Boarding Over Halogens

[bulla80]

Hi, I have just moved into a new flat and the are halogen down lights all over the flat, there is also a large loft area which I would like to utilise by putting chipboard flooring down, however I know that there is a lot of heat coming off of the halogens and do not want to start a fire!!! Could someone advise me of the distance I need above the halogens and how I might go about flooring over them?
You help is much appreciated.
Adam

 

[New2Game]

Normally around 100mm

 

[securespark]

Is the loft for living or storing?

 

[Steve]

Before boarding the loft, consider rewiring the lighting circuit to at least make all the joints accessible from below, and therefore the transition to mains halogens easier (if you have low voltage lamps).

Filament lamps will be banned in a few years, and so far mains voltage is coming up trumps with alternative lighting.

 

[bulla80]

Thanks for the reply, the loft will be used maily for storage but I was thinking about setting up my recording studio up there as there is so much space, if filament lamps will be banned soon does that mean that they will all have to be replaced? And how do I know if I have filament? (sorry I am not an electrician but I figure it will pobably be obvious) I do not own the flat so will have to inform my landlord. WHen roughly is the ban due to come into fruition?
Many thanks
Adam

 

[Steve]

Filament lamps are the default in most lights. They have a little thin wire in them that glows brightly when electricity is passed through them. They are grossly inefficient, typically 40, 60 or 100 watts.

Alternatives are low-energy lamps - these are fluorescent tubes that are wound up into a little coil or M shape, these are widely used in standard fittings with bayonet caps or screw caps, and have just started being made in halogen lamp shapes. These are typically 9, 11, or 20 watts for the same brightness as the standard wattages above.

Another form of lamp is LEDs - these are usually found in electronic equipment as power indicators etc. White ones are currently in delevopment, they are getting bright enough to light a room now. These lamps, in a GU10 mains halogen capsule are typically 2 or 3 watts.

See here: http://wiki.diynot.com/electrics:lighting:lamps:gu10