Choosing a table lamp (lamp) for the desktop

The workplace must be properly organized. This section is even in the standards, but these standards are not perfect for everyone. We all have our own peculiarities and it is better to take them into account, at least where possible. For example, a properly chosen desk lamp for a desk will reduce fatigue, increase productivity. Properly selected lighting will help protect your eyes from excessive strain.

Mounting method

To choose a lamp for the desktop, you must first decide how and where you prefer to install it. There are many options. Table lamp for the desktop can be:

• On a stand that stands on the table top. This is the most common type, known since people started using electricity. For better stability, the stand should be heavy. There are no restrictions on the choice of coloring – you can choose to match the tone of the walls or desk, any other interior details. The only wish – it is not recommended lacquered, polished, mirror coating. It glares, reflecting light, which makes your eyes tired.

  

• With a clamp. The clamping screw allows you to attach the lamp to the edge of the table, to the shelf. This way of installing a desk lamp is convenient and reliable. The disadvantage is that not all clamps look attractive. They will perfectly harmonize with modern styles and do not really fit into the classics, the environment decorated in a romantic or ethnic style.

  

• clothespin. This way of attaching a table lamp is also not bad. The table lamp on a clothespin can be attached to the edge of the desk or shelf. The disadvantage is that the elasticity of the clothespin depends on the spring, and for its manufacture is not always used high-quality metal. After time, the fastener loosens, the lamp can fall and be damaged.

  

• Wall mount. The smallest group, but not the worst. If the table is usually busy, it is better to attach the lamp to the wall – it will definitely be safe. This is not the most popular option, perhaps because moving a desk lamp with this type of mounting is a problem.

  

As you can see, there are not so many options. But this is the very beginning, there are still many other factors that will need to be taken into account. If we talk about “people’s” preferences in choosing a mount for a desk lamp, the most popular are two methods – on a stand and a clamp. They are more convenient. Fixtures “clothespin” are usually inexpensive, but they quickly lose “grip”, over time worse hold. If you need exactly inexpensive lamp, about a year, a year and a half – this is your option.

Design

In addition to the stand, you should decide what kind of lamp leg – the holder of the plafond – suits you better. It’s not just about materials or shapes, it’s about the design too. Table lamps can be:

• With a stationary foot. The classic option, which is suitable if you work always in one position, in one space. The material can be any – metal, wood, plastic. Combinations of them or some exotic materials such as bamboo, wire weaving, forging, etc. can be used. The height is usually fixed, but you can find options that allow you to make it higher or lower.

  

• With a flexible leg. More convenient model if you need to change the position, height or direction of light. The flexible leg of the table lamp is usually made of metal corrugation, which holds the set position well. Less often there is a flexible rod inside, covered with plastic corrugated hose on top. This is a very inexpensive option.

  

• With telescopic base. Several movably connected sections of metal tubes allow you to adjust the height and position of the lamp relative to the table. Inexpensive models use springs that hold the lamp in the selected position. After time, they stretch, the lamp begins to lower, move. Another option – pressure bolts. Such lamps are more durable – the bolt can be tightened, but also not to infinity.

  

According to this parameter to choose a desk lamp for the desktop is not too difficult. If you need to illuminate the same area all the time, a stationary leg is your option. If you need to change the position or size of the light spot, it is more convenient to do this with movable models. Usually they are attached to the table (bracket or clothespin), but you can also find desktop or wall-mounted versions. And here telescopic or flexible base – it’s your choice. Who what seems more convenient and reliable.

Type of bulb, illuminance, light temperature

According to generally accepted norms, the illumination on the desktop or on the keyboard of a computer/laptop should be 400-500 lux (Lux – a unit of illumination in the International System of Units). Illuminance depends on the power of the light source and the height of its location. Comfortable brightness is an individual parameter. Someone needs a very bright light, comparable to the midday light of the sun, someone warmer, slightly yellowish or pinkish. So you need to select the lamps in the table lamp individually.

If you need different illumination – for different people or for different work, there are several options. The first is a lamp with variable height. This allows you to change the brightness of the light within small limits. If you need more dramatic changes – look for a model with a dimmer. It can be stepped or smooth. If the bulb has a dimmer, it may have either an incandescent or dimmable LED bulb. Other bulbs do not support this feature. Here is only a desk lamp for the desktop with dimmer is not so common. It is necessary to purposefully search, but in use it is convenient.

Types of bases and bulbs for desk lamps

In a table lamp can be two types of lampholders – with a conventional threaded base and with a pin. Pin base bulbs: fluorescent, halogen or LED.

The threaded base can come in a variety of sizes, either for a standard incandescent bulb or smaller for miniatures. Not only Ilyich bulbs (incandescent bulbs) can be used in these desktop desk dumps, there are LED and fluorescent bulbs, you can also find halogen ones.

Whatever type of lamp, it should be completely covered with a plafond. That is, the entire bulb should be covered. This is very important to reduce eye strain.

Luminescence temperature and no pulsation

So that the electricity bills are not frightening, usually try to buy a desk lamp for the desktop with an LED or energy-saving lamp. It is understandable and not bad, but you need to know what to pay attention to when choosing. For fluorescent and LED lamps must necessarily track – the “color” of the light and the absence of “blinking”. Color affects perception, is indicated on the package with the lama. The color scale is on the picture, but you will have to choose individually. In fact, usually preference is given to bright (white) glow, still buy soft (yellowish).

If there are several different lamps in the house, try to work for a few days with one bulb, then put another. Compare feelings, performance. With one bulb your eyes may get tired faster, with another one you may “see better”. According to the results and stop on a light source of a certain type and “color” (correctly this parameter is called color temperature). With the right bulb, a desk lamp for the desktop can even increase your productivity, and the child will help more successfully and quickly cope with tasks.

The effect of the pulsating light can be tracked using the camera on your phone. If you look at the glowing lamp through the camera on your phone, you can see the changes in the intensity of the light. It is not tracked by our eyes, but it makes them tired very quickly. Therefore, it is better to look for lamps that do not flicker. Unfortunately, they are not cheap, so you can be guided by the price. On the packaging, they usually write “without pulsation” and these statements, as a rule, can be believed. But, if you have the opportunity, check with the camera on your phone – there’s little to no….

Plafond

The plafond is often selected “for the interior”, but do not forget that the wrong desk lamp can quickly “plant” vision. If the desk lamp for the desktop plays mainly a decorative role, you can, of course, do not really pay attention to it. But if its lighting should work at least half an hour, it is better to choose the plafon correctly.

There are several requirements, compliance with which will help to correctly select a lamp for the desktop:

Table lamp for the desktop with a plastic plafond – a potential source of danger when using bulbs that get very hot when working. If you forget it on for an extended period of time, the plastic can melt. Therefore, with the selection of a bulb to such a lamp should be very careful.

With metal plafonds, by the way, also need to be careful. If they get hot from the lamp, they can cause a burn. This is also very unpleasant and painful.

Desk lamps for a computer desk

In addition to all the options described above, for a computer or laptop, you can use lamps that are connected not to the 220 V network, but to a USB port. If you have a USB extender/extender, a USB desk lamp for a desktop can be connected to it. You can also connect it to the corresponding output on your laptop. There is the same output on the system unit, but it is usually under the table, and there is nothing to light there, so you need a USB extender.

Usually these are small LED lights on a miniature flexible leg. The height of the leg is about 10-18 cm, the plafond is also long and narrow. In length it can be comparable to the leg. But small size does not mean a bad choice. When working at a computer, it is necessary to illuminate usually the keyboard, and for these purposes these lights are more than enough. Desktop USB-lamp for the desktop is convenient, because it illuminates exactly the zone that is necessary.

USB-lamps also cope well with the lighting of the working area on the table. But this area is small – a book, a notebook of the usual “school” format – this is the size of the light spot they are able to provide. Since the luminous element is long, the illuminated area of the table has an oblong shape. It is very well suited just for an unfolded book or notebook. In general, a convenient option for schoolchildren and students.

In addition to small USB lamps for illuminating the keyboard, there are quite large desk lamps. They are connected to the same port of a computer or laptop. They usually come with a cord that is several meters long. It provides sufficient mobility. Methods of attachment – all described above, but only the light source – exclusively LEDs. After all, only LED technology with low current consumption and low supply voltage produces a bright glow. Such a desk lamp for the desktop gives enough light, does not take up a lot of space. But it can only be powered by low voltage.