Key Components for Building Light Fittings

1. Introduction to Light Fittings

Some light fittings are made for direct fixing to a ceiling (or other part of a building). These fittings are then usually enclosed in boxes so that you can only see part of the fitting at any one time. If you go inside the building, it is apparent that parts of these fittings are easily arranged/accommodated by the 1- or 2- or even 3-dimensional space beyond the box which encloses the fitting. Other light fittings, such as bracket lights or bulkhead lights, are fully enclosed inside transparent or semi-transparent containers, either to provide protection for the lamp and other constituents, or for aesthetic reasons. Lastly, some light fittings, such as pendant lights or fluorescent wall lights, hang by flexes or chains from the ceilings at a significant height above people's heads. These fittings are constructed in such a way that they will not fall to the ground if the connecting flex or chain breaks in a mechanical shock/accident to the fitting or any associated building structure.

Light fittings come in a great variety of types, shapes, and sizes, and are used for illumination in many quite different situations, from the simple strip lighting along the upper edge of the back wall of a kitchen countertop through to the complex electric defining of major public buildings. Despite their great variety, most light fittings are made from a relatively small number of fundamental components. Once you have become familiar with these components and you have an understanding both of their general shape and electrical function, the great variety of light fittings in which you encounter them will be far less confusing.

2. Essential Components for Light Fittings

Widely seen in the environment, light fittings of various forms are constructed by different types of components. In order to build diverse functions of light fittings, it is necessary to use different components to make lighting effects precisely. What then are the essential components for constructing light fittings? When manufacturing light fittings, we require different parts to function and assemble together precisely, enhanced fine design ability to provide added-value products for customers. The main profession of light fitting production uses pressing or injection machines to turn sheets or granules into the required shapes out of materials like steel, aluminum, stainless steel, plastics, which mainly includes polycarbonate, ABS, acrylic, polyester, fabric or glass. Some assembly tools, hinges or locks to fix different parts together are also essential for building a complete light fitting when designing a project. The production principles are to reach the highest quality standard with competitive prices to provide effective channels to meet and satisfy market requirements in the right delivery time. Designers should have advanced design skill and knowledge to be aware of new products, materials, service and solutions to offer to meet all customers' needs in light fittings.

3. Advanced Components and Customization Options

Sensors: Use advanced technologies, connected with digital interfaces, able to control the light parameters and, via the connection with the users' devices, provide additional added value functionalities. Use robust control modules with reduced heat production, possibly driver rejection of water vapor and dust pollution.

Communication systems for light fittings: Create advanced products with remote setup and monitoring of the product's operational parameters, remote commissioning, and remote maintenance.

Switching mode power supplies (SMPS): Use special light source electronics able to define the light output curve of the product, maximizing the connection to the users' visual comfort. In the case of SMPS, efficiencies are usually based on the operational point of the system. Small pre-regulation resources cooperate.

GLARE control modules: Use advanced structures to direct the light in a specific field of view, based on numerical simulations.

Light guides: Use the principles of total reflection to conduct the light produced by LED modules, reducing the number of hot points of the product.

LED modules and OLED panels: The most advanced type of lighting used in luminaires. They are more efficient, have an extended lifetime, and are able to produce water white light connected to the users' visual comfort, such as dimming ability and control color temperature. However, they are also known to produce a large amount of blue light, which might negatively affect human health and ecosystems. LED modules usually produce light in a single uniform patch or are separated in a glass strip, while OLED panels are able to create larger visual interest surfaces.

Currently, there are several notable developments in terms of individual components that can be used to build light fittings. All the different lighting components have, theoretically, an impact on the energy performance, lifetime, and environmental impact of the product. The main goal is to use components allowing an easy, fast, safe, and cost-effective product assembly, easy maintenance, repair, and end-of-life recovery. The following are advanced components and customization options that can be considered when developing light fittings:

4. Safety Considerations and Regulations

Various certificates guarantee the customer that the light fitting is of high quality. Some of the most important certification marks with their description are listed below.

Two kinds of evaluation should be carried out: electromagnetic compatibility assessment (EMC) and electrical/thermal assessment. External circuits should be designed properly and constructed in a way that ensures safe operation.

4.1. Standards and Certification
If you are a producer of light fittings, it is important to take note that the products you deal with are part of building installation, thus safety of these products is important. The best way to confirm this requirement is to certify your light fitting according to European and national standards. On the well balanced lighting market, it is important to have a quality product that meets the standard. Products without safety regulations are outcasts on the market.

CE, CCC, UL marks, ENEC mark, KC certificate, quality system, safety information for users on the packaging of the product, quality system according to ISO 9001 standard.
All above elements increase competitive advantage of company and make it easy to sell the product on the foreign markets.