Help spec'ing LED downlights and dimmers

[rossyl]

[EDIT: I am not doing the work. A qualified electrician is]

Hi,

I'm doing a complete house refurb including re-wiring. We would like dimmable LEDs downlighters throughout the house.
We've thought of getting - Mains LEDs in all rooms, except the bathrooms where they should be low voltage.

Edit: I need to spec the items that I want the electrician to supply and fit.
I am sure that the builder will try and save costs where he can. I am concerned that they will fit low-end items that will do the job but may fail after a few years. That's why I want to make sure that i ask for good quality items, as this will be a 10 year house at least.

I want decent spec items that aren't top of the range, but are solid and will do a decent job. I've been doing some research and am now a bit lost and confused and hoping for some help!

Dimmer switches - we just want ordinary white plastic. With the face plate as shallow and tight to the wall as possible (is that flush or surface?).
Having had a look I think this might be a decent option: http://www.mkelectric.com/en-gb/Products/WD/logicplus/LED Dimmer/Pages/K1523WHILV.aspx

LED LampsThis is where I am getting really lost.

We want:
- standard round downlighters,
- with a bulb that can swivel,
- white or chromed finish,
- available in cool white AND warm white light.

I've heard that I should get Philips MasterLED downlights. But having had a look around, I've no idea what to get or spec. Phillips seem to offer loads of LED options, some appear to be bulbs that just fit into old halogen units. Others seems much different.

Would be grateful if you could point me in the right direction.

Thanks very much
R

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Reading you post I have suspicions by your terminology, that maybe electrical work is not your daytime job or vocation in life?
So one or two things
*Low voltage different to extra low voltage
*The flat/flush profile switches/sockets require deeper back boxes than the standard normally fitted and dimmer switches again will require additional space in back box
*On light rewired lighting circuits a number of the fitting (not bulbs AKA lamps) require to be low energy it's around 25% of total or one every 25mm sq.
*Swilling bulbs aka lamps, you mean the fittings swivel?

 

[rossyl]

Correct.

I have now edited to make clear. I just want to make sure I specify decent equipment for the electrician to fit.

Thanks

 

[Iggifer]

that dimmer will be fine. I would personally Spec MK logic throughout the entire house for your switches & sockets, that will ensure both reliability and a consistent look. and MK are the best looking accessories IMO.

http://www.downlightsdirect.co.uk/halers-h4-ff-adjustable-led-downlight.html

these are good LED fittings, but as they're adjustable, not the cheapest.

You may be better off getting standard downlight fittings, and putting retrofit LED lamps in - this will work out cheaper. It depends on what look you are going for

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Decent equipment tends not to come cheap, really depends on your budget.
Some will frown upon your proposed plan of fitting downlights completely through-out the house. I have come to accept, that although not the best method of lighting, that the property owner/client finds them aesthetically pleasing. Even though often a pain to fit.

 

[flyingsparks]

JCC do a 7w led fitting with 10 yr guarantee. They are about 35£ and available as dimmable or not. Also swivel is available. Search google for jcc 7w led. Sorry cant post a link as I'm on mobile and no 3G so Internet very slow!!

 

[rossyl]

that dimmer will be fine. I would personally Spec MK logic throughout the entire house for your switches & sockets, that will ensure both reliability and a consistent look. and MK are the best looking accessories IMO.

http://www.downlightsdirect.co.uk/halers-h4-ff-adjustable-led-downlight.html

these are good LED fittings, but as they're adjustable, not the cheapest.

You may be better off getting standard downlight fittings, and putting retrofit LED lamps in - this will work out cheaper. It depends on what look you are going for

Thanks very much. Costs are included for "dimmable GU10 LEDs" at present.

The MK logic range looks good, thank you. If i wnat the face plate fitted as flush to the wall as possible what should i ask for?

As for the LED fittings, we don't want to go down the retrofit route. Thanks for the link you provided, is that fitting for a "fixed" LED (i.e. it cannot swivel). Also, would Philips come in more expensive than that.

Thanks very much all
R

 

[rossyl]

JCC do a 7w led fitting with 10 yr guarantee. They are about 35£ and available as dimmable or not. Also swivel is available. Search google for jcc 7w led. Sorry cant post a link as I'm on mobile and no 3G so Internet very slow!!

Thanks very much found them... http://www.wesellelectrical.co.uk/jcc-fgled7-fireguard-dimmable-7w-led-tilt-downlight-3000k

 

[Iggifer]

that halers is adjustable yes.

And if you ask for it fitted flush, but this is the traditional way of fitting switches and sockets anyway (with a metal box sunk into the wall)

An MK switch plate protrudes about 6mm from the wall

 

[riveralt]

Remember that LED dimmers tend to come with limitations regarding the maximum number of LED's and or transformers running of one dimmer - from memory for this dimmer its something like 10 and 4 respectively.
Also if you do go down the extra low voltage (now you know the difference) led route then you will need to ensure that your transformer is compatible.
Don't go for saving money by using one transformer for several lamps - always go for one transformer per lamp.

Also remember that you will need different types of downlighters for different parts of the house - bearing in mind the IP rating for bathrooms and fire ratings for some other parts of the house.

Personally, your preference to complete the whole house in dimmable downlighters is plain stupid.

Don't get me wrong downlights do have their place - I have several in my own property.

Think about how much damage you are doing to the fire integrity of your property.

Think how many recessed lights you are fitting - compared to the number you would need if they were surface mounted. The cost effectiveness of using LED's is quickly lost when you realise you need five or more times the number of surface mounted lights to give anything like the correct amount of lumens for a particular room.

If you do intend to spend this large amount of money on lighting your home you would be better off getting a lighting specialist in to give you a proper assessment of your requirements taking into account the intended use of each room.

 

[rossyl]

I've just checked the plan and for the entire house there are 48 downlighters, in a 4 bed, 2 bath, 2 reception room terraced house.

I'm not sure if you think that too much?

There is a single storey extension kitchen which will have downlighters and pendants.

The main reception rooms will have downligters for specific areas, with main pendants.

The staircases are dowlighters only.

The bathrooms are downlighters only.

The bedrooms on the main floor are pendants, with the main bedroom having added downlighters for the room corners.

The loft rooms (2 beds) have downlights as the ceiling height is not sufficient for anything else.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

It depends on what look you are going for

Shop/hotel foyer - that sort of look.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I've just checked the plan and for the entire house there are 48 downlighters, in a 4 bed, 2 bath, 2 reception room terraced house.

I'm not sure if you think that too much?

The question is do you not think that you need that many lights in that number of rooms because the lights are not actually very good at lighting up rooms?

 

[jeds]

I second the JCC7s. I've specified lots of different types of LED fittings in residential developments and these give the best performance for the price in my opinion. The price you found is quite high. My spark can buy these for half that.