Difference between revisions of "Uplighters"
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
(→R80 Spotlight Fittings: image code) |
Wildwiki22 (talk | contribs) (→Types) |
||
| (15 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown) | |||
| Line 3: | Line 3: | ||
'''Uplighters''' come in several flavours, each with their own strengths & weaknesses. | '''Uplighters''' come in several flavours, each with their own strengths & weaknesses. | ||
| − | + | Advantages: | |
| − | |||
* More even lighting spread than other lighting types | * More even lighting spread than other lighting types | ||
* Minimum shadowing | * Minimum shadowing | ||
| − | * Fittings | + | * Glare is eliminated |
| + | * Fittings that shroud the bulb prevent glare & enable a wide range of bulb types to be used | ||
* Thus relatively futureproof | * Thus relatively futureproof | ||
| − | + | Disadvantages: | |
| − | |||
* Uplighting requires a white ceiling to be effective | * Uplighting requires a white ceiling to be effective | ||
| − | * | + | * Not suited to exposed beam ceilings |
* Not suited to very low ceiling properties (eg 6') | * Not suited to very low ceiling properties (eg 6') | ||
| + | * There are some types of uplighter that perform poorly, these are easily avoided | ||
==Types== | ==Types== | ||
| − | + | ===[[Halogen Lighting|Halogen Uplighters]]=== | |
| − | + | [[image:IMAG1190-5 halogen uplighter.jpg|right|175px]] | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
These are usually free standing floor lamps | These are usually free standing floor lamps | ||
| + | * obsolete due to energy waste & fire risk | ||
* Typically 300-500w. | * Typically 300-500w. | ||
* High powers create excessive lighting in one area | * High powers create excessive lighting in one area | ||
| Line 36: | Line 30: | ||
* Relatively expensive to run | * Relatively expensive to run | ||
* The lightbulbs run hot enough to ignite anything that lands on them, making them a fire risk | * The lightbulbs run hot enough to ignite anything that lands on them, making them a fire risk | ||
| − | * Ignition temperature bulbs plus the ability to be knocked over are also not a good combination | + | * Ignition temperature bulbs plus the ability to be knocked over are also not a good combination for fire safety |
| − | * [[Halogen Lighting|Halogen bulbs]] run at high pressure and are known to very occasionally explode. A shower of high speed | + | * [[Halogen Lighting|Halogen bulbs]] run at high pressure and are known to very occasionally explode. A shower of high speed, razor sharp, very high temperature broken bulb pieces tends not to endear |
| + | * LED halogen replacement bulbs are available, these solve the problems | ||
| + | ===Half moon plaster uplighters=== | ||
| + | [[image:IMAG0184-2 uplighter.jpg|thumb|The problem]] | ||
| − | + | The bulb is positioned close to the wall, and this results in: | |
| − | The bulb is positioned | + | * every little blemish of the [[plaster]] is shown up, including the many slight blemishes no-one had ever noticed before. |
| − | * every little blemish of the plaster is shown up, including the many slight blemishes no-one had ever noticed before. | ||
* light intensity on the wall above the fitting is unnecessarily high | * light intensity on the wall above the fitting is unnecessarily high | ||
* So it fails to eliminate glare and give even lighting, which are some of the main advantages of uplighting | * So it fails to eliminate glare and give even lighting, which are some of the main advantages of uplighting | ||
| − | * Because of these shortcomings and the existence of better options, plaster half moon uplighters | + | * Because of these shortcomings and the existence of better options, plaster half moon uplighters aren't a great choice |
| − | |||
===R80 Spotlight Fittings=== | ===R80 Spotlight Fittings=== | ||
| − | [[image: | + | [[image:Uplighter_0995-4.jpg|thumb]] |
| − | * | + | * generally replaced by smaller formats now |
| − | * | + | * Many hold the bulb in a shroud on the end of a stalk. |
| − | * | + | * Spotlight fittings that leave the bulb unshrouded produce glare |
| − | * R80 fittings can also take | + | * No need to use spotlight bulbs |
| + | * R80 fittings can also take LEDs | ||
* Bulb is positioned far enough from wall to avoid glare and excessive lighting levels just above the fitting | * Bulb is positioned far enough from wall to avoid glare and excessive lighting levels just above the fitting | ||
* Spotlight fittings are position adjustable | * Spotlight fittings are position adjustable | ||
| − | * PAR38 fittings can take almost any | + | * Larger PAR38 fittings can take almost any bulb |
| − | * | + | * More futureproof than fittings that use only one type of bulb |
| − | * R80 spotlight fittings are usually white inside the shroud | + | * R80 spotlight fittings are usually white inside the shroud. Non-white interiors require spotlight bulbs or repainting |
* The fittings usually look pleasant | * The fittings usually look pleasant | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Open spotlights=== | ||
| + | [[image:IMAG1243-3 spotlights.jpg|right|250px]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Extra glare compared to enclosed spotlights | ||
| + | * Plastic discs can crack and deteriorate | ||
===PAR38 spotlight fittings=== | ===PAR38 spotlight fittings=== | ||
| − | * | + | * obsolete due to size |
| − | * Fittings that leave the bulb unshrouded & visible are | + | * Shrouded fittings are large enough to take pretty much any type of bulb |
| − | + | * Fittings that leave the bulb unshrouded & visible are less versatile | |
* Bulb is positioned far enough from wall to avoid glare and excessive lighting levels close to the fitting | * Bulb is positioned far enough from wall to avoid glare and excessive lighting levels close to the fitting | ||
| − | + | * Ability to use almost any bulb plus the large lamp space available makes this approach the most futureproof of all | |
| − | |||
| − | * Ability to use | ||
* PAR38 spotlight fittings are much larger than R80 fittings. The appearance of the fittings is thus particularly important | * PAR38 spotlight fittings are much larger than R80 fittings. The appearance of the fittings is thus particularly important | ||
| − | * PAR38 fittings are | + | * PAR38 fittings are often white inside the shroud, any fitting that isn't can only take spotlight bulbs |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | === | + | ===Trough Lighting=== |
| − | + | * LED striplights are used in them now | |
| − | * | + | * Trough uplighters give a very wide lightspread, maximising the benefits of uplighting. |
| − | * | + | * Trough lights can often be hidden, and their cool running temperature increases the possible positions. |
| + | ===LED tape=== | ||
| + | * Can fit almost any space | ||
| + | * Poor efficiency tapes exist as well as good ones | ||
| + | * False claims about output & efficiency are common | ||
| + | * Safe low voltage operation | ||
| + | * Wipeable coated & bare LED versions available | ||
| + | * RGB available giving selectable colours | ||
| + | * Addressable RGB leds give computer controllable patterns too, mainly useful for entertainment businesses | ||
==Wood & Copper== | ==Wood & Copper== | ||
| − | An uncommon type of uplighter uses a varnished copper reflector to reflect coloured light upwards. These really emphasise the character and richness of timber ceilings. The energy efficiency is inevitably low, due to both reflector and timber being a non-light colour. | + | An uncommon type of uplighter uses a varnished copper reflector to reflect coloured light upwards. These really emphasise the character and richness of timber ceilings. The energy efficiency is inevitably low, due to both reflector and timber being a non-light colour. RGB leds can now do this without the waste of inefficient reflectors. |
Latest revision as of 19:52, 11 January 2025
Uplighters are light fittings that direct light output upwards. The light is bounced off a white ceiling.
Uplighters come in several flavours, each with their own strengths & weaknesses.
Advantages:
- More even lighting spread than other lighting types
- Minimum shadowing
- Glare is eliminated
- Fittings that shroud the bulb prevent glare & enable a wide range of bulb types to be used
- Thus relatively futureproof
Disadvantages:
- Uplighting requires a white ceiling to be effective
- Not suited to exposed beam ceilings
- Not suited to very low ceiling properties (eg 6')
- There are some types of uplighter that perform poorly, these are easily avoided
Types
Halogen Uplighters
These are usually free standing floor lamps
- obsolete due to energy waste & fire risk
- Typically 300-500w.
- High powers create excessive lighting in one area
- Thus it fails to eliminate glare and give even lighting, which are some of the main advantages of uplighting
- Power consumption is high
- Increases indoor temps on summer evenings
- Relatively expensive to run
- The lightbulbs run hot enough to ignite anything that lands on them, making them a fire risk
- Ignition temperature bulbs plus the ability to be knocked over are also not a good combination for fire safety
- Halogen bulbs run at high pressure and are known to very occasionally explode. A shower of high speed, razor sharp, very high temperature broken bulb pieces tends not to endear
- LED halogen replacement bulbs are available, these solve the problems
Half moon plaster uplighters
The bulb is positioned close to the wall, and this results in:
- every little blemish of the plaster is shown up, including the many slight blemishes no-one had ever noticed before.
- light intensity on the wall above the fitting is unnecessarily high
- So it fails to eliminate glare and give even lighting, which are some of the main advantages of uplighting
- Because of these shortcomings and the existence of better options, plaster half moon uplighters aren't a great choice
R80 Spotlight Fittings
- generally replaced by smaller formats now
- Many hold the bulb in a shroud on the end of a stalk.
- Spotlight fittings that leave the bulb unshrouded produce glare
- No need to use spotlight bulbs
- R80 fittings can also take LEDs
- Bulb is positioned far enough from wall to avoid glare and excessive lighting levels just above the fitting
- Spotlight fittings are position adjustable
- Larger PAR38 fittings can take almost any bulb
- More futureproof than fittings that use only one type of bulb
- R80 spotlight fittings are usually white inside the shroud. Non-white interiors require spotlight bulbs or repainting
- The fittings usually look pleasant
Open spotlights
- Extra glare compared to enclosed spotlights
- Plastic discs can crack and deteriorate
PAR38 spotlight fittings
- obsolete due to size
- Shrouded fittings are large enough to take pretty much any type of bulb
- Fittings that leave the bulb unshrouded & visible are less versatile
- Bulb is positioned far enough from wall to avoid glare and excessive lighting levels close to the fitting
- Ability to use almost any bulb plus the large lamp space available makes this approach the most futureproof of all
- PAR38 spotlight fittings are much larger than R80 fittings. The appearance of the fittings is thus particularly important
- PAR38 fittings are often white inside the shroud, any fitting that isn't can only take spotlight bulbs
Trough Lighting
- LED striplights are used in them now
- Trough uplighters give a very wide lightspread, maximising the benefits of uplighting.
- Trough lights can often be hidden, and their cool running temperature increases the possible positions.
LED tape
- Can fit almost any space
- Poor efficiency tapes exist as well as good ones
- False claims about output & efficiency are common
- Safe low voltage operation
- Wipeable coated & bare LED versions available
- RGB available giving selectable colours
- Addressable RGB leds give computer controllable patterns too, mainly useful for entertainment businesses
Wood & Copper
An uncommon type of uplighter uses a varnished copper reflector to reflect coloured light upwards. These really emphasise the character and richness of timber ceilings. The energy efficiency is inevitably low, due to both reflector and timber being a non-light colour. RGB leds can now do this without the waste of inefficient reflectors.