Curva in solid brass is the top of this family and the one specifiedwhen the fitting has to survive rather than just look right the body is brassthroughout, not a brass-coloured coating, so corrosion attacks the surface and stopsthere. It is also the brightest Curva, at 5W against 3W forthe painted versions, putting out in the region of 400450lumens depending onthe colour temperature selected.

The choice to make: solid brass earns its price near salt

Within a few hundred metres of surf, a powder-coated aluminium step light is aconsumable the coat chalks, then lifts, then the metal goes. Solid brass has nocoating to fail; it darkens and patinates instead, and keeps working. Away from the coastand under cover, the black or white Curva does the same job for less. This is thedecision, and it is about location, not taste.

Where it works

• Beachfront and harbourside steps exposed to salt-laden air.
• Pool and spa surrounds where chlorinated and salt-treated watersplashes the wall.
• Heritage and sandstone properties whose external hardware is alreadybrass or bronze.
• High-end entries and terrace flights where the extra 5W outputis wanted on a wide tread.

Specifying it

Rated IP65 for direct rain and hose-down cleaning, with frosted glassover the LED so the source is not visible from a standing eye line. It isTriac dimmable pair it with a trailing-edge LED dimmer and checkthe total connected load against the dimmer’s minimum. Tri-colour selectable at installacross 3000K, 4000K and 5500K; hold one temperature across the whole flight.

It is 12V DC and requires a 12V DC LED driver, and mustnever be connected directly to 240V. Each fitting has to sit within25m of its driver for the warranty to apply. The LED isbuilt in no globe is needed or possible. Installation by alicensed electrician.

Backed by a 3-year replacement warranty.

Supplied and supported by Lights For You; solid brass Curva is 5W where thepainted versions are 3W, so if you are adding one to an existing Curva run tell usand we will check the driver still has capacity.

Questions

Is this actually solid brass, or a brass finish?

Solid brass. The corrosion resistance comes from the metal itselfrather than from a coating, which is why it holds up where painted aluminium fails nearthe coast.

Is it brighter than the black and white Curva?

Yes. This one is 5W and puts out in the 400450lmrange; the painted versions are 3W at around 240250lm. Worth knowingif you are mixing them on one flight.

Will the brass stay bright and yellow?

No. Untreated brass darkens and develops a patina outdoors,unevenly where weather and hands reach it. That is normal and not a fault.

Does it need a driver?

Yes a 12V DC LED driver sized for the whole circuit.Connecting it directly to 240V destroys it and is not covered by the warranty.

Can it be dimmed?

Yes, it is Triac dimmable on a trailing-edge LED dimmer. Confirm thedimmer’s minimum load is met by the number of fittings on the circuit.

How far from the driver can it be?

25m at most. At 5W the voltage drop over a longlow-voltage run is more noticeable, and exceeding the limit voids the warranty.