Which type of lamp should I choose?

– there are many different types of lamps offering an entire range of lighting possibilities. And your choice of lamp can have a great deal of impact on your working environment – both positive and negative.

If you work at a very large desk you need a desk lamp with a wide light dispersion and a similarly powerful light source.

If you work at a smaller area with limited space, such as a reception desk, service counter or call-centre, you should select a desk lamp with a less powerful light intensity and diffusion.

For large, modern and creative office settings featuring medium-large desks, the natural choice is a desk lamp that offers functionality as well as an attractive design.

If your working conditions vary, flexibility is of prime importance – for example, a desk lamp with a base is much more flexible than a lamp mounted with clamps on the edge of the desk.

If most of your work is done at the computer, a desk lamp with asymmetrical light distribution is a good choice because the light is distributed evenly at a diagonal angle, thereby reducing interfering glare and reflection in the computer screen.

Floor lamps are the perfect alternative to mounted ceiling lighting fixtures – free-standing floor lamps offer optimal mobility and flexibility, require no installation and can be plugged directly into the power point. Floor lamps can be placed exactly where a light source is needed – and moved to another position as the need arises.

Open-style offices with adjustable desks pose a number of requirements when it comes to desk lamps and their placement, since varying glare from unshaded light sources can be very bothersome to others. In these situations the best choice is a desk lamp fitted with a special screen diffuser that eliminates disturbing glare.

Lamps provide lighting. It goes almost without saying, but the placement of a lamp is just as important as the quality of light it provides. You should place your desk lamp so that it illuminates your working area – by the desk or computer, for example.

Lighting glare in computer screens and other shiny surfaces is both irritating and causes eye strain, so place the lamp shade approx. 40 cm above the desk surface opposite the hand you write with and approx. 50 cm from the screen so that the light source comes in from the side, below eye level.

80 % of our sensory impressions are received by the eyes – which is why proper work lighting is so important to your overall health and wellbeing.

Ceiling lighting illuminates the room, but it is rarely the best lighting solution for the individual work area. The ideal source of additional lighting for the work area is the desk lamp, as it enables the adjustment of the light source to maximize the amount of light at the primary work area and minimize glare and reflection.

Desk lamps equipped with dimmers provide the best options for individual adjustment of light intensity. If you work at a computer, you generally do not need high intensity lighting because the computer screen is itself a source of light.

Your lighting needs vary with age – for example, a 50-year-old requires approx. three times as much light as a 20-year-old.

There are four different kinds of light source: halogen bulbs, low-energy fluorescent strip lighting, standard incandescent light bulbs and LED light bulbs. Each light source has certain advantages and disadvantages depending on whether you are concerned about work environment quality or overall operating costs.

Halogen bulbs:
• Small, compact light source offers a wide range of lamp design options.
• Light intensity is 25-35% more powerful than that provided by standard incandescent light bulbs. This saves on energy without compromising light intensity.
• Provides the same amount of light output for its entire life span.
• Equipped with UV-blocking quartz glass to protect lighted objects and areas.
• Relatively long life span: provides up to 4,000 hours of lighting.

• Advantages: relatively low purchase price, can be dimmed
• Disadvantages: halogen bulbs burn very hot

Fluorescent strip lighting (low-energy):
• Compact fluorescent strip lighting offers good light distribution due to the length of the tube (average 23 cm).
• Provides 6-8 times more light per watt than standard incandescent light bulbs.
• The high light output and low heat generation ensures very low energy consumption and savings on energy costs.
• Long life span: 8,000-10,000 hours.

• Advantages: long life span, economical
• Disadvantages: relatively high purchase price

Standard incandescent light bulbs:
• Light intensity fluctuates with age and use of light bulb.
• Short life span: approx. 1,000 hours.

• Advantages: low purchase price, can be dimmed
• Disadvantages: not very economical, short life span

LED:
• Long life span: 30,000 hours.
• Far more effective than standard incandescent light bulbs and halogen bulbs.
• Low energy consumption provides savings on energy costs.

• Advantages: long life span, economical
• Disadvantages: relatively high purchase price