How Many LED Downlights Do I Need?

Choosing the amount of LED downlights that you need for a room doesn’t need to be a difficult task. Different rooms within your home will need different levels of light to help them suit their purpose, and once you know this, you can easily calculate how many LED downlights do i need. 

The figures below are based on 8W LED downlights that emit around 500 lumens each, used in a 2.4m high ceiling.

Bedrooms


LED downlights used in bedrooms can create a variety of different effects and atmospheres. An adult bedroom should generally be lit to around 150 lux at floor level, however as much as 500 lux may be required for task lighting. Children’s bedrooms, however, should be brighter, at 500 lux for general lighting and 800 lux for task lighting.
To achieve 150 lux for an adult’s bedroom, depending on room size, you might need:

  • 4 x 4 metre room: 6 downlights

  • 5 x 5 metre room: 9 downlights

  • 6 x 6 metre room: 12 downlights



Living Rooms


When it comes to arranging lighting for a living room, it is important to consider the layout of your room, and whether or not there is anything that you would like to highlight. Generally speaking, a living room needs around 150 lux at floor level to create a comfortably lit atmosphere, but this does vary depending on how the room is used. Some living rooms may require 300 lux for general lighting, and as much as 500 lux for task lighting.


To achieve 150 lux at floor level, you might need:


  • 3 x 4 metre room: 6 downlights

  • 4 x 5 metre room: 8 downlights

  • 5 x 6 metre room: 10 downlights



If you need to light a certain area of the room more intensely, this could be achieved by altering a beam angle to change the light direction, or the addition of table or floor lamps.

Kitchens


Calculating lighting for a kitchen is slightly different to many other rooms in a home. Kitchens need to have functional lighting, but not at floor level. The important level for lighting in a kitchen is the level of the work surface, usually at 0.75m. As a result, kitchens often need considerably more downlights to achieve true task lighting at counter level. Kitchens should typically aim for a minimum of 300 lux at counter level.


To achieve 300 lux at a height of 0.75m, you will need:

  • 2 x 4 metre room: 3 downlights

  • 3 x 4 metre room: 8 downlights

  • 4 x 5 metre room: 15 downlights

  • 5 x 6 metre room: 20 downlights

  • 6 x 6 metre room: 25 downlights




Dining Rooms


Dining rooms need to be comfortably lit, and do not need the same level as lighting that is required in a kitchen. To be comfortable, dining rooms should sit at around 200 lux. This lighting level is comfortable and bright enough to be functional, but doesn’t glare.


To achieve 200 lux, you will need:

  • 3 x 5 metre room: 9 downlights

  • 3 x 6 metre room: 10 downlights

  • 4 x 5 metre room: 12 downlights

  • 5 x 6 metre room: 15 downlights




Bathrooms


Like kitchens, bathrooms will also benefit from task lighting, however it does not need to be quite as intense. The lighting in a bathroom needs to be functional, but without being uncomfortably bright. As a general rule, a bathroom should achieve 200 lux at floor level. However, certain areas, such as those designed for shaving or applying make-up, will benefit from a higher lux level, somewhere between 300 and 700 lux. 


To achieve 200 lux at floor level in a bathroom, you will need:

  • 3 x 4 metre room: 8 downlights

  • 3 x 5 metre room: 9 downlights

  • 4 x 6 metre room: 12 downlights



Other Rooms


There are a range of other rooms within a property that can benefit from being lit with downlights, and the amount of downlights that you would require will depend on how the room is used. For example:

  • Laundry or utility rooms need to be functional and the required light level will vary depending on use, however 200 lux is a good starting point

  • A home office should have a light level of 500 lux, and as much as 800 lux for task lighting

  • Workshops should have a general light level of 800 lux, and as high as 1,100 lux for task lighting

  • Family or TV rooms may benefit from dimmable downlights, as the recommended light level is 150 lux for TV viewing, 300 lux for general use, and 500 lux for task lighting


Read the full  LED downlights guide online at the Electrical Counter.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Outdoor Weatherproof Switches & Sockets and Accessories - British General

Image
These ranges of weatherproof outdoor wiring accessories from BG Electrical  provides outstanding performance in arduous conditions. The British General range of outdoor weatherproof switches and sockets provide a high performance solution to outdoor power. The range include IP66 rated switches and sockets as well as fused connection units (spurs), RCD (residual current device) protected sockets and RCD protected fused connection units.The range also include a weather proof RCD protected outdoor power kit that is pre-wired for easy installation by the DIY enthusiast. Benefits of this range include IP66 protection from the ingress of dust and water, tough clear lid, removable (and replaceable) knockouts, IP66 rating in use (the lid closes over the plug). Ideal for outdoor weatherproof power to lawn mowers, jet washers, hedge trimmers/edgers etc. Suitable for both domestic and commercial applications. Best weatherproof socket   IP66 BG weatherproof socket is the be
Read more

Double socket with USB

Image
USB Sockets are becoming an increasingly popular option for households who’d like to free up their socket space. Rather than having to use extensions, the USB sockets allow homeowners to charge their devices such as phones and tablets without the plug socket. If you’re looking for flat-plate or countertop sockets, The Electrical Counter can provide you with the ideal product for the right price. They’re available in a variety of exceptional quality colours and finishes including brushed chrome and white sockets to suit the decor of every home and business. Manufactured by well-known high-quality brands like BG Electrical and Knightsbridge, it’s difficult to see where you can go wrong.  USB Sockets Sockets can add the finishing touch to a well-decorated room, perfectly complimenting the space with either a white, metal or chrome finish. The Electrical Counter specialise in stylish plug sockets with USBs, including the BG Nexus USB Sockets and Moulded plastic USB socket ranges.
Read more

A Step By Step Guide To Change a Socket

Image
You can double the power of your socket on a weekend just by means of changing your single outlets to doubles. An electrician will charge around £30 to do this work for you. Think about how much you can save if you are going to replace all the single sockets of your house without taking any help from outsiders. If you are the one who has already got double sockets in the house then our this guide will assist you in changing the inevitable cracked, burnt or paint-splattered elements for the new ones. Also, in this blog we are covering how to add a new socket into the main ring, for this work also, an electrician may charge a good amount from you might be up to £80 or more.  If you’re wondering whether you can   change single socket to double   socket, then the answer is yes, providing the present socket is the most effective one on that spur from the ring main. To test this out, you can try out a test given in step 6.  Material needed Insulated screwdriver Mains voltage/con
Read more