Lamping Down and Stuff

[Columbo]

If I lamp down a 800 lamp to 650 watts does the light still use 800 watts? (if soe where does the other 150watts go?!)

What would happen if I shoved a 200w lamp in a 800w lamp head, would the bulb blow or something? :huh:

If I use a dimmer does this reduce the energy consumption of the light?

Yours cluelessly...

Chris

 

[donatello]

650 watt bulb will use 650 watt power ... usually lamp sockets have a max rating ..IE: say 1000 watt .. you can stick lamps up to 1000 watts in it ...

 

[Columbo]

650 watt bulb will use 650 watt power ... usually lamp sockets have a max rating ..IE: say 1000 watt .. you can stick lamps up to 1000 watts in it ...

Thanks donatello.

So there is no "minimum rating"?

 

[khmuse]

Keep in mind that a "dimmer" can be a couple of different styles. A back slope regulator style (as used in in wall home applications) though cheap, can have flicker problems.

The better choice is a Variac, no flicker problem, but more expensive.

Regardless of the dimmer approach, you will change the color temperature of the source.

Normally, ND or a net is a better approach.

 

[donatello]

"So there is no "minimum rating"?"

not so much a min rating ... it all come down to does the BULB fit properly ...
you can have a 1000 watt fresnel type light .. 1000 /500 watt bulbs are made specifically for it .. you can find 300 watt bulb that fit the socket BUT it's a much smaller bulb ( height) and it will not be tall enough to be in the proper place for the reflector ( sits behind bulb) to throw out the light properly ..
also wrong size ( height/width/length ) bulbs may not be in proper position to "cool" as the equipment was designed for a different bulb

 

[Columbo]

"So there is no "minimum rating"?"

not so much a min rating ... it all come down to does the BULB fit properly ...
you can have a 1000 watt fresnel type light .. 1000 /500 watt bulbs are made specifically for it .. you can find 300 watt bulb that fit the socket BUT it's a much smaller bulb ( height) and it will not be tall enough to be in the proper place for the reflector ( sits behind bulb) to throw out the light properly ..
also wrong size ( height/width/length ) bulbs may not be in proper position to "cool" as the equipment was designed for a different bulb

Thanks donatello.