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Wednesday 19 December 2018
Christmas Sale! The holidays may be over, but the savings aren’t!
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! The holidays may be over, but the savings aren’t!
Thursday 18 October 2018
Buying Guide: Ultraviolet Lights
Ultraviolet Lamps encompass a range of lights that produce Ultraviolet light. As these lights are used in many unrelated industries and applications, with many variables in their output, we’ve created a one-stop guide for helping you identify the best UV Lamp for you.
What is Ultraviolet?
UV is a light radiation produced by the sun, and you may know of it due to classic Australian ads that talk of its dangers to our skin. Invisible to the human eye, UV travels on a wavelength between visible light and x-rays.
Ultraviolet ranges:
The most important thing to understand when buying UV lamps is the differentiation between the UV subtypes. As ultraviolet light is on a spectrum, it has levels of intensity based off its wavelength. The shorter the wavelength, the more dangerous it is for humans – because while the earth’s atmosphere protects us from all but the long wave UV light, some lamps are made to produce a type that is extremely harmful to the eyes and skin, and shouldn’t be used unless by a professional.
Just knowing the below will help you identify if it’s the right light for you.
UVA: Long wave ultra violet light, most commonly known as blacklight or blacklight blue in the lighting industry. These lights often use a filter material which makes the bulb appear violet. UVA is the safest of the UV spectrum.
UVA: Long wave ultra violet light, most commonly known as blacklight or blacklight blue in the lighting industry. These lights often use a filter material which makes the bulb appear violet. UVA is the safest of the UV spectrum.
UVB: Medium-wave, UVB is often used for reptile lights, and speciality tanning lamps.
UVC: Short wave UV, and the most dangerous of the UV subtypes. Used for what is known as germicidal lamps, UVC disrupts DNA and can be used for a range of specialised applications, especially in sterilisation and water purification.
Lamp types:
Black light and Black light blue:
The most recognisable form of UV lighting, Black light and Black light Blue (BL and BLB) can be distinguished by the colour they emit.
Black Light Blue shines as a violet, purple colour, made due to the filter material of the bulb’s glass. Known as Woods glass, these appear almost black when unlit, filtering out most visible light. While not bright, BLB triggers a fluorescence in other colours, causing them to glow. This effect can be useful in a wide variety of applications, including medicine, forensics, detection of counterfeit money, and of course for decorative purposes in night clubs.
Blacklight on the other hand ironically produces a bluer colour than Black Light Blue, and is often used in bug zappers and insect traps. This is due to insect’s ability to see UV light, attracting them. These lights don’t produce the fluorescence that BLB does, so make sure that the UV lamp you’re buying is dark in appearance and tagged with “BLB” if you require that effect.
Black light and black light blue lamps come in two core types: Fluorescent and Mercury Vapor. Below, we’ll go over the difference.
Normal fluorescent lamps produce light by sending an electric current through a tube containing argon and a small amount of mercury vapor. When the mercury vapours are excited, they produce UV light, which in turn causes the coating of the lamp to fluoresce or glow.
Fluorescent black light lamps work similarly, but use a phosphor on the inner tube surface which emits UVA radiation instead of visible light, and the dark blue filter coating over the tube.
As Fluorescent lamps already naturally produce more UV than any other light, they are well suited to the BLB and BL applications, and much more effective than incandescent BL and BLB lamps.
Mercury Vapor BLBs are most commonly used in clubs, concerts, and other large displays where the aim is to create a particular aesthetic through the fluorescent glow caused by the UV, aka the “glow in the dark” effect. Mercury vapor lamps are the most efficient producers of UVA, even more so then fluorescent tubes.
While these may look like ordinary tubes, Germicidal Lamps produce the far stronger UVC. They do not have the phosphor coating of BL or BLB, as this absorbs UVC. These tubes have nearly triple the UV output of ordinary fluorescent lamps.
As previously mentioned, this UV type is the most dangerous to come into contact with, and can cause temporary or even permanent blindness and skin conditions if mishandled. For this reason, germicidal lamps are use primarily for specialised areas.
The most common of these is in Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI). This is a method of disinfection that uses UVC to break down and destroy bacteria and other microorganisms at a cellular level. You may see now why it can be so harmful to humans as well. Most often used to purify drinking water, as well as medical equipment and even food.
Friday 12 October 2018
Friday 7 September 2018
Deluxlite Outdoor Solar LED Wall Light 5W 6000K-6500K on SALE!
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Description & Specifications:
Deluxlite Outdoor Solar LED Wall Light 5W 6000K-6500K
- 6000K-6500K Solar
- Solar Panel: Polycrystalline 5.5V
- Lumen: 500 lm
- Battery Type: Lithium Ion 3.7V 4400mAh
- Charging time: 6-8 hours
- Dimension: 300mm x 115mm x 60mm
- Solar Panel: Polycrystalline 5.5V
- Lumen: 500 lm
- Battery Type: Lithium Ion 3.7V 4400mAh
- Charging time: 6-8 hours
- Dimension: 300mm x 115mm x 60mm
APPLICATION: Walkways, Fence, Small Solar Billboards, alleyway
| Energy Saving | Yes |
|---|---|
| Watts | 5W |
| Colour Temperature | Daylight/ Cool Daylight 6500K |
| Bulb Type | LED |
| Lumen | 500 Lm |
| condition | new |
| Applications | Walkways, Fence Small Solar Billboards, alleyway |
| Dimensions | 300mm x115mm x 60mm |
Friday 24 August 2018
A Look at Aquarium and Terrarium lighting
Light Online specializes in a range of niche lighting areas, including Aquarium and Reptile lights for your terrariums and tanks. When it comes to aquariums, there is no one correct choice for lighting, as tank size and budget will ultimately play a part on your choice. That being said, lighting can make all the difference in the presentation and colours of your fish – and is essential for reef and coral tanks while Lighting for Terrariums plays a huge role in the health and wellbeing of your reptiles.
Below, we’ll go over the benefits of different light types and what tank types will best benefit from them, a general guide for what to choose that will help you make the best choice for your fish, reptile, or plants.
Plant, reef and coral tanks:
Reef tanks with coral and other water plants require proper lighting to thrive and grow, and will help maintain the vivid colours you want to get out of your plants.
Common in reef aquariums are Metal Halide aquarium lights, as they produce an intense light that is well suited to deep tanks, and encourage growth through daylight simulation. The Kando Lite Aquarium Metal Halide is the perfect product for these tank types, creating vivid and rich colours for your coral without the need of filters.
It should be noted that these lamps do run hot, and may require a fan installation to remove heat from the water. As with any setup, finding the balance between the right amount of light for growth, while reducing the risk of algae is important to consider for any Aquarium owner. Many opt to use a mixture Fluorescent and Metal Halide lamps to create the lighting setup and aesthetic they desire.
For those looking for a cooler alternative to a Metal Halide, the Sylvania Coralstar is another specialist lamp for coral tanks, and reproduces the light conditions of a coral reef through actinic blue lighting.
Fish-only tanks:
Lighting is not essential for fish only tanks, but can make all the difference in the presentation and colours of your gilled friends. Consider using a daylight replicating fluorescent such as the Sylvania Daylightstar Fresh Water Aquarium Light, which limits algae growth and accurately highlights the true colours of your fish and plants.
Terrariums:
Lighting for your cold-blooded friends plays a big role in their wellbeing, as heat and UVB and UVA helps facilitate your pet’s growth, appetite and behavior. There are a range of suitable UV bulbs on the market, including the Reptistar Reptilux Lamp, which promotes vitamin D3 production through a high UVB (5%) and UVA (30%). This lamp will also provide enough light to display your reptiles in their true colours.
As well as UV lamps, Basking Lights are also a requirement for any Terrarium set-up. Infra Red bulbs such as the OSRAM Ultra-Vitalux UV Lamp produce very little light on their own, but generate a large amount of heat, as well as UVA, and are perfect for providing heat to nocturnal species such as Ball Pythons.
Just In! NEW 24W LED Slim Panel Lights!
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Tuesday 14 August 2018
ANNOUNCING: Online Lighting Auctions on Lightonline starting August 21st!
We’re excited to announce Lightonline will be holding auctions online for popular lighting products starting August 21st, and continuing weekly on Tuesdays from 10-11am.
These auctions are a great opportunity to bid on items at prices far below their retail prices.
Register with us to be included in our announcements, reminders, and place bids online.
Our auctions will include specialty products such as Industrial Lighting (LED Highbays, LED Corn Lights), LED Smart Lights, LED Downlights, LED Candles, Architectural Lights and more!
Don’t miss your chance to snag great products at the best prices, register now!
https://www.lightonline.com.au/auction
Monday 13 August 2018
Industrial Lighting for Warehouses, Factories and More
Industrial lighting – the all-encompassing term for warehouse lighting, factory lighting, manufacturing facilities and the like, covers a wide range of lighting types and categories. Whether you’re buying for LED or HID, it’s helpful to understand the differences between each option and how they can benefit and brighten your commercial space.
This is especially important given that lighting accounts for 18-40% of electricity usage on commercial premises – make sure you're getting the most for your money with our helpful guide:
What level of lighting do you need?
Different industrial spaces have different lighting requirements depending on the space type and how it’s used. Are you lighting a processing facility with many factory workers that require a high level of light to see? Or are things mostly automated? Are you lighting a warehouse where lighting helps workers see where they need to stack pallets?
The needed level of illumination will depend on both the size of the area, the height of the ceiling, and how active the area will be for employees.
We’ve created a table below to help give you a reference of how bright (or luminous) your chosen lights should be.
Space Type
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Suggested Lumen per Lamp
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Manufacturing: Employees needing to see details and undertake complicated tasks.
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15,000 + Lumen
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Manufacturing: Employees needing to see general details.
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10,000 + Lumen
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Warehouse: Inactive storage area that is rarely accessed -
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5,000 + Lumen
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Warehouse: Active area where employees are using machinery
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10,000 + Lumen
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Generally, anything which requires your employees to read small writing or concentrate on small objects will require a higher level of lumen. This ensures they won’t suffer from eyestrain, increases productivity, and also increases the safety of your industrial facility.
Different Lamp Types:
Lighting for facilities with high ceilings is ever changing. Lights differ from technology to life expectancy, costs vary, and pros and cons need to be weighed. With new products coming out on the market every year, it’ll benefit you to know these lamp and light types and their pros and cons.
High-Intensity Discharge Lamps
HIDs are the best-known option when it comes to choosing lighting for your industrial space. HIDs are more efficient than both halogen and incandescent lighting, and as the name implies, High-Intensity Discharge lamps are much brighter. For example, the Philips Master HPI T, a Metal Halide, can produce up to 32,000 lumens.
Let’s take a closer look at each lamp in this category.
Pros: Metal halide lamps, also called MH Lamps, are known for producing high Lumen with decent CRI (From 60 – 70). While this reduces its efficiency slightly, it's still one of the favourites of the HID family.
Cons: If a Metal Halide breaks or explodes, they release UV. They also contain Mercury and other heavy metals, which need to be disposed of carefully at end of life.
Pros: Crematic Metal Halide, also called ceramic discharge metal-halide lamps (CDM) are 10 – 20 % more efficient than common quartz metal technology. This makes then equal with HPS lamps in longevity. Additionally, CMH has the highest CRI of any HID lamp, coming out to 90-92 CRI, meaning they are ahead of LED technology when it comes to colour rendering.
Cons: These lights are, on average, more expensive when compared to other industrial lights on the market.
Pros: High-Pressure Sodium Lights (HPS) are another light in the high-intensity discharge (HID) family. They produce and average of 100 lumens per watt, and last an impressive 15,000 to 50,000 hours.
Cons: HPS lamps have a very low CRI. HPS are best used in places where colour quality is not important - and are commonly used for indoor gardening, as well as warehouse and streetlamp lighting. The produce a warm yellow/orange colour.
Pros: Mercury Vapour Lamps are the oldest in the HID family. These lamps have a high lux output and are cheap to install and buy compared to Metal Halide and High-Pressure Sodium lamps. In the past, they were commonly used for street lights and high-bay lighting.
Cons: Mercury Vapour Lamps have a 5-8-minute start up time, and poor colour rendering. These days they are slowly being phased out, and in Australia, Mercury Vapour Lamps may not meet the lumen requirements for warehouse spaces. They have a greenish tinge to their light.
Summary:
Pros: HID lights are bright, and come in a range of options and prices.
Common cons: HID lights all produce a large amount of UV radiation. Lumen output will fail over the lifetime of the bulb, so a HID lamp starting at 150 lumens per watt will eventually fall to 90 per watt.
Lastly, some HIDS will have a warm up period, meaning there is a delay between turning on the lights and when they reach full brightness.
LED Lighting
LED lighting has been making ways in the industrial lighting space over the last ten years, and now more than ever, with government subsidized lighting upgrades being offered in most Australian states.
Corn lights are the retrofit replacement for old HID Lamps, such as those mentioned above. They can also be installed new.
Pros: Replacing your old HID bulbs with these will still require some rewiring, however you will be able to keep the same reflector setup as your traditional highbays, and once done it will be as simple as getting a new corn light should one (rarely) fail.
Like all LEDs, they are energy saving, environmentally friendly, and long life – up to 50,000 hours.
Cons: Corns lights on average are lower in lumen than your traditional lights. However, they don’t degrade in lumen over their lifetime like HID lamps do, meaning that on average, the lower lumen will not make a significant impact on lighting quality.
Pros: Unlike corn lights, which replace the bulb, a UFO LED Highbay light is a direct switch out from your metal halide or other HID setup. Comparable in shape to a ‘UFO’, these lights have a wide beam angle and high lumen output.
Cons: If you’re replacing an old highbay, the fittings for your HID will be replaced with the new highbay, requiring more time to change out compared to a corn light. The wide angle of the light beam may not be suitable for aisles, and in changing from your metal halide setup, more consideration with have to be taken for placements.
If you don’t require a directional light, then the UFO option is a great way to reduce dark spots in your lighting.
Summary:
Pros: LED lights last much longer than HID, up to 10,000 hours more on average. Their lumen output won’t decrease overtime, and they produce almost 0 heat and UV radiation.
Cons: LEDs typically have higher upfront costs the HID lamps, although you will see very high energy savings in the long term (and savings on your power bills). The CRI for LED also tends to be in the lower range of 60-70 cri.
If you're still not sure which light is best for you, contact our sales team at 03 9819 1777.
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