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FAQ


Dimming with trailing edge phase-cut dimmers

In most cases, the use of trailing edge phase-cut dimmers leads to better results with LED bulbs than other types of dimmers. However, under certain circumstances the functional lamp can still emit a small light even when it is turned off when a dimmer is used.

Should the used load not reach the minimum load of the dimmer, the bulb could start to flicker. Ripple control or the changing of the light bulb can also affect the bulb and lead to flickering. Due to their functionality, trailing edge phase-cut dimmers cannot be used for simultaneous use of C-type and L-type loads, also not with universal dimmers. Through the use of multiple loads, the minimum load of a dimmer can be achieved. Please consult an electrician should you require such a solution.

Spare parts

Ingo Maurer and Team are designing and manufacturing lamps to be used for many years, and we are always happy and proud when we hear from people that have had a certain model for a long time and still enjoyes it. To be able to repair your lamps, we try to keep enough spare parts on stock, not only for the current collection, but also for discontinued models. However, not matter how large the stock is in the beginning, eventually it will be used up. Therefore, in some cases, usually after many years, it is not possible to provide original spare parts anymore. In other cases unfortunately the production of the parts we need is suddenly stopped, and we have to discontinue the production. In such cases, spare parts are inevitably rare or not available at all.

Light bulbs and the EU regulation

There would be a lot to say about this issue, but to keep it short: Ingo Maurer and his team have always been keen to work with new technologies. Ingo Maurer was among the first to use low-voltage halogen bulbs in the 1980s, in 2001 he presented the first task lamp with LEDs, in 2007 the first desk lamp equipped with OLEDs. New technologies are exciting as they make new forms possible and are more energy-efficient. But we also love diversity, and the bulb! Incandescent bulbs, halogen bulbs, LEDs and OLEDs all offer different qualities of light, as well as other features. We find it incomprehensible that certain light bulbs are to be banned completely. The bulbs are spare parts for iconic lighting designs created over a period of about 100 years. As there are not many of those pieces in use, the environmental damage should not be too big, if their owners are allowed to continue to use them. (Think of automobiles: it is not forbidden to drive inefficient icons of car design. In Germany, you even get tax cuts for an ‘oldtimer’. There are not so many of those beautiful cars left, and most owners only drive them every now and then, last but not least because they consume a lot of gas.) Please also note that incandescent bulbs that are banned according to the EU regulations may be sold until our stock is emptied, and of course it is not forbidden for you to use them until they blow out. The ban concerns putting a product into circulation for the first time, that is importing into the EU or manufacturing in EU countries. Do not be surprised when some of our models are still delivered with ‘banned’ bulbs for a certain time. It is up to you to decide wether to use the bulb or keep it. On our website, we are planning to provide additional information on recommendable alternative light sources. You will find this information where available on the page of the specific lamp, as for ​Bibibibi.

Units to measure light

​With the spread of LED technology in lighting, it makes sense for individual consumers to understand more about measurement units as Kelvin, Lumen or Candela. We are happy to provide short explanations of the units we use on this website.

W as Watt. The unit tells you how much energy a device consumes, be it a vacuum cleaner, a hairdryer or a light bulb. Within one type of light source, a bulb consuming more watts will be brighter. However, new lighting technologies as LEDs need much less energy to provide the same brightness.

lm as Lumen. This unit describes the luminous flux, measuring the amount of visible light emitted by a source, that is, in a general, simplified sense, the brightness.

K as Kelvin. Kelvin is the unit for the colour temperature. Values below 2000 K stand for a warm, reddish colour temperature. Values of more than 4000 K stand for cool, blueish light. A candle flame has about 1500 K, a 60 watts incandescent bulb approximately 2700 K, a neutral-white compact fluorescent bulb about 4000 K, and the lighting coming from a clear blue sky has over 15000 K. For use in homes, a high value is not necessarily better in this case! Blueish white light makes you feel wide awake, redish warm light is said to enhance relaxation and rest.

h as Hour. This unit is used to inform about the mean lifetime of a light source. Please note that by definition of the light bulb manufacturing industry, at this moment 50% of the light sources of a test batch are still working. That means, some bulbs will stop working earlier, some later.

cd as Candela. You find this measurement unit on light sources for directed light, often instead of the unit for Lumen. The unit describes the luminous flux (measured in Lumen) emitted in a given direction, or the brightness of a light source with a reflector - again, in a general, simplified sense.

EEC stands for energy efficiency class or for European Economic Community. The formula to calculate the energy efficiency classes (A++ - E) is defined by the EU.

“Compatible with bulbs of the energy classes A++ - E”. When we state that one of our lighting fixtures is “compatible with bulbs of the energy classes from … to …”, it means that light sources of those classes which fit into the specific lamp from our collection are available on the market. Please note that it does not mean that the lighting effect, the brightness or the colour temperature are the same or similar. But as the quality of LED light sources is improving fast, we expect even better LED retrofitbulbs will become available in the near future. We are constantly monitoring what is on the market (in Europe).

What does Zhaga Book 3 mean in terms of LED bulbs: Zhaga is the name of a consortium for the development of industry standards for LED lamps. Book 3 is a type of LED specification. For you as a user the Zhaga-conformity means there will be suitable replacement parts for the LED module in the future. If necessary a specialist can replace the module with a current LED.

Note according to §18 Battery Act

In connection with the sale of batteries or rechargeable batteries, or devices that are operated with batteries or rechargeable batteries, we as a trader are obliged to provide information about the relevant regulations and obligations according to with the Battery Act (BattG):

Make sure that you hand in your old batteries / rechargeable batteries, as prescribed by law, to a municipal collection point or to your local retailer. Batteries and rechargeable batteries may not be disposed of in the household waste; you are legally obliged to return used batteries and rechargeable batteries. Old batteries can contain harmful substances which, if not properly stored or disposed of, can harm the environment or your health. But batteries also contain important raw materials such as Iron, zinc, manganese or nickel and are recycled. The return is complimentary. You are also welcome to return the batteries / rechargeable batteries purchased from us to us free of charge after use.

Batteries / rechargeable batteries are to be returned to the address given in the legal notice.

Batteries and rechargeable batteries that contain harmful substances are clearly marked with the symbol of a crossed out garbage can. Furthermore, under the symbol of the crossed out garbage can, the chemical designation of the corresponding pollutants is located. Examples are: (Pb) lead, (Cd) cadmium, (Hg) mercury.

Please find this information also at our website, or you can read it in the respective operating instructions.

Our recycling register numbers

Elektro-G Reg. No.: 13225429
Packaging register no.: DE2656491741208

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Further questions?

If you miss certain information on this page, please let us know! Contact us at info@ingo-maurer.com, or call us in Munich or New York. Go to Contact to find all details. We will get back to you as soon as possible!