How many LED downlights for my kitchen?

[don Logan]

Hi, i'm sticking downlights in my kitchen. The ceiling measures 3150x4100mm and i'm not entirely sure how many downlights to put in. There's a lot of insulation above and not much room so i was gonna stick in LED's as they don't give off much heat.

How many LED downlights would people generally use for a kitchen this size?

I was thinking 6 (in 2 rows of 3), but am not sure if that would be too bright as i'm using LED's instead of halogen. I don't really want to pay out for dimmable LED's and a dimmer; I'd rather get the right amount of downlights.

Never used LED's before so am unsure of light output. Anyone got any advice and a link for some decent LED's?

Thanks.

 

[kellogs64]

If your on a budget wait six months to a year for the prices to drop,mate they are expensive most people ain't intrested cos of the price . Oh I think a prefere 12 volts more stable .

 

[Rauer]

Are you part p?

 

[Des 56]

There are two lighting types for any kitchen

The first has about as near perfection for light levels,with minmum cost and very little shadowing,the lamps lasts for sometimes an eternity,they are also friendly to the "save the planet" geeks, however, fluorescents do not look as nice as Mrs Jones's decorative lights

The second type are more expensive,they breach the ceilings natural fire barrier,they have a completely inefficient mode of light for the workstation,require changing on a regular basis,the vast majority (when installed by diy homeowners) are nothing more than bunsen burners in the ceiling,,they are "planet changing"in their power consumption and with the disposal of the failed lamps,but they have one overiding advantage over system one,they look pretty

In work,I install type 2s for customers,however,I would not entertain having potentially dangerous and expensive garbage fitted in my kitchen :smile5:

 

[don Logan]

Are you part p?

Nope...

And what of it Sir?

 

[don Logan]

There are two lighting types for any kitchen

The first has about as near perfection for light levels,with minmum cost and very little shadowing,the lamps lasts for sometimes an eternity,they are also friendly to the "save the planet" geeks, however, fluorescents do not look as nice as Mrs Jones's decorative lights
The second type are more expensive,they breach the ceilings natural fire barrier,they have a completely inefficient mode of light for the workstation,require changing on a regular basis,the vast majority (when installed by diy homeowners) are nothing more than bunsen burners in the ceiling,,they are "planet changing"in their power consumption and with the disposal of the failed lamps,but they have one overiding advantage over system one,they look pretty

In work,I install type 2s for customers,however,I would not entertain having potentially dangerous and expensive garbage fitted in my kitchen :smile5:

To be honest, i've never thought much of them either. My wife suggested them and i said no, but a single pendant type fitting isn't enough to light the room.

I was thinking of using one of those ELV 'track' lights where the lights are suspended off of 2 parallel wires (know what i mean?), but the massive transformers look rubbish. I'm open to suggestions as i really can't be aarsed fitting and paying out for LED downlighters anyway. They do look good for when selling the house though as women do love a "spotlight" arrangement in the kitchen...

 

[Octopus]

Nope...

And what of it Sir?

If you live in England or Wales it has rammifications on electrical changes in domestic situations...

 

[Rauer]

Electrical works in a kitchen is notifiable to your labc through part p, installation of 12v lighting is also notifiable

 

[don Logan]

Electrical works in a kitchen is notifiable to your labc through part p, installation of 12v lighting is also notifiable

I've rewired the whole house properly and I'm a fully qualified spark. I've tested it. It's all good, no i'm not 2391:yawn:, but know how to test and have years of expeience in testing heavy industrial and domestic installations.

I'm not Part P and am not paying someone else to come and test it and sign it off. Just out of interest- what's to stop me saying it was already like that when i moved in a year ago if anyone asks? What i'll actually do is pay my Part P mate to sign it off, like i'm sure most non Part P sparks do...

I know that you need to be Part P to sign off the work you do in customer's houses, but surely people are legally allowed to do what they want with the electrics in their own houses, even if not qualified?

 

[Rauer]

Afraid not buddy! As for what's to say it wasn't like that a year ago, 1 cable is dated, 2 your labc would have it on record

 

[don Logan]

'Dunno Mr Building Control Man, it was like that when i moved in 2 years ago...'

Anyway, does anyone have any alternatives to downlights for a kitchen?

Thanks.

 

[HandySparks]

Anyway, does anyone have any alternatives to downlights for a kitchen?

A 5ft fluorescent with a nice diffuser. That's what I have in mine. Cheap to run and loads of light.

 

[telectrix]

A 5ft fluorescent with a nice diffuser. That's what I have in mine. Cheap to run and loads of light.

best fly trap i've ever seen. i do agree, however that they're cheap and give good light.

 

[Rauer]

I recomend what's fitted at the moment !!

 

[wade88]

Disco ball

 

[Des 56]

To be honest, i've never thought much of them either. My wife suggested them and i said no, but a single pendant type fitting isn't enough to light the room.

I was thinking of using one of those ELV 'track' lights where the lights are suspended off of 2 parallel wires (know what i mean?), but the massive transformers look rubbish. I'm open to suggestions as i really can't be aarsed fitting and paying out for LED downlighters anyway. They do look good for when selling the house though as women do love a "spotlight" arrangement in the kitchen...

Yes,Iknow the type and have fitted them.last time was in a farmhouse and they blended in well,the transformers I had out of the way in a store cupboard and switched them via a wall switch,so not too unsightly

But again I will say.the light levels and spread in most kitchens is best achieved with a fluorescent
Women need to be convinced that a kitchen is a workstation not a work of art, with expensive and poor alternative lighting

With the part p fiasco,my mates have never bothered with it and it has never hindered them doing installation in houses
Personally,I don't particularly care if someone is registered or not,its whether they are electricians and doing a job they are skilled at that is important