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About outdoor lights
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What was outdoor lighting?
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What outdoor lighting and lamps are there?
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What do you need to pay attention to when buying outdoor lamps?
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Safe from water and dust: Exterior lights and IP protection class
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The suitable color temperature for outdoor lighting
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IP = International Protection
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Protection classes
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1. Code number "Protection against contact and foreign bodies"
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2. Code number "Protection against water and moisture"
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FAQs: The most common questions about outdoor lamps
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Conclusion: So you buy the suitable outdoor lighting
What was outdoor lighting?
Outdoor lighting refers to all lamps and lighting elements that are suitable for use outdoors or in damp rooms. They are characterized by an appropriate degree of protection (or protection class) and withstand external influences, such as moisture and impacts, better than lamps designed for indoor use. Because the application areas are so diverse, there are special models and concepts that specialize in flexibility or permanent installation.
What outdoor lighting and lamps are there?
Garden & Decorative Lighting
Garden and decorative lamps are available in many different shapes and sizes for outdoor use. Stylish balls, cuboids, shapely Christmas motifs or abstract shapes set accents in the garden. Thanks to modern LED technology, there are hardly any limits to the color and shape selection.
Table lamps, ceiling lamps
Table lamps and ceiling lamps are also available for outdoor use. They can usually be connected to the mains supply in the house and switched on by push buttons or motion detectors. In the entrance area, on the terrace or on the balcony they set pretty accents and provide the necessary light.
Wall Lights
Wall lights are the classics of the outdoor area, since they can be attached stylishly on the balcony, terrace or on the facade. Weather-resistant models made of stainless steel or the classic lantern are also possible, as are indirect lighting ideas in angled niches. Wall lights can also be operated via a switch, timer or motion detector.
Stand/path beamer
Important for all paths leading from the fence to the house are road lights. They can be left in the ground or placed next to the path like a small lantern. For these lamps, different versions of the power supply are possible, depending on the model, the laying of power cables is necessary in order to install the lighting permanently.
Spotlight, outdoor recessed light
Spotlights and outdoor recessed spotlights are made for a great appearance. With strong LED panels or halogen lamps, they are not only made for path lighting in the house facade (e.g. at the staircase), but also set whole trees, ponds or facades in scene. Here it is necessary to pay attention to the brightness (lumen) and the color temperature, so that the desired effect can be achieved and several spotlights work harmoniously together.
Pond lighting, wet room lighting
Special protection measures are needed wherever electricity and water meet. This is especially true for pond and wet room lighting. In the underwater area, in addition to the corresponding IP protection class, attention should be paid to the radiated heat and the color of the light so that the fish can cope with the light source. In all wet rooms, especially dense and easy-to-wipe lamp models are also required.
Solar lighting systems
Solar lighting systems are just the right thing for a quick and uncomplicated garden decoration. Without batteries or connection to the house electronics, these lamps can be placed freely in the meadow or in beds and thus not only set accents, but also provide for a good orientation. Solar lighting systems charge quickly and provide sufficient light for several hours.
What do you need to pay attention to when buying outdoor lamps?
The suitable design for the place of use
- Built-in light, floor lamp, wall light, ceiling light or pond light
- Suitable power supply: Battery, battery, mains
- Suitable illuminant for the place of use (temperature development, etc.)
- Suitable beam angle & sufficient illumination
- Sufficient space for all hardware components and cables
- Suitable interface and number: ESATA, SATA II, SATA III.
- Suitable PCI slots (for graphics card) and number: PCI x1, PCIe x16/16 2.0
- For peripherals: PS/2 interface
The right equipment
- Motion detector, switch operation
- Timer, timer
- Solar cells
- Desired color temperature (housing)
- Remote control
- Color change (LED)
Practical advice
As with room lamps, it is also worth looking at the suitable and inserted light source for external lamps. Energy consumption, color temperature and brightness of the lighting (lumen) play a decisive role because they have a decisive effect on the mood and the adequate lighting at danger spots in the open air.
Safe from water and dust: Exterior lights and IP protection class
For devices that are used outdoors, it is particularly important to ensure that they are protected against moisture and external influences (including impacts and dust). The IP scale quantifies this protection and classifies electrical appliances according to their design. The first digit indicates protection against "touch and foreign objects", while the second digit indicates protection against "moisture and water". This results in the marking IP 00 for completely unprotected devices that do not correspond to an protection class and IP 68 with the highest protection. For outdoor lamps, protection class IP 44 or IP 54 should be provided to withstand rain and sand. Lamps from protection class IP 6X are completely dust-proof.
The suitable color temperature for outdoor lighting
The color temperature of the light bulb should be considered not only for indoor use, but also for outdoor use. This may also be specified by the lamp housing. You can choose between warm white, neutral white and cold white in different shades. With modern LEDs, however, all rainbow colors and often different white nuances can be generated. Some LED bulbs also have a remote control or color-changing code so that different moods can be created. Whether neutral white or warm white light is used depends on the individual perception as well as the ambient lighting. If outlines are difficult to detect, this may be due to too low a light beam angle or insufficient brightness of the light bulb (lumen).
Outdoor lighting:
Wet Room Lighting
IP protection types
In many applications, electrical and electronic equipment must work safely under harsh environmental conditions for many years. In addition to the permissible temperature range, the chemical load represents an application restriction. In addition, the ingress of moisture and foreign bodies, such as dust, must be prevented for a reliable function.
The two-digit IP protection class designations on the rating plate or in the technical documentation provide information on all these criteria. IP stands for "International Protection" because this protection marking is internationally standardized. The first digit indicates protection against contact or foreign bodies, the second digit indicates protection against water and moisture.
IP = International Protection
If the first or second digit is not relevant for the marking, it is replaced by an X.
1. Code number "Protection against contact and foreign bodies"
| Code | Protection against contact | Protection against foreign bodies |
|---|---|---|
| IP 0 X | No protection | No protection |
| IP 1 X | Large body parts | Large foreign bodies (x > 50 mm) |
| IP 2 X | Finger | Medium foreign body (x >12 mm) |
| IP 3 X | Tools and wires (x > 2.5 mm) | Small foreign bodies (x > 2.5 mm) |
| IP 4 X | Tool train and wires (x > 1 mm) | Grain-shaped foreign bodies (x > 1 mm) |
| IP 5 X | Complete protection against accidental contact | dust deposits |
| IP 6 X | Complete protection against accidental contact | Dust ingress |
2. Code number "Protection against water and moisture"
| Code | Protection against water and moisture |
|---|---|
| IP X 0 | No protection |
| IP X 1 | Protection against vertically falling dripping water |
| IP X 2 | Protection against diagonally falling (up to 15° ) dripping water) |
| IP X 3 | Protection against spray water (up to 60° ) against vertical |
| IP X 4 | Protection against all-sided splash water |
| IP X 5 | Protection against water jets |
| IP X 6 | Protection against strong water-jet |
| IP X 7 | Protection against temporary submerging |
| IP X 8 | Protection against continuous immersion |
Protection classes
The protection classes are defined above all electrical equipment.
There are four protection classes for electrical equipment, whereby protection class one to three are the most common. Symbols are provided for labeling the equipment with the relevant protection class.
The protection class must be distinguished from the protection class classified with the IP. While protection classes define measures that protect against contact-hazardous voltages, the IP protection classes describe the degree of protection of the housing against contact, foreign objects and water.
| Protection class I: Protective measure with protective conductor (e.g. devices with metal housing). In the event of a fault, the current can flow via the protective conductor; i.e. ideally, in the event of a fault, the person will not receive any current at all. | |
| Protection class II: Insulated (e.g. plastic housing or glass housing for heating). Due to the good enclosure insulation, there can be no dangerous currents from humans in the event of a fault. | |
| Protection class III: Protective extra-low voltage here electrical equipment is operated with a nominal voltage of up to 50 V AC or 120 V DC. In the event of a defect, this attempts to keep the current through the human being small. |
FAQs: The most common questions about outdoor lamps
Can exterior lights be installed anywhere?
Outdoor lamps are available for almost all areas and applications and can be installed anywhere that a suitable power supply is ensured.
How much power do exterior lights consume?
The power consumption of outdoor lights depends largely on the duration of use and the light bulb used. Timers, motion detectors or timers are recommended for energy-saving use.
What was the cost of an outdoor light?
Small solar lights and decorative garden lights are already available in the double-digit price segment. The price of outdoor lighting depends on the factors material, illuminant and design and can also be in the upper three-digit range for large systems.
Conclusion: So you buy the suitable outdoor lighting
The right outdoor lighting depends on the location and the type of application required. Therefore, the appropriate lamp should always be purchased for the individual location. Based on the design and the possible power supply, pay attention to the correct angle of radiation and a housing that can accommodate sufficiently powerful illuminants. Here, the brightness (lumen) and color temperature factors must be taken into account. For facade lighting, a look at motion detectors and time switches can also be worthwhile; they can reduce energy costs and make everyday life easier. The design can be chosen freely, provided the design permits the necessary degree of protection according to IP scale.