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Licht - Wissen: Ideas For Good Home Lighting
Licht - Wissen: Ideas For Good Home Lighting
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Ideas for Good Home Lighting
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licht.wissen 14 Ideas for Good Home Lighting
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Editorial
One of the most important things in life is having a place where we really feel at
home. It makes no difference whether it we own it or rent it or whether it is an apart-
ment or a house: what matters is the sense of security and wellbeing we feel within
its walls. The right lighting concept plays a crucial role here.
What the sun does outdoors needs to be performed indoors by artificial lighting. In
nature, the soft diffuse light of the sky combines with the dynamic, directional light
of the sun to present a spectacular ever-changing show of light and shadow. Magi-
cal moments are created, for example, when sunbeams dance in the forest or when
shafts of light suddenly burst through the clouds on an overcast day. In the home,
background brightness is provided by general room lighting, while lighting accents
are set by supplementary zone lighting. A balanced lighting design is a prime
requirement for an optimal room atmosphere, which has positive physiological and
psychological impacts both above and below the conscious threshold.
This booklet contains a range of design ideas and tips for lighting in the various
parts of the home. It also covers aspects such as quality criteria, standards and
regulations. If you require more in-depth information on any of the topics featured
here, we recommend that you check out the knowledge database at www.licht.de,
which bundles impartial expertise from more than 120 licht.de members. licht.de
(formerly Fördergemeinschaft Gutes Licht looks back more than 30 years as your
competent contact for all questions relating to light and lighting.
In that spirit, on behalf of licht.de, I wish you lots of fun and lots of good ideas for
better lighting in your home.
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licht.wissen 14 Ideas for Good Home Lighting
Entrance
Page 06
Living room
Page 14
Dining room
Page 26
Kitchen
Page 30
Lighting Specials: Lighting design and planning Lighting control, light and colour
Page 12 Page 24
Detailed professional informa- Seite 14
tion on important issues relating
to good design, lighting control,
safety, energy efficiency and
lamps.
4
Contents
Bathroom
Page 34
Home office
Page 44
Bedroom
Page 48
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licht.wissen 14 Ideas for Good Home Lighting
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Entrance lighting
The entrance to a home merits special attention where lighting is concerned. It is the first thing a visitor sees.
So it is important to select bright and cheerful – but also practical – lighting that reflects the style and
personality of the occupants.
Good exterior lighting is not just decora- ensures that key and keyhole can easily
tion; it also helps provide security for resi- be found and names beside doorbells are
dents and guests. Driveway and entrance clearly legible.
lighting is the calling card of any home. It
indicates the safe route to front door, ga- Lighting all around the building offers com-
rage or carport. It also extends a welcome fort and security. It also provides protection
to guests and facilitates the identification against uninvited guests. Motion detectors
of visitors. allow no one to approach under cover of
darkness.
An illuminated house number ensures that
not only guests but also taxi drivers, deliv- Photoelectric lighting controllers permit
ery services and, in an emergency, medics comfortable and economical lighting. Suit-
02-04] Outdoor lighting should suit the style find the house quickly. ably compatible energy-saving lamps are
of the house and underline the architecture. recommended here.
Luminaires should be designed and posi- To ensure easy orientation, the route to the
tioned so that no one is dazzled by their light
front door needs to be sufficiently bright. Wall luminaires and downlights set in can-
[08] Recessed ground luminaires lead Where there are stairs or steps on it, safety opies or overhanging roofs can strikingly
guests to the house and cast the entrance is ensured by supplementary plinth, bol- underline the architecture of a house. Re-
in a special light. In the driveway, recessed lard or orientation lights. cessed ground luminaires cast buildings
ground luminaires with safety glass enclo-
sures for loads up to 3,000 kg and with a high
and surrounding vegetation in a dramatic
degree of protection (IP 65 or IP 67) are a It is important that there should be a well light.
suitable option. illuminated area at the front door. This
Lighting tips:
House entrance
Front door lighting [03-05] Wall luminaires or
downlights recessed in canopies are particu-
larly suitable for front door lighting. To ensure
that they withstand all weathers, only qual- 05
ity luminaires with rating plate and mark of
conformity should be used. IP44 (protection
against solid bodies larger than 1mm and
splashwater) is a minimum requirement for
outdoor applications.
Step and obstacle lighting [06] Bright light-
ing for obstacles and steps makes for safety.
Appropriate lighting options include step lights 06
and bollard/post-top luminaires.
House number lighting [07] Permanently illu-
minated, sufficiently large house numbers are
needed to ensure that visitors find the house
quickly. To ensure that a house number can be
read easily from a distance, self-illuminating
numerals should be at least 10 cm and exter-
nally illuminated numerals at least 20 cm high. 05
07 08
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licht.wissen 14 Ideas for Good Home Lighting
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Hall and stairway lighting
Bright, good lighting is essential for the most important circulation areas of a house or apartment. The prime
requirement in a hallway is safety and sufficient light at the coatstand and mirror. However, lighting should also
set accents and ensure that a guest‘s first impression of the home is a positive one.
Whether visitors are going to feel at home light before stepping outside. Hallways
in a house is decided the moment they look larger and more attractive where room
step through the door. In many cases, hall- lighting bounces off ceiling and walls. This
ways have no window. So bright, invigorat- is best realised with ceiling or wall lumi-
ing lighting is also required there during naires that emit as much light as possible
the day. upwards or sideways.
In addition to the general room light- Track systems – which allow a number of
ing required for background brightness, luminaires to be deployed regardless of
[09] Special architectural features can be
emphasized to very good effect with a track
spots can be effectively used to highlight where the ceiling outlet is located – are
system. It also offers lots of opportunities to furniture and pictures. Mood lights on a a good solution for a hallway. Combin-
highlight different functional zones. sideboard or chest of drawers can help ing room lighting with zone lighting, they
create an inviting atmosphere. Attention make for a balanced but dynamic lighting
[10] Step lights make staircases safer and
provide eye-catching illumination. They also
should also be paid to good mirror lighting. design.
emphasize and positively accentuate the This enables anyone leaving the house to
materiality of the stairs. run a quick eye over their clothing in good
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licht.wissen 14 Ideas for Good Home Lighting
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Safety in the stairway that distinguishes it from the next. This is
best achieved with a luminaire installed
Sadly, staircases are a frequent scene of at the top landing or by step lights that
accidents. The cause, in many cases, is are integrated in the wall and illuminate
poor lighting: either it is not bright enough each step separately. Staircase and hall
[11-14] The optimal complement for general
or the light of incorrectly positioned lu- area should also be uniformly and brightly
lighting, wall luminaires set design accents in
the room. minaires dazzles or generates confusing illuminated by the general lighting.
shadows that can lead to errors of judge-
[14] The eye tends to be drawn to bright ar- ment with serious consequences. Wall luminaires make for a more informal
eas. Where pictures or objects are illuminated,
lighting atmosphere and set positive ac-
they attract attention and help make for agree-
able and interesting hallway lighting. Most accidents happen on the way down cents. Care must be taken, however, to
stairs. So it is particularly important that ensure that the light does not dazzle any-
[15-16] Recessed wall luminaires and step lighting should make the individual treads one walking up or down the stairs and
lights with LED or halogen lamps make for
clearly discernible from above. does not give rise to confusing cast
added safety. However, provision needs to be
made for the necessary power outlets at an Stair treads are well lit when each indi- shadows.
early construction stage. vidual tread casts a short, soft shadow
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Lighting tips:
Hall and stairway
Mirror lighting [17] The best way to illuminate
a person at a mirror is to position luminaires
with warm-white lamps at the right and left of
the mirror for shadow-free lighting.
Hall stand lighting [18] It is advisable to install
supplementary luminaires to ensure uniform
illumination of a cupboard or coat stand.
Important note: luminaires recessed in or
mounted on wood surfaces need to display
the fire protection symbol “F“, “M“ or “MM“
and should be VDE, ENEC or GS certified.
Avoid glare on stairs The lamps in wall
luminaires for stairways need to be shielded
from above and below and definitely must
not cause glare.
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licht.wissen 14 Ideas for Good Home Lighting
In nature, the soft diffuse light of the sky Without general room lighting – e.g. in a
combines with the dynamic, directional living room in which the only light is pro-
light of the sun to present a spectacular vided by a reading light beside the sofa
ever-changing show of light and shadow. – we find our surroundings dark and dis-
Magical moments are created, for exam- turbing. Balanced room lighting creates a
ple, when sunbeams dance in the forest or comfortable atmosphere and promotes a
shafts of light suddenly burst through the sense of wellbeing.
clouds on an overcast day.
Zone lighting [21]
In the home, background illuinance is
provided by general room lighting, while Zone lighting provides light where it is
individual areas are visually accentuated needed for specific activities, such as
by supplementary lighting for specific reading, eating, working, studying im-
zones. These two components are essen- ages. At the same time, it sets stimulating
tial for lighting that is not just functional but lighting accents that are as important for
also promotes a sense of wellbeing and is harmony in the room as uniform general
good for health. room lighting.
[19] Orientation lights set into the floor, e.g. in Room and zone lighting is supplemented
a hallway or stairwell, give walls or individual by mood lighting. This is not primarily for
elements a sculptural, almost architectural
quality. LEDs are particularly suitable for this
illumination; like a fire, it acts as an eye-
because of their small dimensions and long catching design feature and adds a spe-
life. cial note to the atmosphere of the home.
Room lighting is realised with light directed Mood lighting creates a special atmos-
up towards the ceiling or with luminaires phere. It emits light but provides little il-
that radiate light uniformly in all directions. lumination. Instead, it conjures up comfort,
This provides the background illuminance romance, fascination, passion. Its sole
19 needed for orientation. Reducing marked purpose is to soothe heart and soul.
12
dry-lined, power outlets are easier to de- i.e. the fitment that emits light inside a
ploy than in concrete ceilings. Even here, luminaire. Strictly speaking, any reference
however, early light source planning is still to a lamp should really be a reference to a
the better option. The cavity available of- “light bulb“.
fers lots of possibilities for lighting design.
For one thing, it can be used to accommo- Basic lighting variables
date transformers or ballasts; for another,
22 it permits the use of recessed spots or Luminous flux, measured in lumen (lm), is
miniature plug-in lights. the power or quantity of light emitted by a
Mood lighting is most effective in the lamp.
evening, when the surroundings are dark. Lighting plan
The only important thing is that it should Luminous intensity, measured in candela
not be too bright; this is essential for a A lighting plan is essential for precise, (cd), is the amount of luminous flux radiat-
relaxing atmosphere. So mood lights sophisticated planning of home lighting ing in a particular direction.
should glow rather than shine. They can installations. It should be drawn to scale,
be positioned wherever they will have an define the lighting characteristics required Luminance, measured in candela per
impact, e.g. on a windowsill, dresser, shelf in the room and show furnishings and square metre (cd/m²), is the brightness
or the floor. functional zones. The types and numbers of a surface as perceived by the human
of all luminaires should be identified and eye and is highly dependent on its colour,
Electrics – planning ahead their assignment to furniture and electrical structure and reflectance.
circuits indicated. The lighting plan can
In a new building, early electrical planning also show general installation requirements Illuminance, measured in lux (lx), is the
is the key to good lighting design. As a for switches, dimmers, sockets or remote luminous flux falling on a given surface.
matter of principle, it is better to plan too controls (see also page 16).
many wall or ceiling outlets than too few. Light colour
If a room is rearranged later or put to a Specialist lighting retailers and lighting or
different use, the lighting can then still be electrical designers can provide a very Light colour is the intrinsic colour of the
flexibly adapted to suit the new situation. useful service here based on modern light- light emitted by an artificial light source.
ing design and calculation software. It is measured in degrees Kelvin (K). As a
Mounting options general rule, light colours are divided into
Lighting level and glare three groups: warm white (below 3,300 K),
Most residential interiors have plastered neutral white (3,300-5,300 K) and daylight
concrete ceilings with or without recessed Lighting level is an important variable for white (above 5,300 K).
ceiling outlet boxes. These boxes offer the good vision. Older people need consider-
advantage of a larger connection compart- ably more light than young people be- Colour rendering
ment, in which small transformers, bal- cause visual acuity decreases with age.
lasts or even recessed luminaires can be On average, a 60-year-old requires twice Colour rendering determines how naturally
accommodated. In the case of luminaires as high much illuminance (lux) as a child we see colours under the light of an artifi-
with a small ceiling base, one disadvan- or teenager. This should be taken into ac- cial lamp. The yardstick used to measure
tage may be found if the mounting hole count in any lighting design for a dwelling it is the colour rendering index Ra. Under
spacing of the luminaire differs from that of for older people. the light of a lamp with a Ra rating of 100
the outlet box or if the luminaire base is too (optimal), all colours look natural. Halogen
small to cover the cavity. Glare is generally caused by the presence lamps have the best Ra index (100), fluo-
of highly luminant surfaces in the field of rescent lamps and energy-saving lamps
Where power outlets are not available vision and comparatively weak ambient are normally in the region of Ra = 80-90.
at the right place, track or wire systems lighting. Visual performance is impaired
can help. Supplied with electricity at any and prolonged exposure may result in Colour rendering properties range from
point, they bridge the gap to where the fatigue, stress and poor concentration. Ra20 - Ra100 and depend crucially on the
light is needed. For example, they are an quality of the light source.
elegant solution for providing light over a Lamp or light?
dining table where there is no power outlet
available. They eliminate the need for an The words lamp and light are often con-
extension cord looping across the room. fused. Lights are what the industry today
Some manufacturers also offer cable ducts calls luminaires but they are frequently re-
specially designed to suit luminaires. ferred to in common parlance as “lamps“.
Where ceilings are suspended or walls A lamp is actually only the light source,
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licht.wissen 14 Ideas for Good Home Lighting
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Living room lighting
Reading, chatting, watching TV, playing games... no room in the home is used for as many different activities
as the living room. So it is all the more important that lighting should be variable and designed to cater to
different moods and requirements. A single luminaire in the middle of the ceiling is not enough.
Lighting is crucial for the atmosphere of For those who prefer even cosier sur-
a room. Harmonious lighting provides roundings, the atmosphere can be further
good visual conditions and creates a enhanced by mood lights.
sense of homeliness.
General lighting for the living room
Given the multifunctional nature of a liv-
ing room, the light sources in it need to The general lighting in a living room should
be flexible to meet diverse requirements. provide the background illuminance
The central meeting-point in a living required – preferably with dimming con-
room is often the seating group. In this trol – and deliver indirect, diffuse light that
area, lighting should be positioned to suit subtly supports the accent lighting. Helping
personal needs. to reduce marked lighting contrasts in the
room, it guards against visual fatigue. Wide-
Decentralised luminaire arrangement angled and general-diffuse wall, ceiling
or standalone luminaires offer appropriate
[23] Ceiling spots set accents on the wall
and make the room look larger. To enable the specific requirements of lighting solutions.
the various zones of a living room to be
[24,26] Standalone luminaires beside the met, a “decentralised“ arrangement of In museums or hotels, luminous ceilings or
sofa provide light for reading and strike a
different luminaires is recommended. This cove luminaires (see lighting tip) are often
homely note in the room. To enable the light-
ing to cater to different moods, it should be zone lighting is combined with indirect used for indirect lighting. This type of light-
dimmable. room lighting that illuminates the ceiling. ing can also enhance a private living room.
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Lighting tip:
Indirect room lighting
Cove lighting [25]: Coving is the curving
transition between wall and ceiling. Lumi-
naires installed here deliver an indirect,
diffuse light. This creates the impression that
the ceiling is floating in the air. To achieve
uniform light distribution with no dark zones,
coving is fitted with linear fluorescent lamps
overlapping at the ends or with LEDs. For
rooms without coving, luminaires are avail-
able with housings which form the coving
themselves.
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licht.wissen 14 Ideas for Good Home Lighting
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Lighting tip:
Television
TV lighting [30]: At and around the television
set, lighting should be variable. For reading
or for working at a PC, the area around the
screen should be illuminated by low-lumi-
nance diffuse light. This reduces the bright-
ness contrast between screen and back-
ground and prevents early fatigue.
Wall or table luminaires providing diffuse light
behind or beside the television set create a re-
laxing, agreeable lighting atmosphere. There
are also TV sets on the market with integrated
background lighting.
Important note: To rule out annoying reflec-
tions, care should be taken to ensure that
light, e.g. from ceiling spots, is not directed at
the screen.
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licht.wissen 14 Ideas for Good Home Lighting
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Reading light reading area. Uplights and wall or clamp Simultaneous room use with different
luminaires with an adjustable arm- lighting requirements
Any part of a living room used for reading mounted luminaire head are also well
has special lighting requirements. First of suited for the purpose. The luminaire can Living rooms are often used by different
all, directional light is important for illumi- thus be flexibly re-positioned if the seated persons for different activities at the same
nating the reading area; secondly, atten- or reclining reader moves. time. To ensure that one person‘s reading
tion needs to be paid to the ambient light- light does not interfere with another per-
ing. It is not advisable to bathe the book Good colour rendering – and thus a genu- son‘s work at a laptop by creating disturb-
in bright light and leave the background in inely good read – is achieved, in particular, ing reflections on the screen, all luminaires
darkness. This would present the eye with through the use of halogen lamps with a in the room should be appropriately
a constant need to compensate for marked colour rendering index of Ra 100. positioned, angled and shielded.
differences in brightness. Which invariably
results in early visual fatigue. The best place for a light source is along-
side or behind the reader. This ensures that
Good background illuminance in the room the eye is not dazzled by either direct light
– and thus comfortable reading light - is from the front or reflected light on the paper.
achieved with uplights or wallwashers for
indirect lighting. Bright wall surfaces reflect As a general rule, an older person needs
the light softly and evenly into the room. To twice as much light as a youngster to
enable the lighting to be adjusted to differ- experience the same sense of brightness
ent personal needs, all luminaires should for good visual performance. Sensitivity to [32-34] A comfortable chair and free-stand-
be dimmable. glare also increases significantly with age. ing luminaire make for a snug reading area.
35
Lighting tip:
Reading light
Combined room and reading light [35]
Uplights with an integrated, adjustable arm
provide bright room lighting and accentu-
ated reading light. Ideally, both light sources
should be separately dimmable. Ensure that
the arm-mounted luminaire head permits
flexible adjustment. To avoid glare, the light
should fall on the book from above and
behind or from above and at the side of the
reader. Good specialist lighting shops offer
a large selection of combined luminaires – in
designs ranging from traditional to modern
and with a wide variety of lamp types.
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licht.wissen 14 Ideas for Good Home Lighting
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[36-38] ] A track system delivers light to [37] Many track systems can be used verti-
where it is needed – regardless of where the cally as well as horizontally. They thus enable
power outlet is located. The freely positionable light to be harnessed to underline and accen-
spots on the track set accents and highlight tuate special architectural features.
selected objects in the room.
20
Track systems are effective lighting tools is not exceeded. In the case of low-voltage ments to wherever it is needed. To make
and problem-solvers systems, it is particularly important to the room appear larger, systems should
check that the sum of the watt ratings of be wall-oriented and follow the contours
Track systems are ideal lighting tools, of- the spots is no greater than the „VA rating“ of the room. However, a converse ar-
fering innumerable possibilities for custom- of the transformer. A 300VA transformer, rangement can also be used to achieve
ised lighting design throughout the home. for example, has the capacity to operate a a specific effect. Track lighting that runs
They can be used both for general room maximum of 15 spots with a 20W rating or across a long, narrow room, for example,
lighting with wide-angle room or ceiling six spots with a 50W rating. makes the room look shorter. And light-
floods and for accent lighting with spots on ing suspended well below a high ceiling
furniture, pictures or plants. Many track systems have more than one makes the ceiling seem lower.
electrical circuit. This makes it possible, for
Because spots, floods and pendant example, for the lights that illuminate the The geometrical - and thus interior
luminaires are easy to reposition on the table to be switched off while others con- design - possibilities of track systems
track, they can be placed wherever they tinue to highlight pictures on the wall. For are endless. Installable in linear, L or
are needed at any time. For a party, for optimum convenience, wireless systems T-shaped, cruciform, oval or undulating
example, where the table is extended for can be used to permit every single light to arrangements, they allow the imagina-
a buffet, the light sources can simply be be individually switched and/or dimmed. tion full rein. A specialist lighting retailer,
repositioned to meet the new, temporary electrical engineer or lighting designer
requirements. An even better lighting solu- Track systems are also a good solution can help you select and assemble the
tion for such occasions could be achieved where – as is unfortunately often the right lighting system.
by providing additional luminaires or spots case – only a single ceiling outlet is avail-
and adjusting the system accordingly. able in the middle of the room. A track For safety, the installation work should
Care must be taken, however, to ensure system can deliver light in straight lines, always be done by a professional.
that the maximum capacity of the system around corners or in curving arrange-
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licht.wissen 14 Ideas for Good Home Lighting
Light for pictures and objects with electricity from an existing power offer the possibility of e.g. incorporating
outlet, a corner of the room or a shelving supplementary uplights for the general
Picture lighting in a living room sets posi- unit. Another advantage of a gallery track room lighting.
tive accents, adds drama and makes the system is its variability. The spots normally
room look larger by illuminating the walls. project around 40-60cm into the room and The third option is to use individual
Whether originals, prints or photographs, can be repositioned on the track to cater picture lights. These are a solution for
art works bathed in accentuating light for changing arrangements of pictures. setting a lighting accent and emphasizing
stand out from their surroundings and These systems are the solution of choice a single picture on a fairly small wall. They
thus develop their full visual impact. The for a room where artworks on the wall are available in a wide variety of different
light should fall on the image from above, are frequently replaced. Gallery track is designs with LED, fluorescent or halogen
generated at a point around 1 - 1.5 m from available in low-voltage and high-voltage lamps. LED and fluorescent lamps have
the wall. systems for halogen lamps or LEDs. the advantage of energy efficiency and
the capacity to illuminate large areas.
Three picture lighting solutions Low-voltage halogen luminaires offer the Halogen luminaires consume moderately
best and most brilliant light. However, more energy but have better colour ren-
Recessed or surface-mounted ceiling they require a transformer. Where a power dering properties.
spots lend themselves well to picture light- outlet is available, this can be mounted on
ing. Simple and discreet, they make the the wall. Alternatively, it can be accom- Original paintings are sensitive to UV radi-
light and the object the focus of attention. modated in a cabinet or shelving unit ation. Prolonged exposure to daylight and
Sadly, the power outlets required are often at the end of the track. In this case, the artificial lighting can cause colours to fade
not available at the points where they are transformer needs to display a “M“, “MM“ and damage the fabric of the artwork. Spe-
needed. A suspended ceiling or early or “F“ symbol, confirming that it is allowed cial filters that reduce UV and IR radiation
planning are the answer here. to be mounted on flammable surfaces. should be used to protect valuable paint-
Another option is to mount a gallery track A transformer is not required for high- ings. Sculptures often need to be seen in
system on the wall. This can be supplied voltage track systems. These systems the right light to develop their full visual
39 40
22
impact. Light should be directed onto the
object from different directions so that its
three-dimensionality is underlined by light
and shadow. Narrow-beam halogen spots
are a highly suitable option here.
41
Lighting tip:
Colour rendering
Good colour rendering ensures that the colours
of your pictures look as natural as possible [41]:
When choosing lamps, make sure you check
their colour rendering index (Ra). This defines
how natural objects look under artificial lighting.
Lamps with a Ra 100 rating render objects in
perfectly natural colours. Ra values range from
20 to 100.
For picture lighting, always use lamps with a col-
our rendering index of at least Ra 80-100.
Halogen lamps have the best rating (Ra 100),
fluorescent and energy-saving lamp ratings are
normally in the Ra 80-90 range.
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licht.wissen 14 Ideas for Good Home Lighting
A good play or film develops its drama session, a quiet hour with a good book or
from skilled use of lighting. Sadly, the light- an intimate evening for two.
ing found in people’s homes often pales
in comparison. Drawing inspiration from Dinner with friends, for example, thus
stage lighting can be very rewarding. becomes a genuine lighting experience –
from the moment the guests are welcomed
A variable lighting design needs to ad- in bright, widespread light through the
dress three basic functions: room lighting, aperitif at twilight to the meal itself with
[43] Mobile LED luminaires can be flex-
accent lighting and mood lighting. intense light over the table and accent light
ibly used in the home to bathe rooms in
coloured light and create seamless colour picking out pictures on the walls. Dessert
sequences. Achieving the right mix and catering to is served in subdued warm indirect mood
different mood and functional requirements light, in which the candles on the table
[44] A lighting control system provides the
call for a variety of light sources with vari- are suddenly much more prominent and
convenience of remote switching and dim-
ming – so no more need for the awkward able luminous intensities. the conversations perhaps become more
task of setting each luminaire individually. intimate and intense.
This forms the basis for differentiated light-
[45-46] A sophisticated lighting concept ing, just as on a stage. Now it is up to the The interaction of light, time and space
can imbue one and the same room with
totally different lighting atmospheres. user to switch and dim the lights to suit here can be harnessed to create a special
The blue view shows a fresh morn- individual needs. A central lighting control kind of suspense. Technical requirements
ing with diffuse cool light and austere, system is very convenient here. It offers include signal receivers in luminaires or
highly focused warm white accents. The the opportunity to save complex lighting junction boxes, which can be retrofitted.
red example simulates a Mediterranean
autumn afternoon with warm, directional,
scenes and retrieve them as required at Free-standing or table luminaires can also
soft-edged light and reddish background the push of a button. Any lighting mood be integrated at a later date by the use of
lighting. can thus be created – for a party or work special adapter plugs.
43 44
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The signal receivers are addressed by a in a room or having a soothing, stimulating into the domestic luminaire market, LED
remote control device, multifunction switch or performance-boosting impact. technology has also become afford-
or computer and regulated according to able for the private consumer. Here the
the user‘s requirements. In new buildings, The privacy of the home offers particu- market offers a wide variety of large and
the data transfer is via cables; where the larly suitable opportunities for casting in- small RGB-controlled lighting objects.
system is retrofitted, communication is by dividual zones in coloured light and thus However, colour productions over entire
modern wireless technology. shaping occupants‘ emotional response. walls or ceilings can only be realised
At the push of a button, for example, a with high-performance RGB floods made
But the technological possibilities are not living room or bedroom wall could be by quality manufacturers.
confined to just lighting productions and bathed in meditative blue, refreshing
planning. A central control unit – itself green or stimulating red light. To support RGB-controlled LEDS have also moved
remote-controlled by a mobile phone – can our daily rhythm, warm light colours with into the realm of furniture design.
perform a wide range of tasks, from turn- a higher red content are preferable in the A number of luminaire and furniture
ing on the central heating on the way home evening; blue ones should generally be manufacturers, for example, market lumi-
to simulating an occupied house when the avoided. nous shelves, sideboards or illuminated
family is away on holiday. tables. Anyone who is not interested in a
Coloured lighting productions are pos- dynamic colour-changing system but still
Good systems, installed and programmed sible thanks to modern RGB control wishes to work with coloured light can
by professionals, are easy to operate and systems for LEDs or fluorescent lamps. fit spots with dichroitic colour filters or
meet the challenges of daily use. These systems work by additive colour coloured lamps.
mixing, which can produce a theoreti-
For older or disabled persons in particular, cal 16.7 million colours from the three Specialist lighting retailers, electrical
such systems are not just a convenience; primaries (red, green, blue light) by finely engineers and lighting designers are the
they are a practical daily tool. adjusting their respective intensities. In best persons to consult on this matter.
most cases, RGB control systems offer
Light and colour the possibility of running through pro-
grammed colour sequences at different
Colour has a dramatic effect on the way speeds or setting a selected colour for
we feel and is capable of establishing and a static lighting experience. Luminaires
promoting a sense of wellbeing. Colour with dynamic (colour-changing) RGB
psychologists can cite many examples of control systems have been on the market
light colours affecting our sense of warmth for quite some time. Since LEDs swept
45 46
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licht.wissen 14 Ideas for Good Home Lighting
The dining table needs to be able to meet should not obscure the view of the per-
a series of changing daily requirements. son sitting opposite and must definitely
So the lighting should be flexible. Height- not be a source of glare. The distance
adjustable, dimmable pendant luminaires between the table top and the lower
ensure that the right light is available – not edge of the luminaire should therefore
only for eating but also for other activities. be around 60 cm. Suitable lighting op-
Easily repositionable pendant luminaires tions here include luminaires with satin
on wire, rod or tracks systems are the or gloss finish opal enclosures, tinted
best option here. With some new track enclosures or closely woven fabric
systems, repositioning is even possible by shades.
moving luminaire heads from below. So
there is no need to climb a stepladder to Modern high or low-voltage halogen
rearrange the luminaires if the table is ex- lamps are recommended for distinctive
tended. These systems also permit more table lighting with good colour rendering
luminaires to be added. characteristics.
One of the primary purposes of ta- The design of the luminaire(s) should
ble lighting is to illuminate the table reflect the shape of the table. A round
top brightly while leaving the persons dining table normally calls for a round
around it in subdued stray light. Lumi- pendant luminaire, a rectangular one
naires should be suspended just above either an elongated model or lights sus-
eye level. A dining table luminaire pended in a linear arrangement.
26
48
49
Lighting tips:
Dining room
Table lighting [49]: The distance between
the table top and the lower edge of the lu-
minaire should be around 60 cm so that eye
contact with the person opposite is possible
without glare or obstruction.
Possible alternatives to pendant luminaires:
Where suspended luminaires are stylistically
wrong, ceiling luminaires with highly focused
beams can provide alternative zone lighting
for a dining table.
50
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licht.wissen 14 Ideas for Good Home Lighting
51
28
Supplementary luminaires can be used to All luminaires in the room should be on available where spotlighting is needed.
create a special room atmosphere separate operating circuits if possible. One Good lighting is thus guaranteed even if
of the keys to creating a homely atmos- the room is subsequently rearranged.
Creating an agreeable atmosphere re- phere lies in the use of luminaires produc-
quires more than just dining table lighting; ing different levels of brightness. All halogen lamps – whether they oper-
it also calls for attractive general lighting. ate on low or high voltage - have optimal
If the space outside the eating area is Pictures, plants or fine furniture can be colour rendering characteristics and thus
not illuminated, the room looks cramped emphasized particularly well through the make for a warm and natural atmosphere.
and dreary. Free-standing luminaires, wall use of light. Flexible spots on wire and rod They can be dimmed to the point where
luminaires or picture lights can be usefully systems or power track are useful here – the light they emit is only just perceptible.
deployed here to set additional accents. especially if not enough power outlets are This is intimate, cosy and easy on the eye.
53
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licht.wissen 14 Ideas for Good Home Lighting
54
30
Kitchen lighting
In many families, the kitchen is the hub of the home. On the one hand,
it is where the cooking and baking are done; on the other, it is a
meeting-point – and often a favourite spot at parties.
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licht.wissen 14 Ideas for Good Home Lighting
56
57 58 59
Lighting tips
Kitchen
Work surface lighting [57,58]: Hard shadows
on work surfaces should be avoided wher-
ever possible. Separately switched shallow
luminaires mounted under wall units should
provide at least 500 lux illuminance at the work
surface. Make sure they display a “F“, “M“ or
“MM“ symbol. These symbols identify lumi-
naires that are suitable for recess and surface
mounting on furniture. For further information,
see p. 43.
Kitchen dining area [59]: As a separate light-
ing zone, the dining area should always have
its own lighting. The distance between table
top and luminaire should be at least 60 cm to
guarantee a clear view.
60
32
by ceiling luminaires and track systems and foodstuffs are easier to identify and
mounted directly above it casting highly quicker to find.
focused beams of light onto the worktop.
Track systems, clip-on luminaires and
The advantage: the track carries elec- surface-mounted furniture lights as well
tricity from the power outlet to where as ceiling luminaires that act as wall-
the flexibly positionable luminaires are washers are particularly suitable for the
needed to deliver the right light. purpose. The distance between ceil-
ing luminaires and cabinets or shelves
Warm-white fluorescent or energy-saving should be selected so that the latter are
lamps are a good choice of light source fully illuminated from top to bottom and a
for the kitchen. They emit uniform light person standing in front of them does not
over a large area. Modern energy-saving cast disturbing shadows. The optimum
halogen lamps, with their very good distance on a normal 2.5 – 3 m high ceil-
colour rendering properties, are also ing is between 50 and 80 cm.
[56] As a separate lighting zone, the dining recommended.
area should always have its own lighting. The Kitchen dining area lighting
distance between table top and luminaire Cabinet and shelf lighting
should be at least 60 cm to guarantee a clear
view.
Apart from pendant luminaires, ceiling lu-
Cabinet and shelf lighting can serve minaires with a highly focused beam are
[60,61] Recessed spots in suspended ceil- two purposes: first, by highlighting fine a suitable lighting option for the dining
ings make for accentuating, brilliant light. furniture and its contents, it creates a area in a kitchen. They should illuminate
special atmosphere; secondly, it illumi- the table top brightly and bathe persons
[62] Height-adjustable pendant luminaires
can be tailored to user requirements. Illumi- nates the space that makes cabinets and at the table in agreeable scattered light.
nated wall units make the room look larger. shelves easier to use. Crockery, pans
61 62
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licht.wissen 14 Ideas for Good Home Lighting
63
34
Bathroom lighting
In the morning, the bathroom is where we wake ourselves up to face the challenges of the day; in the evening,
we use it mainly to unwind. In order to turn a functional bathroom into a place of wellbeing, special attention
needs to be paid to the lighting.
Even in a bathroom, good general lighting Three points to note for good mirror and
is needed for background illuminance in washbasin lighting
the room.
The requirements that need to be met for
At least 300 lux illuminance is recom- good mirror lighting can be summed up
mended. In this connection, special atten- in three sentences. First, the observer‘s
tion should be paid to the colours of walls face should be evenly illuminated, i.e. free
or tiles. Dark areas absorb light and call of any disturbing shadows. Secondly, the
for luminaires with a significantly greater light must definitely not dazzle. Thirdly, the
luminous intensity. face should be rendered in natural, neutral
colours.
The lighting should definitely be fitted with
a dimmer to enable the light to be adjust- Uniform, shadow-free illumination is best
ed for comfort. Subdued lighting makes achieved with light from elongated linear
bathing a more relaxing experience and luminaires positioned at each side of the
is less disturbing on a night-time visit to mirror. Supplementary light from above –
[63-65] A good specialist lighting shop offers
a variety of mirror lighting solutions in different the toilet. especially recommended for wider mirrors
designs. Good mirror lighting is best achieved – is the optimal complement to ensure a
with satinised white glass diffuser luminaires Recessed and surface-mounted spots perfectly shadow-free face. Light from
positioned at the right and left of the mirror.
and ceiling luminaires with white opal above alone produces undesirable shad-
Supplementary light from above makes for
optimal ergonomics and illuminates the face glass enclosures are suitable options for ows under chin and nose. Spots directed
fully and without shadows. general bathroom lighting. at the mirror from the ceiling or from right
64 65
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licht.wissen 14 Ideas for Good Home Lighting
66
36
and left of the mirror will dazzle the ob- Small bathrooms look significantly larger in
server and should be avoided. the right light
67
37
licht.wissen 14 Ideas for Good Home Lighting
69
68 70
38
[68-69] Private wellness or swimming pools
call for detailed lighting planning, preferably
by an expert. Relaxation areas and functional
zones need to be considered separately and
optimal lighting solutions developed for each
one. This ensures long-term user satisfaction
and comfort.
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licht.wissen 14 Ideas for Good Home Lighting
72
Lighting tips:
Bathroom
Creating lighting zones [73]: Use lighting to distinguish visually the different zones of your bathroom.
This makes for an enhanced sense of wellbeing and enlivens the room. Light is an effective tool for
distinguishing and emphasizing room zones and functional areas. Recessed ceiling luminaires with
73 a focused beam are a good choice for the shower zone; separately switched lighting at the mirror
and above the bath round off the sense of well-lit space.
Mirror lighting [74]: A single light source at the mirror is not enough for good face care lighting.
Light from above or from one side alone gives rise to undesirable shadows under the chin and nose
or on one side of the face. Uniform shadow-free illumination of the face is best achieved with light
from elongated linear luminaires mounted on the left and right of the mirror. Supplementary light from
above is the perfect complement. If fluorescent lamps are used, warm-white is the light colour of
choice for a pleasing mirror image.
74
40
Standard-compliant installation by a profes- the use of protective extra-low voltage
sional is vital for safety in the bathroom luminaires operating on a maximum volt-
age of 12 V but no transformers may be
Safety and compliance with standards mounted within its boundaries.
are particularly important considerations
in a bathroom. The simultaneous pres- Safety zone 2 is a 60 cm deep strip adjoin-
ence of water and electricity means that ing safety zone 1. Luminaires in both of
special precautions need to be taken. So these zones require a protection rating of
electrical installation work should always at least IP X4. Where massage jets etc.
be performed by a qualified electrician in are installed, luminaires are required to be
line with DIN VDE 0100 Part 701. Amongst protected to IP X5.
other things, this standard defines three
special safety zones where electrical No switches or sockets may be installed in
installations and luminaires need to meet zones 0, 1 or 2. An exception is made in
particular requirements. the case of switches integrated in stand-
ard-compliant luminaires.
Bathroom safety zones:
Degrees of protection:
0 non-protected non-protected
Zone 0 relates to the inside of the bathtub 1 protected against solid foreign protected against dripping
bodies > 50 mm water
or shower tray, e.g. for the use of under-
2 protected against solid foreign protected against dripping
water lamps. Only luminaires operating on bodies > 12 mm water when 15° tilted
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licht.wissen 14 Ideas for Good Home Lighting
This Lighting Special explains technical In the case of Protection Class II lu-
terms and describes important precaution- minaires, live parts are provided with
ary measures. All luminaires need to be protective insulation in addition to the
tested and type-tested by the manufac- basic insulation. Connection to a protec-
turer as a matter of principle. After all, con- tive conductor is not permitted. Even if
sumer safety is at stake. Important informa- luminaires have conductive surfaces, they
tion such as maximum permissible wattage are protected from contact with live parts
and minimum distance from inflammable by reinforced insulation. Mobile Class II
materials needs to be displayed on a luminaires are fitted with a so-called eu-
label affixed to the luminaire. These limits roplug, a two-pole plug with no protective
should always be observed; otherwise, conductor.
the luminaires will present a fire hazard.
Luminaire housings can also be rendered Protection Class III:
live by moisture or water. Where luminaires
are designed for permanent installation, In the case of Protection Class III lumi-
the installation work should always be naires, protection is based on the use of
performed by a trained professional. This a SELV (safety extra-low voltage) system.
is particularly important in the event of an Typical applications include low-voltage
insurance claim because insurance cover track or wire systems for 12 V opera-
may otherwise be void. tion. The supply voltage is established in
conjunction with a safety transformer (or
Classes of protection equivalent device) and must be no higher
than 50 V (with normal alternating current).
EN 61140 (formerly DIN VDE 0140) divides
items of electrical equipment such as Degrees of protection (IP) and
luminaires into three classes of protec- safety zones in a bathroom
tion according to the protective measures see p. 41
taken to avoid electric shock:
75
42
CE mark: EMC/EMV mark intangible goods. A standard is a norm or
requirement established and published by
The CE mark is mandatory for products The EMC/EMV mark shows that the a standards body or standards organisa-
placed on the market in the European luminaire or component for which it was tion. It is designed to set standards and
Union. By affixing this marking, manufac- awarded has been tested for electromag- thus improve public safety.
turers and importers assert – generally on netic compatibility.
their own responsibility – that their prod- More information and links about stand-
ucts meet the essential requirements of Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) ards, approval marks and safety can be
specific European directives and protec- describes the interaction between two or found at www.licht.de.
tion targets. more devices in terms of their electrical
or electromagnetic effects. Incompatibility
The abbreviation “CE“ stands for “Commu- can result in interference that ranges from
nautés Européennes“ (European Com- unintended noise from a radio to actual
munity). However, contrary to what many appliance failure.
people think, CE marking is not based on
testing by a third-party certification body. Fire protection
Products are self-certified by the manufac-
turer. For recessed and surface mounting on
furniture, luminaires need to bear the “F“,
ENEC/VDE certification symbols “M“ or “MM” symbol and must meet certain
thermal requirements.
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licht.wissen 14 Ideas for Good Home Lighting
77 78
79 80
44
Home office lighting
Nearly every home has a place reserved for work. It may be a small corner of the living room or bedroom or it may be a
separate room. Everyone needs somewhere to file bills, write letters, check emails. What is often neglected, however, is
correct lighting – with negative consequences for eyes and concentration.
Bright and, above all, glare-free lighting good colour rendering of objects on the
is a fundamental requirement for working desk, luminaires with halogen lamps are
at home in comfortable, ergonomically recommended.
correct conditions. That requirement needs
to be met regardless of whether the office Anyone who attaches particular impor-
or computer work performed is done in a tance to saving energy, however, is well
[77-80] Good desk lighting can be realised separate home office or at a workplace set advised to opt for a desk light for energy-
both with desktop luminaires and with pen- up in the living room. saving lamps. For writing at the desk, the
dant luminaires.
rule is: light source on the left for right-
[80] High-intensity uplights ensure adequate The general lighting should provide a handers and on the right for left-handers.
background illuminance at a workplace. lighting level of 300 - 500 lux in the room This prevents disturbing shadows being
or at least in the area around the work- cast by the writer‘s hand.
place. An even spread of brightness in the
room boosts our powers of concentration VDU workplace ordinance
because it means our eyes do not need to DIN 5035 and DIN EN 12464-1
keep re-adapting to different illuminance
levels. The German VDU workplace ordinance
(Bildschirmarbeitsverordnung) sets out
Ceiling, pendant or free-standing lumi- regulations for computerised work places,
naires for indirect lighting are suitable which also need to be observed for oc-
options for a living room workplace. For cupational activities conducted in the
81 a dedicated home office, luminaires home. Its requirements are essentially met
with linear fluorescent lamps are a more by compliance with the relevant technical
professional solution. The recommended standards. German industrial standard
light colour – a colour found particularly DIN 5035 stipulates minimum illuminance
agreeable – is warm white. Glare should values that need to be maintained. 500
definitely be avoided, whether it is caused lux and a colour rendering index of Ra 80 -
by the lighting itself (direct) or by reflec- 100 (see also page 13) are recommended
tions on the computer screen (indirect). for offices.
82 The second key requirement in a home of- For VDU work, in particular, marked
fice is separate desk lighting. It should illu- brightness contrasts and reflections on
Lighting tips: minate the work area uniformly and without the screen need to be avoided and the
Home office glare and ensure the modelling needed for general room lighting must always be acti-
clear identification of objects and details. vated in addition to the workplace lighting.
Desk lighting [78,80,81] For a right-handed This prevents early fatigue when working. This prevents the eyes being overtaxed
person, light should fall on the desk from the Flexibly positionable desk luminaires that by the constant need to take account of
left to prevent disturbing shadows. For left- direct the light to where it is needed are a pronounced differences in brightness.
handers, the converse applies. particularly suitable solution here.
Light on walls and furniture [78,82] Illu- To sum up, the optimum lighting concept
minated pictures or objects help make for For anyone who wants to save space on consists of two components: indirect room
agreeably informal accent lighting. Pictures the desk, height-adjustable pendant lumi- lighting and direct workplace lighting. If
look particularly colourful and natural when naires, free-standing luminaires or articu- these principles are observed, surfing on
illuminated by lamps with very good colour lated arm luminaires that can be mounted the Internet, writing emails and even doing
rendering characteristics, such as halogen on the wall or on a shelf over the desk paperwork is a lot more enjoyable.
lamps. can be used. Pendant luminaires need to
be height-adjustable to eliminate glare or
reflections on the screen. For good to very
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licht.wissen 14 Ideas for Good Home Lighting
83
84 85
Lighting tips:
Children‘s room
Changing table lighting [86] Swivel-mounted,
dimmable luminaires that do not dazzle the
child are required here. A warm light colour
makes for a sense of wellbeing.
Safety a key consideration Lamps should
not be covered with fabric or similar materi- 86
als. This presents an increased risk of fire.
Night lighting [87] Night lights that burn for
long periods should be fitted with energy-
saving LED lamps or compact fluorescent
lamps.
Desk lighting For right-handers, light from
the left prevents disturbing shadows. For left-
handers, light should fall from the right.
87 88
46
Children‘s and teenager‘s room lighting
For children and teenagers, their own room is not just a place to sleep; it is also a place to learn and play, a
home within the home and a private retreat. To cater to all these requirements, every youngster‘s room needs a
good lighting concept.
Children‘s lighting needs are not actually nappy changes to reading in bed, from
very different from those of adults. Nev- doing homework to playing and learning
ertheless, there are a number of points at a computer. Appropriate wall, reading
to remember. To protect young children‘s and desk lights – preferably dimmer-con-
sensitive eyes, artificial light sources trolled – render good service here.
should be as glare-free as possible. Punc-
tual light sources such as general-diffuse Children and teenagers spend a great
halogen lamps or even high-performance deal of time at the desk. Sufficiently bright
[83,88] Different luminaires distinguish the
various areas of a children‘s/teenager‘s room LEDs should therefore be avoided. lighting is a must for doing homework. For
and make for a comfortable atmosphere. work at a computer, irritating reflections
Ideally, the background lighting in the on the screen need to be avoided. Desk
[84,87] A night light within easy reach is
room should be dimmer-controlled. This luminaires for compact fluorescent lamps
important for reading and provides security
and comfort for a youngster waking up in the enables a lighting level to be selected that are one answer here.
middle of the night. is precisely tailored, for example, to meet
the needs of a night-time feed or nappy Safety is a top priority in a nursery. 230 V
change. Unnecessary brightness is thus lamps - i.e. including those for use in an
avoided – and the child (and parents) can ordinary E27 screw lampholder – should
get back to sleep more easily. not be placed within a child‘s reach. Oth-
erwise, the accident that childproof sock-
A night light gives security ets are installed to prevent can quickly
happen at the luminaire: an electric shock
One need that many children feel for a is certainly possible. Through the use of
long time is the need for a night light. With low-voltage halogen lamps or LEDs with a
it, monsters under the bed and robbers in plug-in power supply unit, all the electrics
the wardrobe are kept simply at bay. There are reduced to a protective extra-low volt-
are various options for providing a night age and thus present almost no danger
light – from nursery lights incorporating a even for children.
night-light feature to a wide range of plug-
in luminaires. Today, the latter are almost Tailored to children‘s needs in terms of
all fitted with LEDs and therefore consume safety and lighting characteristics and
even less electricity than the generation of designed to be appropriate for the age
night lights that preceded them. Obsolete group – these are the main points to
luminaires with halogen or incandescent remember when selecting a luminaire
lamps are a fire hazard and should not be for a youngster‘s room. It is, in fact, a
used. With the help of LEDs, night-lighting perfectly straightforward matter - and
can even be extended easily into a cor- a fascinating one if the youngster is
ridor and thus make it easier for a child to involved in the decision.
find the way to the toilet.
47
licht.wissen 14 Ideas for Good Home Lighting
First of all, every bedroom needs good needed for each side, so one person can
general lighting controlled by a switch at read without disturbing a sleeping partner.
the entrance to the room. Suitable options A 20 W low-voltage halogen lamp or an
here are recessed or surface-mounted equivalent energy-saving lamp is sufficient
ceiling luminaires, which should provide for reading, preferably in a luminaire with an
good illumination for not only wardrobes angleable head. This can be installed as
but also the floor. The second element a wall, clamp or table luminaire but should
required is bedside lighting. In the case of be separately switched, glare-free and
a double bed, an appropriate luminaire is individually adjustable.
89
48
In a big enough bedroom, a reading corner Wardrobe lighting ensures a proper over-
creates another island of light view of the garments for selection
bright light for reading when required. The Colours and fabrics can thus be clearly
[90] Wall luminaires are a good alternative to
two light sources should be separately identified, making it easier to decide on an conventional bedside lights. Their use frees
dimmable. outfit. up space on the bedside table.
91
92
Lighting tips:
Bedroom
Bedside lighting [89-91]: Ensure that
bedside lights are separately switched and,
if possible, dimmer-controlled. The light
switches at the bed should preferably be
wired to control all the luminaires in the room.
An additional switch for the lighting around
the building gives a sense of security. Provi-
sion for these features needs to be made at
the construction stage.
Mirror lighting [92]: Correct mirror lighting
is also important in the bedroom. The best
illumination of the observer is achieved with
linear luminaires positioned at each side
of the mirror for shadow-free warm-white
90 lighting.
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licht.wissen 14 Ideas for Good Home Lighting
93
94 95
50
Exposure to electromagnetic fields in the outset in order to keep exposure to electro-
bedroom should be avoided where possible magnetic fields as low as possible.
At night, our immune system and metabo- Ideally, all bedroom lights should be wired
lism power down as part of the process of so that they can additionally be switched
physiological regeneration. Electrosmog on and off from the bed. This gives a sense
or pollutants can significantly interfere with of security and offers added convenience
this regenerative phase. So a bedroom in a room where a sense of wellbeing is
should be planned with special care. It particularly important.
[93, 96] Early electrical and lighting planning is no place for electrical equipment that
pays dividends in the bedroom. It permits operates throughout the night, especially
the realisation of special features and light-
devices that require a transformer.
ing effects such as ceiling spots, recessed
wall luminaires and precise directional wall
spotlights. In many bedrooms, power points are locat-
ed at each side of the bed and are usually
[94] Having lots of light sources in the room joined by a connecting cable. But cabling
makes for an agreeable, comfortable atmos-
phere. A well illuminated makeup mirror can
in the wall can have negative health conse-
be an additional, upgrading bedroom feature. quences for a sensitive person.
[95] For good wardrobe lighting, ceiling Demand switches installed by an expe-
luminaires or spots should be mounted around
rienced electrician are one answer here.
50 – 80 cm from the front of the furniture. This
ensures that the inside of the wardrobe is cor- In a new building, it is advisable to install
rectly illuminated when the doors are open. screened cables and power points at the
96
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licht.wissen 14 Ideas for Good Home Lighting
52
99
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licht.wissen 14 Ideas for Good Home Lighting
Lighting at present accounts for around inefficient incandescent lamp technology Halogen lamps
19% of global electricity consumption. by 2012. But consumers need not fear
Thanks to modern light sources such as that they will no longer be able to use their Halogen lamps work in much the same
energy-saving lamps, energy-efficient hal- present light fittings. Lamp manufacturers way as an incandescent lamp, except that
ogen lamps and LEDs, significant energy long ago came up with acceptable alterna- halogens are added to the gas in the bulb.
economies can now be made. However, tives. A distinction is made between two types
quality of lighting and the actual efficiency of halogen lamp: low-voltage and high-
of lamps in use must not be disregarded. Progressive phase-out of inefficient tech- voltage.
nologies
The days of the incandescent lamp are The new generation of energy-saving halo-
numbered – solutions are available to Relegated to energy efficiency classes gen lamps are extremely efficient. Thanks
replace them in a 1:1 swap F and G, traditional incandescent lamp to an inert gas mix, they can lower power
technology falls short of requirements in consumption by as much as 50%.
In the conventional incandescent lamp, 2009. Starting with incandescent bulbs
electricity flows through a filament and with a 100 W rating or more, all inefficient In terms of service life (up to 4,000 hours)
heats it to a temperature of 2,900° Celsius. lamps will be removed from the European and luminous efficacy (12-23 lumen/watt)
This generates light – but also a lot of market by 2016. low-voltage halogen lamps out-perform
heat. What is more, the life of an incan- most high-voltage models. Dimmable
descent lamp, at just 1,000 hours, is very Along with the energy-saving lamps with energy-saving halogen lamps in classic
short. In December 2008, the European an energy efficiency class A rating, Class light bulb designs with E27 or E14 base
Commission approved the implementing B and C energy-efficient halogen lamps are a new trend.
measure „Domestic Lighting, Part 1“. This will continue to be allowed. Up-to-the-
prescribes a progressive phase-out of minute information about the latest EU Where very good colour rendering is
directives is available at www.licht.de. required, halogen lamps are particularly
recommended because of their Ra 100
[103] In order to mitigate climate change,
every individual can do something to reduce colour rendering index.
his or her carbon footprint.
Fluorescent lamps / compact fluorescent
lamps
54
All fluorescent lamps and compact fluo- All luminaires that emit direct, directional How can costs be reduced?
rescent lamps contain small amounts of light for accent lighting should ideally be
mercury and therefore require separate fitted with energy-saving halogen lamps. The table below compares the efficiency,
disposal. They fall within the scope of Because of their diminutive size, LEDs longevity and thus cost of energy-saving
the Restriction of Hazardous Substances lend themselves well to being integrated in lamps and conventional incandescent
Ordinance. This describes the effect of EC walls, floors, furniture, etc.. Coloured LEDs lamps.
Directive 2002/95/EC forbidding the use are particularly good for setting colour
of certain substances in the manufacture accents. Energy-saving lamp1) Incandescent
lamp
and processing of electrical and electronic
Wattage 11 Watt (W) 60 Watt (W)
equipment and components Energy efficiency classes
Operating time 8,000 hours 8,000 hours
Life 8,000 hours 1,000 hours
The range of compact fluorescent lamps The EU Energy Label indicates how
Power consumption 88 kWh 480 kWh
with screw and pin base is extremely wide. energy-efficient a lamp actually is, assign- over operating time
In contrast to budget-priced products, ing it to one of a series of “energy efficien- Cost of electricity at 15.84 euro 86.40 euro
0.18 euro/kWh2)
quality lamps made by brand manufac- cy classes“. These range from “A“ (very
+ Price of lamp(s) 12.19 euro 7.12 euro3)
turers have the combined advantages of efficient) to “G“ (inefficient). Conventional Total cost 28.03 euro 93.52 euro
higher luminous efficacy, lower energy incandescent lamps consume so much Saving 65.49 euro
consumption and a longer life. They also electricity that they reach no higher than
offer higher switch resistance and, de- class D. Regular 230 V halogen lamps 1) The calculation applies analogously to compact fluorescent
lamps with pin base.
pending on type, can even be dimmed. are also assigned class D – or even class 2) kWh = kilowatt hour
3) Price of 8 incandescent lamps at 0.89 euros each
E - status. Modern energy-saving halogen
Economy lamps generally fail to meet lamps, however, reach class C or even B. Calculation example: 3-room apartment
some or all of these requirements and are But the most energy-efficient lamps of all
thus often the more expensive alternative. are energy-saving lamps; they get class A Number of in the now saved1)
luminaires past
or B ratings. Some labels display addi-
Kitchen 2x 75 W 15 W 172,80 euro
Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) tional information about the luminous flux,
Bathroom 1x 75 W 15 W 86,40 euro
power input or life of the lamp. Hall 2x 60 W 11 W 141,12 euro
LEDs consist of a semiconductor material Living room 3x 60 W 11 W 211,68 euro
and can convert electricity directly to light. Children‘s room 2x 75 W 15 W 172,80 euro
The energy they require to do so is minimal Bedroom 3x 60 W 11 W 211,68 euro
and their life, at up to 50,000 operating Total amount 996,48 euro
saved:
hours, is extremely long. A great deal of
light is generated here from very little en- 1) Cost of electricity saved after incandescent lamps are
ergy. What is more, the tiny dimensions of replaced by energy-saving lamps, calculated on the basis of
8,000 operating hours at an average electricity price of 0.18
an LED mean it can be integrated almost euro/kWh.
anywhere.
How to calculate the costs:
55
licht.wissen 14 Ideas for Good Home Lighting
3 4 5 6
7 8
16
11 12
13 14 15 17 18
104
incandescent-shape
dia. high luminous effiacacy
elongated design
dia. high luminous flux
lamp shape3)
3-tube lamp
4-tube lamp
3-tube lamp
Three-band
Three-band
Three-band
Three-band
Three-band
Three-band
Three-band
Three-band
Ø 16mm
Ø 16mm
Ø 26mm
Halogen
1-,2-, or
1-,2-, or
Lamp type 1 2 3 4, 5, 6 7 8 9 10 11
Characteristics Lamp category Linear fluorescent lamps Compact fluorescent lamps
Power rating from 14 24 18 5 18 16 5 5 18
(W) to 35 80 58 70 802) 38 23 23 140
Luminous flux5) from 1,100 1,650 1,350 250 1,200 1,050 150 250 200
(lumen) to 3,300 6,150 5,200 5,200 6,000 2,800 1,350 1,550 2,800
Luminous efficacye5) from 79 69 751) 50 67 61 30 50 11
(lumen/W) to 93 88 901) 82 87 78 59 67 20
Light colour ww, nw, ww, nw, ww, nw, ww, nw, ww, nw, ww, nw, ww ww, ww
dw dw dw dw dw dw
Colour rendering index Ra 80-85 80-85 80-85 80-85 80-85 80-85 80-89 80-89 100
(in some cases as range)
Base G5 G5 G13 G23; 2G11 2G10; E14; E14; E27
G24; GR8; E27 E27
2G7; GR10q
GX24;
GR14q
56
Lamps
Three-band fluorescent lamps (1, 2, 3) 230 V halogen lamps (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
Three-band fluorescent lamps offer high lu- Halogen lamps for mains operation pro-
minous efficacy coupled with good colour duce an agreeable white light with good
rendering and a long life. In conjunction colour rendering properties. They have a
9 10 with electronic ballasts (EBs), they achieve longer life than incandescent lamps and
even higher luminous efficacy, a longer achieve higher luminous efficacy. They
life and greater lighting comfort. 16 mm- are fully dimmable and available also as
diameter T5 lamps are designed for EB reflector lamps. The latest generation of
operation only. With appropriate EBs, all energy-saving halogen lamps reduces
three-band fluorescent luminaires can be power consumption by up to 50%.
dimmer-controlled.
Low-voltage 12 V halogen lamps (16, 17, 18)
Compact fluorescent lamps (4-10)
Low-voltage halogen lamps produce an
Compact fluorescent lamps have the same agreeable white light with very good colour
characteristics as three-band fluorescent rendering properties. To operate them, a
lamps. Here too, luminous efficacy, service transformer is needed to reduce the volt-
19 20 life and lighting comfort are enhanced by age to 12 V. With appropriate transformers,
electronic ballasts and dimmer control is they can be dimmer-controlled. IRC (Infra-
possible with appropriate EBs. Red Coating) lamps consume up to 30%
In some versions (9, 10), the ballast is less energy for the same luminous flux.
integrated. Compact fluorescent lamps
consume up to 80% less energy than Light-emitting diodes (19, 20)
incandescent lamps and have a much
longer life. LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) come in
numerous shapes and colours. They are
extremely small, consume very little energy
base at both ends
reflector lamp3)
reflector lamp3)
incandescent-
Halogen lamp
reflector lamp
reflector lamp
Halogen
Halogen
Halogen
Halogen
shape3)
57
licht.wissen 14 Ideas for Good Home Lighting
licht.de publications
[licht.wissen 01]
60 pages of information about
artificial lighting: Booklet 1 describes
the physical components of light and
conveys a knowledge of the basics
of modern lighting technology.
[Booklet 3] 40 pages on street [Heft 4] 48 pages on office lighting. [Booklet 10] 40 pages on emer- [Booklet 17] 28 pages of informa-
lighting. Booklet 3 describes how Booklet 4 looks at all types of office gency and safety lighting: Booklet tion on LEDs. Booklet 17 describes
”seeing and being seen“ works and and shows how functional lighting 10 contains information about how the tiny semiconductor crystals
explains how road accident figures can be ergonomically correct and standards and stipulations for the work, explains the technology
and crime rates are reduced. thus be good for our health and operation of emergency and safety behind LEDs and LED modules and
performance. lighting systems and explains when presents exemplary LED applica-
and where such systems need to be tions.
installed.
58
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ISBN no. PDF-edition: 978-3-926193-45-2
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08/09/00/14IV
and electrical specialists. The lighting
information contained in all these booklets
The publication takes account of current DIN standards
is of a general nature.
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Numbering of photos on back page:
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licht.wissen 14 Ideas for Good Home Lighting
licht.wissen 14
Ideas for
Good Home Lighting
60