If you are looking for a place to escape from life’s every day hustle and bustle,Look for IP (Ingress Protection) rated fixtures that are waterproof, meaning dust-tight and protected against long immersion in water, rather than simply “water safe” or “wet location safe” options.  Waterproof fixtures are meant to be submerged and will prevent water from entering them due to sealed assembly.  Take the precaution to ensure that your fixtures will meet all safety and application standards for an underwater environment prior to purchase or installation.

Ingress Protection (IP) ratings specify the environmental protection the enclosure provides.

The IP rating normally has two (or three) numbers:

An “X” can used for one of the digits if there is only one class of protection, i.e. IPX1 which addresses protection against vertically falling drops of water e.g. condensation.

IP First number – Protection against Solid Objects

IP Second number – Protection against Liquids

Voltage Requirements

When weighing your options on which type of fixture to choose, cost, convenience, and the size of your project are important. If one were to complete a large project for the grounds of a grand hotel, for example, line voltage (120V) would be the ideal option as vast distances may exist between the focal point and the fixture itself.

While it’s also true that standard incandescent bulbs can be found at virtually any hardware or household goods store, in an age where environmental awareness is important to daily life, technology and the public are moving in tandem towards different solutions. Since line voltage lighting consumes much more energy and will typically require the expertise of a licensed electrician, more homeowners are choosing low voltage (12V) options. Low voltage fixtures are notably the safer and less hazardous of the two choices, are often smaller, and easier to conceal within a natural landscape. They also have the added benefit of lower cost over time. Note that a transformer is required to convert to the lower voltage for fixtures which will be used underwater. You may also make use of photocells and timers to save on electricity consumption costs even further.

Let’s take a look at some examples of the different types of submersible low voltage products available today:

Low Voltage Halogen

This LED lights consume approximately 75% less power than incandescent units for the same amount of light output. This amounts to a sizeable savings over their life span. Moreover, standard underwater LED fixtures consume about 1/5 of the power as standard incandescent bulbs!

Besides energy savings, the nature of LED production makes them ideal for underwater applications. There are no bulbs to change as LED fixtures typically come in a permanently sealed housing. Sealed construction means underwater lights may be left in a permanent location with no concerns about extra cable allowances, or making provisions to change bulbs. They should, however, be accessible in order to clean the lenses during regular pond maintenance.

It is that time of year again—the holidays are here and family is calling, the darkness falls early and our homes are starting to feel more like hibernation dens…. it is time to refresh our interior environment and get set for the winter months ahead.

Combat the oppressiveness that comes with the shorter days and decreased sunshine…bring in the light, uplifting accessories and comfortable décor to make your home or office space a more easeful and gratifying place to grow, work and dwell.

1.  Invest in the best lamps (bulbs) –instant on/off, quiet operation, dim ability and the most welcoming lighting effects are available in the latest energy-efficient LED, CFL and halogen light sources.

2.  Shaded fixtures—Dark Sky outdoor fixtures, as well as, decorative shades for indoor light fixtures make a huge difference in allowing for control and providing welcoming and soothing illumination.

3.  New LED reading lamps and desk lamps are designed to offer plentiful, focused illumination for the comfort and health of your eyes.

4.  Novel lighting controls and updated switches give you the utmost in convenience and energy-savings for all your lamps and light fixtures. In larger homes or offices, it is a good idea to install switches, novel  lighting controls and automated systems that may be digitally programmed and labeled.  This is also an energy-saver, as it limits the chances of you mistakenly turning on and off the wrong lamps and having to constantly think about which switch goes with which light.

5.  Work with the natural light streaming in through windows and skylights.  A couple of task lights and a single torch lamp may be all you need to provide comfort and illumination in rooms with generous windows and plentiful exposure to bright sunlight.

6.  Accessories such as comfy pillows and throws will not only dress up your seating areas and bedrooms, they are essential in blanketing your home with warmth both visually and functionally.

7.  Choose just the right occasional tables and whimsical furniture for form and function.  Look for dual-purpose accessories to make the most of your interior space.

8.  Candles, tea lights and mini portable lamps provide soothing illumination and create ambience for quiet relaxation and romantic lighting effects.

9.  Invest in LED night lights for hallways and bathrooms to supply energy-efficient security lighting and comfort.

10. Above all else:  Do not stress about getting everything done. Enjoy the decorating process and take your time to find just the items that help to define your space according to your specific needs and unique style.

The right illumination has been known to help us cultivate healthier habits whether it be eating more slowly or studying more intently.  Make it your intention this year to surround yourself in the right light.  Comfort is really the ultimate luxury and the right lighting is the key to comfort.

Satisfy your hunger for delectable design with novel accessories and light fixtures.  Visit a Capitol Lighting showroom or 1800lighting.com to view the latest in comfort and control for the most luxurious holiday season ever!

You may not know it, but an electrician can actually take care of more than just electrical problems. If you have moved into a new home or want to add an additional phone line or another line for your cable television, you can call an electrician to take care of it for you. You don’t have to rely on several different people to get the job done. An electrician in Santa Monica can take care of all your cable needs as well as any electrical you may have. The Electric Connection would love to get you up and running.

Many people are unaware an electrician can handle some of these jobs and are forced to rely on the cable or telephone company. Because there are fewer technicians that work for those companies, your wait times can be extensive and there is not much competition to drive down the prices. Calling an electrician can make your life easier and help you get what you need when you want it.

Electricians are familiar with running electrical wire, which is essentially the same as data and phone cable lines. Skilled professionals will know just how to handle your installation and can make sure there is no interference with your home or business’s current Santa Monica electrical system. You can count on the electrician to run the phone, cable or data lines neatly and most importantly, the right way! An electrician will have the skill and knowledge needed to run the lines in the most efficient way possible. The last thing you want is cable running all over the walls and floors.

There are a few things you should look for when hiring an electrician to complete a job for you. When they show up to your home or business, they should be wearing a clean uniform, be friendly and maintain a neat work area. Give The Electric Connection a call today and we can get your data lines installed.