Choosing the right LED downlight can be troublesome. There are a multitude of options – colour temperature, beam angle, cut-out size, colour rendering, lumen output, dimming – these considerations can be confusing to navigate.
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The most common cut-out size for domestic downlights is 92mmØ
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A warm 3000K temperature may be chosen for bedrooms and lounges
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Cooler temperatures of 4000K to 6500K may be preferred for offices, kitchens and bathrooms
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Dimmable downlights must be paired with an appropriate LED dimmer, the type of dimmer will be specified by the manufacturer
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High colour rendering (CRI90+) is ideal for bringing out the true colour of the surroundings, which is particularly important for artwork. Though most general purpose downlights have a CRI of 80+.
As most downlights come pre-wired with a power plug, you may want to consider having your electrician install GPO’s in the ceiling. When the downlight eventually reaches the end of its life span it can easily be replaced without having to be re-wired.