LED Downlights - new home - Osram or EcoBrilliant?

mycl · Aug 07, 2014 11:04 pm

Hi all,

I am in the process of designing our lighting plan, and our builder has included LED downlights.

Two brands/models that have been suggested to us (both MR16, 3000K warm white; dimmable; use transformers):

1. EcoBrilliant Luxor 800 lumens 12 W, 50 degree beam angle, colour rendering index = 82. $45 each incl. gimbal/transformer.

http://www.brilliantlighting.com.au/pro ... downlight/

2. Osram PrevaLED 1100 lumens 13.5 W, 40 degree angle, colour rendering index = 83 (PL-CN50-1100-830-40D-G1). $69 each incl. gimbal/transformer.

http://www.osram.com.au/media/resource/ ... n50-g1.pdf

Which one is the better choice?

How useful is the colour rendering index?

How many lumens does one need (ceiling is 3.0m), and what beam angle is ideal?

Are there any other brands/models that I should be considering?

I am also thinking of using z-wave dimmers, perhaps the Fibaro in wall dimmers ... I've been told that they are both 'cbus compatible', so I presume that they should work?

Thanks in advance!

PSC · Aug 08, 2014 12:49 pm

Hi mycl,

I am in the process of designing my lighting plan as well. I have done some research though can't answer all your questions, I can provide you with some information.

According to the following link, a narrower beam spread of less than 50 degrees is needed for ceilings higher than 2.7m and more lights will be needed. http://www.beaconlighting.com.au/led/how-to-choose-the-right-led-downlight

For how many lumen each room requires, it depends on the size and purpose of the room. You can use the following calculator to give you a rough idea. http://www.charlstonlights.com/led-light-requirement-calculator

Bear in mind, under the Building Code of Australia, as from May 2011 you are only allows 5w per square metre lighting indoor. i.e. For room 4m x 4m, maximum watts allow is 80. http://www.build.com.au/bca-lighting-restrictions

Because of the rules, I will opt for a led light with higher lumens so that you can have comparatively less lights per room.

Hope this help.

htc · Aug 12, 2014 12:26 pm

Hi there,

I'm a consultant for Rexel Electrical supplies with their Home Technology Centre- we can help design your plan. We are also distributers of Osram and I can help you with colour rendering/lumens/ceiling heights & beam angle etc.
If you have any questions, pop in to our office on Whitehorse road Mitcham or call me on 0417 751 960- Sophie.

mycl · Aug 12, 2014 11:03 pm

PSC

Hi mycl,

I am in the process of designing my lighting plan as well. I have done some research though can't answer all your questions, I can provide you with some information.

According to the following link, a narrower beam spread of less than 50 degrees is needed for ceilings higher than 2.7m and more lights will be needed. http://www.beaconlighting.com.au/led/how-to-choose-the-right-led-downlight

For how many lumen each room requires, it depends on the size and purpose of the room. You can use the following calculator to give you a rough idea. http://www.charlstonlights.com/led-light-requirement-calculator

Bear in mind, under the Building Code of Australia, as from May 2011 you are only allows 5w per square metre lighting indoor. i.e. For room 4m x 4m, maximum watts allow is 80. http://www.build.com.au/bca-lighting-restrictions

Because of the rules, I will opt for a led light with higher lumens so that you can have comparatively less lights per room.

Hope this help.

Thanks for the tips ... feels like I'm on the right track....

Bodan1988 · Aug 15, 2014 5:50 am

Hi, I think 7w led downlight is the best choice, 12w ~13w is too bright for ceiling which height is 3m, you will feel there is a lighting spot.
Besides， colour rendering index 75 more or less would be better，people need to drag the end of a thread into a noodle hole then they need the colour rendering index is more than 80.

Hope you can understand, my english is not good. By the way，you could also use MIX warm white and cool white led down light. that is mix lighting, very soft. thanks.

GoLights · Sep 04, 2014 12:18 pm

Hi,

The information given above is pretty confusing, and I'm not sure i agree entirely on what people have written. We've been in this business a long time, and you can't go by what people say if they've had no experience.

You need to focus on how many downlights your electrician has allowed per room, because this will ultimately guide you to the correct downlight. For example, if he's only allowed 2x downlights in a 3x3m room, then you will need a wider beam angle and a higher Lumen output. This generally means you will need a 10-13W downlight. Otherwise, you will have "dark spots" in certain areas.

Please feel free to give us a call if you have any further questions, and i can easily answer them for you.

steevo · Sep 11, 2014 5:41 pm

I tend to agree with Golight,

Bad information can cost you!

Things like CRI and lumens are important, if you like a true looking light, I would try to keep above 85-90 CRI to make objects looks natural and enough lumens to keep total downlight numbers down

Also lumens can be misleading if they are not properly tested and same with beam angles

Personally, I love the Wattsaver range of downlights, and have a few at home I have tested,combine the high lumen output with a high CRI Chips that are available in different Kelvin ratings and beam angles and your onto a good thing, plus they are very competitively priced, check them out

cheers
steve