Low Energy Light Bulbs - Are they suitable for PIR Lights?

Sparky67

We have just bought a PIR outside light from Wickes. It senses when the light dims and only switches on when the light levels are low (ie dusk till dawn) and should only switch on when motion is detected. I picked it because it specifically says it is suitable for low energy light bulbs.

But - every low energy light bulb I have looked at says it is unsuitable for "photo cell circuits" and has a picture of a sun (for daylight) with the light switched off and a moon (representing night-time) with the light lit, and this is crossed through.

I'm confused about what this means - does it mean that I can't use a low energy bulb in the light, or does it mean that you can't use low energy in solar powered lights or something?

I guess if it only comes on when motion is detected it shouldn't use too much energy (as opposed to one that is switched on all the time), but I feel that I should be doing my bit!

Also, if the light says you can use up to a 60watt bulb, would I be OK using a low energy of say 15w that gives the equivalent light of a 75watt bulb - my husband says to go by the 60 watt rating, but I thought that was just to indicate the light level and we could go for something brighter because the wattage is lower.

Sorry if I'm not making sense!

Can anyone clarify this for me?

daveyjp

PIR security lights need to provide light straight away. Low energy bulbs take a while to warm up and give full light. If you set the light to be on for less than about 30 seconds the bulb won't be bright enough before it switches off again - constant on/off cycling isn't good for them.

You won't get much light from a 60w bulb anyway. Our outside PIR light is a 250w halogen and it is just about adequate. Unless you have lots of visitors or cats wandering about the light shouldn't be on too often anyway so I wouldn't worry about how much you can save by switching to a low energy bulb.

Sparky67

It shouldn't come on a lot as its on our driveway up the side of the house, so it should only come on if we are there or there is an intruder. Visitors shouldn't walk in area that would set it off.

I can see why a low energy wouldn't be necessary or desirable in that case. But the box says the max lightbuld should be 60w ES. I have bought a clear 60 watt ordinary bulb. Hopefully that will do the trick.

Poppycat

yes you can get them I got one last year from B&Q its a light with builtin pir its not one of those bright security type things mainly for lighting up a small area where you can sit on a bench on those long Summer evenings. It ahs PIR that you can alter for how long time you want it on or how sensitive. If you switch on/off/on at wall switch it stays on all time and overrides the PIR

It has a Philips E something or other bulb bigger than a normal low energy bulbs you get for the house

This is what it looks like but PIR stick out a bit more than the picture

http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=9372393&fh_reftheme=promo_83953717%2cseeall%2c%2f%2fcatalog01%2fen_GB%2fcategories%3c%7b10099%7d%2fcategories%3c%7b8960079%7d&fh_view_size=6&fh_start_index=12&fh_location=%2f%2fcatalog01%2fen_GB%2fcategories%3c%7b10099%7d%2fcategories%3c%7b8960079%7d%2fcategories%3c%7b8960081%7d&fh_eds=%c3%9f&fh_refview=lister&ts=1208352696136&isSearch=false

BexTech

Sparky67 wrote: »

We have just bought a PIR outside light from Wickes. It senses when the light dims and only switches on when the light levels are low (ie dusk till dawn) and should only switch on when motion is detected. I picked it because it specifically says it is suitable for low energy light bulbs.

But - every low energy light bulb I have looked at says it is unsuitable for "photo cell circuits" and has a picture of a sun (for daylight) with the light switched off and a moon (representing night-time) with the light lit, and this is crossed through.

I'm confused about what this means - does it mean that I can't use a low energy bulb in the light, or does it mean that you can't use low energy in solar powered lights or something?

I guess if it only comes on when motion is detected it shouldn't use too much energy (as opposed to one that is switched on all the time), but I feel that I should be doing my bit!

Also, if the light says you can use up to a 60watt bulb, would I be OK using a low energy of say 15w that gives the equivalent light of a 75watt bulb - my husband says to go by the 60 watt rating, but I thought that was just to indicate the light level and we could go for something brighter because the wattage is lower.

Sorry if I'm not making sense!

Can anyone clarify this for me?

We've had no problems using them in this situation. Yes, a 15w would be fine, as they give off less heat than what the 60w bulb (and 75w) would anyway.