How To Change A LED Downlight Bulb Easily (Do It Yourself)

Last updated on April 9, 2024

Changing a LED downlight can be a simple process if you follow the correct steps. Here’s a general guide that can be applied to most LED downlights:

Steps to change a LED Downlight Bulb;

Turn off the power supply
Remove the existing LED downlight
Unplug the power cable
Insert the new LED downlight
Turn on the power supply

LED Light Replacement And its Benefits

Upgrading your home with residential LED downlights can drastically change the overall look and feel of your home. It’s chic, modern, simple, and minimalist. It’s also a common go-to-lighting for business establishments. Investing in quality downlights will better illuminate the space and make it more efficient.

Besides aesthetics, LED downlights are great for saving on energy consumption when compared to the traditional halogen downlights. You can expect up to 75% savings on your energy consumption once you make the big switch.

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Additionally, LED downlights can last for years and their operation emits only a tiny amount of heat. Upgrading downlights to LED is a pretty straightforward choice, and with types of LED lights manufactured to fit within halogen downlight cutouts, you’ll be guaranteed a seamless transition.

Replacing LED Downlight (Choosing The Perfect Downlight)

Under the ESS scheme, you can get the total cost of an LED upgrade subsidized and a 5-7 year product warranty.

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Before you rush to the store to purchase an alternative for your faulty downlight, you should consider the type of light to choose.

Assessing the function of the space, the aesthetics, the practicality and matching these criteria with a specific type, will result in the right selection that will improve performance, will increase the life expectancy of the downlight and save you from the trouble of testing and returning types to the store.

Knowing what type of bulb is required

Two types of downlight globes are commonly used, MR16 and GU10. Before any replacement, make sure to check your old sockets before purchasing new LED bulbs.

➡ MR16 globes have two sharp pins and a ‘push-to-fit’ installation system. This bulb has a lower voltage compared to GU10. It commonly operates at 12 volts, which means these types also require a transformer. If the existing types are halogen downlights, make sure to also replace the transformer when upgrading to LED.

➡ GU10 can be easily installed with a twisting mechanism until it locks into place. Unlike MR16, GU10 operates on high voltage (typically 120 volts) and has two prongs instead of pins.

Evaluating the brightness of the lighting

The higher the lumen output, the brighter the room. Traditionally, brightness used to be measured by the watt consumption of the fixture, but with LED, this method is no longer applicable as LEDs use minimal energy.

The intensity of light can have a strong impact on the ambience of a room, and on the resulting feeling people will get when entering and spending time in the room, so if you’re aiming for a certain vibe, it’s best to consider the brightness of the downlight.

Picking the right colour temperature

Colour temperature gives the first impression to anyone who steps inside your room with characteristics of each temperature output that meets a specific function and space requirement.

Typically, you can choose from three colour temperatures:

Daylight is perfect if you want your space to look bright and refreshing. It has a bit of a blue tone to it which provides a very modern look.
Cool light has a tinge of yellow, and compared to daylight, it looks more natural. It’s a standard option for most households.
Warm light is commonly used by hotels and coffee shops to give a calm ambience pleasing to the eyes and generally relaxing.

Installing LED Downlights

Now that you’ve picked the perfect downlight, it’s time to install the downlight. However, it is very important to follow precautionary measures to protect yourself from injury and electric shock.

It is highly advisable to perform the installation or replacement with someone watching over, especially if it involves standing on a ladder.

Cut the power source of the lighting circuit

This initial step is highly important and must not be ignored. Electrical shock can be hazardous and even deadly and can be avoided by turning off the specific breaker that controls the power flow to the light. For extra protection, wear rubber-insulated gloves.

Rubber is non-conductive to electricity and is an essential tool worn by professional electricians when handling electrical wires.

Wait for the downlight to cool down

Downlights, especially halogen bulbs, emit a lot of heat during operation and therefore become extremely hot to touch after use. The heat can cause a first-degree burn.

That’s why it is essential to wait until the bulb cools down. LED bulbs avoid this obstacle altogether, as they emit much lower heat and cool down faster.

Remove the old downlight from the ceiling

Twist the fitting in a counter-clockwise motion until it is safe to pull out. Once the old bulb is removed from the socket, remove it from its clipping or lamp holder.

➜ For G10 downlights

➜ For MR16 downlights

MR16 downlights can get a little trickier.

You’ll first need to remove the fitting or the outer ring that holds the downlight. If it’s stubborn, you can use a flathead screwdriver and gently pull it from the ceiling. MR16 bulbs have pins so you can simply remove them like a standard plug.

After removing the outer ring along with the attached bulb, check the transformer which feeds the fixture, it should generally be located inside your ceiling. Once you’ve located the transformer, check if it requires replacement, by checking the VA number printed on its body.

If the input voltage is within the range of your new LED bulb, it can be safely used for the new light. However, if the transformer requires replacement, it is best to hire a professional electrician to ensure the safety of yourself and home from potential fire and electrical hazards.

Replacing old bulbs with new LED downlights

For G10 downlights:

Fit the new bulb with the old clipping. When done, attach the bulb first to the socket, then in a clockwise direction, twist it again until it is well-fitted in the ceiling.

For MR16 downlights:

Some MR16 LED downlights are already fitted with an outer ring that can be easily attached to the ceiling.

However, even if you only purchased the LED bulb, you can still use the old outer ring. Gently remove the old bulb and place the new one.

Once ready, plug the pins into the socket and push the outer ring until you hear a click from the ceiling, indicating the downlight has been locked in place.

Time to put the LED downlights to the test, turn on the main switch

Once the process is complete, turn the breaker switches back to their original ON position. Check if the downlight is working by turning on the assigned lighting switch as you would typically do.

Generally, downlights should instantly light up, but if they don’t, allow for a few minutes for the light to warm up. Otherwise, go through the steps and re-check the installation.

If you are thinking about replacing LED downlights, get in touch for a quick LED lighting consultation for FREE

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