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LED MR16s: A Green Light for Display Lighting

By BulbAmerica Editor

MR16s are among the most popular bulbs for medium to low intensity directional lighting. From retail lighting applications, to art galleries, and to your very own kitchen, MR16s are a popular choice for giving whatever you are displaying the attention it deserves. Like nearly every other type of light bulb, LEDs are being integrated into traditional incandescent bulbs, in this case MR16s, in order to give you a more environmentally friendly lighting option. Today, LED MR16s are available in every color temperature from extremely warm to extremely cool to give you the flexibility that comes with traditional halogen MR16s. There is no doubt that by using LED MR16s you are saving considerably with regard to energy draw. Halogen MR16s draw anywhere from under 10w to more than 300w, compared to the 1.7w to 6w range of LED MR16s. But one seriously considering LED MR16s should understand that though LEDs are powerful, they do not typically match the output of halogen MR16s. This is not to say that you should not use LED MR16s, but rather you should be strategic in your use of them. This is also not to say that all LED MR16s are incapable of matching halogen MR16 output, rather one should be mindful that sometimes light output is not equivalent across bulb types. LED MR16s offered in the bases typical of incandescent MR16s including G9.5, GU10, GU5.3 2-pin, GX5.3 2-pin, and screw in bases for LED JDR MR16s. LED MR16s therefore offer the same fixture flexibility that you currently have with halogen MR16s.

There are two unique advantages of LED MR16s over traditional halogens. Some LED MR16s come in colored versions, allowing you add a colorful dimension to your displaying. Colored MR16s, such as Platinum's RGB color changing MR16s, are ideal in retail applications where you want to draw special attention to certain products. Furthermore, LED MR16s produce close to no heat unlike halogen MRs which get extremely hot. This means that your LED MR16s can be placed closer to whatever it is you are illuminating in order to get the most out of your light source and a more concentrated, focused beam.

Make BulbAmerica your one stop shop for MR16s. Not only do we have LED MR16s and halogen MR16s, but we also have MR11s, MR13s, MR14s, JDR MR16s, and more. As usual, write us on our blog or our Facebook page, or call us at 1-877-622-0897 with any questions or comments you have.

By Victor Lopez | 21 November, 2014 | bulb, halogen, jdr, led, lights, mr16 | 0 comments | Read more

JDR MR16s: A Great Bulb for Display

By BulbAmerica Editor

The JDR MR16 is a popular type of MR16 that generally features an E17, E26, or E27 screw base and a reflector bulb 2in in diameter. An E17 base is a screw base with a slighter profile than the E26 and E27 bases, the bases which are most commonly found in light fixtures. Like most MR16s, the JDR MR16 is ideal for retail applications where directional and intense light is needed to highlight the features of an object. JDR MR16s come in a wide range of wattages from 1.7w to 100w and are available in LED and halogen versions. Platinum and Sunlite offer extremely lower wattage colored LED JDR MR16s that are ideal for accent lighting in a restaurant, retail setting, night club, display case, or even your home. These LED JDR MR16s are powered by anywhere between one and 20 LEDs, thus giving you a wide variety of JDRs with different light characteristics to choose from.

Still, the most popular and widely used JDR MR16s still remains the halogen based bulb. It’s powerful white light and tremendous light quality make it unmatched for display purposes. The JDR MR16, and MR16s in general, come in a wide variety of beam types thus making it a truly effective lighting tool. LEDs are quickly claiming the territory of halogen bulbs because they are substantially more efficient. Ushio, however, has lengthened the life of its JDR MR16s and other MR16s by adding krypton into the gas mixture within the bulb’s glass envelope, thus allowing it to burn for 2,000hrs, which is typically longer than most halogen bulbs.

Whether you choose a halogen or LED JDR MR16 you will find the JDR MR16 to be a fantastic display and accent lamp.BulbAmerica has a comprehensive selection of JDR MR16 and other MR16s so be sure to check them all out.

By Victor Lopez | 20 November, 2014 | bulb, jdr, lights, mr16 | 0 comments | Read more

The MR16 BAB: A Lighting Industry Favorite

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) codes stipulate and coordinate standards for products across manufacturers in both the United States and abroad. ANSI codes are particularly prevalent in the lighting industry. Lamps that have a certain ANSI code will usually have identical specifications and construction. Some of the most popular types of bulbs are ANSI coded bulbs. The MR16 light bulb family has numerous ANSI coded bulbs including the ESX, BAB, EXT , and many others. These ANSI coded MR16s will have a specified wattage and beam angle depending on the ANSI code. The MR16 BAB is a particularly popular MR16. It has a 20w energy and a 36˚ beam angle. MR16s light beam is distinguished by a highly directional, sharp beamed spot, making it ideal for display. MR16 BABs come with different bases, including GU5.3 bi-pin, GU10, and GY8.

The MR16 BAB is produced by many light bulb manufacturers including Osram, GE, Philips, Platinum, Silver, Sunlite, and Ushio. The MR16 BAB is typically glass covered to help keep the light beam cool in addition to protecting people from burning themselves on the bulb which can get extremely hot due to the single-ended halogen filament capsule providing the light to the reflector. Though the MR16 BAB is standardized the type of reflector, meaning how many facets and what shape they are, varies. Ushio’s ‘Reflekto’ reflector, for example, features a number of hexagonal facets while other bulbs use rectangular facets.

The ANSI codes are an assurance for the lighting industry and its customers that products are constant. The MR16 BAB is an example of this system at work. Still interested in the MR16 BAB and other MR16 products? Check us out!

By Victor Lopez | 20 November, 2014 | bulb, cfl, fluorescent, halogen, lamps, led, lights, mr16 | 0 comments | Read more

The MR16: An Unbeatable Bulb

Look up in any kitchen, hallway, or above any museum display case and the track lighting or recessed lighting above you will likely house multifaceted reflector (MR) 16 bulbs. MR16 bulbs have been around for a long time, originally intended for use in slide projectors. Though MR16s do not have the best luminous efficacy, the largest proportion of lumens over wattage, their infrared coated faceted-reflector sustains light without it being absorbed and directs it in a concentrated beam. This makes the MR16 ideal for illuminating a painting or lighting a specific work space.

Like most other types of lighting, green bulb technologies have been adapted to the MR16. CFL and LED technologies have been developed for the MR16, making the MR16 more environmentally friendly. Feit Electric’s CFL MR 16 uses only 5 watts and has a lifespan of 10,000 hours. A standard incandescent MR16 uses about 20 watts and has a lifespan between 2,000 and 10,000 hours. The MR16 LED, however, is the most environmentally friendly and efficient MR16.Platinum’s LED MR16 uses 5 watts of electricity and has a lifespan of 35,000 hours, that’s 1,458 days! The MR16 LED bulb is a particularly good choice for an MR16 because it does not generate the significant amounts of heat that traditional MR16 bulbs do. Incandescent MR16s can reach temperatures as high as 500°F (260°C), and could easily burn someone if handled while hot. In addition to the bulbs being hot, the light created by MR16 incandescent bulbs with aluminum reflector is often warm and can potentially damage a piece of art or something else delicate that the light may be illuminating. Dichroic, “cool beam” bulbs, however, have been created produce a heatless light.

Though MR16s are used often because of their ability to produce concentrated light, MR16 bulbs come in all standard beam types. MR16s are also available in numerous lamp base types including bi-pin, medium screwbase, intermediate screwbase, turn-and-lock, and bayonet. Though the MR16 does have certain limitation, CFL and LED versions of the MR16 bulb are compensating for these. Furthermore, for accent/display lighting, art galleries, retail lighting, and other applications, the MR16 cannot be beat. The MR16’s ability to be dimmed and its concentrated beam will make everything you put on display appear in a brand new light.

By Victor Lopez | 20 November, 2014 | bulb, cfl, led, lights, mr16 | 0 comments | Read more

Sterilization Bulbs Eliminate Bacteria With the Flip of a Switch

Germicidal lamps are an essential lighting tool for environments that are required to be bacteria free. Germicidal, or sterilization, lamps are used in many environments including hospitals, aquariums, water treatment facilities, laboratories, and in food-service areas. Sterilization lamps produce non-visible short-wave ultra-violet (UV) light which breaks up bacteria and disinfects the air, water, or food being treated. Sterilization lamps typically come in either fluorescent or HID bulb types and are typically found in T5, T8, T10, or single-tube bi-pin shapes.

GE and Ushio offer numerous options for sterilization lamps. These two manufacturers offer an exceptional line of low pressure mercury HID germicidal lamps. These lamps are ideal for eradicating bacteria, yeast, and mold. GE and Ushio’s low pressure mercury lamps produce light in the 200 to 300 nanometers (nM) range, typically hovering around 253.7nM. GE and Ushio HID germicidal lamps come in many bases including E17 medium base, Fa8 single pin, G13 medium two-pin, and others to ensure flexibility in your fixture choice. These HID lamps come with energy draws of under 10w to 65w. Sterilization lamps are also commonly found as fluorescent tube lamps. Germicidal fluorescent bulbsare available in versions featuring a clear quartz tube without a phosphor coating or in UV black light versions.

Fluorescent germicidal lamps eliminate bacteria and other agents, like HID lamps, by generating UV-C light that destroys bacteria’s’ ability to form. You have options when it comes to selecting the sterilization lamp right for you. Luckily, BulbAmerica stocks every type you could need. Check it out now!

By Victor Lopez | 20 November, 2014 | bulb, fluorescent, germicidal, lamps, lights | 0 comments | Read more

Ushio's EmArc Lamps: A Revolution in HID Technology

There are numerous types of high intensity discharge (HID) light sources available, all of which have different strengths and weaknesses.

Light bulb manufacturers have long been pursuing a bulb in which these different types of HID sources can be combined to produce a light bulb that has an excellent life hour rating and great color rendering. Ushio has accomplished this feat with their EmArc series of HID lamps. EmArc lamps are used in a diverse range of areas including, dentistry, projection, curing, microscopy, and medical fiber optics for endoscopy and headlamp lighting. All of these applications require high luminosity, long life hours, and excellent white light: EmArc series lamps satisfy all of these criteria. The Ushio SMR 201/D1 200w EmArc lamp, for example, produces 5,500lm at 200w, and thus has an impressive luminous efficacy of 28lm/w. The SMR 200w has a color temperature of 6,500K, placing it in the color temperature range of a xenon HID lamp. With a 2,000hr life hour rating, the SMR 201 200w has the long life span of a metal halide lamp, but has superior light quality.

The EmArc lamp design also gives its performance unprecedented advantages over other HID lamp technologies. EmArc lamps feature extremely small light arc lengths. The SMR 201 200w has an arc length of only 1.6mm, allowing for exceptional light collection and an efficient and powerful light beam. The parabolic reflector design for the EmArc series allows the bulbs to be increasingly durable and more versatile in its range of applications.

Ushio’s EmArc lamps, and the SMR 201/D1 200w, are a benchmark in HID lighting technology. They are providing industries as diverse as projection and microscopy with bright white and long lasting light. Check out this great new lamp today!

By Victor Lopez | 20 November, 2014 | bulb, hid, lamps, lights, mr16 | 0 comments | Read more

Dimmable CFLs: Are they Really a Bright Idea?

As CFLs storm the lighting world, one sustained criticism of them has been that they cannot dim like incandescent bulbs. This was true when magnetic ballasts were the sole ballast technology for CFLs, but as electronic ballasts have become the standard,dimmable CFLs are now on the market, though not in as large numbers as non-dimmable CFLs. In this article I will take a look at the pros and cons of dimmable CFLs versus dimmable incandescent bulbs and help you decide whether they are worth your money. But first, I think it would be helpful to understand exactly how a dimmer works with an incandescent bulb, and why it is problematic when applied to a CFL. The concept of dimmer is simple, it simply reduces the voltage to the bulb and the bulb’s brightness increases or decreases accordingly. In an incandescent bulb this method of dimming works well because the reduction in voltage simply reduces the amount heat given off and therefore reduces the amount of light as well. This doesn’t work in CFLs because CFLs generate light by exciting a gas, which then yields light. If you cut the amount voltage the CFL receives it will more often than not simply go out because there is not sufficient current to excite the gas.

Today dimmable CFLs are offered by GE, SunLite, and Ushio among other manufacturers. Though dimmable CFLs are certainly an innovation, there are certain limitations to these bulbs. First, dimmable CFLs do not usually dim below 10%-20% brightness because the bulb cannot sustain light at that point. Another complaint surrounds the fact dimmable CFLs, and all CFLs for that matter, can take up to a minute to reach full brightness. This means that you cannot dim the bulb until it has reached full luminosity. Lastly and most importantly, there are limitations regarding the type of dimmer you can use with your CFL. As a rule of thumb never use photo cells or timers with any CFL unless you can do so as indicated on the bulb’s packaging. Dimmers are built to work within a certain power range. Dimmers that are designed for primarily incandescent bulbs, and especially older dimmers, will be engineered to work with wattages above 40w, this is too great for dimmable CFLs and could be problematic. More recent dimmers, particularly those released in the 1990s, have a wider wattage range and are therefore most likely compatible with your dimmable CFL. The point is that if possible, you try to find out what type of dimmer you have and what its range is before you dim your dimmable CFL. One final point is that as incandescent bulbs are dimmed their color temperature typically gets warmer and more ambient; this is not really the case with CFLs. The benefits to dimmable CFLs, however, are that they are more efficient and longer lasting and better for the environment. It is also likely that as the incandescent bulb phase-out approaches dimmable CFL technology will only improve, and rapidly. Dimmable CFLs will save you significant amounts of energy and you will not have to change your light bulb as often as if you use incandescent bulbs.

BulbAmerica has a wide selection of dimmable CFLs and regular CFLs in addition to other energy saving lighting products. We also have many, many dimmers. Check out what we have to offer!

By Victor Lopez | 11 November, 2014 | bulb, compact fluorescent, dimmable, incandescent, light, lights, news | 0 comments | Read more

Dress Up Your Home or Restaurant with CFL Globe and Candelabra Light Bulbs

Globe and candelabra style light bulbs have long been some of the most popular decorative light bulbs. These light bulbs have typically been incandescent, and thus inefficient and not environmentally friendly. Globe light bulbs are typically used in indoor applications where an exposed bulb cannot be avoided or is desired. Globe bulbs are used in bathrooms frequently to surround mirrors in light. This is an iconic image of the mirrors of Hollywood dressing rooms featured in innumerable films. Globe bulbs are also used in outdoor signs and marquees. Globe CFLs are not the brightest of the CFLs, and for this reason they are usually used in applications where using multiple bulbs is possible and/or favorable. Globe CFLs come in a wattage range of 5w to 30w. The color temperatures of Globe CFLs range from 2,700K to 6,500K, allowing you flexibility in applying them in indoor or outdoor applications.

Candelabra CFLs are typically used in sconces, chandeliers, night lights and other fixtures.Candelabra CFLs typically come with medium screw bases making them very easy to replace incandescent bulbs with. For candelabras, color temperature is especially important because they are often place in areas of homes or the restaurant that are important for creating ambiance. Osram and Sylvania offer candelabras with a comprehensive range of color temperatures to help you create the light ambiance you want. CFL candelabra bulbs have another important advantage over incandescent bulbs in that their improved life hour rating means less scrambling up ladders and disrupting delicate sconces to change light bulbs. CFL candelabras have life hour ratings ranging from 6,000hr to 8,000hr, a considerable improvement over incandescent bulbs.

Just because you should replace your incandescent light bulbs with CFLs, does not mean you have to sacrifice your ability to use decorative light bulbs in your home or restaurant. We have catalogs full of decorative globe and candelabra bulbs, check them out today!