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Filament lamps, such as incandescents and halogens warm up very quickly due to the filament inside,
making them useful for lighting a whole room, but with a risk of becoming brittle once heated. These
lamps should therefore only be handled at room temperature to reduce the risk of the filament be-
coming damaged. The more a filament lamp is moved and handled, the higher the risk it will snap and
become permanently burnt-out.
These lamps are built to last, especially if they are continuously turned on and off. Ideally they should
be turned on for over 15 minutes each time to allow them to last for as long as possible. CFLs in par-
ticular prefer a cooler, dryer environment such as a lounge or office, so bathrooms and kitchens should
be avoided for these types of lamps.
LEDs are primarily used with dimmer switches, as long as a dimmer lamp is used, and not a regular
LED. Although a non-dimmer LED will function with a dimmer switch it will limit its performance and
lifespan and could cause it to flicker or make a high-pitched noise.
All lamps have an optimum power they can operate at. Operating lamps at a lower power than their
optimum can significantly decrease the longevity of the lamp. To ensure the longest life and best perfor-
mance for each application, the voltage should be carefully considered before purchasing.
Key Tips
Filament Lamps
Fluorescent & CFL’s
LED’s
Operating a Low Power