Are you looking to buy LED lights?
To get the right LED bulbs for retrofit lighting, there are certain factors you must consider. For someone with little to no knowledge about the technical specifications, shopping for LED lights can be daunting.
Below is a list of questions you should ask when buying LED lights.
- What type of bulbs are used in the existing fixtures?
Your options are Metal Halide, Fluorescent, High Intensity discharge (HID), and others. Each one produces light in different ways and is structured just as differently. A Metal Halide, for example, will require a ballast to work.
So find out what bulbs are used in the existing fixture you have at home or in the office.
- What is the current type of fixture that the bulb is installed in?
See if the bulb is placed in a:
- Troffer – A rectangular light fixture commonly used in offices, classrooms, and other workplaces.
- High Bay – Typically hangs from the ceiling off chains, hooks, or pendants. High bay fixtures are commonly used in wide spaces, such as warehouses and manufacturing firms.
- Wall Washers – These are fixtures used for recessed lighting.
- Flood – These are designed to house halogen, metal halide, CFL, and incandescent lights.
- Parking Lot – As the name suggests, these fixtures are used to illuminate parking areas. This requires a bulb that emits the right brightness and color rendering.
If the fixtures you have are not on the list, seek professional advice.
- What are the fixture dimensions?
Different fixtures have different dimensions. Take out your measuring tape and start measuring. Make sure to specify the state units—cm, inch, ft., etc.
- Does the Fixture have a reflector?
The addition of a reflector can make a difference in the light emitted. The answer is either Yes or No.
- Can the reflector be removed?
A removable reflector offers the kind of flexibility that some people look for. Check the existing reflector and answer either Yes or No.
- What is the Mounting Height?
The mounting height can be measured in M, Ft., or Yds. Your measurement will identify if you need a bulb with higher wattage or not.
- Are there mounting requirements?
When mounting a lighting fixture, you may need extra tools or accessories.
Yes, could mean additional cost and work. You will also need to specify if the mounting requirement is Vertical or Horizontal.
No means installation will be easy.
- Any mounting requirement or concerns?
Make sure to indicate all that matters so a suitable solution can be provided for each requirement or concern.
Other questions you must answer are:
- What Quantity is needed?
- How many lamps are needed?
- Additional Fixture needed? □ Yes □ No.
- If Yes, how many?
- Do you have multiple heads per pole? □ Yes □No
- What is the wattage of the current bulb(s)?
- What is the voltage of the current bulb(s)?
- In what application is the light used?
□ Retail
□ Office Building
□ Manufacturing
□ Warehouse
□ Parking garage or lot
□ Other: Specify
- What color temperature is preferred (Kelvin measure)? □Warmer □ Cooler
- Any additional specifications/requirements?
□ DLC approved
□ UL approved
□ Other Certification: Specify: ___________________________________________
□ Dimmable
□ Surge protection
□ Emergency lighting
- Do you presently have?
□ Photo Sensors
□ Motion Sensors
□ Daylight Harvesting
- Is the end user satisfied with the current light level? □Yes □ No
- If No, what modification to the light level need be done?
- D WB to determine the financial benefit of an LED retrofit? □ Yes □ No
If yes, please provide a current monthly electricity bill for review.
Peninsula Technical Sales represents electronic equipment manufacturers and is proud to offer our services online and to the following cities and their surrounding areas: San Francisco, Santa Clara, San Jose, Fremont, Sacramento, Milpitas, and Santa Rosa.