BLT Direct

Frequently Asked Lighting Questions

Will LED bulbs work in my existing fittings?

Switching to LED bulbs is a fantastic and increasingly popular way to save energy and reduce the cost of utility bills. However, a common question is whether or not these modern bulbs will work with existing light fittings and fixtures.  For the most part, yes they will.  But there are

Frequently Asked Lighting Questions

Understanding LED Drivers: A Comprehensive Guide

LEDs are a highly efficient and long-lasting means of lighting, but they require a specific type of power supply to operate correctly. They will not work with the majority of ballasts and will instead need a LED driver.  This will only apply to LED lights that do not operate on

Frequently Asked Lighting Questions

Do LEDs Save Me Money?

LEDs will save you money as they use a lot less wattage to produce the same amount of light compared to older types of lighting technology.  They may be more expensive than incandescent or halogen bulbs first but they will save much money over time due to their energy efficiency

Frequently Asked Lighting Questions

LED Flood Lights vs. Traditional Discharge Flood Lights (Metal Halide/High-Pressure Sodium)

The lighting industry has seen a significant shift toward LED technology in many applications.  This includes metal halide (MH) and high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps.  LED floodlights can now replace metal halide and other discharge lights very effectively leading to superior performance, a longer lasting light and saving on energy costs.

Frequently Asked Lighting Questions

Handling Halogen Light Bulbs: A Safety Guide

Halogen light bulbs operate at extremely high temperatures.   Because of this it is strongly advised that you should not touch the glass with your bare hands when changing over the bulb.  This guidance applies to halogen light bulbs of all types. Why You Should Not Touch Halogen Glass 1. Oil

Frequently Asked Lighting Questions

Can I replace my current CFL with one of a higher or lower wattage?

Generally not as CFL lamps are designed to put into a specific type of fitting and the fitting will have a maximum set wattage that it can handle.  You may also find that different wattage bulbs are different sizes as well being that you will struggle to fit them into

Frequently Asked Lighting Questions

Do Daylight Lights Help with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that can happen towards the end of the year as we reach Autumn and Winter.  It is linked to the reduced exposure to natural sunlight during the shorter and darker days for this time of year. A method for treating SAD

Frequently Asked Lighting Questions

Are LEDs Safe To Use?

LEDs (Light-Emitting Diodes) have quickly become the most popular choice for modern lighting technology due to their energy efficiency and long lifespan.  However there are some concerns that have been raised about them being safe to use and if they have any potential side effects for a person’s health.

Frequently Asked Lighting Questions

Are LED/CFL Candle Bulbs the Same Size as Old-Style Incandescent Types?

The fittings for these bulbs will be the same as E27 and E14 etc. are standardized sizes across the board for all lighting technologies.  You may however find that there are differences between the length of the bulbs and the width of the glass body of the bulb.  It is

Frequently Asked Lighting Questions

Are LED GU10s a Direct Retrofit?

The vast majority of LED GU10 lamps will be a direct retrofit for halogen GU10 lamps.  Retrofit in this context means that the bulb can be used as replacement without making any changes to your fitting or wiring.  Because they operate on 230/240v as well you will need to

Frequently Asked Lighting Questions

Are energy saving and LED light bulbs dimmable?

No they are not.  Whether or not a light bulb can be dimmed will depend on its design and for energy saving or LED bulbs you will need to check the manufacturer specifications to see if they are dimmable or not.  Attempting to use one of these bulbs when they

Frequently Asked Lighting Questions

Can You Get LED Versions of Halogen MR11 Light Bulbs?

Yes you can and it is highly recommended as they will be more energy efficient as they require less wattage than the halogen versions to produce the same amount of light. MR11 refers to a particular type of reflector bulb that has a diameter of 35mm and it has two

Frequently Asked Lighting Questions

The Difference Between GU4, GZ4, GU10, and GZ10 Lamp Bases

The codes GU4, GZ4, GU10, and GZ10 refer to the specific type of pin style connectors on the bottom of the bulb.  Knowing the difference between these is key to determining which bulb is the correct one for your fitting.  The types of fittings are primarily used in spotlights and

Frequently Asked Lighting Questions

Do I Include Pins in My Fluorescent Tube Measurements?

For the most part, yes, you should always include the pins in your fluorescent tube measurements but this can vary depending on how the manufacturer lists them so it is worth taking down the measurements with and without the pins to be sure.  Manufacturer packaging will often include the length

Frequently Asked Lighting Questions

Do energy saving bulbs flicker when you turn them on?

With the newer more modern high quality LED bulbs and CFL’s they generally offer instant illumination, some flickering may occur but it is normally on the older, lower quality bulbs. Compact fluorescent lamps (CFL’s) CFL’s are generally phased out now but many of them are still in

Frequently Asked Lighting Questions

How Do Energy Saving Halogen Light Bulbs Compare to CFL and LED Light Bulbs?

There has been a change in focus as to which bulbs are best for household use due to developments in lighting technology.  As CFL and LED type bulbs are much more energy efficient in comparison to halogen type bulbs it is a better choice to convert to these if possible

Frequently Asked Lighting Questions

What are LED strips?

LED strips also known as LED tape or cob//seamless tape.  These strips are designed to be used in various applications such as accent lighting, general lighting and decorative lighting. These strips typically come on reels but can be cut to size to fit specific installation requirements.  The back of

Frequently Asked Lighting Questions

FL58W835: Understanding fluorescent tube codes

FL58W835: Understanding fluorescent tube codes The code FL58W835 or similar conveys information about the tubes specifications.  It allows you to work out the size and colour temperature.  Understanding these codes is important when coming to replace the tube and ensures compatibility with the control gear. Deconstructing the code FL58W835 * FL

Frequently Asked Lighting Questions

Understanding UV Nail Dryer Bulbs

When choosing the correct replacement bulb for a UV nail dryer is it important to make sure that it will work with the UV dryer that you are using in order for it to continue to cure the gel polishes effectively.  You will need to consider what wattage; technology and

Frequently Asked Lighting Questions

Can You Get LED Versions of Halogen Capsules?

Yes you can.  Led capsule lamps are a popular choice for modern lighting upgrades.   This style of lamp includes G4, GY6.35 and G9 bases and they are being increasingly replaced by updated LED models.  They have a much better energy efficiency as they use less wattage to produce the

Frequently Asked Lighting Questions

How to Install LED Strip Lights

Installing LED strip lights has become a popular DIY project for homeowners and renters alike as it offers an energy-efficient and highly customizable way to add ambient or accent lighting to any suitable space. Whilst it is a generally straightforward process it is helpful to understand the components, steps, and

Frequently Asked Lighting Questions

What Are Discharge Lamps?

Discharge lamps, which are also known as high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps, produce light by creating an electrical arc between two electrodes within a sealed tube. The tube contains an inert gas such as argon or xenon and it also includes a mixture of metal salts or metallic vapor.  Discharge lamps

Frequently Asked Lighting Questions

What Are Dichroic Light Bulbs and How Can I Tell Them Apart from an Ordinary Lamp?

The term "Dichroic" refers to a specialised optical coating that is put onto a reflector lamp enabling it to transmit and reflect light based on wavelength. This technology allows the bulb to manage heat and color much more effectively than standard incandescent or halogen lamps. How Dichroic Filters

Frequently Asked Lighting Questions

My Compact Fluorescent Code Doesn’t Match Your Website… Help?

As CFL bulbs or tubes are becoming obsolete it can be confusing trying to match the part numbers that are present on your current lights with the modern versions.  This can be for a number of reasons such as the code becoming obsolete with the model being no longer made

Frequently Asked Lighting Questions

What Are Lumens?

Lumens are the unit for measure used to demonstrate the total quantity of visible light emitted by a light source. It comes from the Latin word for light and this metric is used worldwide to denote how bright a light is. When most household lighting mainly relied on incandescent bulbs,