Decorating for Halloween involves jack-o-lanterns, cobwebs, ghosts, ghouls, witches, skeletons and more. One of the most exciting parts of decorating is putting up lights! Different colors, shapes, and sizes can take a home or yard to another level. Along with this new level of appeal comes a new level of safety hazards, though. To ensure your Halloween goes smoothly for your family, Mr. Electric® wants you to know the precautions you should take to safely power tomorrow.

Before decorating, count the number of outlets available and take note of where they are located so you can plan your displays accordingly. This will allow for a safe distribution of use among different outlets and prevent you from having strings of lights stretching across the floor or yard. Those are both huge hazards that can be avoided by planning.

Carefully look over all of your decorations. Any bare wires, damaged sockets, or loose connections could cause very serious shocks or start fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association, about one-third of the house fires involving decorative lighting were caused by electrical failures or malfunctions. You can prevent it by simply taking the time to inspect.

Outdoor lights are made for outdoor use, and indoor lights are made for indoor use. It’s really important to remember this. When decorating, always double-check to make sure that they are meant to be used in that location. The same rules go for extension cords and other electrical decorations.

Just like other electrical appliances in your home, it’s not safe or necessary to have your lights on when you are away from home or asleep. Have them on only when you are able to actively monitor them.

Decorations are so much fun that we often forget that they come with imminent dangers. It’s nothing to be frightened by (like many other Halloween things), but being aware can be the difference between Halloween fun and a night of terror. To explain just how important we think these tips are, we wrote you a haiku.

Halloween is here.

Source:

There is an art to showcasing masterpieces and illuminating the beauty in your decor.   Bring out the true colors, textures, decorative details and subtle nuances in your artistic compositions with the right light sources, accent light fixtures and picture lights.

Choosing the right light sources and positioning fixtures to illuminate your favorite pictures and artistic compositions involves careful planning, and certain key components are essential to finding the right light for each application.  Whether you are illuminating a three-dimensional sculpture, an entire wall-mounted tapestry or a grouping of framed photographs, there are 5 key components to consider.

1. Select the right light source—LED, halogen or fluorescent?

•LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs are excellent light sources for illuminating valuable paintings and original artwork, because they do not emit ultraviolet or infrared light that could cause fading or damage to fabrics and paintings.

LEDs are energy-efficient and versatile solid state luminaires (SSL), which provide bright focused illumination that may be manipulated and controlled with fitters and lenses.  Although LED light bulbs are more expensive, they last much longer and operate much cooler than standard bulbs.

Be sure to look for good quality LED bulbs.  The color rendering, color temperature and dimmability of LED bulbs is becoming more refined as technology advances and is incorporated into new LED light sources.

•Halogen light sources are ideal for bringing out the textures and colors in artwork and sculpture.  Look for updated energy-efficient halogen bulbs.

•Fluorescent—May work nicely for black and white photographs.  However, the quality of light in fluorescent fixtures is not ideal for paintings and sculpture, because there is a slight UV risk and the lack of shadow may limit your artistic lighting effects for 3-dimensional artwork and sculpture.

2.  Choose the right filters—light filtures and lenses help to focus the illumination or create a wash of light according to your desired lighting effect.

Whether you need a narrow beam of light or a wide-angle wash of illumination, the right accessories will help create precisely the lighting effects you desire.  From barn doors to diverse screen fitters, the options abound for creatively fashioning and directing light to enhance the elements of design in your artwork.

Picture lights and accent light fixtures are available in a myriad of finish options and light fixture designs, so choose a style to match that of your artwork—keep traditional with traditional; modern with modern. etc.  Your light source should enhance, not distract from the visual focus of your artwork.

The options for illuminating with spectacular lighting effects have never been more accessible. Color-changing LED lamps themselves are works of art, but they may also be used to highlight sculpture, decorative glass and crystal, as well as black and white photographs.

LED light sources are available in a myriad of colors.

Having separate controls and installing accent light fixtures on a separate system makes sense, since you may not choose to showcase your artwork on a daily basis.  Having separate controls also allows you to illuminate original works of art individually for dramatic effect, especially when you are entertaining company.

Whether they are hand-held, wall-mounted or programmed into your smartphone, controls provide the utmost in convenience and energy-efficiency.

◊The art of lighting a three dimensional object…

Lighting from above showcases Antonio Canova’s exquisite marble nude sculpture on display at Villa Carlotta, Tremezzo, Italy. The brilliant use of light brings out the intricate details and the true textures and feel of human flesh that Canova was famous for depicting.

Three-dimensional objects, such as sculpture, often look best lighted from one side, in front and above. However, precise lighting adjustments must be made individually for each piece.  Truly the light is in the eye of the beholder, and whether you choose to light from in front, uplight from below and/or above your 3-dimensional piece will depend upon your personal preference for the features you wish to accent.

You may have to play with the illumination—using a portable lamp or flashlight to see where you want the light to shine in order to bring out the best features in your artwork. Set a wide beam accent light fixture directly in front of sculpture that does not have a lot of variation in texture and dimension; choose a narrower beam from above to call attention to a specific feature in a multi-faceted piece.

◊ The art of highlighting paintings and wall art….

Illuminating objects on a wall or lighting a textured wall or vertical surface itself requires precision.  You may opt for picture lights, ceiling and wall-mounted accent light fixtures or portable uplights, but correct placement is key to displaying your artwork in the best light.

In general, LED or halogen picture lights should be about half the length of the picture itself.  Picture lights may be adjustable and installed on the wall or ceiling or be frame-mounted directly to your artwork, but—whatever light you choose—be sure to measure accordingly so that a flattering beam spread of light will showcase the face of the painting in all its remarkable detail.

*If you are deciding between two size options, always go with the lamp that will present a slightly wider beam spread than needed to avoid cutting off a crucial element in your masterpiece or limiting the design elements and significant features in your artwork.

When lighting a small to medium size picture, have the lighting reach the picture at an angle of about 30 degrees from the vertical.  Lighting placed much further from the wall may cause disturbing reflections on the picture; lighting placed much closer may cause unwanted shadows cast by the frame.  Usually, one fixture is required for each object being illuminated.

•Measure the distance from the ceiling to the center of the object and mount fixtures at the location that will give the 30-degree angle.  For example:  If the measurement from ceiling to the center of the object is 2 feet, mount the ceiling fixture 13 inches from the wall; If the distance is 3 feet, mount the ceiling fixture 20 inches from the wall.

•Adjust for ceiling height:  For 8-foot ceilings, generally fixtures should be mounted 2 feet from the wall; For 9-11 foot ceilings, accent light fixtures should generally be installed about 3 to 4 feet away from the wall.

It is best to illuminate a group of smaller pictures by lighting the surface as a whole rather than by lighting the pictures individually.  Use the same spacing from the wall as for a single picture; for balanced illumination, the space between units should not be more than twice that from the wall.  Using a spread lens or beam elongation will provide lighting for multiple units.

A bit about mirrors—beyond their usefulness as tools with which we may study our appearance, mirrors dramatically enhance our environment.  Although seen as a necessity in bathrooms and powder rooms, decorative mirrors beautify, brighten and expand indoor living space.  Even in a living room, the decorative appeal and vibrant energy of a few well-placed mirrors provides an added dimension.

For most mirrors, lighting should be soft and shielded.

◊ The art of preserving what you have…

Choosing the right light sources and positioning light fixtures accordingly is not an exact science; a bit of trial and error will help you to position fixtures with precision for optimal lighting effects.

Many accent light fixtures, LED light sources, and picture lights are adjustable so as you update or relocate artwork, you may alter the illumination easily.

To view the latest LED light sources, accent light fixtures and picture lights or to receive more information on how-to light your artwork, visit with a professional lighting consultant at a Capitol Lighting showroom or contact 1800lighting.com.

Although LED T8s have not been around long enough to produce a thick memoir, there are some interesting things to note about why they exist.  A few years ago, there was concern that the rare earth metals used in fluorescent tube lamps might start getting significantly more expensive for the U.S. to purchase from China. Light bulb manufacturers began an arms race to develop an affordable and effective LED T8 replacement tube.

A sustained sharp increase in the price of phosphors never really happened. And so LED T8s have gained momentum in their evolution, organically evolving to better perform well in certain applications. Their price point has decreased, and their performance has gone up. And now, LED T8 linear lamps are certified by the DesignLights Consortium to be high quality, high efficiency lighting products.

However, LED T8s continue to be very controversial – even divisive – in the lighting world. Many people think they’re great; but some people think their existence is entirely unnecessary. Both sides of this argument tend to contextualize their visions of the merits and pitfalls of the LED T8 in a comparison with the merits and pitfalls of the traditional fluorescent T8 tube light.

LED T8 Linear Light Bulbs vs. Fluorescent T8 Linear Light Bulbs

First of all, the merits of fluorescent T8s cannot be overstated. Fluorescent tube lamp technology has been developed over decades and is now basically mastered. Fluorescent T8s are extremely inexpensive and have ridiculously long rated lives. In fact, in some cases, fluorescent T8s can last as long as LED T8s!

And it doesn’t stop there. The production of light with fluorescent tube lamp technology works really, really well. It is probably at its peak in terms of performance and cost. Fluorescent T8 light bulbs can last 50,000 hours. And despite their not-always-positive reputation for rendering color, fluorescent T8s can achieve high color rendering indexes (CRIs). But, it must be clearly noted, fluorescent T8s get more expensive as you seek a higher CRI.

And in terms of cost, let’s just say it straight: In many applications, the LED T8 tube light’s initial cost doesn’t make sense when compared to the relatively low cost of fluorescent T8s.  For example, at this stage of the game (June 2014), lighting large spaces like classrooms or large offices is job better performed by fluorescent T8s than LED. First, there’s the cost. Fluorescent tube lamps last long, cost little, and give off crisp light. Furthermore, fluorescent tubes give off light omnidirectionally, casting light upwards toward the ceiling as well as downward. This makes a space look more fully lighted. LEDs, in contrast, are generally more unidirectional and cast light downward only. This is something that will change, but, currently, this is just affirmation of the fact that fluorescent T8s reign supreme for some applications.

Fluorescent T8s often take a while to come on; they’re adversely affected by temperature (and somewhat sensitive about it); they can flicker often; and if the lights are turned on and off frequently, as in laundry room or bathroom applications, for example, they can fail quite prematurely, to the dismay and annoyance of everyone involved. And then there’s that toxic mercury vapor which poses danger to humans and the soil on which we live.

Oh yeah, fluorescent tube lamps require a ballast, too: A component that will also, eventually, fail.

Now, let’s give some attention to LED T8 tube lamps. It should first be noted that LED T8s have a higher initial cost than fluorescent T8s, which can be purchased for only a few dollars in some cases.

Despite their higher cost, LED tube lights have some nice advantages. First of all, LEDs love the cold, so they are great in cold weather applications, unlike fluorescent T8s, which become seemingly infirm in the cold, slow to turn on and flickerish. Basements, sheds, garages, porticos, covered pathways, bathrooms, etc, are great places to utilize the LED T8 linear lamp.

You also have to consider that if an LED T8 tube breaks, it will not release harmful mercury vapor into the air. Mercury from fluorescent tubes can get into the air but also the water supply, which is why you have to recycle them. For some people, the whole mercury thing is enough to open their minds to alternatives to the long-reigning fluorescent T8.

Plus, you can get better color rendering with LEDs than with fluorescent lights. Fluorescent lights work by transforming ultraviolet radiation into visible light. If you have a vague idea about what UV light is, you know that it’s the part of the light spectrum that’s just past the blue and violet area. Even with a rudimentary understanding of light, then, it’s easy to see how the result of transforming UV light into visible light would leave you with a bluish result. As a result, in general, fluorescent lights do not render reds well.

LEDs exude very little to no UV or infrared radiation, both of which fade the color of displayed objects including wall art, furniture, and even rugs. Fluorescent tubes – did you know this? – do indeed fade sensitive belongings over time.

Finally, LED tubes do not generally require a separate power supply. They run on line voltage and require no separate drivers, ballasts, or transformers. That’s one less thing that can break. In conclusion, LED T8s are more expensive than fluorescent T8s, but LEDs are safer, render color better, require no ballasts, operate better in the cold, and do not decline significantly in lifespan due to frequently switching on and off. This means that there are some applications, like cold places, bathrooms, basements, laundry rooms, kitchens, closets, storage rooms, walk in refrigerators or freezers, or places where there’s a risk of broken light bulbs like gyms, warehouses, etc, for which LED T8s might be the better choice. And since LED T8s don’t weaken with frequent switching on and off, they are great for use with occupancy sensors.

Electricity savings help customers to reduce the energy bills and environmental degradation. With technology becoming more affordable, most households are increasingly relying on electrical appliances. However, inefficient equipment or usage ends up costing the consumer more money unnecessarily.  Low electricity consumption not only saves the energy costs, but also means using less fossil fuel, nuclear and coal to generate the power.

Consumers have all the control on their power needs, and the best way to achieve electricity savings is by understanding all the requirements and then optimizing the way they use the appliances. While some users might not be aware of the many small things they can do to reduce their reduce electricity costs.