The terms used to describe lighting fixtures for walls can be difficult to comprehend and leave you unsure when you decide to upgrade or replace the lighting in your walls. This guide will make sense of some of the terminology and assist you in determining the things you require. An extensive guide that covers the different kinds of wall lighting and the possible issues that could hinder you from installing a lighting fixture on your wall, and solutions to the most common problems. This is a great guide for anyone looking to purchase a wall light but aren’t sure which. We’ll guide you through the ideal height for mounting the light, how it will dim when a double-insulated light is required and many more.
Wall Lights with Hard Wired Wiring:
Wall lights are known as being hard wired if they are connected to the mains. Also, they’re lights that are not connected to an outlet, as the lamp in a table however, they are connected to wiring in your home, that could be hidden in the wall or mounted on a surface.
A lot of wall lights are controlled by a standard wall switch (like the one that would control your ceiling lights) however, not all of them. The way the light fixture is controlled depends on the wiring within your home. There could be 3 cables: a neutral, live as well as earth cables. One could be a switch cable, or it could be a live cable that is permanently active. If the cable has been configured to function as an electrical switch cable (and this is an elementary explanation to help you understand and we suggest that you employ a licensed electrician) and you want to make use of the wall switch to control the lights. If the cable is a continuously live cable, then the light on the wall will remain in operation all the time until there is a switch that is directly mounted to the wall fixture.
As mentioned earlier, the electrician should be the person responsible for all electrical issues, and even basic tasks can be more complex than you thought and this is particularly true in older homes , as many”cowboys” may have modified or evaded security measures. An electrician is certified and licensed to handle all electrical issues. We all were taught as young children that electricity is very dangerous, so for your own safety as well as that of your family members and guests to your home, it’s worth it to hire an expert in electrical issues. It’s relatively inexpensive to replace a light fitting.
Double Insulated Wall Lights
There may be no earth cable within the home, and in this case only double-insulated (class 2) lights can be used. Sometimes, this is described in the form of class II. We offer an extensive selection of lighting that come with this safety feature.
The homes built prior to 1970 were finished prior to there was a regulation requirement for earth cables to be installed, which means that the majority of homes built prior to 1970 require double-insulated lighting. If you’re not sure whether you should use the double-insulated lighting in all homes and rooms (with the exception of bathrooms) in which case a bathroom-rated version has to be used too. Lights that are class 2 come with a double layer of insulation built in to shield the live components and prevent electrical shocks from touching the switches or fittings for the light.
Wall Lights with Switches
Wall lights can be operated independently from other lights within the room, provided that they are fitted with a switch the fitting, also known as an integrated switch. This is a great option in the case of trying to create a low amount of lighting or a relaxing atmosphere. The types of switches include:
The Pull Cord (illustrated in the image above) – A cord which you can pull to the side.
Toggle – A “joystick” type switch
Rocker – A rocking off/on switch
In-line Rocker – A style of rocker switch that is connected to the cable
Dimmer Dial is a switch that is used to dim or brighten the lighting (anti-clockwise) or increase brightness (clockwise)
If you don’t require the lighting fixture to be separately controlled however the light you want is only available via an integral switch, you’ll be happy to be aware that a wall light with a switch can be controlled by an outlet switch (just make sure the integrated switch is on in the “on always). If you’re replacing an old fitting for your wall, it is recommended to replace it like with like. So ensure you provide this information when searching.
How to place your wall light fixtures
In living rooms and hallways We recommend putting your wall lighting between 170 and 165 cm higher than the height of your floor.
In the event that you own a fireplace and wall lighting, they look best placed around 40-45 centimeters above this.
In bedrooms, wall lighting are most effective when they are placed around 50 centimeters higher than the mattress’s top.
Ideas for Adding New Wall Lights:
Make sure you have access the cabling to allow lighting to be powered, as you don’t want to discover that there is no mains wiring to connect your new fixtures! Make sure to explain to your contractor how you would like to use the lights, as they’ll need to make sure that the right cabling is in place that allows for the switch to be operated in the manner you’d like it to.
Switching Old Lights to new ones:
The advantage of switching lighting fixtures in the walls is knowing that you have access to the mains electrical wiring and will not find yourself in a dark spot. Remove the old fixture and replaced with a brand new one! Be sure to select the right wall light to give you a similar or sufficient amount of light, and has the correct mains power cables that can operate the lights properly (unless you’re replacing one light with another that has the same switch configuration). No matter if you’ve or don’t have the correct cable in place There is an appropriate wall light. Explore the entire collection of un-switched, switched or double-insulated wall lights on our online store.
How to Place Them:
There’s no definitive answer on the exact location a wall light is best placed, as it is dependent on the usage. It is possible for the light to be placed higher in hallways or when your ceilings are tall but generally speaking it is recommended to place your lights about 150cm (or sixty”) above the floor for the majority of places and with a slight exception for the bedroom, where it is possible to place the lights lower to provide lighting for your bed. If your fixtures are wall washers it is possible to place them above the eye level, so that you don’t only see the inside of the fixture. In terms of the distance between lights that are in succession We’d suggest between 2.5 to 3 meters as a good spacing, but this is dependent on your personal preferences and the wiring’s suitability. When changing an existing light the cable will decide the location where the new light have to be placed, but take note that the type of light you select may come with different cable entry points. One of the best tips for those who do not want to alter the decor choose an indoor light that has an extra large back plate or mounting plate that will cover all previously screwed holes and also be big enough to conceal the missing wallpaper or paint that is typically found when the old light is taken off.
Lighting for Walls that Plug in
If you’re looking for a wall light but you don’t have the wiring in place to install it then you should consider one of the wall lamps that have an extended plug lead and switch, which is similar to the floor and table lamps. The downside is that you’ll be visible to the cables, and it is recommended to tape the wire down as far as you can to prevent it from becoming messy, or opting for one that has fabric cords rather than a wire. They are ideal for saving the space on your bedside table or to prevent wall channeling. Plug in socket-style wall light are especially useful living in rental homes since it is possible to hang this kind of light in the same manner as hanging an image.
Dimmable Wall Lights
The wall lights can be used to be used on an electrical dimmer switch or have their own dimmer dial that will permit the output of light to be adjusted accordingly. This is perfect for living rooms, bedrooms and dining areas in which ambient lighting and mood lighting is often needed. There are many lights that can be dimmed but it depends on a number of variables. If the light is dimmable bulbs, that is the most important aspect to consider. Certain LED bulbs can be dimmed however as they are extremely low in wattage, make sure the dimmer switch is suitable to a bulb with a low power. If the light is equipped with internal electronics, like 12 volt lights will have an electric transformer, while the fluorescent could include a ballast (sometimes known as choke) and the internal components may not work with dimmers.
LED Wall Lights
Wall lights that have LED lighting and efficient in energy consumption as they consume only a small amount of energy to provide an impressive output of light. A few of these lights have LED integrated lighting meaning that the source of light is built into the fixture. Many people are concerned about having replacement bulbs once the bulb dies, but LED lights last for so long that they have an average lifespan of 15 years. Therefore, having an integrated LED eliminates the need to replace bulbs completely. It’s not surprising that new technology is often viewed with suspicion at the beginning of being introduced to the market however, you might be surprised to learn that LEDs are in use for a long time!
Alternately, you could make use of LED bulbs in any other light fixture if there’s an equivalent LED bulb type that it is using. Check out the selection of retro-fit led bulbs that we recommend in the section on light bulbs in our online store. We also showcase LED bulbs that can work with light after you have added them in your shopping cart.
I hope this informative blog will aid you in determining the most appropriate wall light to your house. The only thing you have to do is decide the wall light you’d like. Below, you’ll find additional information on the different kinds of wall light you can purchase. Short cut links are provided to each option, simply select the style that fits your needs best. You can then directly go to the secure online store and explore the selection.
Walls in various styles Light
You’re almost an experienced expert on wall lights, too The last thing to take into consideration before moving into style is the kind of light fixture you want to install.
Wall Washer Wall Washers – They are placed near the wall and typically have a diffuser on the top or base of the lamp, or even both, and will wash the light pool across the wall.
Wall Sconce Wall Sconces are typically one wall light that has the design of a candelabra.
Single Wall Light as the name suggests, it is a wall light that has a single light source.
Double Wall Light – A wall light that has two arms or light sources.
The Wall Spot Light – These provide the ability to adjust direction and are perfect to provide task-specific lighting.
Flush Wall Lights – Ideal for spaces with limited space or narrow hallways, these are able to be mounted close to the point of mounting.
Ceiling Pendants Lights for walls that has an elongated light source that is similar to ceiling pendants.
Flexible Arm Wall Lights Like swing arm wall lights , they provide flexibility, but with an easily flexible neck instead of a hinge-like mechanism.
Scissor Arm Wall Light – A wall light that is extended from its mount point because of its scissor-like mechanism.
Wall Chandelier – A decorative wall light that makes a statement with a similar design to chandeliers of the traditional style, these are fantastic alternatives or add-ons.
Hospitality Wall Lights – These wall lights are ideal to illuminate bars, hotels and restaurant locations. They are stylish, functional and simple to clean.
Paintable Wall Lights are typically made of clay or plaster, these lights can be painted with a color you like, perfect to contrast or blend into your decor Click here for plaster wall lights.
Bathroom Wall Lights Bathroom Wall Lights IP44 Rated (or more) wall lights that provide protection from steam and water entry, making them safe to use in bathrooms, cloakrooms , and en-suites.
Outdoor Wall Lights – IP44 rated (or higher) These wall lights are designed to be used outdoors and have protection from the elements.
Recessed Wall Lights – These wall lights can be recessed into the wall, taking up little space. They are ideal to use for practical.
Lights that are backlit Wall Lights – These lights tend to shine towards the wall or to their mounting surface and depend on reflecting the light back off its material or the mounting surface to the wall. It’s like art!
Picture Lights – They reflect light back to the wall and are made specifically to light subtlely or shining a photo or other wall-mounted art work.