The lighting systems that we depend upon each and every day in our residential and commercial properties are of the utmost importance. There are nice spring days and moderate points during the summer season when we can give our HVAC systems a break. Our lights, though, are put into use every single day of the year, as well as at different times after sunset and even before sunrise. We cannot overstate how important it is that you are able to use your lights in a fashion that suits your habits and personal preferences, as well as to do so efficiently. That is why you may want to consider utilizing a Contact FB Electrical Services today to learn more about your lighting control system options. We have the information that you need to determine how best to light your property.

With a great lighting control system in Cambridge, MA, you can illuminate your property in a precise, efficient, and effective manner.

If you are planning on renovating or sprucing-up your kitchen, it’s probably a good idea to map out a detailed lighting plan as well. Most people find this a little strange as they feel that lighting in a kitchen isn’t something that needs too much of consideration or planning. It’s just a place where you cook and probably where you have an informal meal after all.

However, the fact is that it’s important to plan kitchen illumination well if you want to make optimal use of your kitchen spaces. Here, we would like to share some basic lighting ideas to create the right balance of functionality and aesthetics.

If you want to get a better idea about what type of lighting would work best for your kitchen, it’s vital to understand how your kitchen spaces relate to the different type of lighting. Let’s start off with understanding what type of bulbs you can use for the best effects:

These bulbs emit a yellowish light and you will now find many artistic versions of these on the market today.

These bulbs throw off a flat, cold light that has a bluish tinge, which lends a very harsh effect to the room.

These have a warm light that makes the place look very inviting and comfortable

These are the latest in light bulb technology and are available in a range of effects including white, cool daylight, warm light, yellow and a range of other colours and hues. Aside from this, LED bulbs are also 80% more energy-efficient than standard bulbs; and most property owners are now opting for these fixtures.

In addition to the types of bulbs used, the style of lighting or the lighting effects are what impact the ambience and appearance of a room. With this in view, here we discuss the different lighting effects that can be used in your kitchen:

This is one of the simplest ways to create the right lighting effect in your kitchen. This type of lighting is designed to help you move comfortably around the room. In most instances this type of lighting comes from grid-style can lighting, widely-spaced, wall and ceiling lamps, semi-translucent skylights or even the natural light that streams in through glass windows and doors. This is the base layer of any lighting plan.

In your kitchen, task lighting would be required to illuminate kitchen counters and food preparation spaces. Since you will be cooking in your kitchen every day, it’s important that the task lighting be planned and installed well. If you have only recessed lighting fixtures in your kitchen, you will feel the lack of focused light when you are cleaning, cooking or prepping in that space.

If you install one-dimensional lighting in the kitchen, it creates unsightly shadows in different areas of the room, while ceiling lighting is ineffective in illuminating spaces like sinks, under counter or cabinet areas etc. On the other hand, if you add special pendant lamps over the counters or even your kitchen island it can prove to be a more practical solution. Under-cabinet lighting can also help in illuminating the cabinets that are positioned there.

This effect doesn’t seem as necessary as ambient or task lighting does in a kitchen space, as the illumination it provides isn’t as functional as the first two. However, it can have a significant impact on the way your kitchen spaces look. If you want to enhance the appeal of your kitchen (regardless of whether you are getting it entirely renovated or are opting for a lighting upgrade), it’s important that you plan your accent lighting well.

RGB LED strip lights are a great way to add a pop of color to your above-ground pool. These low-voltage LED lights can be applied to the inside rim of your pool or around your pool deck. With RGB LED strip lights, you can choose from a ton of dynamic color-changing and single-color modes with adjustable brightness and speed control. They’re great for parties or late-night swims and can be easily installed. We’ve included installation instructions for our waterproof LED strip lights. Some cities require above-ground pool lighting to meet National Electrical Code (NEC) Article 680 standards, which would limit possible pool lighting installation locations. Before you purchase LED pool lights, check your city’s code requirements. We also recommend that you have a certified electrician install your lights.

1) Before ordering your LED strip lights, measure the diameter of your pool and multiply by 3.14 to find its circumference; this number indicates the total length of strip that you will need. The 21-foot pool used for these installation instructions has a circumference of 65.94 feet and requires 4 runs of 16-foot LED strips.

You will also need to measure the distance between where your power supply will be and both sides of your pool where the amplifiers will be installed (see the setup and wiring illustration below). These distances will tell you how much 18-gauge wire you’ll need for connecting the amplifiers to power. Make sure to account for the distance of any dips or turns that the wires may take along their paths.

Lastly, measure the approximate distance that will be between your controller and where your strip lights begin. This distance will tell you how much 22-gauge wire you’ll need for connecting the controller to your strips. You will also need two small sections of this wire for connecting your first and second strip lights to the amplifiers.

2) Before you’re ready to install your LED strip lights, be sure to drain your pool. Begin by creating or locating a dry area away from your pool for the power supply. The power supply should be contained in a weatherproof box. Power supplies should be installed between a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protected circuit and the pool’s junction box. It’s crucial to use a GFCI protected circuit as it shuts off if current flows where it’s not supposed to.

Wire the included plug to the power supply, but do not connect to power until the installation is complete.

3) Connect your RGB LED controller to the power supply. Cut the barrel off of the controller wiring. Strip back the remaining wires, and connect its wires to the power supply.

4) Cut the LC2 connector off of the remaining end of the controller, and strip back the wires. Run 22-gauge four-conductor wire to connect the controller to your low-voltage pool lights; use dolphin connectors to join like-colored wires. Connect your first two LED strip lights to the controller by joining each set of like-colored wire with a dolphin connector. You should be connecting four wires of each color (red, blue, green, and black) together. For added protection, cover all wire connections in this installation with electrical tape.

5) You will apply strip 1 clockwise around your pool rim and strip 2 counterclockwise. If you have a flat surface, use mounting clips to secure the strips in place as you go. If you want to mount the strips under your pool rim, drill small holes in the trusses approximately every 2 feet. Use cable ties to anchor the strip to the truss. You can also use speed nuts or cotter pins for strip anchoring to avoid drilling holes.

Solder a small section of 22-gauge four-conductor wire onto the strip’s end terminals. To reseal the LED pool light strip, slide wires through the holes of a 10-mm end cap, fill the cap with silicone, and slide it into place on the end of the strip. Be sure to cover all of the exposed conductive traces to ensure water resistance. Allow a minimum of two to three hours for the sealant to cure.

7) Once the new end wires are attached to the strip, you will mount the amplifier. Use the double-sided 3M foam pad to mount the amplifier in the middle of strip 1 and strip 3. For best results and added security, apply 3M adhesion promoter to the amplifier and its installation location on the pool wall.

8) Using a dolphin connector, join each like-colored wire on strip 1 to the same color on one end of the amplifier. Do the same when connecting strip 3 to the other side of the amplifier. You should be connecting three wires in each color (red, blue, and green) together on each side of the amplifier. The black strip wire will be joined with white amplifier wire. Note that the separate group of just black and red wires are meant to be connected to the power supply. Follow the same instructions for connecting strips 2 and 4 to the amplifier on the other side of the pool.

9) Use 18-gauge wire and dolphin connectors to connect the amplifiers to your power supply.

10) Plug the power supply’s attached cord into an outlet, and enjoy your LED pool lighting system! Refill your pool with water, but make sure to leave space between the water line and the lights.

For more LED pool lighting options, see our entire selection of waterproof color-changing LED strip lights.

For technical questions, don’t hesitate to call us toll free at 866-590-3533. Our customer service and technical support teams are available from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. CDT Monday-Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. CDT on Friday.

The new Live Laugh Love collection from Murray Feiss features a rustic Grecian Bronze finish with an uplifting mantra artfully imbedded in the design. Choose from 4-light chandeliers, 6-light pendant-style chandeliers and coordinating wall sconces.  Just in time for summer 2013, these new lamps impart a light-hearted message in a full-bodied design.

LIVE:

What do we mean by “lamp life?”

The “average life” of a light source is determined through controlled testing on a large sampling of light bulbs (lamps). Lamps of the same type, make and model are switched on at the same time, and when 50% of the bulbs in this large sampling burn out, this is the determined rate of lamp life.    Thus, due to slight variations in the environment, usage and make-up of each light bulb, the “rated life” listed on each bulb carton is an estimate; and, each bulb will perform slightly differently—some may outlive the “rated life” and some may die out before.

LAUGH:

It has been said that the average American child laughs out load about 400 times each day.  But, as children grow up into adults they laugh a whole lot less—maybe four times a day!

Studies show that just thinking about being happy or simply imagining yourself laughing, recalling a funny story, reading a piece of inspirational advice—all of these activities boost neural connections that can actually elevate your happiness quotient.

Although a serious lighting design is no laughing matter, new lighting compositions from Murray Feiss are made to uplift your spirit and enhance your life. So, why not install a new lamp to remind you to  “Live, Laugh and Love” every day!

LOVE:

What is a love light?

The term “love light” was made famous in 1961 when Bobby Bland recorded his R&B-style hit  “Turn on Your Love Light.”  The song has been popularized over the years, and recorded by many other bands including The Grateful Dead.  In  1999, the song was included in the Hall of Fame’s list of  “500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.”

Love light may also include fine novel home lighting and accessories crafted to fill our homes with beauty and the most uplifting lighting effects.

Make a statement and select the seasons top fashions with bold new lighting and home accessories.  The Live Laugh Love collection from Feiss will give you reason to smile and get happy—quality design, accessible price points and exceptional service have kept Murray Feiss at the top of the lighting industry since 1955.

Other fun summer highlights from Feiss include island lights, mini chandeliers and ceiling pendants from the “Celebration” collection and colorful table lamps in the “Kennedy” collection.

Then, once you install the fixture, simply run it while you’re taking a bath or shower, and for about 30 minutes afterwards. It may also help to put the fan on a timer switch so you never forget. You should have separate switches for the light and the fan so you can operate them independently.

For The Bright Bathroom

We’ve all been there. A quick midnight trip to the bathroom. You need to be able to see, but it sure would be nice if you didn’t have to jolt yourself awake with every lumen of your bathroom lighting on at full power. You can solve this problem if you nab a lighted bathroom exhaust fan with a night light setting.

2. The Orleans Bathroom Exhaust Fan

4. The Ventura Bathroom Exhaust Fan