Tuesday, June 10, 2014

LED Conversion Chart: WATTS to LUMENS

LED EDUCATION
CONVERSION TABLE
How Much Light Do I Need?
Incandescent Bulbs
WATTS
LED
LUMENS
40450
60800
75>1,100
1001,600
1502,600
 
It's easy to retrofit your existing fixtures with LED bulbs. We can help you do it!

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Arrow Lighting: Westchester Repairs, Restorations and Lampshade Leaders!

Since 1942 Arrow Lamp and Lighting in Larchmont, NY has been serving Westchester County residents with top notch products and services.  We restore antique and vintage light fixtures so that you can enjoy them today.  We repair products you have owned for years or since last year.  We will happily re shade your existing lamps to make them pop in your home. 

Come see us for all your lighting needs.
2091 Boston Post Rd.  Larchmont, NY
www.arrowlighting.com

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Light Emitting Diode (LED) Tutorial

What is an LED?

Think light emitting diodes (LEDs) are just for flashlights and cell phone displays? Think again. Once relegated to humble indicator lights in electronic devices, LED lights have advanced at remarkable rights to enable an entirely new category of lighting that's projected to reach $30 billion by 2025.

These very same sources will one day light our homes and everyday spaces. Why? Because they're highly efficient, long lasting, environmentally friendly and inherently controllable - enabling both new and traditional applications of light. Promising future aside, LED lighting systems already illuminate famous buildings, bridges, retail shops, television studios, theater stages, hotels, casinos, hospitals, restaurants and celebrity-filled nightclubs around the world.

What's so different about LED lights?

First let's take a look at the traditional light bulb or "lamp" as it's called by the industry.
The light in most homes is produced by incandescent sources. The bulb structure is produced when hot glass is blown into molds and then cooled and coated with diffusing material. Placed inside the bulb is a very thin and fragile, coiled tungsten filament (.0017 inches thick). For the bulb to produce light an electric current is passed through a conductor and the tungsten is heated to the point at which it gives off light. Unfortunately, these bulbs, like many of their relatives, are not very energy efficient; roughly 10% of the energy is used to make visible light.

How do LED lights work?
The structure of the LED light is completely different than that of the light bulb. Amazingly, the LED has a simple and strong structure. The beauty of the structure is that it is designed to be versatile, allowing for assembly into many different shapes. The light-emitting semiconductor material is what determines the LED's color.

As indicated by its name, the LED is a diode that emits light. A diode is a device that allows current to flow in only one direction. Almost any two conductive materials will form a diode when placed in contact with each other. When electricity is passed through the diode the atoms in one material (within the semiconductor chip) are excited to a higher energy level. The atoms in that first material have too much energy and need to release that energy. The energy is then released as the atoms shed electrons to the other material within the chip. During this energy release light is created. The color of the light from the LED is a function of the ingredients (materials) and recipes (processes) that make up the chip.

What are the advantages of LED lights?

  • LED lights have a variety of advantages over other light sources:
  • High-levels of brightness and intensity
  • High-efficiency
  • Low-voltage and current requirements
  • Low radiated heat
  • High reliability (resistant to shock and vibration)
  • No UV Rays
  • Long source life
  • Can be easily controlled and programmed

Why are LED lights becoming so popular?

Over the past decade, LED technology has advanced at light speed. In the past, lack of colors and the low intensity made LEDs useful only as indicator lights. As manufacturing methods and technology improved, the LED quickly found homes in more and more applications. These days, the LED is becoming a preferred light source for much more than simple indicators. In fact, today Philips illuminates the world's largest spherical building (Globen arena), the world's largest observation wheel (Singapore Flyer), and the world's tallest free-standing tower (CN Tower) with LED lights!.
LED light sources are also gaining popularity due to the growing energy conservation movement. According to the U.S. Department Energy, no other lighting technology offers as much potential to save energy and enhance the quality of our building environments.

Summary

Today is an exciting time for those working closely with LED lighting systems, which allow completely new uses of light.

Far surpassing the simple enclosure of LEDs on a circuit board, Philips excels in all the critical areas that are vital to high-performing LED lighting systems - from thermal management, binning and optics to high-efficiency LED drivers and advanced power components. We have also developed important proprietary technologies to reduce the cost and complexity of LED lighting control, operation and installation - in turn accelerating market adoption.

Though it's been shown to affect the way people live, work, and feel, light has long been considered an afterthought. Philips strives to change that notion, advancing LED lighting technology to create experiences, inspire new applications, and even mitigate strain on our world's resources.
Source:http://www.colorkinetics.com/support/tutorials/quickview/

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

How to Best Light the Rooms in Your Home

Most of us think of wall colors and flooring when we consider remodeling our homes. Yet, the lighting you choose can make or break the mood you wish to display. After all, night-fall does come and exhibiting the right ambiance in your home is essential. The best way to choose lighting for your home is to do it room by room, because each room and hallway displays its own personality. Of course, you will want to accomplish this task with your overall home theme in mind. Consider the following 5 lighting tips.

To properly light a hall way you must know the length and width of the area to ensure there is ample illumination. If you intend to use a chandelier in a hallway make sure the ceiling is at least 7 feet tall, otherwise people will hit their heads on it. If the foyer has a window you can add additional appeal to your home by placing the light so that it can be seen outside the house. If the hallway is unusually large you must strategically place wall sconces at least 60 inches from a door and 6 to 8 feet apart for maximum benefit.

Of course, the dining room is important to set the proper dinner mood, especially when entertaining. Many people install a grand chandelier in the dining area, which sets a profound and elegant temperament. If you go down this route, assuming you have an 8 foot ceiling, you must ensure the fixture is at least 30 inches above the table top and the chandelier should be no more than 12 inches less than the width of the table. You can also add wall and table lamps to the dining area which ensures you have ample lighting, or to change the room’s ambiance on the fly.

Since we all must eat in order to survive, lighting in the kitchen is important, but often overlooked. The best kitchen lighting uses a combination of ambient along with task lighting. Pendant lighting is an excellent source for providing task illuminating, such as over a cutting board or the kitchen island. This is because this type of lighting is lowered to the task being performed. A good light combination is to use a decorative fixture along with several pennants.

Most people prefer to light their bedrooms in a way that promotes a quiet and relaxed mood. However, many people also read in the bedroom, so a good wall or desk lamp is useful. Recessed ceiling lights, and perhaps a wall and floor lamp will provide a quiet setting, and allow for reading or studying at the same time.

No discussion of lighting is complete without mentioning the bathroom. Grooming necessitates that bright task lighting be used, after all, nobody wants to cut themselves shaving because they couldn’t see. Yet, some modern bathrooms act like a retreat off the master bedroom, so some accent lighting works well here. Conventional bathrooms can get by with only task lighting, unless you want to amplify a particular mood or home theme. Arrow lighting has all the lighting your home will ever need.

Sunday, December 30, 2012

4 Contemporary Lighting Trends in the Home

When it comes to choosing proper home lighting, not everyone wants the vintage or traditional look. Indeed, if your home is furnished in a contemporary manner you will want to match that style with a modern lighting solution. However, if you really want your home to portray the latest fashion statement you need to follow the contemporary lighting trends.

Good modern lighting is a balance of illumination that is bright enough to work your tasks, yet mellow enough to create a relaxing ambiance. If you want to be trendy consider the latest lighting fashion statements; white, sculpture lighting, mixed materials, and shady characters. All are unique and they all offer their own mood setting parameters.

First, white is as modern as it gets. White is sleek and is what most people think of when considering a contemporary look. White is incredibly versatile and matches everything you can possibly imagine, and works in an urban setting or a country cottage. In addition, white is a wonderful way to break up dark wood tones and brightens any area. White crystals can bring a vintage or modern look to a chandelier. Fashioned iron white floral lighting gives the room a modern mood, yet can be used for a retro look too if you change your style down the road.

Making the light itself a focal point or a work of art in itself is in vogue. Obtaining artwork and sculptures for your home can be an expensive proposition. Yet, sculpture lighting achieves the same ambiance at a fraction of the cost. Sculpture lighting can hang over a dining table, or brighten up a dark hallway. There are many varied designs available to help express your personal style and preferences.

One interesting lighting trend uses different materials to construct the illuminating unit. These magnificent lights can be made from a cornucopia of metals, wrought iron, crystals, glass, colors and textures which breathes new life onto any room. Mixed material lighting is a good choice if you have trouble pinpointing your style, or are unsure which style direction to take. The types of mixed material lighting are varied and perfect for any home mood you wish to set.

Sometimes lamp shades are unintentionally avoided. Yet, shades are a must have accessory for many lighting solutions and can make or break the mood you are trying to reveal. Once you have decided on the perfect lamp, the shade is the next logical choice. There are various types of shades to choose from which accent just the right mood. For example, fabric shades softens light and can set a relaxing atmosphere. On the other hand, structured shades with draping crystals can be breathtaking in their own right.

Not everyone wants their home to look like it was built in the 1800’s. If you want a truly contemporary lighting solution, white matches any décor. You can give the impression you are displaying expensive artwork with sculptured lighting, yet if you are not sure which style best suits you try mixed material lighting. Once you have selected the perfect lamp spruce it up with the perfect shade.