Our operating hours are 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday call Sales on 01372 807661.

Please refer to our Design Service page.

Contact Sales on 01372 807661 product data sheets are made available on a project by project basis, also refer our literature section.
For design advice contact the design team on 01372 807661.

As of April the 6th 2006 Part L of building regulations came into effect on new and existing homes. Part L refers to energy efficiency of many areas in the home, a small section of these new regulations relate to lighting and installation of new lighting schemes.

It is the client’s responsibility to comply with this scheme, however FLD will guide you through this process and ensure that your project complies, unlike many of it’s competitors whom feel it is up to the client to change their design to ensure compliance.

Mains voltage is normally 230v -240v in the UK. Low voltage means that the lamp fitting operates at or around12v. The advantage of 12v is that the filament of the lamp can be manufactured much smaller, which results in a more discreet light source which can still control light effectively. Also, most low voltage bulbs use halogen gas, which provides a much whiter and brighter light than the more traditional mains voltage incandescent bulbs, this is due to the size of the filament carrying less wattage and being reduced in size.

Transformers reduce the voltage from 230v to under 12v, there are predominantly 3 types :
Laminated – Voltage reduces by current passing through steel sheets reducing the voltage.
    Advantages – Robust
    Disadvantages – Large bulky items. Noisy when dimmed. Generate heat.
Toroidal – Voltage reduces by current passing through wound copper strand around a central core.
    Advantages – Robust.
    Disadvantages – Large bulky items. Noisy when dimmed. Require Special Circuit Breakers as start up current can be up to
          40 times running current – Nuisance Tripping. Generate Heat.
Electronic – Voltage reduces through electronic circuitry.
    Advantages – Smaller, quieter, do not generate heat, Dimmable, overheat and short circuit protection.
          Larger variable sizes and wattages. 
    Disadvantages - Once deemed unreliable due to heat etc, Don’t like to be immersed in installation material.

Our preference is to supply Electronic Transformers, but we only supply 1 brand which we have worked with and are have been aware of for over 14 years.

Most FLD recessed downlight fittings require a ceiling recess depth of 120mm minimum. This allows room for the movement of directional fittings, and allows a good airspace around the back of the fitting for air ventilation and the installation of fire hoods (although products are available now with integral fire rating) if necessary and allows for easy installation of transformers.

All lamps can be changed without gaining access to the rear of the fitting please be careful as lamps do get extremely hot.

Light emitting diodes provide a very low heat source with a very long lamp life – Typically around 50,000 hours these are available in different colors:
White (sometimes referred to as cold or blue white).
Warm White
Blue
Red
Green

LED’s are operated at reduced voltage (ma) and normally require an external LED Driver, various versions are available normally:
Multiple LED’s can be driven from a single driver, be aware of distance and loading.
.4w operating at 24v
1w operating at 350ma (Best in Class Solution)
2w operating at 700ma
3w operating at 900ma

From experience the most reliable are 350ma and 700ma versions, these provide longer life lamp and benefit from reduced heat.

900ma and above require heat dissipation and these can get hot to the touch.

LED’s have become a buzz word for applications attracting lots of hype and publicity, the product does not suit all applications. Please ask for advice.

RGB & RGBA Refer to the primary colours used to make colour changing or colour mixing, this can be used to great effect and normally requires a control system to select colours or dim.

There are 2 types currently available.
RGB – 3 Diodes 1 of each Red, Green & Blue these alternate and provide all the colors of the rainbow using the 3 primary colors.
RGBA – As above but with Amber providing an even larger array of colours.

These are created by a single light source located remotely in what is known as a light box. A special reflector focuses the light down individual glass fibres, usually enveloped in black sheaths, which emit light at their ends. They emit no ultra-violet rays and no heat. If side emitting, they have no black sheath and their entire length is lit. They are best used where a cool source of light is reguired, or where maintenance is an issue, or high moisture areas eg Sauna or Spa, flame proof areas Swimming Pools, for the introduction of colour - a colour wheel can be used for a changing array of colours.

At FLD, we tend to work with interior designers and leave decorative lighting to their design and selection process. However, decorative wall lights or table lamps for example, when combined with other light sources, give a good balance of light to a space and can be very effective. We would always allow supplies for this type of lighting within our design service, indicated as Wall Lighting Circuits, Chandalier points, Penedent Points or simply 3 or 5amp lighting circuits.

There are government safety restrictions to the lighting that can be used in the bathroom. We sell recessed downlights that are IP rated for bathroom use. However legislation is changing and protection to prevent problems will mean that a larger selection of fittings can be selected.

FLD does not employ electricians directly to install your lighting scheme. We have worked with Qualified registered NICEIC or ECA members and would from experience be happy to point you in their direction. Lighting and control system installation is an area that many people profess to being experts but few are, therefore do not make costly mistakes by allowing unqualified people to provide you with ill fitting advice.

We can also supply a list of electricians which we can recommend for certain areas.