Globe Guide
We have compiled an informative guide on helping you choose the right globes for your lights. Choosing a specific type of globe will subsequently determine the desired look you are trying to achieve. So you might ask yourself what globes will achieve what look? Below you will find some helpful information that can make the decision making process a lot easier.
Types of globes
Incandescent
- Old style round bulbs, filament based.
- These globes are very inefficient and are being phased out by the end of the year.
- Lifetime up to 1000 hours
- They run straight off 240v power and the typical wattages 40W to 75W.
Halogen
- Brighter, more efficient but run very hot and tend not to last too long compared to other styles.
- Smaller globes, usually circular or thin cylinder shape.
- Some are 240 volt and can run straight off normal power, but many are 12 Volt and require a transformer which tends to come in a kit. 12V can actually be brighter and often last longer than 240V.
- Lifetime: 2000 to 5000 hours
- Typical wattages vary from 30W to 100W.
Fluorescent
- Comes in several varieties: compact fluorescent (CFL) fit the standard incandescent fittings (just a note that they are not BASIX compliant for new buildings because they are not a dedicated fluorescent fitting).
- The other variety is the dedicated fitting fluorescent globes which are typically used in commercial environments and are BASIX compliant.
- Most importantly they are very energy efficient, can be substituted for standard incandescent globes and save a lot of power while offering the same light output (see below for wattage conversion chart).
- Examples include the single twin tubes, double twin tubes, triple twin tubes, dimmable and spirals in both plug in (BC) and screw based (ES) fittings.
- Lifetime: 10 000 to 15 000 hours
- Typical wattage vary from 8W to 20W (CFL), 11W-40W (dedicated).
LED
- The newest globes on the market and once again very energy efficient and require a small power output.
- Very small (a typical household fitting will have several, up to 18 in one fitting).
- Much more energy efficient than standard incandescent globes and are usually BASIX approved.
- The light fitting requires a driver to regulate and maintain the power running the lights. Up and coming technology!
Note:
It is important to remember that different globes can achieve different and desired looks. The energy saver range and incandescent globes are typically used with flush mounts, wall scones, pendants and other lighting which requires a broader range of illumination.
The halogens and LED lights are used more as spot and track lighting and offer a unique and desired effect. The overall aim is to focus the light on a specific item and show off a particular feature. The broad range of effects and versatility of these lights is quite vast and they are very popular because they tend to compliment a lot of home décor.
Globe Fittings
Below are you standard globe fittings which need to be taken into account when picking your globes! They typically vary between two standard fittings which are the Screw type bulbs (ES- Edison Screw) or the plug in bulbs (BC-Bayonet Cap).
Edison Screw
Normal screw on light bulbs.
E14 – small Edison screw (SES)
E27 – standard Edison screw (ES)
Bayonet Screw
Normal push back, twist and lock bulbs.
B15 – small Bayonet cap (SBC)
B22 – standard Bayonet cap (BC)
Halogen globes (downlights)
GU10 – standard circular Halogen globe about 5cm in diameter. 2 pin push in connection. 240V power.
MR16 – similar to the GU10 in shape, but is 12V and generally more energy efficient.
Energy Conversion Chart
The following chart is a great indicator of the power (wattage) conversion between the three different types of globes (incandescent, Fluorescent and Halogen). As evident, the fluorescent are the most energy efficient globes and are highly recommended. In addition they last the longest and it is quite easy to use this chart and choose the most appropriate globe.
| Incandescent (W) | 25 | 40 | 60 | 75 | 100 | 120 |
| Fluorescent (W) | 5-7 | 8 | 11-12 | 13-18 | 18-23 | 23 |
| Halogen (W) | 18 | 28 | 42 | 52 | 70 |
Colour Temperature
Warm White – Is the most popular temperature colour. Creates a soft and relaxing environment by offering a warm light which outputs a calm ambiance at all times. Typically used in homes and retail shops.
Cool White – Creates a work like environment and the light intensity is slightly increased compared to warm white. The light can be classified as neutral and is comparable to office lighting and schools. Often it is also used in bathrooms and kitchen to offer stronger illumination.
Daylight – Creates a much brighter and lively environment similar to outdoor light. Once again this colour if typically used in office environments or in bathrooms and other specific environments where much more brighter and intense lighting is required.
Final Thoughts
The world of lighting can become complicated if right advice is not available and customers are left to making some tough choices. Matching the right globe to the right light should not be a problem and with the information above it will become a lot simpler. Out store offers a huge variety of lighting and globes to fit all purposes and desired effects so feel free to browse and experience the lighting world.
