Lamp Selection

The Ambiance® Lighting Systems utilize a variety of lamp types depending upon the specific effects desired. In order to attain optimal performance for general, task or accent lighting, all systems use bi-pin halogen lamps and the Ambiance® Lx Lighting System also uses wedge base lamps, xenon festoon cartridge lamps operating at 12 volts and/or 24 volts. Ambiance Transitions kits and components and some 120 volt pendants, use a 40 G9 base line voltage halogen lamp. Additionally, some Ambiance® Transitions fixtures use a self-ballasted compact fluorescent lamp (CFL). The following represents a synopsis of the features and benefits of xenon and halogen lamps.

Xenon Lamps

Xenon lamps were developed to take advantage of some of the characteristics of a halogen lamp without some of the costs. A premium fill gas, xenon, is still in the bulb without the addition of a halogen. This results in a slightly less efficient lamp but one with a longer life. The gas pressure is not as great as in the halogen lamp, consequently the glass is not as thick and the bulb runs cooler than the halogen. Since the bulb pressure is not as high and the fill gas does not contain halogen, some filament deposits occur on the bulb causing slight degradation of the lamp brightness over time. All in all, a Xenon lamp is 50% less expensive than a halogen bulb but also loses some efficiency. Xenon has the following benefits when compared to halogen:

• Xenon can be installed with bare hands without affecting lamp life.
• Xenon does not emit potentially harmful UV rays.
• Xenon has long life. (E.g., 20 watt halogen = 2000 hours, 18 watt xenon = 12,000 hours)
• Xenon is a low pressure lamp. No shielding is required and no "non-passive end of life."
• Xenon produces less heat.

Wedge Base Lamps

A wedge base lamp is a miniature, all glass wedge base lamp designed for long life and severe operating conditions including shock, vibration, heat, cold, and moisture. With no metal base or soldered connections to loosen, break, or corrode, these lamps will operate in high ambient temperatures.

The wedge base lamps used with the Ambiance® LX Lighting System are available in a variety of sizes and wattages in both standard incandescent and/or those filled with Xenon gas. Xenon lamps, also included in the incandescent family, offer long life, high intensity, and white color similar to halogen (A more detailed explanation is contained in the next section).

Wedge base xenon lamps wattages are available from 3-18 watts depending upon the selected lamp holder specified for a particular application. Wedge base lamps come in T-31/4 and T-5 dimensions and are available in 12 volts only. The only exception to this rule is the T-5 Xenon wedge base lamp (9774). This lamp is available in either 12 or 24 volt versions. Consult the Lamp Selection Guide. provided by Sea Gull Lighting for lamp characteristics and performance data.

Festoon Lamps

A festoon lamp is also a miniature, glass cartridge lamp, which is designed for long life and severe operating conditions including shock, vibration, heat, cold, and moisture. These lamps will operate in high ambient temperatures. Festoon xenon lamps offer long life (up to 20,000 hours), high intensity, and white color similar to halogen. Festoon xenon lamps provide other benefits versus halogen lamps, which make them a preferred choice for linear lighting.

Festoon/cartridge lamps are available in either 12 or 24 volts with wattages ranging from 5-10 watts. These xenon lamps are available clear or frosted. Performance characteristics differ than those of wedge base lamps, but are very similar to that of rigid loop lamps. Festoon lamps are ideal for use under and/or inside cabinets, cove lighting and other specialty applications. Festoon lamps fit very securely in the specially designed linear lampholder.

Xenon festoon lamps may have higher efficacy then their wedge base counterparts. For example, a single, ten-watt (97119-32) festoon lamp can produce almost 33% more light (lumens) than two, five-watt (9732) xenon wedge base lamps (see the lamp selection chart for verification). Additionally, if maintenance is an issue and an extremely long life lamp is required, the 97122-33, L3 festoon lamp has a life expectancy of up to 150,000 hours to solve this lighting issue. It's an excellent commercial/high end residential solution.