Guide as PDF

Downlights

Light

Downlights emit a beam that is directed downwards at either a perfectly vertical or an adjustable angle. They are offered with narrow-beam, wide-beam, symmetrical or asymmetric light distribution.

Criteria for downlights
- choice of lamp determines light colour, functional life, efficiency, light intensity=
- emission angle determines the beam of light and is defined by the reflector
- cut-off angle limits glare and increases visual comfort
- light output ratio is increased by optimised reflector technology

The cut-off angle of narrow-beam downlights makes them a highly free of glare. On downlights with Darklight reflector, the lamp's cut-off angle is identical to that of the luminaire. This gives a luminaire with the widest beam possible while simultaneously having an optimised light output ratio. The use of a diffuser reduces the luminance in the luminaire and thereby improves the visual comfort.

Downlights

Luminaires

Double-focus downlights

Double-focus downlights have a rotationally symmetric beam that is directed vertically downwards. On double-focus downlights, a special reflector shape enables a high luminous flux even for smaller ceiling apertures.

Downlights

Downlights have a rotationally symmetric beam that is directed vertically downwards.

Luminaires

Washlights

Washlights have an asymmetric beam that is directed vertically downwards and onto vertical surfaces. They provide an even illumination for wall and floor surfaces. Special forms are double washlights for illuminating two opposite wall sections and corner washlights for illuminating corners of rooms.

Double-focus wallwashers

Double-focus washlights have an asymmetric light distribution that is directed at vertical surfaces. They are used for illuminating wall surfaces evenly. Double-focus wallwashers are fitted with special, internal wallwasher segments. With this special kind of reflector technology the lamp is hidden from the direct view of the observer at all times.

Luminaires

Lens wallwashers

Lens wallwashers have an asymmetric light distribution, which is aimed at vertical surfaces. They are used for illuminating wall surfaces evenly. On lens wallwashers special lens reflection systems ensure even wall illumination. The light is spread out by lenses and directed onto the wall by wallwasher reflectors. The Darklight reflectors of the lens wallwashers are visible from below and are glare-free.

Wallwashers

Wallwashers have an asymmetric light distribution, which is aimed at vertical surfaces. They are used for illuminating wall surfaces evenly.

Luminaires

Directional downlights

Directional downlights are used for highlighting individual areas or objects with a medium to narrow light distribution. They combine the advantages of a downlight with the flexibility of directional spotlights. Above the rotational symmetric darklight reflectors, the reflector lamps emit their beam of light perpendicularly downwards, yet they can be rotated by 360° and tilted up to 20°. Because the Darklight reflector ensures that a cone of light is formed from directional luminaires, the cut-off angle is consistent on all directions.

Directional luminaires

Directional downlights are used for highlighting individual areas or objects with a medium to narrow light distribution.

Arrangement

Downlights

The offset from wall should measure approximately half of the luminaire spacing in order to achieve sufficient brightness on the wall and well proportioned scallops of light. To attain an even illumination on a reference plane, the luminaire spacing should not exceed the mounting height h by more than 1.5:1. An optimal evenness is achieved when d = h. To obtain symmetrical scallops in a corner, one downlight must be positioned on the 45° diagonal. .

Wallwashers

The offset from the wall should measure at least one third of the room height. Alternatively, the offset from the wall is where a 20 degree line projected upwards from the base of the wall intersects the ceiling. An optimum evenness is obtained when the luminaire spacing is the same as the offset from the wall, or at least does not exceed it by more than 1.5 times. Wallwashers only develop their optimal evenness as of a minimum number of three luminaires. The position of a wallwasher in a corner of a room should lie on the 45° line.

Applications

Downlights are a universal instrument for functional, architectonic and accentuating lighting.

Recessed downlights are inconspicuous architectural details, whereas surface-mounted downlights and pendant downlights act as features in the room. They should correspond to the architecture in their arrangement and form.