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GENERAL FAQs
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Which lamp do I use in my specific light fixture (e.g., table lamp, wall sconce, outdoor light post, etc.)?
Please refer to our Enlightening Sheets to find a Litetronics lamp that will fit your specific needs. If you cannot locate a lamp that will help you, please ask your question in our Technical Support Center. If you are still not sure, contact your regional sales manager of customer service. |
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Where can I buy Litetronics lamps?
Litetronics lamps are only available through official Litetronics distributors. We can help you find a distributor in your area. We can also give you information about how to become a Litetronics distributor. |
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What should I do if I have a defective lamp?
For the quickest and most effective service, please contact the distributor from whom you purchased the lamp. If you are a Litetronics distributor with a defective product, please contact us. |
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Why do my bulbs seem to burn out quickly?
Light bulbs can burn out quickly for a variety of reasons. The first thing to do if a bulb seems to burn out quickly is check the fixture it's in. Light fixtures can wear out over time and develop wiring problems that cause the bulbs to fail early. If bulbs are repeatedly burning out quickly in the same light fixture, it's probably the fixture. (Be sure you're following the fixture manufacturer's specifications for light bulb wattage, voltage, and bulb shape.) |
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The second thing to consider is the type of bulb you're buying. Some new bulb types have a longer bulb life than regular incandescent light bulbs that you're used to. If you want bulbs that last longer, look for our Super Service lamps that are guaranteed to last 2 years — they provide a superior bright, crisp light and are made with high-level design and materials. |
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How long should light bulbs last?
Litetronics follows a standard industry rating for light bulb life called "rated life." Check your light bulb package or our product catalog to find the rated hours of life for your particular lamp. |
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The rated life is a measure of the median time in hours that it takes for a lamp to burn out. This is the point in laboratory testing at which half the test bulbs have burned out and half the test bulbs are still burning. |
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A 75-watt standard incandescent lamp may have a rated life of 1,000 hours. However, not all bulbs of this type will last exactly that long. That rated life is the median — the point in lab testing when 50% of the test samples have burned out and 50% are still burning. In this case, at 1,000 hours 50% of the test lamps are still burning. |
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Does Litetronics sell lighting fixtures?
Litetronics currently sells Omni-Light undercabinet halogen lighting fixtures. We may be adding more lighting fixtures to our catalog in the future. |
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Does Litetronics make shatter-resistant lamps?
If you're looking for a shatter resistant bulb, try our Super Safe-T™ lamps. They have a proprietary coating that helps contain shattered particles if the bulb is broken. Super Safe-T coating can be applied to many of our lamps by special order. |
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What are Initial lumens?
This is the quantity of light output measured after the first 100 hours of operation using controlled system characteristics. |
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What is the definition of Mean Lumens?
Average quantity of light output measured over the life of the lamp. High pressure sodium and incandescent lamps are measures for mean lumens at 50% of lamp life. Fluorescent and metal halide lamps are measured for mean lumens at 40% of rated lamp life. |
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Where can I find information about energy-efficient lighting rebates?
Rebates for adopting energy-efficient lighting are usually offered through local and state utilities. To find out if any rebates are currently available, please check with your energy provider. |
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INCANDESCENT FAQs
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How bright are the 120 volt, 20,000 hour super service lamps when used on 130V circuit as opposed to being used on a 120V circuit?
On a 130V circuit the lumen output increases by 30%. |
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HALOGEN FAQs
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Why do some halogen lamps last longer than a regular incandescent lamp?
Both regular incandescent bulbs and halogen bulbs create light by heating a tungsten filament. Usually, the bulb burns out when the filament is fully depleted. |
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The filament on a regular incandescent bulb burns out over time because the tungsten on the filament evaporates and is redeposited on the bulb's glass. (Those tungsten deposits are the reason bulbs often appear darker when they burn out.) Halogen bulbs can last longer because the halogen gas and intense heat inside the bulbs redeposit the tungsten back onto the filament as it evaporates (the “halogen cycle”). A halogen bulb will still eventually burn out because the filament becomes too stiff and brittle to sustain the vibrations caused by re-lighting. |
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How long should a halogen lamp be run everyday to activate the halogen cycle?
A halogen lamp should be run at full voltage for at least 30 minutes everyday to allow the halogen cycle to clean the lamp. |
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How would using a 130V halogen lamp on 120V circuit differ in terms of brightness vs. a standard 120V long-life halogen lamp?
Lumen output will drop by 30% and lamp life will increase by 100%. |
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What would the difference in Kelvin temperature be?
As the operating voltage is lowered the temperature of the filament decreases, the Kelvin color temperature will then decrease. |
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FLUORESCENT FAQs
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Why do fluorescent light bulbs need a ballast?
A fluorescent lamp has an electron stream flowing between the two cathodes, one at either end of the tube, regardless if the tube shape. The Ballast generates the electrical spike to start the stream then maintains a constant voltage to maintain a consistent lumen output. |
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What makes compact fluorescent and linear fluorescent bulbs more energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs?
Fluorescent light bulbs (including compact fluorescents) are more energy-efficient than standard bulbs because of the different method they use to produce light. In contrast, incandescent bulbs create light by heating a filament inside the bulb; the electricity makes the filament white-hot, producing the light that you see. Most of the energy is used to create the heat in an incandescent bulb is wasted. A fluorescent bulb, on the other hand, does not have to convert the energy to heat in order to generate light. Because fluorescent lamps don't use heat to create light, they are far more energy-efficient than regular incandescent bulbs. |
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Do light bulbs (such as compact fluorescent bulbs) give off hazardous amounts of ultraviolet (UV) light?
Regular fluorescent light bulbs used in your home and office do not produce a hazardous amount of ultraviolet light (UV). Most light sources, including fluorescent bulbs, emit a small amount of UV, but the UV produced by fluorescent light bulbs is far less than the amount produced by natural daylight. |
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Where can I find lighting disposal policies and contact information for my state or province?
Refer to http://www.lamprecycling.org |
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How much heat is emitted by incandescent, halogen, and compact fluorescent lamps?
Incandescent lamps create light by heating a filament inside the bulb; the heat makes the filament white-hot, producing the light that you see. Halogen lamps create light through the same method. Because incandescent and halogen bulbs create light through heat, about 90% of the energy used is wasted to generate heat. To reduce the heat emitted by regular incandescent and halogen lamps, use a lower watt lamp (like 60 watts instead of 100). |
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Fluorescent lamps use an entirely different method to create light. Both compact fluorescent lamps and fluorescent linear tubes only wastes approximately 30% of their energy in heat, making them far cooler and a more energy efficient light source than regular bulbs and is an ideal choice whenever reducing heat or saving is important. |
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What's the white powder I see inside my fluorescent lamp?
The white powder that you see inside a fluorescent lamp is called phosphor, which is a substance that emits visible light whenever it absorbs ultra violet energy waves. The phosphor used in all fluorescent lamps is what determines both the color and the CRI. |
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What's the difference between a compact fluorescent lamp and a linear fluorescent lamp?
The primary difference is in size and application. Compact fluorescent bulbs are made in special shapes (which require special technologies) to fit in standard household light sockets, like table lamps and ceiling fixtures. In addition, most compact fluorescent lamps have integral ballast that is built into the base of the light bulb, whereas linear fluorescent tubes require a separate ballast independent of the bulb. Both types offer energy-efficient light. |
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What compact fluorescent lamp do I buy to replace a 60-, 75-, 100- or 150-watt incandescent bulb? How are the watts calculated?
While a regular incandescent lamp uses heat to produce light, a fluorescent lamp creates light using a far more energy-efficient method — in fact, 4-6 times more efficient. This means that you can buy a 15-watt compact fluorescent bulb that produces the same amount of light as a 60-watt regular incandescent lamp. |
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Here are the watts needed by regular incandescent lamps and compact fluorescent lamps to produce the same amount of light. |
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15 watt |
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60 watt |
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20 watt |
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75 watt |
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26-29 watt |
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100 watt |
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38-42 watt |
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150 watt |
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55 watt |
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250-300 watt |
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Can I use a compact fluorescent lamp with a dimmer switch?
At the present time, Litetronics does not offer a standard compact fluorescent lamp that is dimmable. However, our Micro-Brite line of cold cathode fluorescent lamps features several dimmable models. |
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Will a compact fluorescent lamp flicker or appear dim when I first turn it on?
Due to technological advances, there is now no significant flicker for Litetronics CFLs (less than 1 second). However, these bulbs do require a short warm-up period before they reach full brightness, which is why they may appear dim when first turned on. Compact fluorescent lamps are best used in fixtures that are left on for longer periods of time, rather than in fixtures that are turned off and on frequently. |
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What differentiates Litetronics compact fluorescent lamps from other brands?
Only Litetronics lamps have a patented cooling tower. This circulates heated air away from the lamp, ballast, and fixture which reduces the likelihood of lamp failure due to heat fatigue. |
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Can compact fluorescent lamps create interference with electronic equipment, such as radios?
Television Interference (TVI) occurs when components in ballast generates a magnetic field. This field may interfere with the amplification of the AM component of a received signal when the ballast is in close proximity to the receiver. Litetronics lamps are produced to greatly reduce TVI. |
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To reduce the chance of interference, avoid placing compact fluorescent bulbs near these kinds of electronic devices. If interference occurs, move the bulb away from the electronic device, or plug either the light fixture or the electronic device into a different outlet. |
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Can I use a compact fluorescent lamp with an electronic timer or photocell (AKA electric eye)?
Some electronic timers and photocells contain components which are incompatible with compact fluorescent light bulbs; using these bulbs in incompatible products will result in a shorter light bulb life. To find out if an electronic timer or photocell is compatible with compact fluorescent bulbs, check with the manufacturer of the timer or photocell. |
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What are cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs)?
The main difference between cold cathode and what we know as traditional compact fluorescent lighting (or “hot cathode”) is that hot cathode fluorescent lamps require large amounts of electric current that pushed through a thin tungsten wire filament, superheating it. Because of this, the filament is fragile, easily destroyed by vibration, and has a shorter life. |
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In comparison, the electrodes in cold cathode lamps operate at 400°F and have an incredibly strong iron thimble as a cathode, which allows for instant lamp starting and longer life. Unlike traditional fluorescent lamps, many cold cathode lamps also have the ability to dim without any special ballasts. For more information about Micro-Brite CCFLs, please refer to the Enlightening Sheets. |
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What are the benefits of cold cathode lighting compared to incandescent?
Cold cathode lamps can operate using as much as 90% less energy than comparable incandescent lamps and can last 20 times longer, or more. |
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What is the average rated life of Micro-Brite CCFLs?
Specified Micro-Brite lamps can last up to 25,000 hours. |
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What wattage of Micro-Brite lamp do I purchase to replace an incandescent lamp? |
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Micro-Brite |
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15 watt |
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60 watt |
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20 watt |
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75 watt |
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26-29 watt |
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100 watt |
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38-42 watt |
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150 watt |
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55 watt |
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250-300 watt |
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What are the benefits of using Micro-Brite CCFLs instead of LEDs?
Micro-Brite CCFLs are more cost effective than LEDs and they offer higher lumens per watt. |
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Will Micro-Brite CCFLs work on 277V?
Our regular MB will not work with 277V. We do have 220-240V version of MB which have product codes starting with "MBE". |
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Will Micro-Brite CCFLs work on 12V? If so, how?
Our regular MB will not work with 12V. We do have one 12V DC Micro-Brite product (ordering code MB-542.) Care must be taken to ensure the MB-542 is not used on a 120 volt circuit. |
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HID FAQs
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What is a ballast, and how does one work?
A ballast is an electrical component used any arc lamp or fluorescent bulb to conduct electrical current through the tube. It supplies the initial surge voltage to the bulb which creates the arc that creates light, and then it regulates the amount of electricity flowing through the bulb so that it emits a constant lumen output. |
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How will I know what ballast will work with a certain type of HID lamp?
Our catalog will show you the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) code that corresponds to the ballast required for each lamp. |
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May I interchange lamp types or wattages while using the same ballast?
NO! Each ballast is designed to operate a certain wattage lamp type. If you are using a 250 watt metal halide, you can not replace it with a 400 watt metal halide with out changing to the appropriate ballast. Likewise, you can not remove a 250 metal halide lamp and replace it with a 250 watt high pressure sodium without changing the ballast. If you do this it will either not light or greatly reduce the life of both the lamp and ballast. A gross mismatch could even cause electrical shock or fire. |
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SALES/ORDERING FAQs
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What are initial order quantities?
All new distributors must place an opening order with a minimum product total of $5,000. |
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What are minimum order quantities?
All orders must be ordered in case quantities, as provided in our catalog. If your product order totals less than $100 before shipping and handling charges are applied, a $15.00 minimum order fee will be added. An additional charge of $20 per case will be applied to broken case orders |
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What is the minimum order required to receive free freight?
Free prepaid freight is based on a minimum order of $1,000 inside the continental United States. The customer is responsible for all freight charges on merchandise order quantities below that minimum. Customers are also responsible for all orders shipped out side the continental United States regardless of the size of the order. |
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Are there any fees or penalties on returned merchandise?
Merchandise ordered in error may be returned with authorization from Litetronics. Invoice number and order date must be supplied. Authorization to return merchandise must be requested within 45 days from date of invoice. All returned merchandise is subject to a 20% restocking fee plus freight. Discontinued merchandise may not be returned at any time. |
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