In
simple terms, an LED (Light Emitting Diode), is a diode (a device
enabling the conversion and flow of an electrical current) that is
chip-mounted in a reflector cup and held in place by a milled steel
frame connected to a pair of electrical wires. When a current flows
across the junction of the two different materials, light is produced
from within the solid crystal chip. HADCO uses bright white
LEDs
as standard, which are developed by coating a blue LED with a phosphor,
and thereby generating a white color.
Why use LED?
LEDs
have a lifetime which is up to 20 times that of standard incandescent
lamps, which in turn results in low maintenance. As they are
solid-state devices, LEDs have no moving parts, glass components or
filaments which could break.
LEDs produce no heat. Therefore lighting fixtures and lenses are cool
to the touch.
LEDs
are small in size and resistant to vibration or shock. They contain no
mercury and are environmentally friendly. LEDs are more efficient,
using up to 90% less energy than other light sources based on watts.
LED
fixtures are available in both low voltage and line voltage, and can be
used in a range of situations including accent lighting, path lighting,
step lighting, in-ground and underwater lighting.
The Benefits of Low
Voltage Lighting
There are many reasons why low voltage (12 volt) lighting
systems
are popular for landscape lighting. This type of illumination is ideal
for creative highlighting of gardens, trees, artwork and other
features. It is simple to install low voltage fixtures and the cable
can be hidden in a shallow trench, run through conduit or buried
underground. Water pipes and electrical cables for low voltage lighting
can co-exist. If the cabling required for your outdoor lighting is the
same as that which your house is utilising (240 volts) then in most
cases any trench required would need to be dug to a depth of 600mm
(23.6 inches) and should be installed by a qualified electrician.
However, if you´re installing low voltage outdoor lighting you can do
this yourself without fear of electrocuting yourself or others who may
visit your garden.
A low voltage lighting
system is flexible. Should you need to accommodate plant growth or
change lighting effects, you can move the light source with ease.
Because transformers reduce the standard voltage from 240 volts to 12
volts, low voltage systems are much more safe. Should a cable be cut
accidentally, there is no risk of electrical shock to children or
animals. Low voltage lamps use less wattage which makes them more
energy efficient although with perhaps not quite the brightness of 240
volt, higher wattage lamps (that as a result have higher running costs).
Before designing any landscape lighting system you need to
determine what you would like the light to achieve. Walk around your
property, look out of your windows and doors, and decide on the kind of
mood you wish to create. Are there features of your exterior space for
which you would like to use dramatic accent lighting? Would you like to
include soft but safe pathway lighting? Consider creating romantic
shadows with subtle moonlighting or make entertainment areas come alive
with bright party lighting.
The next step
would be to select the accent lighting technique that you feel would
best achieve the ambiance you wish to create. Some light will "spill"
from the accent areas so work outward from these locations to fill in
the unlit areas with path or spread lighting.
Balance and subtlety
are key aims in path and spread lighting. Experiment with different
techniques and have fun discovering the beauty of your garden at night.
When installing your light fixtures remember to ensure that they will
not interfere with lawnmowers, traffic or be source of irritating glare
inside your or your neighbours’ home.
Having designed your lighting plan, select the style of
fixture
and lamps that best fit your requirements. Sometimes less is more and
instead of bright illumination shining out from individual fixtures,
the use of several lower wattage installations may provide a better
effect.
