OSRAM Range Updated at BLT Direct

BLT Direct is one of the UK’s foremost suppliers of lighting solutions for a whole manner of functions and purposes. Their range of inexpensive and high-quality products is widely considered one of the best in the country, with their commitment to technological advancements in everyday lighting concerns evident for all to see. This ethos is clear in their recent renewal of their OSRAM light bulb section. A prestigious and respected lighting brand, OSRAM is a world leader in lighting for all purposes, both domestic and commercial, and their newly extended range at BLT Direct reflects the diversity and functionality of both companies.

The globally operating company has over one hundred years of experience in providing lighting solutions, and understands that their customers wish for flexible, versatile bulbs with which to illuminate their homes and businesses. The range of OSRAM bulbs includes halogen bulbs, compact fluorescents, metal halides and standard fluorescents, and all of the light bulbs are available in a selection of different shapes, wattages and with varying bases.

The compact fluorescent lamps now available from BLT Direct are ‘multitube’ lamps, and are therefore more efficient than those with a single tube. In line with OSRAM’s environmentally responsible policies, the bulbs last up to twenty times longer than a conventional light bulb, whilst consuming around 80% less energy. These bulbs are used mostly in public buildings and commercials areas, as they are perfect for decorative and feature lighting. Restaurants, offices, hotels, storerooms and sports arenas have all seen the benefits of using these lamps, and with wattages ranging from 5w to 80w and six different colour temperatures to choose from, there is an OSRAM fluorescent lamp for every purpose.

As well as compact fluorescent lamps, BLT Direct also has a collection of OSRAM halogen bulbs, which are ideal for similar commercial purposes. These halogen bulbs are available in linear and tubular shapes, with reflectors and spotlights also popular with many commercial clients. The Small Bayonet Cap and Edison Screw bases are compatible with a great number of existing fixtures so there is no need for a full-scale overhaul of lighting systems, whilst more specific bases such as the G4 and GY4 are also available for companies with more specialist needs for their bulbs.

The range of OSRAM control gear has also been revamped at BLT Direct; their range of ballasts is more varied than ever before, with dimmable ballasts now available. Used to keep current at a safe and practical level in environments where stable currents are not always easy to maintain, the ballast range by OSRAM can meet a whole variety of control gear requirements. The benefits of using a ballast to control current within a circuit include less flickering as a result of power surges, and reduced running costs; something all businesses will surely find a huge advantage.

To find out more and order online, visit http://www.bltdirect.com

Consumer Reports Finds LED Bulbs Come Out On Top

A test by Consumer Reports in the USA has found that, although the majority of consumers in America are using CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps) in their homes, LEDs (light-emitting diodes) are the better choice in the long-run. Despite their higher price tag, the research recommended LED bulbs to American citizens and states that “LEDs have some real advantages”. Figures are similar in the UK; many households still use incandescent light bulbs, but with the last phase of the EU ban now in place, mass switching to LED bulbs is taking place, and many are discovering these advantages for themselves.

 Unlike many older bulbs, LED lamps do not have a filament, which means they cannot burn out and they don’t produce any wasteful heat energy. The illumination is caused solely by the movement of electrons within a semi-conductor, typically aluminium-gallium-arsenide. As a result of this, LEDs have higher luminous efficiency than halogen or incandescent bulbs, which required high levels of heated metal to become illuminated. These older bulbs generated a lot of useless heat energy, making the electricity demands unnecessarily high. The lack of heat output in the LED light bulbs means that the electricity consumed can go directly to creating light energy rather than creating heat for the purpose of creating light.  

 The report in the US also remarked that, although LED bulbs cost slightly more than halogen bulbs, the money is well-invested as they last much longer. With life spans of up to 50,000 hours (possible usage of over 20 years when used for an average of 6 hours per day), the initially higher investment when purchasing an LED bulb results in very high savings. These savings manifest themselves, both in outright savings on purchasing less replacement bulbs, and also in energy and electricity costs; a standard 4-watt LED GU10 light bulb can save the average household around £135.00 over the course of its considerable lifespan, and will produce the same level of illumination as a 40-watt bulb.

 Many of the consumers interviewed before the report expressed concern about switching to LED bulbs because of the myth that they produce a cold and stark light which doesn’t create an inviting home environment. However, the report found this was a false allegation. "We found that some LEDs have the same warm glow as incandescent," said Consumer Reports’ Dan DiCerico after the research was published. Available in attractive colour temperatures such as Warm White and Daylight, LED bulbs are fast losing their ‘bleak and cold’ tag and are becoming favourites for those attempting to create a cosy and appealing domestic atmosphere.

 To find out more about LED and other light bulbs and to order online, visit http://www.bltdirect.com

New Range of GU10 LED Bulbs from BLT Direct

BLT Direct, one of the country’s foremost providers of lighting solutions, has released an extensive new range of GU10 light bulbs, designed specifically to create perfect illumination levels in and around the home. The High Output LED GU10 light bulbs range from 4.5 watts to 6 watts and are considered to be the perfect replacement for their predecessors, the standard halogen GU10 bulb, which are increasingly being seen as unfavourable, old-fashioned and inefficient.. Available as single bulbs or within boxes of ten, these next-generation bulbs offer the highest levels of illumination with the lowest energy consumption and can be used in all domestic situations.

The LED GU10 light bulbs consist of three high-powered LED lights, all inside one frosted cover, creating an incredibly high level of illumination. The principal role of a GU10 LED light bulb is to save energy. Using a maximum of 6 watts per bulb, these bulbs far excel the credentials of their older counterparts, the halogen bulbs, which use around 50 watts of energy to create the same amount of, if not less, illumination. A 4.5 watt LED GU10 light bulb is proven to produce the same amount of light output as a 42-watt halogen GU10 bulb.  The direct comparisons between the two bulbs see savings of up to 90% on energy consumption, and the contrast is even more stark when this is converted into basic electricity costs per household; using average electricity rates and the standard life span of an LED GU10 bulb, it is calculated that one bulb can save a household around £135.00 in energy bills over the course of its life span. Their life span averages at around 30,000 hours per bulb, which, if used for around 6 hours per day, would last for more than 13 years in total.

Versatility is also among the advantages of these brand new bulbs. The two-pin base means that these bulbs are direct retrofit bulbs, and they will plug straight into the corresponding existing fittings already positioned around the home. They require no transformer or LED driver, and are ready to use from the word ‘go’. This makes them perfect for all existing fittings and fixtures around the home, be it in a bathroom or a study, a kitchen or a garage. The bulbs are available in two shades, Warm White and Daylight, both of which offer attractive, cosy illumination ideal for creating a warm and inviting domestic environment. A basic 4.5-watt High Output LED GU10 light bulb from BLT Direct starts at just £7.99, with boxes of 10 available for £74.99.

To find out more and order online, visit http://www.bltdirect.com

Tridonic Products Updated at BLT Direct

As one of the country’s leading suppliers of lighting solutions, BLT Direct pride themselves on being able to offer cutting-edge technology for both homes and businesses. Their long-standing commitment to providing the most effective, inexpensive and technologically advanced products is more evident than ever in their Tridonic Atco Ballast section, which is in the process of being updated to ensure customers can browse the most up-to-the-minute products.

Ballasts are used to stabilise and limit the amount of current in an electrical circuit. When a device possesses negative resistance to the supply, it will continue to draw increased current from the mains until it is causes the power supply to fail, or until the device itself is destroyed. Ballasts are used to counteract this, providing positive resistance which keeps the current at a safe and practical level. From the most basic of series resistors, commonly used within LEDs, to computerised, electronic-controlled ballasts now used mostly with fluorescent lamps on a large scale, ballasts are complex devices. The Tridonic Atco Ballasts available from BLT Direct can meet all control gear requirements. Variants available from BLT Direct include High Frequency Ballasts, Compact HF Ballasts and Digital Electronic Ballasts, guaranteeing that all briefs are catered for.

The Tridonic 2D Pro High Frequency Ballasts are single lamp applications, and are among the most advanced ballasts available from BLT Direct. Intended for use with DD fluorescent lamps, these ballasts allow a continuous and constant lighting output, regardless of any fluctuations in mains voltage. They are ideal for use in emergency lighting situations, where the lamp will need to remain at a constant brightness irrespective of voltage variations. They are available in three different wattages (28w, 38w and 55w) and have a nominal lifetime usage of up to 50,000 hours.

Alongside the range of Tridonic ballasts, BLT Direct is updating its selection of converters, transformers, ignitors and inverters, all of which fulfil similar roles to the lighting ballasts.  The Tridonic Super Imposed Pulse Ignitors are available in both standard and timed versions, and boast shorter restart times and automatic reset functions, ideal for situations where lighting systems are needed 24 hours a day, such as tunnels, mines, factories or warehouses. Tridonic Transformers are intended for use with low-voltage halogen lamps and function by adapting the mains voltage to 12v, with both electronic and magnetic versions available, whilst their Tridonic Atco TALEXXconverter Constant Voltage Converters help to regulate the current in constant voltage LED applications.

To find out more and order online, visit http://www.bltdirect.com