Bulbs

To ensure that you make the right choice, we have compiled a general checklist:

1. Find the right fitting: Make sure the bulb fits your lamp's socket.
2. Choose the appropriate brightness: Consider the lighting needs of the room.
3. Choose an LED bulb: They are better for the environment and save on your electricity bill.
4. Check the Ra value: A value of at least 80 ensures good color rendering.
5. Color temperature: Choose 2200-3000 Kelvin for a cozy home light.
6. Dimmability: Should the bulb be adjustable to different light levels?
7. Option for exchange: Buy the bulb from a place where you can exchange it if it does not meet your expectations.

With this guide in hand, you are well on your way to finding the perfect LED bulb for your lamp, whether it's for atmospheric lighting in the living room or focused light for the work area.

The Right Fitting

There are several reasons to pay attention to the fitting. One aspect is how the fitting may influence the way you mount a lampshade, another is that the bulb's socket must fit into the fitting.

There are several different bulb sockets, but the most common types you will likely encounter include:

• E27: Known as 'the large socket', E27 is a common and versatile fitting that suits many different lamps. This socket can fit into a 40mm fitting (E27) or a 34mm fitting (E27).
  
  A 40mm fitting is the modern version used for E27 bulbs today. It usually has a screw thread with two revolving rings, allowing the lampshade to be attached with a lampshade rack. There are also smooth 40mm fittings, where the shade can only be mounted with a bulb clamp.
  
  A 34mm fitting is the older version for E27 bulbs, which can no longer be bought as new but still exist on many older lamps. These fittings are smooth with a notch in the fitting, where the top can be unscrewed. The lampshade stand is mounted in the notch, and the top is then screwed back on.

• E14: Also known as 'the small socket', E14 is smaller in diameter than E27 and is often used in smaller lamps, such as table lamps or decorative lighting units. This socket type is perfect for smaller bulbs and will typically need to fit into a 14mm fitting (E14).

• G9: This socket type is characterized by its pin-like form and is typically used in compact lighting fixtures. G9 bulbs are often used where smaller yet powerful light sources are needed.

• GU10: Characteristic of a spotlight bulb, the GU10 socket is designed for bulbs that deliver directed light, often used in spot lighting and downlights.

The Right Brightness: From Watts to Lumens

When choosing a bulb for your lamp, it's important to consider the desired brightness, which depends on the lamp's use. A good reading light requires a stronger bulb, while a milder bulb can create a cozy atmosphere for decoration. Also, remember that our need for light increases with age - a 60-year-old may need up to 15 times more light than a 10-year-old.

In the past, the brightness of a bulb was measured in watts, but with LED technology, lumens have become the preferred unit of measurement. The watt measurement now tells more about the bulb's energy consumption than its brightness. LED bulbs are efficient at converting fewer watts into more light, making lumens a more accurate measure of a bulb's brightness. Therefore, when choosing an LED bulb, you should look at the lumen value to assess its brightness.

Here is a guideline comparison between watts and lumens to help you choose:

• 15 watts corresponds to at least 140 lumens
• 25 watts corresponds to at least 250 lumens
• 35 watts corresponds to at least 350 lumens
• 40 watts corresponds to at least 470 lumens
• 60 watts corresponds to at least 800 lumens
• 75 watts corresponds to at least 1,050 lumens
• 100 watts corresponds to at least 1,520 lumens

These values, given in lumens (Lm), give you a clear picture of the brightness you can expect from an LED bulb.

Why an LED Bulb?

We've talked a lot about LED bulbs, but what exactly makes them so special? LED, standing for 'Light Emitting Diode', is truly the light source of the future. In an LED bulb, electricity is converted to light using a diode, unlike a traditional incandescent bulb that uses a heating metal filament. This fundamental difference gives LED bulbs several advantages over incandescent, energy-saving, and halogen bulbs, especially when used in fabric lampshades, as they minimize the risk of heat spots.

One of the most notable benefits of LED bulbs is their incredibly long lifespan. A standard incandescent bulb lasts an average of 1,000 hours, while an LED bulb can last up to 50,000 hours. This extended lifespan results in lower power consumption and fewer bulb changes, meaning savings for you over time.

Today, LED bulbs are one of the most common types of bulbs. With the phasing out of traditional incandescent, halogen, and energy-saving bulbs, LED bulbs have taken a leading position in the market. This is due not only to their availability but also to their constant improvement in efficiency and quality. - And of course, their low energy consumption, making them the preferred choice for a sustainable and economical future.

The Important RA Value: How It Affects Your Light

The RA value, also known as color rendering, plays a crucial role in how light sources affect the perception of colors in your home. This value measures how closely a light source's color rendering matches natural daylight, which has a perfect RA value of 100. Traditional incandescent bulbs come close to this with an RA value of 99, but modern LED bulbs are quickly catching up, often with an RA value over 90.

It is essential to choose light sources with an RA value of at least 80 to ensure that colors in your home are rendered as naturally as possible. A lower RA value can lead to distorted colors in the room, particularly affecting furniture and decorative details.

Choose Color Temperature Based on Room and Purpose

When selecting lighting for your home, the color temperature, measured in Kelvin (K), is crucial for creating the right mood. For a warm and cozy light, ideal for relaxing areas like the bedroom or beside your table lamp in the living room, a Kelvin value of 2700 is recommended. This creates an inviting and comfortable atmosphere, perfect for relaxation and coziness.

For areas where you need more focused and clear light, such as the desk lamp in your study or for general kitchen lighting, a color temperature of 2700-3000 Kelvin is optimal. This range of Kelvin values provides light that is bright enough for work and cooking, yet still comfortable for the eyes. Therefore, carefully choose the Kelvin value to achieve the desired atmosphere in each room.

Dimming LED Bulb Brightness

Several modern energy-saving LED bulbs can also be dimmed. However, if your dimmer is of an older model, there are certain things to be aware of. Most older dimmers are made to work with traditional incandescent bulbs, designed to regulate power supply for consumption over 25 watts. Modern LED bulbs and similar consume significantly less than these 25 watts, which means the dimmer may not supply them correctly. The dimmer must therefore often provide at least 25 watts to the lamp to be able to dim the light.

To address this with modern LED bulbs, the option is to have a lamp with multiple bulbs or several lamps with one bulb connected, so the supply together reaches more than 25 watts. Thus, you can continue to dim the light with an old dimmer.

Still in Doubt?

At DPH Trading, we are always ready to help you find the right bulb for you and your needs. Visit us at our store in Odense N, Denmark, or send us an email with your questions. - You can also always use our Ask Us Before You Buy function, where you can ask questions before paying for your order.

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