Kitchen Lighting - Revision history

DT Online: Added Template

2016-09-14T19:43:20Z

Added Template

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:43, 14 September 2016
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	[[File:KitchenLighting.png\|~~200px~~\|right]]		[[File:KitchenLighting.png\|300px\|right]]
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			=====Description=====

	A central pendant light or strip fluorescent light will give good general lighting but the result will be that almost all activities in the kitchen ''(e.g food preparation, cooking, washing up)'' will be done in shadow. Wherever any food preparation is taking place ''(e.g. worktops, sinks and hobs)'' some direct or '''task lighting''' is needed to make sure peeling, cutting, chopping, slicing and cooking can be done safely and without shadows.		A central pendant light or strip fluorescent light will give good general lighting but the result will be that almost all activities in the kitchen ''(e.g food preparation, cooking, washing up)'' will be done in shadow. Wherever any food preparation is taking place ''(e.g. worktops, sinks and hobs)'' some direct or '''task lighting''' is needed to make sure peeling, cutting, chopping, slicing and cooking can be done safely and without shadows.


			=====Features and Applications=====

	'''Under-cupboard lighting''' is ideal for lighting work surfaces because it is well hidden and stops shadows obscuring the worktop. LED lights produce very little heat output which prevents cupboards and food becoming too warm. They can be used either as a continuous strip or individual fittings.		'''Under-cupboard lighting''' is ideal for lighting work surfaces because it is well hidden and stops shadows obscuring the worktop. LED lights produce very little heat output which prevents cupboards and food becoming too warm. They can be used either as a continuous strip or individual fittings.
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	Regulations require that all electrical work carried out in a kitchen must be certificated by a registered electrician to show that the work has been tested. A kitchen is regarded as a ''special'' area due to the proximity of water to electrical sockets. All down-lighters must be fire rated and, to meet energy saving directives, 75% of all lights in a home must be low energy. Kitchen lighting levels should be approximately 400 '''[[Lumen\|Lumens]]''' for general lighting, increasing to 700 '''[[Lumen\|Lumens]]''' for task lighting - and even more if the occupant is elderly or partially sighted.		Regulations require that all electrical work carried out in a kitchen must be certificated by a registered electrician to show that the work has been tested. A kitchen is regarded as a ''special'' area due to the proximity of water to electrical sockets. All down-lighters must be fire rated and, to meet energy saving directives, 75% of all lights in a home must be low energy. Kitchen lighting levels should be approximately 400 '''[[Lumen\|Lumens]]''' for general lighting, increasing to 700 '''[[Lumen\|Lumens]]''' for task lighting - and even more if the occupant is elderly or partially sighted.


			{{Kitchen Lighting Buyers Guide}}

	[[Category:Kitchen Design]]		[[Category:Kitchen Design]]

DT Online: Updated text

2016-03-06T20:06:59Z

Updated text

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:06, 6 March 2016
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	[[File:~~Light~~.~~gif~~\|~~300px~~\|right]]		[[File:KitchenLighting.png\|200px\|right]]
			A central pendant light or strip fluorescent light will give good general lighting but the result will be that almost all activities in the kitchen ''(e.g food preparation, cooking, washing up)'' will be done in shadow. Wherever any food preparation is taking place ''(e.g. worktops, sinks and hobs)'' some direct or '''task lighting''' is needed to make sure peeling, cutting, chopping, slicing and cooking can be done safely and without shadows.


	~~A kitchen~~ is ~~essentially a working area so a high level of illumination~~ is ~~required~~. ~~Main lighting can be achieved by fluorescent strips, ceiling mounted, to give good overall general lighting~~. They ~~should~~ be ~~fitted with~~ a ~~diffuser to prevent glare~~.		'''Under-cupboard lighting''' is ideal for lighting work surfaces because it is well hidden and stops shadows obscuring the worktop. LED lights produce very little heat output which prevents cupboards and food becoming too warm. They can be used either as a continuous strip or individual fittings.


	~~Circular tubes are available but the straight batten type is normally best for~~ kitchens~~. If possible~~, ~~position~~ the ~~tube above~~ the ~~sink, slightly over~~ the ~~front edge and parallel~~ to it.		General lighting can be enhanced, especially in kitchens with high ceilings, with '''up-lighters''' on the top of kitchen cabinets or '''Wall lights''' and this will also reduce the number of '''down-lights''' required. '''Spot lights''' on '''lighting tracks''' can be positioned to illuminate different areas of the space but this should be done to avoid shining in the eyes of someone sat at breakfast bar for example.


	~~Allow between 8 to 10 Watt per square metre of surface to be lit. Most kitchens need only one 65W (1500mm long) tube to achieve this.~~ If ~~less~~ is ~~used~~, ~~some supplementary lighting will~~ be ~~needed.~~		If there is an island unit, this could be lit with '''pendant lamps''' combined with recessed '''down-lights''' and, in the case of a kitchen/diner arrangement a row of pendants over an island could provide a visual divide between dining and kitchen areas.
	~~[[File:KitchenLightBulb~~.~~gif\|150px\|right]]~~


	~~Concealed~~ lighting ~~can be used~~ for ~~selected~~ areas or ~~they can be highlighted by~~ the ~~use~~ of ~~spotlights. Downlighters~~ can ~~be concealed in suspended ceilings but they get hot and care must be taken to allow for this. Use about 25W per square metre of worktop to be illuminated~~.		Open-plan arrangements, such as a kitchen/diner, benefit also from '''mood lighting''' to provide a more relaxed ambience and change the atmosphere from a practical preparation zone to a entertaining space. Dining areas should feature warm white LEDs to create an appropriate atmosphere whereas the cool white light needed for work areas might be too harsh. '''Plinth lighting''', especially with '''LED lighting strip''' around an island unit or breakfast bar, gives the illusion of floating furniture, which can create a dramatic effect at night.


	~~Natural~~ lighting ~~should be made use of if at all possible~~.		'''Feature lighting''', such as internally lit glass cabinets or shelf lighting, can combine with mood lighting to enhance the dramatic effect.


	~~<div style="clear: both;"></div>~~		For flexibility, it is important that different aspects of lighting ''(e.g. general lighting, task lighting. mood lighting)'' are controlled on separate circuits and, where possible, fitted with dimmers. There exists also sensor-operated lights which switch on automatically when someone is present thus avoiding the need to operate switches with wet hands. Drawer and cabinet lighting can also be operated on sensors, such that they come on automatically when the door or drawer is opened.


			Regulations require that all electrical work carried out in a kitchen must be certificated by a registered electrician to show that the work has been tested. A kitchen is regarded as a ''special'' area due to the proximity of water to electrical sockets. All down-lighters must be fire rated and, to meet energy saving directives, 75% of all lights in a home must be low energy. Kitchen lighting levels should be approximately 400 '''[[Lumen\|Lumens]]''' for general lighting, increasing to 700 '''[[Lumen\|Lumens]]''' for task lighting - and even more if the occupant is elderly or partially sighted.


	[[Category:Kitchen Design]]		[[Category:Kitchen Design]]

DT Online: Created Article

2015-06-03T11:33:02Z

Created Article

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:33, 3 June 2015
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	Allow between 8 to 10 Watt per square metre of surface to be lit. Most kitchens need only one 65W (1500mm long) tube to achieve this. If less is used, some supplementary lighting will be needed.		Allow between 8 to 10 Watt per square metre of surface to be lit. Most kitchens need only one 65W (1500mm long) tube to achieve this. If less is used, some supplementary lighting will be needed.
			[[File:KitchenLightBulb.gif\|150px\|right]]


			Concealed lighting can be used for selected areas or they can be highlighted by the use of spotlights. Downlighters can be concealed in suspended ceilings but they get hot and care must be taken to allow for this. Use about 25W per square metre of worktop to be illuminated.


			Natural lighting should be made use of if at all possible.

DT Online: Created Article

2015-06-03T11:28:14Z

Created Article

New page

[[File:Light.gif|300px|right]]

A kitchen is essentially a working area so a high level of illumination is required. Main lighting can be achieved by fluorescent strips, ceiling mounted, to give good overall general lighting. They should be fitted with a diffuser to prevent glare.

Circular tubes are available but the straight batten type is normally best for kitchens. If possible, position the tube above the sink, slightly over the front edge and parallel to it.

Allow between 8 to 10 Watt per square metre of surface to be lit. Most kitchens need only one 65W (1500mm long) tube to achieve this. If less is used, some supplementary lighting will be needed.

<div style="clear: both;"></div>

[[Category:Kitchen Design]]