The key to any successful landscape lighting design centers on the lamp. Too much wattage
or the wrong beam spread causes unwanted glare. Not enough light results in an incomplete
scene. When it comes to landscape lighting, a little light goes a long way. Consider using
lower wattage lamps than you would normally use in other lighting applications. The following
lamp charts will assist you in selecting the proper lamp for the effect desired. After you choose
the lamp, then the correct lamp holder (luminaire) can be selected.
or the wrong beam spread causes unwanted glare. Not enough light results in an incomplete
scene. When it comes to landscape lighting, a little light goes a long way. Consider using
lower wattage lamps than you would normally use in other lighting applications. The following
lamp charts will assist you in selecting the proper lamp for the effect desired. After you choose
the lamp, then the correct lamp holder (luminaire) can be selected.
PAR 36 lamps (shown right) project light in an oval beam
pattern. That is, the horizontal pattern is wider than the
vertical pattern. Aiming is accomplished by looking at the lens.
The manufacturer's name is written on the horizontal axis
(parallel to the widest beam). The double screw terminal on
the back of the lamp is also located on the horizontal axis.
pattern. That is, the horizontal pattern is wider than the
vertical pattern. Aiming is accomplished by looking at the lens.
The manufacturer's name is written on the horizontal axis
(parallel to the widest beam). The double screw terminal on
the back of the lamp is also located on the horizontal axis.
The newer generation of MR16 lamps are available with a
permanent lens over the front of the lamp. This is an excellent
option to consider since it prevents accidental touching of the
halogen capsule and protects the reflector from dirt, dust, and
condensation, prolonging the life of the MR16 lamp. MR11's
and MR8's are just smaller versions of the MR16. All three
sizes are available in a variety of wattages and beam spreads.
permanent lens over the front of the lamp. This is an excellent
option to consider since it prevents accidental touching of the
halogen capsule and protects the reflector from dirt, dust, and
condensation, prolonging the life of the MR16 lamp. MR11's
and MR8's are just smaller versions of the MR16. All three
sizes are available in a variety of wattages and beam spreads.
Keep in mind that all R and MR lamps require a luminaire with a lens to protect the lamp from
the elements. PAR lamps are designed with their own tempered glass lens and require no
additional protection from the elements.
A corrosive preventive compound applied to the socket when installing the lamp in the fixture
will prolong the life of the lamp and make lamp replacements easier.
the elements. PAR lamps are designed with their own tempered glass lens and require no
additional protection from the elements.
A corrosive preventive compound applied to the socket when installing the lamp in the fixture
will prolong the life of the lamp and make lamp replacements easier.
| Lamp Charts |
Lamp charts are available on the previous page for the four main types of low voltage lamps.
They are provided as a general guide to assist you in selecting the proper lamp to use in
your landscape lighting planning. The charts are designed to provide approximate
illumination levels at various distances from the location of the lamp. To read these charts,
you can do the following:
project has an average illumination level of 1/2 to 1 foot-candle of light. Generally, a well-lit
statue or tree should be lit at approximately 5 to 7 foot-candles and fill-in lighting should be
1/2 to 1 foot-candle. Traffic areas such as sidewalks and steps should also be lit to
approximately 1/2 to 1 foot-candle.
General-purpose lamps such as the #93, #1141 and the #1156 listed do not project a "cone"
of light, but disperse light in all directions. For this reason, the light output from these lamps
vary with each luminaire since the output is dependent upon the size, shape and lens areas
of the luminaire itself.
They are provided as a general guide to assist you in selecting the proper lamp to use in
your landscape lighting planning. The charts are designed to provide approximate
illumination levels at various distances from the location of the lamp. To read these charts,
you can do the following:
- Determine the distance from the lamp using the figures on the left side of each chart.
- Check the beam diameter expressed in feet located within the cone itself.
- Find the approximate amount of light in foot-candles shown in the right column.
project has an average illumination level of 1/2 to 1 foot-candle of light. Generally, a well-lit
statue or tree should be lit at approximately 5 to 7 foot-candles and fill-in lighting should be
1/2 to 1 foot-candle. Traffic areas such as sidewalks and steps should also be lit to
approximately 1/2 to 1 foot-candle.
General-purpose lamps such as the #93, #1141 and the #1156 listed do not project a "cone"
of light, but disperse light in all directions. For this reason, the light output from these lamps
vary with each luminaire since the output is dependent upon the size, shape and lens areas
of the luminaire itself.
| Which Lamp Should You Use? |
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