![]() Spotlights are ‘directional’ bulbs that emit light in a focused beam. This is different from a light bulb’s stated wattage ( see below). An LED light bulb with an equivalent wattage of 35W is a direct replacement for a 35W incandescent light bulb. See our in-depth glossary of lighting terms for even more information.Ī term used to compare LED light bulbs with their incandescent alternatives. We’ve finished our guide off below with a quick ‘cheat sheet’ to help you remember all the technical terms discussed above. This is only getting more complicated as LED technology gets ever more energy-efficient, but as long as you remember to look for the equivalent wattage, you will find the right LED spotlights. For example, you might find both 5W and 6W LED light bulbs that have an equivalent wattage of 35W both of these would be fine to replace 35W halogen bulbs. The actual wattage of the LED light bulb may vary, but the equivalent wattage must be the same as your current halogen bulbs. This will ensure that the transformer can still handle the load safely.įor example, if you have one 35W halogen installed in your kitchen, ensure you swap it for 35W equivalent LED. When replacing Halogen MR16 light bulbs with LED bulbs, it’s important to use LED bulbs of equivalent wattage to your existing halogen light bulbs. You can usually find this equivalent wattage listed with online product details, specification sheets (where available), and on the product packaging. The 5W LED light bulb is the ‘equivalent wattage’ of the 35W halogen light bulb. A 5W LED spotlight, for example, can offer the same brightness of light as a 35W halogen spotlight. The natural energy-saving properties of LED light bulbs means that they can offer the same brightness of a halogen equivalent, but using only a fraction of the power. This would overload the fitting and potentially cause a safety issue.įortunately, there is an easy way to find the right low voltage LED spotlights.Įquivalent wattage – swapping halogen MR16 light bulbs for LED MR16 For example, if you have a 40VA transformer for halogen bulbs, you should not install 40-watts worth of LED light bulbs. Some transformers might just carry one individual light bulb, while others might be able to carry several lower wattage light bulbs in a series.Īt this point, it’s important to note that if it is a halogen transformer, this maximum load applies to halogen light bulbs only. For example, a 40VA transformer can handle up to a 40-watt halogen light bulb, while a 10-60VA one can carry between 10 and 60 watts worth of bulbs. These numbers tell you the maximum wattage that the transformer can carry. This VA number will either be fixed, or it will be a range (e.g. You should be able to find this on the body of the transformer itself, in the form of a ‘VA’ number. If you have low voltage halogen light bulbs installed with a transformer, the first thing you need to do before replacing Halogen MR16 light bulbs with MR16 LED bulbs is to find the transformer’s maximum load. LEDs are the ideal case, as they inherently make a cone of light which is easily focused further via optics, which are near 100% efficient.Replacing Halogen MR16 light bulbs with LED MR16 light bulbs What's more, CFLs are particularly unsuited for aimed PAR lighting since they make a blurry clump of non-directional light which cannot be focused via reflectors or lenses. You probably won't find them in CFL, nor should you look. You can change the fixture, alter the fixture, or shop smartly for long-neck LED "bulbs". ![]() And the bulb just doesn't turn on!Ĭheck out your fixtures, but I bet that's what is going on. It feels like the socket has bottomed out snug, when actually the bottom contacts are not touching. ![]() When you're screwing in a CFL, it grabs a couple of threads then the power converter strikes and binds against that shield. ![]() Often the socket proper is recessed behind a shield or something. Some LEDs unnecessarily do the same since CFLs do. CFLs put a pudgy power converter module right at the bottom. Incandescent/halogen typically have a long narrow stem. ![]()
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