What has changed for Occhio users?

HV mains voltage halogen

The ban on incandescent light bulbs has been accompanied by a ban on conventional matt mains voltage halogen light bulbs (energy class D). These have been replaced by the new Eco halogen light bulbs with Xenon which use about 20 percent less energy and have the same light output (class C).

The new Eco mains voltage halogen light bulbs are available in the following new wattages:

48 Watt (is nearly equivalent to the light output of the previous 60W version)
60 Watt (is nearly equivalent to the light output of the previous 75W version)
70 Watt (is about 15% brighter than the previous 75W version)
100 Watt (is about 25% brighter than the previous 100W version)
150 Watt (is about 25% brighter than the previous 150W version)

Eco mains voltage halogen light bulbs are only available in clear. So Puro and Sento reflector heads with lens optics should only be used with a light diffuser (retrofittable since the10/2009 series).


NV low voltage halogen

For quite a while we have used Eco low voltage halogen light bulbs in IRC technology (energy class B) for our low voltage lamps (e.g. tavolo, lettura, stilo).

Which light sources does Occhio use?

Eco mains voltage halogen light bulbs B15d (energy class C), length 78-86 mm for:

floor lamps terra
wall lamps verticale, letto
ceiling/suspended lamps soffitto singolo/doppio/due soffitto, verticale, faro singolo/doppio, filo singolo/doppio
tube system sistema

Eco mains voltage halogen light bulbs G9 (energy class C) for:

table lamp sogno
suspended lamp sospeso HV
recessed/surface mounted spotlights Più HV

Eco low voltage halogen light bulbs GY6.35 (energy class B) for:

table lamp tavolo
floor lamps lettura, stilo
wall lamps verticale NV, parete singolo/doppio NV, verticale NV, letto NV
ceiling/suspended lamps soffitto singolo/doppio/due NV, verticale NV, faro singolo/doppio NV
recessed/surface mounted spotlights Più NV

CDM-TC metal halide halogen light bulbs G8.5 (energy class A) for:

floor lamp terra CDM
wall lamps verticale CDM, parete singolo/doppio CDM, verticale CDM, letto CDM
ceiling/suspended lamps soffitto singolo/doppio/due CDM, verticale CDM, faro singolo/doppio CDM
tube system sistema CDM

HCI-TF metal halide halogen light bulbs GU6.5 (energy class A) for:

Recessed/surface mounted spotlights Più CDM

LEDs (energy class A), high flux version (3000 K), high color version (2700, 3000, 3500, 4000 K) for:

Recessed/surface mounted spotlights Più LED

In special versions of the lamps mentioned above different light bulbs from those specified can be used. Please note the product-specific maximum wattage (see product labeling, assembly instructions or product description on our website).

Are Occhio halogen light bulbs still available?

Occhio mains voltage halogen light bulbs are still available throughout Europe without restrictions. There have only been the following changes since September 2009:

Only clear Eco halogen versions with Xenon technology (energy class C) are still available.

These consume about 20 percent less energy compared to previous matter halogen light bulbs with the same light output and are available in the following wattages:

48 Watt (is nearly equivalent to the light output of the previous 60W version)
60 Watt (is nearly equivalent to the light output of the previous 75W version)
70 Watt (is about 15% brighter than the previous 75W version)
100 Watt (is about 25% brighter than the previous 100W version)
150 Watt (is about 25% brighter than the previous 150W version)

The new Eco versions are available from Osram.

For quite a while we have used Eco low voltage halogen light bulbs in IRC technology (energy class B) for our low voltage lamps (e.g. tavolo, lettura, stilo).
Eco low voltage halogen bulbs from a number of manufacturers are available on the market.

Why are there no matt light bulbs anymore?

This decision by the EU Commission is controversial and incomprehensible to all professionals. It was probably a question of improving efficiency by the last possible 2 to 3 percent, which has been achieved at the expense of an inhomogeneous, streaky imaging of light on lampshades or also in lens and reflector optics.

We have developed a so-called light diffuser for Occhio which distributes the light homogeneously and which has been delivered with all new mains voltage lamps since October 2009.*

When using new light sources with Occhio mains voltage lamps purchased before October 2009 we recommend you have them retrofitted with light diffusers. Please contact your Occhio retail partner for this.

*Low voltage lamps don’t require light diffusers.

A light diffuser is a matted glass tube with which all mains voltage versions of Occhio Puro and Sento reflector heads with lens optics are equipped. The light diffuser eliminates the streaky imaging of light caused by the new clear eco mains voltage halogen light bulbs and ensures a homogeneous cone of light with soft light-dark transition.

The light diffuser can be retrofitted in all Puro and Sento heads purchased before October 2009 and which are now to be used with the new clear eco mains voltage halogen light bulbs. You can insert the light diffuser in Sento heads yourself or have your retailer do it (the diffuser costs EUR 12 including sales tax). Puro heads can be retrofitted by us. We charge a flat rate of EUR 20 including sales tax (for the light diffuser, conversion and return postage).

Where can I buy Occhio light bulbs?

Matt mains voltage halogen light bulbs may still be available from stock or can be ordered from our retail partners and from our Occhio stores. No light diffuser is necessary when using matt light bulbs.

What must I look out for when buying light bulbs?
  • Buy brand products to ensure service life, quality of light and efficiency.
  • Please note maximal wattage of the lamp or the lamp head. Under no circumstances may this be exceeded. (see product labeling, assembly instructions or product description on our website)
  • B15d mains voltage halogen light bulbs are available in different lengths. Please note that only the medium B15d version, 78 to 86 mm long, may be used in Occhio!
  • The Occhio light diffuser should be used with the current clear B15d eco mains voltage halogen light bulbs (from 10’2009 series, retrofittable for older lamps)
  • With CDM-TC G8.5 and HCI-TF Gu6.5 metal halide light bulbs please ensure that the wattage of the ballast is exactly the same as that of the light bulb.
Where can I still buy matt mains voltage halogen light bulbs?

Matt mains voltage halogen light bulbs are still available from stock or can be ordered from our retail partners and from our Occhio stores. No light diffuser is necessary when using matt light bulbs.

What will change from 2016?

The next stage in the Energy Saving Ordinance will become effective in 2016.

Then only light sources of energy classes A (e.g. LED and CDM) and B (e.g. Eco low voltage halogen) will be permitted. In addition energy class C mains voltage halogen light for which there are no more efficient versions available on account of their small size will still be permitted. These include Eco mains voltage light bulbs with a G9 and R7s socket, for which Occhio will offer an adapter to the B15d socket.

Hereby Occhio mains voltage halogen lamps with their warm color temperature and hassle-free dimmability can be used even in 2016 and beyond.*

There will be no restrictions on the use of low voltage halogen, CDM metal halide and LED versions of Occhio also after 2016 (as these are energy class A/B).

Find out why Occhio is "future proof 2016+."

*based on the current legislation / in powers of 60/80/120 W (update 2011)

Background

The Energy Saving Ordinance of the EU has been effective since September 2009 and means a step by step ban on conventional light bulbs and all light sources of the energy classes D, E, F and G.

Only highly efficient light sources (energy class A, B and C) are used in Occhio. As intelligent lighting design means maximum light quality for your living environment and the best possible light efficiency. We call this ‘Smart Source’!