Argus Lighting

What would you like information about?
Cleaning crystal
Shade sizes
Low energy
Halogen bulbs
Recess lights
Bathroom regulations

Please contact us if your question has not been answered here.
enquiries@arguslighting.co.uk

We will endeavour to reply to all enquiries within 5 working days.

Frequently Asked Questions

General
Should I choose a flush fitting or one with a chain?	When buying a ceiling light it is important to consider the height of your ceilings. Many modern houses have low ceilings and require fittings that are flush or semi-flush. Fittings that require a chain can be adjusted by taking out as many links of chain as necessary. Always measure the maximum height of fitting you can accommodate before purchasing your light.
Will a brass fitting tarnish?	Brass fittings today are coated with lacquer to stop tarnishing. Abrasive cleaning products should therefore not be used.
Is it better to have the lights pointing up or down?	This is really a matter of personal choice. When shades are pointing up a considerable amount of light is reflected back down off the ceiling. Light will also come through most glasses whether the arms are pointing up or down.
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Shades
What size of shade do I need for my table lamp or floor stand?		As a rough guide, the width across the bottom of the shade should be approximately the same as the height of the table lamp. Floor stands normally require a fairly large shade, 18-inch diameter or more. This of course depends on the style of the table lamp or floor stand. If possible the base should be bought into the shop to find the most appropriate shade.

Can I have a shade made/ recovered?	We can have shades made to your exact requirements. It is also sometimes possible to have old shades recovered.
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Crystal
How do I clean my crystal chandelier?		The best way to clean crystal is by using a small amount of washing up liquid in water. Using cotton gloves, rub over each crystal with the soapy water, and then use a dry glove to dry them. As an alternative, we sell a crystal cleaning spray, which can be sprayed on and left to drip dry.


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Bulbs

How many bulbs do I need in my room?

How many bulbs you have in a room is really a matter of personal preference. Some people like a very bright light, whilst others prefer a more subdued effect. When changing the lights in a room, always consider how many bulbs are currently there as a guide to whether you require more or less light.

Which type of bulb is most efficient?

The new breed of compact fluorescent (or ‘low energy’) lamps will only use around 11 watts of power to generate the same light as a normal 60 watt light bulb and they last up to eight times longer. There is no doubt at all that they save you money over the life of the lamp. A halogen bulb uses only half the energy of a conventional light bulb to generate the same amount of light.

Efficiency of Bulb Types

Lamp Life in Hours

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What is a fluorescent light (low energy) source?

A fluorescent light contains gases in a tube but has no filament. Recent technology has reduced the size and improved the efficiency. Many different shapes and power options are available. The benefits are low power consumption (around 20% of a conventional light bulb) and long life (up to 8000 hours). They are ideal for lights that need to be kept on for a long time or are difficult to reach.

What is an incandescent light source?

These are conventional filament bulbs that we all recognise and their chief advantage is the colour of light they emit. Colours of objects are generally more accurate with this type of light bulb and they impart a warm feeling to a room. The disadvantage is that they are inefficient by modern standards and have a relatively short life (around 1000 hours).

They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and fittings:
Bayonet cap (BC), Small Bayonet cap (SBC), Edison screw (ES or E27), Small Edison screw (SES or E14). The Edison screw types are becoming more popular in the UK.

Are clear or pearl bulbs best to use?


Pearl – is an all over frosting that diffuses the light and is best used in a light fitting with opaque shades.	Clear – these are more attractive when used in fittings where the bulb is visible or a sparkle is required such as crystal chandeliers.	Reflector (spotlight) – has a silvered surface to direct the light in a certain direction and is usually intended for directional fittings such as spotlights.

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Halogen
What is a halogen bulb?	Halogen bulbs have a filament and contain halogen gas. They produce a very attractive light, closely resembling sunlight. They can either be low voltage or mains voltage.

	Capsule	Linear	Reflector
How bright are halogen bulbs compared to normal bulbs?	Halogen bulbs can give up to five times as much light as a normal bulb. This will depend on the type of halogen bulb, e.g. a halogen reflector bulb with a narrow beam angle will give a more intense light than that with a wide beam angle.
How efficient are halogen bulbs?	They are more efficient than incandescent bulbs using only half the energy to produce the same light output and can last up to twice as long.
What is the difference between low voltage and mains voltage halogen?	Low voltage These operate on 12v which means a transformer has to be fitted either in the light fitting itself or remotely. *Advantages over mains halogen* – safer, more cost effective, 50% brighter, longer lasting Mains voltage This relatively new breed of lamps offers the light colour advantages of halogen without the need to house a transformer. The reflector type of bulbs is known as GU10 or GZ10 and the latest small envelope non-reflector halogens are known as G9. *Advantages over low voltage halogen* – no need for transformer
What are the benefits of halogen lighting?	They give a bright, white light, similar to daylight. Low voltage halogen is economical to run and safe.
Can halogen lighting be dimmed?	Mains voltage halogen lighting can be dimmed. However, low voltage halogen requires a special dimmer depending on the type of transformer used. Always make sure you check the compatibility of the fitting with the dimming device and that the dimmer has sufficient capacity to control the load on the circuit.
Are halogen lights suitable for bathrooms?	Care is always needed when choosing bathroom lighting as there are strict regulations concerning the type of light you can use. Low voltage halogen lights are suitable for bathrooms as they operate at 12v and are therefore safer. Use of other lighting is dependent on its positioning (see Bathroom Section below).
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Recess Halogen
How many recess lights will I need?			Recess lighting can be very effective if used correctly. Units should be positioned to create an even spread of light across the room. Care must be taken to avoid placing them too far away from any work surface, i.e. in a kitchen or study. You may block the light source when sitting or standing at your work area. Using a 50w bulb with a 60 degree beam angle will give a more general spread of light, whereas a 20w bulb with a 10 degree beam angle will give a very concentrated lighting effect.
How many transformers do I need for my recess lights?			When using low voltage recess lights we recommend using one 50w transformer per unit. If a problem should occur it will then be isolated. It is also an advantage when a bulb goes, as the life of the remaining bulbs will not be shortened if the old bulb is not replaced immediately.
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Bathrooms
What lights can I put in my bathroom?	IMPORTANT - Great care needs to be taken when choosing bathroom lighting as the regulations are strict concerning the type of light you can use. The bathroom mirror deserves some special attention and a diffused glass light either side will give good general illuminations where it is needed. The alternative is a halogen downlight from the ceiling or fluorescent strip light over the mirror. For general illumination in the rest of the bathroom either use downlights for their refreshing halogen colour or a high output flush ceiling fitting to suit the décor. Portable lights are not permitted in a bathroom so for mood lighting use ceiling mounted directional spotlights aimed away from the bath and at interesting features. Lights designed specifically for showers are available and must be carefully fitted according to the instructions.
What are the regulations for putting lights in bathrooms?		The following information is a guide to help you understand what fittings can be placed where. This is not an installation guide and reference should be made to the IEE Wirings Regulations (16th Edition) or a qualified electrician. Firstly it is important to understand the rating by which bathroom and some outdoor lights are classified. IP rating stands for ‘Ingress Protection’ and is always followed by two characters. The first character specifies the degree of protection against particles or solid objects. Starting with 0 for no protection it runs up to a maximum or 6 which is total protection against ingress of dust. Of more interest here is the second digit that states the degree of protection from ingress of moisture. This ranges from 0 for no protection to 8 for a light which may be totally submerged in water up to a specified depth. The ratings that interest us are IPx4 (x is used in this case because there is no requirement in the regulations for a level of dust protection). Lights sold as IPx4 will have been tested for protection against water splashing from any direction. The diagrams below show a bathroom split into four clear zones. In zones 1, 2 and 3, if there is likelihood of a water jet being used for cleaning purposes a minimum of IPx5 is required.

		Zone 0 is inside the bath or shower itself and any fittings used here must be low voltage (max 12v) and be rated IPx7 which is total protection when immersed in water. Zone 1 is above the bath to a height of 2.25m. A minimum rating of IPx4 is required here. Zone 2 is an area stretching to 0.6m outside the bath and above the bath if over 2.25m. An IP rating of at least IPx4 is required here. Zone 3 is anywhere outside zones 0, 1 and 2 (subject to specific limits) and where no water jet is likely to be used there is no IP rating required. The IEE Regulations do not make specific reference to wash basins but in the opinion of The Lighting Association they should be treated as Zone 2 (i.e. IPx4)

The information here is intended as a guide and contains several generalisations for illustrative purposes. For more technical information refer to an electrician and specific product data.

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