These lamps are free-standing and need no wiring. Most are ready to use within a few minutes of unpacking. The steps below cover mains, rechargeable and solar models - check which one you have in the Product Specifications above before you begin.
Before you start
- Placement: put the lamp on a flat, stable surface, away from doorways and walkways where it can be knocked. Floor lamps want their base clear of rugs that could rock them.
- Power: your lamp runs from a mains plug, a built-in rechargeable battery, or a solar panel. The Product Specifications above say which.
- Indoors or out: only use a lamp outside if its rating allows it. Keep any lamp that is not rated for damp away from sinks, baths and open windows.
- Dimming: some models have a switch or touch control that dims; others work with a plug-in dimmer. The specification above states what your model offers.
- Bulbs: where a bulb is replaceable, use the type and wattage listed. Never exceed the wattage printed on the socket.
Tools you may need
- None for most models
- A small screwdriver, if your lamp has a battery cover or a shade to attach
- An extension lead, if the nearest socket is some distance away
Setting up
1. Unpack and check
Take the lamp out carefully and keep the packaging until you are satisfied with it. Check for damage in transit and that every part listed is present. Where a shade or base ships separately, fit it by hand or with a small screwdriver - hand-tight is enough.
2. Choose the position
Stand the lamp on a level surface that will take its weight without flexing. For a reading lamp, the bottom of the shade sitting a little above eye level when you are seated puts the light on the page and keeps the bulb out of view.
3. Connect the power
- Mains: plug it into a nearby socket and route the cable so it is not stretched or walked on. Outdoors, use a weatherproof socket or an outdoor-rated extension.
- Rechargeable: charge it fully before first use. The battery compartment is usually under the base. Fit the specified battery type the right way round and close the cover.
- Solar: stand the panel in direct sun. The first full charge can take a day of good daylight, and performance in the first days is not a fair test of the battery.
4. Fit or check the bulb
If your lamp takes a replaceable bulb, screw it in gently until it seats. Do not force it. Integrated LED models have no bulb to fit and are not designed to be opened.
5. Switch on and adjust
Use the switch, touch control or remote to turn the lamp on, then set the brightness or colour mode if your model offers them. Motion-activated and solar models may not behave predictably until they have completed a full charge cycle.
Important tips
- Follow the safety notes printed on the lamp and in its manual.
- Do not use an indoor-only lamp outdoors, even under cover.
- Recharge or replace batteries before they run flat repeatedly - deep discharge shortens battery life.
- Wipe a solar panel clean from time to time; a dusty panel charges noticeably more slowly.
- Unplug a mains lamp during a thunderstorm or if you are away for a long period.
- Keep the cable of a floor lamp behind the furniture rather than across the floor, and leave a little slack where it enters the base so the joint is never under tension.
If anything about setting the lamp up is unclear, email info@clerachic.com and a person will answer you.
