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No light without light sources - which ones are available and what can they do?
If you are thinking of light sources, then hopefully LED. Or are you one of those people who still mourn the good old light bulb? You don't need that. In case you didn't know, modern LED technology can do everything its predecessors could do in terms of optics and lighting effect. But one thing at a time. Let's start with an overview of all the lamps available.
Please also read our guide article: Incandescent lamps and their modern alternatives.
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What kind of light sources are there?
Do you want an overview? Yes please. To summarise quite simply: there are thermal radiators, discharge lamps, LEDs and OLEDs. What's behind it, you ask? We will be happy to answer your questions:
- Temperature radiators: Temperature radiators include incandescent lamps, halogen lamps and low-voltage halogen lamps. And why are these light sources now called temperature radiators? Because they emit light by heating. The light bulb, for example, only produces approx. 5 % light and 95 % heat.
- Discharge lamps: Discharge lamps include low-pressure and high-pressure lamps. Light is generated here by metal vapour or ionised gas. And this is how the names of the lamps come about: the pressure in the discharge tube is either high or low. Low-pressure lamps include (compact) fluorescent lamps and low-pressure sodium vapour lamps. High-pressure lamps include mercury vapour lamps, metal halide lamps and high-pressure sodium vapour lamps. By the way: A colloquial energy-saving lamp is a low-pressure discharge lamp with a built-in ballast. Pretty complicated? Correct. That's why you simply forget the whole thing again quickly and opt for LEDs.
- LED stands for light emitting diodes We could now tell you that these are electronic semiconductor components that emit light - under voltage. But you are certainly much more interested in the advantages that LEDs bring. In other words, they are virtually maintenance-free, have a very long service life of up to 50,000 hours and consume very little energy. In terms of light quality, they are in no way inferior to their predecessors.
- OLED is the abbreviation for organic light emitting diode. OLEDs are extremely flat, almost two-dimensional and emit absolutely glare-free light. Of course, they are also energy-efficient and score points for their high luminous efficacy. OLEDs are not nearly as established in the lighting industry as they are in other sectors. The flat panels, which adapt to any surface, are used for smartphones, tablets, monitors and TV screens. It remains to be seen when they will be introduced into living rooms across the board. But if you want, you can already strike in our shop.
What does "not replaceable/fixed" mean?
The days when you had to change your lamp every so often are finally over. With modern LED technology, you have the luxury of hardly having to change a light at all. But this can be improved even further: there are also lights in which the light source is permanently installed. I'll have to dispose of the whole luminaire, you're probably thinking. That's right. But only after approx. 50,000 hours. With a daily use of 4 hours, that makes almost 35 years. If so, you will no doubt already be in the mood for a new light.
Good to know: Modern LED technology, which can be permanently installed in luminaires, gives designers much more scope to realise creative ideas. Where lamp bases and light sources used to determine the design of a luminaire, light-emitting diodes are taking a back seat - because they can.
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How are light sources changed?
Actually quite simple. Power off, old bulb out, new bulb in and power on again. But of course they will ask: What if I want to switch to LED? That's not a problem at all. With retrofits. These are LED lamps that have the same standardised base as their predecessors - for example the incandescent lamp and the halogen lamp. If you have always used a light bulb with an E27 socket for your luminaire, simply buy an LED lamp with the same socket. It's as simple as that.
And what about the brightness? That's a legitimate question. After all, you want to have the same cosy light in your living room as before. Comparative values are available in the shop under the product details. You used to look at watts, now the lumen value is decisive. You can roughly remember this: The wattage of an incandescent lamp multiplied by ten gives the approximate lumen value.
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Which light sources are dimmable?
Nothing beats cosiness. Light plays a major role here. If it can be dimmed, all the better. Primarily, incandescent lamps and high-voltage halogen lamps can be dimmed without any problems. All other light sources must be labelled as dimmable. This can be found in the product details and on the packaging.
Tip: A lamp that is labelled as dimmable cannot automatically be used with every dimmer. It has to be compatible. Otherwise the light source may flicker, dim poorly or, in the worst case, even break. Would you like to know what goes together? Our specialist advisors will be happy to help you. You will find the contact details below.
Which light sources do not get hot?
All light sources become hot to a certain degree, including LED lamps. Semiconductor components are therefore equipped with heat sinks accordingly. However, LEDs do not get as hot as incandescent lamps used to.
Which light sources are the most economical?
One light source is clearly streets ahead. You guessed it? The LED lamp. There are many reasons why it is easy on your wallet:
- It consumes 90 % less electricity than the incandescent lamp
- It consumes 60 % less electricity than the halogen lamp
- It consumes 10 % less electricity than the energy-saving lamp
- It has a very long service life of up to 50,000 hours
Interesting for business customers: Low-pressure sodium vapour lamps are an economical light source, although they are only intended for industrial use. In addition to outdoor industrial areas, zebra crossings are also illuminated. Typical for these lamps is a yellow light with extremely poor colour rendering.
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What are daylight lamps?
These are light sources with a special light colour. Background: A rough distinction is made between three light colours. These are:
- Warm white (less than 3,300 Kelvin)
- Universal white (between 3,300 and 5,300 Kelvin)
- Daylight white (more than 5,300 Kelvin)
If you buy a daylight lamp - for example with 6,500 Kelvin - this can already appear very cool and bluish. You have to know: Customers often imagine natural daylight and are then disappointed by artificial daylight. This is because they often mistakenly expect a warm light. This perception applies at least to Central Europeans. In hot countries such as China or Africa, these light sources are actually very popular. Are you wondering what you can actually use a daylight lamp for? They are ideal for utility rooms such as the cellar.
What are lamps with colour change good for?
Fortunately, you no longer have to choose today. For cosy, dim light. Or for bright light for working - smart light sources make it possible. They allow you to switch between warm white, daylight white or even multicolour to your heart's content. 16 million colours are possible with LED lamps from Philips Hue, for example. Controllable via a smartphone app, any number of lighting scenarios can be defined and called up depending on the mood.
Also discover the practical Smart Home Starter Sets from Philips Hue.
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How should light sources be disposed of?
In the past, used light bulbs were simply disposed of with household waste. Unfortunately, it's no longer that easy today. Since the ban on incandescent lamps and the introduction of more efficient light sources, there are a few things to bear in mind. LED lamps, fluorescent lamps and energy-saving lamps often have components that must be disposed of as hazardous waste.
The rule is actually quite simple: If a light source is labelled with this symbol, it must not be disposed of with normal household waste, but must be disposed of separately. This is when the **Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (ElektroG) applies.
Disposal is free of charge at recycling centres and electrical retailers. Residential luminaires must also be disposed of there - regardless of whether they are luminaires with permanently installed LEDs or luminaires with separate light sources.
Which light sources contain mercury?
LED lamps do not. And that is another advantage of many. Mercury is contained in these light sources:
- Fluorescent lamps
- Compact fluorescent lamps
- High-pressure mercury vapour lamps
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When are which light sources banned?
The days of the light bulb are long gone. Since the 1. September 2018, even halogen lamps no longer have a rosy future ahead of them. This is because the sixth and final stage of the EU Lamps Regulation came into force on this date. What does that mean? That all lamps with non-directional light must now have at least energy efficiency class B. This corresponds to a switch-off for all corresponding high-voltage halogen lamps.
Not affected by the EU regulation are:
- Special lamps for household appliances such as ovens, refrigerators and microwaves
- Special lamps for plants, aquariums or terrariums
- Lamps for heat generation (infrared lamps)
- Signal lamps (e.g. for traffic lights)
- Lamps with a luminous flux of less than 60 lumens. This also includes some decorative lamps such as flickering candles or some light bulbs with visible carbon filaments.
The strike-through prices correspond to the manufacturer's RRP.
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