

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Armadillo

The LED bulb is the advised and the advisable form and mode of lighting that is chosen for the contemporary individual looking for a bulb through which to light their home or any other intended locale. There are many a variation of the LED bulb and each offer their own respective benefits to the user, although the main positive of the LED bulbs is its energy saving capabilities and abilities, especially in comparison to the halogen bulb. One of the advisable choices for purchase is that of candle LED bulbs, whom possess a specific shape that allows them to be affixed within a range of specialist light fixtures and also that emit and utilise all the capabilities and abilities of the LED bulb.

The candle LED bulbs possess, much like other LED bulbs, a long lifetime that, coupled with their energy saving capabilities, allows them to be utilised and left running for a cheaper price than their halogen counterparts and for a longer period of time. The atypical lifetime of candle LED bulbs is that of around 30,000 hours, which equates to a number of years of regular usage of the candle LED bulbs by the user which proves that they are ultimately very cost effective.

The inherent properties of the candle LED bulbs are ones that should be displayed upon the packaging for the candle LED bulbs and, if this information is not displayed, then the candle LED bulbs are advised to not be purchased. The luminous flux of the candle LED bulbs is around that of 190 lumen, whilst the wattage is around 2, which is the reasoning for the low energy usage of the candle LED bulbs. This also amounts to the environmental friendliness of the candle LED bulbs, which sees them placed within band A of the EU energy efficiency scale.

The candle LED bulbs are also typically available in two different colours, in that of both warm white and cool white colouring. The warm white candle LED bulbs emit a light that is more akin to the light emitted by halogen bulbs and could be described as more homely and advised for use in such a locale as the bedroom, whereas the cool white LED bulb is more akin to the light emitted and present upon a sunny day and is a light that is more advised for use in different locales, such as that of the bathroom.

Posted in Candle LED bulbs | Comments Off

GU10 Efficiency

Posted on August 22, 2011 by Armadillo

The GU10 LED light is a speciality light normally used for aviation, automobiles and traffic indicators. The light has a cylindrical casing. The compact size and reliability of the light has also led to the GU10 LED’s usage in many domestic appliances.

The GU10 LED light is typically used because it is altogether superior to normal lighting. The GU10 LED light has more durability, a smaller energy usage, is more robust, is of a smaller size and is more reliable than ordinary lighting. Because of these attributes the GU10 LED light tends to be utilised within remote control technology, for such household technologies as the DVD player or the television.

The GU10 LED light is priced for the lights lumen output, as opposed to typical lighting which is priced by its’ wattage. The lumen output of a GU10 LED light is expressed, typically, upon the packaging and is, at an average, around 300 calculated units of luminous flux emitted at any angle by the GU10 light, with this number occasionally rising to 400 for the more pricey lights.

Warm and cool white are the colours typically available for the GU10 LED light, the cool white light giving off a colour more akin to natural daylight, without any typical LED ‘blueness’, as the warm white light is more akin to the colour of a normal halogen lamp.

The GU10 LED light has a voltage, on average, of around 220,  a wattage of 4 and a lifetime of 50, 000 hours with casing, at a diameter of 50mm and a length of 53mm providing sufficient lighting for its’ intended lit area. A GU10 LED light is normally utilised within low level ceiling fittings with the lamp held in place by a retaining circlip.

Posted in GU10 LED | Comments Off

Low voltage LEDs

Posted on July 18, 2011 by Homewatt

A common question is “can LEDs be used with existing transformers designed to power low voltage halogen bulbs, or should a LED driver be used instead?”

Transformers designed to power LEDs are usually called LED drivers. All LED lamps require a driver, but mains voltage bulbs, such as GU10 LEDs, have all the necessary electronics housed within the bulb and a separate LED driver isn’t required.

So, are existing transformers suitable? In our experience the answer is “probably“. In most cases customers won’t have a problem using their existing transformers.

But there are some things to bear in mind. The most common configuration in a modern domestic retro-fit is a single, low cost, electronic transformer powering a single 20W – 50W halogen lamp; it is usually possible to pull both the lamp and the transformer out through the fitting. Typically this type of transformer will have a rating of a minimum output of 20W and maximum 60W.

A typical MR16 LED will consume between 3W and 5W power, so it is obvious that using the same transformer in the same 1 transformer to 1 bulb configuration will cause it to operate below its minimum output tolerance. Is this a problem? Sometimes, but not usually. Our experience over the last two years and more is that most 20W-60W transformers seem to work quite happily when powering LEDs of 5W and up.

Symptoms of problems are:

  • the LED fails to light at all – extremely unusual in this 1:1 configuration;
  • the LED flickers – SWITCH OFF AND REMOVE IMMEDIATELY. Flickering LEDs will fail

Occasionally the LED will work happily for a period of months and then fail. Indeed, this is probably what an electrician or electronics engineer would predict given that the transformer is operating below its tolerance. Why then don’t we recommend swapping both the MR16/MR11 bulbs for LEDs and the drivers? Because, in our experience this is unusual and given we offer a two year warranty we would expect to know otherwise!

For the customer it can be very expensive to replace the transformers as well as the bulbs, a LED driver will cost about the same as a good MR16 bulb, and although a LED driver will typically power at least 3 and sometimes more bulbs there is then the cost of re-wiring the lighting circuit.

Rather than replacing many transformers with LED drivers, or even re-wiring to use fewer drivers, we recommend converting the fittings to mains voltage. This isn’t practical for MR11s and other small halogen bulbs but is often a practical solution for MR16 fittings. When taking this route the existing MR16 lamp holder in the fitting and the attached transformer are both replaced with a GU10 lamp holder wired into the lighting circuit where the transformer used to be.

With the increasing range of LED bulbs available including MR11 and varieties of G4 bulbs, many people will wish to retain a low voltage circuit. Increasingly we are seeing yacht and other boat owners together with caravan and RV owners swapping to LEDs to take advantage of their much lower drain on precious battery life. In most cases these will be a simple swap as the existing lighting circuit will be a 12V constant voltage – pretty much the standard for low voltage retro-fit LEDs. In a few cases we have come across 24V circuits and even here there is rarely a problem so long as care is taken to purchase LEDs with a wide voltage tolerance.

 

Posted in GU10 LED, LED Bulbs, LED Driver, MR11 LED, MR16 LED | Tagged 12V LED, 24V LED, LED Driver, LED Strips, MR11, MR16 | Comments Off

Confusing claims for LED brightness

Posted on July 8, 2011 by Homewatt

Confused about lumens and Watts? I’m not surprised, there are many different ways suppliers indicate brightness. When we started Homewatt we deliberately avoided quoting too many numbers, whether they be Watts or lumens. Instead we thought that telling customers what we thought a bulb was suitable for would be better. We’d say something like “suitable for replacing 20W halogens” and we still do. Mind you back then we were still looking for LEDs that could replace 50W halogens. In essence we said, “trust us” and fortunately thousands of you did. Since then we have gradually provided more data for all our products but at risk of creating confusion. So, this is how we at Homewatt try to provide useful and honest information about the brightness of our LED bulbs.

First some terminology:

  • A Watt is the amount of power consumed by a bulb per hour(technically it is a Wh)
  • Lumens are a raw measure of light output and not to be confused with Lux, which also measure light but at a defined point in space (usually 1m immediately in from of the bulb)

In the old days, before LED and low energy compact fluorescent bulbs, Watts were all we needed to have a good idea of how much light a light bulb would produce. But as technology has allowed bulbs to produce ever more light (or lumens) per Watt consumed Watts have stopped being a useful guide to brightness.

This is particularly true for LED bulbs, which continue to improve in efficiency. So it is possible to find two 6W GU10 LED bulbs that give quite different levels of light output, perhaps as much as a third more or less! Usually, it’s not because the manufacturer or retailer is exaggerating the power (consumption) of their product, but one uses older and less efficient LEDs and possibly an older and less efficient electronic driver circuit.

Both bulbs use 6W of power, but one might lose a third or more as heat, the other more efficient bulb much less. The same is true for 3W, 4W, 5W…. LEDs

So given that Watts are not hugely useful as an indication of the brightness of low energy and especially LED bulbs it is not surprising that a more direct measure of brightness has increased in popularity. Step forward lumens, which directly measure the brightness of a light source.

But, you say, how many lumens do I need to replace my 50W halogens? Well, there is no absolutely categorically correct answer but we have found that the overwhelming majority of customers are satisfied when replacing MR16 and GU10 50W halogen spots with LED (or low energy)  bulbs that output over 320lm, which will typically consume 5W or more. 20W – 35W halogens can be replaced with LEDs that output 200lm and above, although we sell a product from LEDwise that outputs under 100lm and still attracts many repeat customers.Why? That’s a subject for another post about beam angles.

Finally, a little word of warning. It is very easy to measure Watts, even a remote electricity monitor is sufficiently accurate. We have had many customers email and call us to tell us our power consumption figures are remarkably accurate. Measuring lumens requires very expensive and specialised equipment, unlike measuring Lux, it can’t be done with a camera light meter. So if a retailer sells a product with 20% less LEDs and claims the same light output, just pause a moment.

Posted in GU10 Bulbs, LED Bulbs | Tagged LED brightness Watts lumens | Comments Off