Tri Colour Downlight: IC-4, Dimming and Kit Checks

The Schnap listing gives the Lawell TLTA34510WD an IC-4 rating and says it can be installed under ceiling insulation, which is the first line to check on this tri colour downlight for an insulated ceiling. The same listing gives it as a 13W, 240V kit with three colour temperatures, IP44, trailing edge dimming and a remote driver. The checks that follow cover insulation, dimming and size one at a time, so the order is right before the first hole is cut.

What does a 13W tri colour downlight kit include?

The kit includes one fitting with three switchable colour temperatures and a remote driver, so one model covers three colour settings. The Lawell tri colour downlight (TLTA34510WD) is listed as a 13W, 240V, 950lm LED downlight with colour temperatures of 3000K, 4000K and 5700K, a 90mm cut-out, IP44 rating, IC-4 insulation rating, trailing edge dimming and a remote driver with 1.2m flex and plug. Those listed figures are the full spec line to quote when the job is priced.

The beam angle is listed at 100° and the head type is listed as fixed. On a multi-room job that makes the kit simple to count, with one TLTA34510WD for each fitting position. The Schnap listing also attaches the D13RT datasheet for anyone who wants the manufacturer's detail.

The listing sits in the Schnap downlights range, which also covers other dimmable LED downlight options. That range is the place to look when the job needs a different wattage or colour set. The sections after this one take the insulation, dimming and size checks in turn.

Can this downlight go under ceiling insulation?

Yes, according to the Schnap listing: the Lawell TLTA34510WD has an IC-4 rating, and the listing says it can be installed under ceiling insulation. That statement is the listing's own answer to the insulation question, so it is the line to read first on an insulated ceiling. The listing also gives AS/NZS 60598 as the standard for this fitting.

For the ceiling job itself, the listing gives the body as powder-coated die-cast aluminium with an opal polycarbonate diffuser, and the weight as 0.33kg. It also gives a mean time between failures of 50,000 hours and, as a separate line, a three-year replacement warranty. Those are the figures worth writing into a job file.

In practice the insulation question tends to come up at quoting stage, when the ceiling type is known before the downlights are chosen. Putting the model number and the IC-4 line on the quote means the supplier and the electrician are reading the same figure. Keeping that figure worded exactly as the listing words it avoids any mismatch between the quote and the order.

Can LED downlights be dimmed with this kit?

Yes. The Schnap listing gives dimming as trailing edge, with a constant current driver. The listing does not name compatible dimmers or give a minimum load, so confirm the dimmer with the supplier before ordering. Dimming is also one of the lines where two 13W kits with the same 90mm cut-out differ on paper.

The 3A 5CCT downlight in the same 13W, 90mm cut-out size is listed with dimming on most rotary dimmers and five colour temperatures. A separate Schnap article looks at the 13W LED downlight. The table puts the two listings side by side.

If the job needs a smaller output, the Sunny 7W tri-colour downlight is listed at 500lm, 550lm and 600lm with IP44 and trailing edge dimming, against 950lm on the Lawell TLTA34510WD. If it needs more wattage, the 3A 15W tri-colour gimble kit is listed with a 90mm cut-out, IP20 and a three-year replacement warranty. Between the two 13W kits, the colour setting and dimming rows are the quickest way to see which listing matches the job.

What should I check on the 90mm cut-out and IP44 rating?

The listing gives a 90mm cut-out and an IP44 rating, so the hole size and the IP digits are the two numbers to check before the ceiling is cut. The fitting is listed at 60mm high by 110mm by 110mm. In the IP code, the first digit generally refers to dust and solid objects and the second to water, so IP44 is a rating to read as written and not as a promise for any particular room.

A kit with a remote driver is usually easier to plan if the driver position is decided before the ceiling is closed. The listing includes 1.2m of flex and plug with the remote driver, so the order can be counted by fitting position. Once the hole size and rating are confirmed, pick the model in the Shop list that matches the job.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does tri colour downlight mean?

It means one fitting switches between three colour temperatures. The Schnap listing gives them as 3000K, 4000K and 5700K.

Does a downlight like this need a licensed electrician?

Yes, the Schnap listing states that installation must be done by a licensed electrician. Work on fixed wiring in Australia generally needs a licensed electrician, and the rules differ by state.

Which Australian Standard does the listing give for this downlight?

The Schnap listing gives AS/NZS 60598 for the Lawell TLTA34510WD. AS/NZS 3000 is the Wiring Rules for installations, so it is a rule for the installer rather than a product certification.

Shop Downlights at Schnap

Trade pricing is available on the downlights below, and orders are dispatched same day from Kingsgrove NSW.

• LED Downlight 13W Tri-Colour 90mm Cutout White Lawell Lighting
• LED Downlight 13W 5CCT 90mm Cutout IP40 90° Beam White 3A Lighting
• LED Downlight 7W Tri-Colour IP44 Dimmable 500lm White Sunny
• Gimble LED Downlight Kit 15W Tri-Colour Satin Chrome 3A Lighting

See the full Indoor Lighting range at Schnap.