Domestic LED batten fittings can be used in your living room, bedroom, kitchen, and garage. They can also be used in corridors, walkways, and any hidden areas that require lighting. LED batten fittings are becoming more popular over conventional fluorescent lighting because of how reliable and versatile they are in their use. 

Knowing how to install a slim LED batten fitting is important for it to work correctly. Fortunately, domestic LED batten fittings are easier to fit compared to conventional fluorescent lights. They are also easier to maintain, and they do not succumb to rapid wear and tear.

How do you install LED batten lights?

If you are wondering how to fit a LED batten light, the simplest way to do it is with the following components;

● The LED batten,

● The mounting brackets,

● The screws for the brackets,

● The plastic wall plugs.

 

 

LED Batten light Fitting Instructions: Step-by-step

1. Switch off the mains power

Switch off the main power supply to prevent electrical accidents when fitting the batten light. You can do so by switching off the main’s power supply or by cutting off the circuit feeding to the batten light power outlet.

 

2. Decide where to install the batten light

Determine the location where the batten fitting will be placed. Ideally, it should be a point where the batten's 120° beam will evenly light a room. For accent lighting, choose the best recess point to fix the light—it could be under cabinets in the kitchen, or a recessed wall in the living room to provide ambient lighting.

 

Next, use a pencil or pen to mark the exact points where the screws will attach the mounting brackets. As a precaution, never fix a batten light on surfaces where vibration occurs - like near washing machines or water pumps. The vibrations over time can loosen the screws, causing the slim LED batten fitting to fall off.

 

3. Fix the mounting brackets

Drill holes where you marked them and install the plastic wall plugs for holding the screws. Now line the mounting brackets above the holes and screw them in place. You can gently press on the brackets to ensure they are firmly in place.

 

 

 

4. Install the LED batten fitting or spine

Slide the fitting or spine onto the mounting brackets until they snap in place. Now you can install the batten light by attaching it to the mounted fixture.

 

5. Connect the batten light to power

Fortunately, most LED batten lights come pre-wired, so you do not need any complex wiring to make them work. You only need to use a connector block to connect the batten light to the main power source.

 

Finally, switch on the main power supply and turn on the batten light. Voila! You now have an efficient way to light your home while you save on energy bills.

How to Choose a LED Batten Light Fitting

When determining which LED batten fittings to choose, one must consider the size of the LED batten itself because this affects its application. You also need to consider the light output, colour temperature, ease of installation, and aesthetics of the batten fittings.

Size

There are 5 standard sizes for domestic LED batten fittings. The length of the slim LED batten fitting you choose depends on the application. Shorter LED batten lights are ideal for lighting small rooms or workspaces. They are also great for providing ambient lighting.

 

Larger-sized LED batten fittings, like the 6 foot LED batten fitting, are used for providing uniform lighting to a large space like a garage, workshops, commercial spaces, and utility rooms.

 

These are the standard LED batten sizes on the market today;

● 2 foot LED batten

● 3 foot LED batten fittings

● 4 foot LED battens

● 5 foot batten lights

● 6 foot LED batten fitting

 

Getting the right-sized LED batten will ensure you get the best uniform lighting in your space. Always take measurements of where you will install the lights to determine the LED batten size. Especially if you will be installing the lights in narrow spaces.

Light output

The wattage of the LED battens determines its light output. Also, the bigger the LED battens and the higher their wattage, the brighter they shine in a room. A 5ft 45-watt slim LED batten will produce more light compared to a 3ft 28W batten. But the advantage of both is that they will burn brighter than fluorescent bulbs.

 

In general;

● A 2ft LED batten using 18 watts has a brightness of 1800 lumens.

● A 3ft 28-watt batten is 2800 lumens bright.

● A 4 ft 36 watt LED batten is 3600 lumens bright.

● A 5 ft 45-watt batten tube is 4500 lumens bright.

● A 6 ft 50-watt batten is 5000 lumens bright.

 

Another thing to consider is light distribution. Slim LED batten lights have better light distribution because they have a 120° angle beam, which gives even lighting and kills all shadows.

 

 

Durability

Although modern fluorescent tubes are built with better materials, they still have a shorter shelf-life given how they work. A fluorescent tube burns gases inside the tube to give light. The heat generated warms the tube and, over time, will increase the product's wear and tear.

 

LED batten lights are more durable because they use LED bulbs to produce light. Also, modern LED batten fittings have an IP score of 65. It means that the LED batten has a tough enclosure that protects the batten light from dust, water, and other elements.

 

Colour

Domestic LED batten fittings vary in colour temperature depending on where you want to use them. In a nutshell, the main colour temperature in LED battens are;

● Warm white: These are LED battens with a colour temperature between 2700K and 3000K. They are suited for hallways or small spaces like meeting rooms in offices.

● Natural/Neutral White: These are batten lights with a colour temperature between 4000k and 4500k. They have a bright blue colour, ideal for busy spaces like offices, hospitals, or commercial buildings.

● Cool White/Daylight: These are LED battens with a temperature between 6000k and 6500k. This type of batten light is used in workspaces that require great precision, like garages and kitchens, where visual clarity is necessary to ensure safety.

 

 

Energy efficient

LED batten fittings are energy efficient. They have a lower thermal output because they do not produce excessive heat like fluorescent lights. Also, LED battens use less power—as low as 18 watts to output a brightness of 1800 lumens. This is more efficient than a fluorescent tube that uses up to 30 W of power to give off the same amount of light brightness. With LED batten lights, you stand to save up to 70% of your energy bills.

Aesthetics

LED batten fittings produce a uniform light that is pleasing to look at. Whether you choose warm white, neutral, or a cool white colour, you can improve the aesthetics of your home without breaking the bank. Also, LED batten lights produce continuous lighting, ensuring the natural ambient lighting in your home is consistent and without flickers.

 

Ease of installation

Ideally, LED batten lights are easier to install compared to fluorescent tubes. With an LED batten light, all you need is the batten light and mounting accessories. They take seconds to install, even when they come as twin LED batten packs.

How To Wire a LED Batten Light Fitting

The advantage of LED batten fittings is that they do not require a complex wiring setup for them to work. Most come pre-wired and ready to install and only require mounting and plugging into the nearest power source. Perhaps the only wiring to consider is cable management wherever you install the batten lighting.

 

Cable management is necessary if you will be drawing power from a distant outlet. Concealing and managing the connecting wires supplying power to your LED light will ensure you have the cleanest installation.  Use thinner electrical cables that can be easily hidden under cupboards or behind fixtures while supplying power to your batten fittings. Use organizers like cable ties to bunch wires together for a cleaner installation.

Can You Use an LED Batten in Fluorescent Light Fitting?

Domestic LED batten fittings can replace fluorescent bulbs because they produce a brighter, more uniform light and use less energy. In addition, LED battens last longer and save you the cost of replacing and maintaining old fluorescent bulbs.

 

So, can you fix a batten light on the same fixture where your fluorescent light was?

 

The short answer is - NO.

 

First, you have to check if the existing fluorescent fixture is compatible with LED batten tubes, which in most cases are not. In addition, the LED battens feature a slim design that will not fit inside fluorescent fixtures, which are designed to hold bulky tubes. Also, the bulky ballast inside the fixture protruding downwards may not allow a cleaner installation of your LED batten.

 

It is best to do away with the fluorescent ballast when installing a slim LED batten fitting. Fortunately, modern domestic LED batten fittings have an easy-to-install mounting bracket to hold the batten light in place. It takes seconds to install and does not require any complex tools or electrical wiring knowledge.

Where can you buy domestic LED batten fittings?

There are plenty of electrical and appliance brands today selling online companies supplying LED batten lights. While price is always a factor when looking for domestic LED batten fittings, there are other things to consider as well.

● Buy from an online website that has a safe and secure connection.

● Choose an electrical and appliance company that prioritises quality products and impeccable customer service

● Buy from an online electrical company that offers competitive price points

● Choose, an appliance brand that sells consumer-friendly and environmental-friendly products

● Check the online ratings of the electrical and appliance brand you are buying from. Previous consumers do not lie.

Conclusion

Domestic LED batten fittings are quickly replacing fluorescent tube lights as an energy-efficient alternative. They not only help you save up to 70% of your energy bills, but they also produce uniform and consistent lighting that will beautify your home for years. LED batten fittings are easier to install as well.

 

To install domestic LED batten fittings, one only needs four main components: the batten light, brackets, mounting screws, and plastic inserts for the screws. Once you figure out where the batten light will be fixed, mark the spot where the screws will go, then screw in the mounting bracket. Snap the LED batten light in place, and you are good to go.