PL 55w recessed lights

[steptoe]

I have 7 lights recessed in a suspended ceiling, indirect with reflectors. PL 55w 4pin.

in an office/reception area for the public.

client is complaining the lights are too bright, my question is,,,

can I simply change the 55w PL type lamps to a lower 40w? or will I have serious problems with ballasts burning the lamps out?

or would a different light grade make any signifigant difference?

currently fitted are 840 daylight tubes.

thanks.

Albert.

 

[kme]

"shouldn`t" have a problem bud.....

If they`re HF, could you dim `em? prolongs lamp life, etc????

 

[mrs electrician]

Im sure a lower wattage lamp wouldn't fit in, as usally with PL lamps The pins will look the same but will be slightly differenet. So before you buy one take the lamp into the wholesalers just to check.

 

[steptoe]

Im sure a lower wattage lamp wouldn't fit in, as usally with PL lamps The pins will look the same but will be slightly differenet. So before you buy one take the lamp into the wholesalers just to check.

done Mrs E, and 40w not only fits, but is the same length too. I have one fitted today to see how much different it was.

all the other wattages are shorter and different pin configs, that was why I was wondering if as it was a straight swap would it work OK.

had considered that KME, dunno if they really want to spend that sort of money tho, and I would be worried they might dim them below the lux level required, at present they MUST have the lights on to work so lux is ok, but they may dim them too much!!!!

 

[kme]

could you fit it remote - i.e. not accessible to joe.Q ? Then you set light / lux levels and leave them with a standard switch?

However, I can`t find any info suggesting a problem with de-rating lamps m8.....

 

[steptoe]

may be an idea KME, sometimes i cant think for brain fade.

any sort of idea what i would need? TBH the only ones I have done in past have been new kits, not done a retro fit before.

 

[kme]

first, we got to confirm that they are HF ballasts - i.e. dimmable???

http://members.misty.com/don/f-dim.html

is worth a quick read..

the other company i`ve used is futronix (www.futronix.com)

Awesome stuff. I`m hoping to fit one of their scene dimmers in my house, if I can convince Mrs. KME that it is a necessary purchase

If they aren`t dimmable Al, then you`re going to be best off dropping the lamp ratings, as you originally suggested,

Sorry, I just went a bit tangenital thenBlushing

 

[sparkyrj]

You may be able to get a different colour lamp, as 840 daylights are quite a bit brighter than say warm white. it can make quite a differance.

 

[steptoe]

You may be able to get a different colour lamp, as 840 daylights are quite a bit brighter than say warm white. it can make quite a differance.

did consider that sparkyrj, the 40w i have tried is a warm white (350?)or (550?) AFAIK, not sure which is warm and which is cool TBH. Blushing

wonder would it make a signifigant enough difference tho. ?:|

I think I might just try the 40w's and hope for the best. Pray

 

[sparkyrj]

Yes steps you never know.In some of the places i work in we often get asked to put daylights in to make it brighter , and its suprising what a difference it makes .trouble is once you have paid out for new lamps and its not what they wanted what do you do.

 

[steptoe]

well sparkyrj its a chance Im gonna have to take,

ballasts are standard 55w fixed, so non dimmable and wont work with 40w lamps,

rang manufacturer just to double check and they said NOT A CHANCE.! will deffo burn ballasts out. :_|

so its warm white 55w Im afraid,,,,

here's hoping Pray

 

[sparkyrj]

Good luck.

 

[Nicky Tesla]

well sparkyrj its a chance Im gonna have to take,ballasts are standard 55w fixed, so non dimmable and wont work with 40w lamps,

rang manufacturer just to double check and they said NOT A CHANCE.! will deffo burn ballasts out. :_|

so its warm white 55w Im afraid,,,,

here's hoping Pray

I often find that they say they are getting headaches simply because the light position is directly over their desk. The light beam comes straight down and reflects directly into the eyes off an A4 paper. By moving the light the light reflects in a different direction and so the headaches stop. I've done this a few times with positive results.

 

[steptoe]

I often find that they say they are getting headaches simply because the light position is directly over their desk. The light beam comes straight down and reflects directly into the eyes off an A4 paper. By moving the light the light reflects in a different direction and so the headaches stop. I've done this a few times with positive results.

there are regs to cover this Nicky, and the use of cat2 diffusers. tho that isnt really my problem, its simply too bright/harsh a light I have.

 

[Mr Sworld]

Some of the PL lighting systems have an optional diffuser that can be installed.

Such as this however you'll, obviously, need to find if the make you are dealing with has such a thing.

Otherwise it is going to be a different colour temperature.