An examination light gives bright, focused light with accurate colour, so clinicians can see fine detail that room lighting washes out. The main choice is how it’s mounted: on a mobile base, on the wall or on the ceiling. Each suits a different room.
Mobile, wall or ceiling
| Mobile | Wall mounted | Ceiling mounted | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Installation | None: assemble and use | Fixed to the wall | Fixed to the ceiling |
| Moves between rooms | Yes | No | No |
| Floor space | Uses some | Keeps the floor clear | Keeps floor and walls clear |
| Best for | Multi-purpose and shared rooms | Consult rooms with a fixed couch | Procedure rooms and hospitals |
| Upfront cost | Lower | Moderate | Higher |
- Mobile lights sit on a stable wheeled base, often with a gooseneck or articulated arm. They suit clinics that rearrange rooms or share one light between several.
- Wall-mounted lights extend over the couch on an articulated arm and are always in the same place, a good fit for compact consult rooms.
- Ceiling-mounted lights hang over the treatment area on suspension arms, leaving full access around the patient. Check your ceiling height against the model: ceiling lights are made for specific heights.
For wall and ceiling models, check the manufacturer’s installation requirements before ordering, including the wall or ceiling structure and who will install it.
What to look for
The procedures you do
Routine assessments need standard illumination. Dermatology, minor procedures and detailed examinations need brighter, more focused light and more positioning flexibility.
LED
LED is now the standard. It gives bright, consistent light with much less heat than halogen, uses less energy, lasts longer and needs less maintenance.
Brightness and colour quality
Look for even, shadow-reduced light and good colour rendering, so clinicians can distinguish skin tones and tissue changes. Compare the manufacturer’s figures for light output and colour.
Arm and positioning
Gooseneck and articulated spring arms let clinicians move the light quickly without interrupting the examination. The head should stay where it’s put.
Cleaning and durability
Smooth surfaces and durable finishes are easy to wipe between patients. A light that is adjusted many times a day needs solid joints.
Matching the light to the room
- Small consult rooms: a wall-mounted light keeps the floor clear.
- Shared or changing rooms: a mobile light can follow the work.
- Procedure rooms: a ceiling-mounted or minor procedure light gives wider coverage and room to work around the patient.
Examination lights at Kontact
We stock Planet Lighting ULED and ULED Plus examination lights in wall and ceiling mounts, the Phantom minor procedure light, and Pacific Medical PML1 and PML2 LED lights, which come with both a mobile base and a wall mount. Ceiling models are listed for their ceiling heights. Browse examination and procedure lights for each model’s specifications.
Questions
Examination light or surgical light?
Examination lights are for examinations and minor procedures. Surgical lights are a separate, larger class of equipment for operating theatres.
Can one mobile light serve several rooms?
Yes, that’s its main advantage. Allow for the time it takes to move and the space it needs beside each couch.
