by ericmark »
Sun Dec 30, 2007 3:25 am
As Blakey says but you say less wattage? A discharge lamp of which fluorescent lights are one type will give 4 to 10 times the light one gets from a bulb so either your kitchen will be a lot darker or the new lights will use more power. I have seen lighting track fitted to replace a fluorescent as it allows a number of lights with only one connection really a neat way to run surface wires. The big problem with fluorescent lights is they get dimmer as the tube gets older and harder to strike. In industry HF units are becoming popular as they strike easier and use less power and the tubes last a lot longer and lend themselves to emergency lighting as well. But look the same as old type fluorescent and even use same tubes. The tubes are also not one flavor both in colour warm, cold, or degree K and built in reflectors so from same supplier can cost between 60p and £4 according to quality. Plus the specials like the 2D where the tube is not straight but bent into a square. kitchens do need a lot of light. I would not fit straight tube anywhere else in house although I do use energy saving lamps but in kitchens either you need loads and loads of lights or one big fluorescent light.
Quote from part P.
b. Replacement, repair and maintenance jobs are generally not notifiable, even if carried out in a kitchen or special location or associated with a special installation. end of quote.
So if you replace fluorescent like for like reading that you will not need part P but "extensions to circuits in kitchens" will not sure how replacing a fluorescent for a lighting track would be seen. I don't think I would bother "first catche monkey"
Eric
