Our Voltimum Experts answer your questions on a daily basis in our Technical Expertise area. This Question of the Day, on lamp life and over-voltages, is answered by OSRAM:
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| GU10 lamps - severely affected by supply voltage. |
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Question: As in the UK, our supply voltage here is now 230V +10%. What operating voltage are lamps made to, as I believe that a 5% voltage increase will reduce the life of a lamp by 50%? This is important as the supply in this area is about 245V. Answer: For GU 10 lamps, the life of incandescent lamps, including halogen, is severely affected by the supply voltage and vibrations. A 5% increase in supply voltage will reduce the lamp life by nearly 50%. A 10% increase in supply voltage will reduce the life by about 75%.
The voltage on OSRAM branded lamps is always clearly marked. In this country all our lamps for domestic and commercial use are rated at 240V.
If your supply voltage is over 240V, then one way out would be to fit a dimmer switch so the lamps do not see more than 240V. If you were to reduce the supply voltage to the lamps by 5% then the life would virtually double.
In reality, the supply voltage in UK is around 240V and if you live near a power station or a sub-station, then you are likely to see 253V.
The Lighting Industry Federation UK (LIF) has issued a statement on European Voltage Harmonisation and can be viewed at www.lif.co.uk
To see many more Q & A in Voltimum UK's Experts Area, please click on the link: www.voltimum.co.uk/consult.php?universe=consult.index.questions
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