Lighting

Lighting covers fittings for inside and outside the home: LED ceiling panels, flush lights, downlights and spotlights, wall lights, bulkheads, floodlights, solar garden lights and lanterns, plus torches and rechargeable inspection lamps.

Brightness and colour

Brightness is measured in lumens rather than watts, so compare lumen figures when choosing between LED fittings. Colour temperature is given in kelvin (K): around 2700K to 3000K is a warm white, 3500K to 4000K a cooler, neutral white, and 5000K and above a bluish daylight white. Colour temperature does not change how bright a light is.

Outdoor and wet areas

The IP rating shows protection against solid objects (first digit) and water (second digit). IP44 gives protection against splashing from any direction, while IP65 is dust-tight and protected against water jets, which suits exposed outdoor positions. In a bathroom, lights in the zones closest to the bath or shower need at least IPX4, or IPX5 where water jets may be used for cleaning.

Sensor lights switch themselves: a PIR sensor turns the light on when it detects movement, and a photocell turns it on at dusk and off at dawn.

Downlights and installation

Fire-rated downlights have an intumescent lining that expands in a fire and seals the hole cut in the ceiling. Use them where the ceiling needs to resist fire, such as between floors.

Fixed light fittings are connected to the home's wiring. In England, some electrical work in homes is notifiable under Part P of the Building Regulations, including new circuits, such as one for garden lighting, and work near a bath or shower. It must be done by a registered competent person or notified to building control.

For bulbs, see lamps and bulbs; for torch batteries, see batteries.