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continued from Choosing a Desk Lamp (part 1)
Free Standing vs. Attached Desk Lamps
The task performed at the desk may determine whether to use an attached or free
standing lamp. An attractive free standing lamp may well serve if the work performed
is either space flexible or does not require the entire desk top. An example of this
is a desk in a typical office.
An attached or fixed desk lamp is useful on a work surface where space is at a
premium or the entire work surface is required for the task (drafting tables etc.)
Typically it will be attached along the back of the desk or the ceiling making it
inherently more stable. This is an absolute requirement for architects (whose desks
are typically slanted) but more and more many, well, organizationally challenged
professional choose them as to free up extra desk space.
The Swing Arm is Important
A feature that both free standing and attached desk lamps often include is a swing
arm. Simply put, the swing arm allows the base of the lamp to remain stationary
while the lamp head is moved side to side or up and down as needed.
Swing arms come in a variety of lengths allowing light to be directed almost anywhere
you need it. A clear indicator of a desk lamps quality, and the most important
aspect to test is the stability of the arm. Obviously, you want a swing arm with
enough stability to ensure that the lamp head stays where you want it for as long
as you need it. There are many different ways to accomplish this including springs,
small hydraulics, tightening screws, flexible arms and counterweighted systems.
All of these systems work well in the short term (perhaps six months) but the
only system that will ensure that a swing arm maintains its ability to support
the weight of the fixture head years into the future is a counterweighted
system. Springs stretch, hydraulics leak, tightening screws crack or get
stripped and flexible arms fail.
Desk lamps are available in countless styles, shapes, colors and sizes. Different
light sources are best with certain lamps. To determine the best choice, all of
these factors should be considered. Oh yes, and which one best fits the buyers
taste.
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