In recent years, China\\ s LED industry is developing rapidly, forming a complete LED industrial chain system in support of national policy and downstream applications, driven by demand. The LED industry chain, including upstream of the substrate, epitaxial wafers and chips, package of midstream and downstream of the lighting, display backlighting and other applications. From the industrial chain, LED lighting has gone beyond the backlight LED market, the fastest growing application market. Following a brief introduction to the future development trend of LED lighting:
A luminous efficiency of continuous improvement and product quality is improving steadily
The luminous efficiency is improved steadily by an average of 15% is expected to reach more than 200lm / W, is estimated to reach from 200lm to / W white LED will be the past two or three years available. View, although the 2011 penetration rate of only 6.6% of the overall LED lighting market, but the future growth potential. Countries in the development of LED lighting have introduced policies and preferential measures, of which 2015, Japan plans to LED accounted for the general lighting market will reach 50% and 30% in South Korea, mainland China for 20 percent, up above the 2015 target, this few years will be up to the first phase of work; In addition, LED technology continues to progress, the U.S. DOE set a target point of view, the 2014 white LED components luminous efficiency will reach 200 lm / W, and the price will drop to about $ 2 / klm manufacturers process will exceed the above values.
Second, lower manufacturing costs and sales prices down
The price of the LED will be an average annual rate of 30% or higher rate of decline. By then, the LED lighting into millions of households will fall into place. With the enhancement of the LED chip, LED luminous efficiency is increased, the single LED chip, the cost continues to drop. Upstream investment-driven large-scale production can release lead to strong market competition will drive chip prices fell, which effectively promote the decline in the cost of LED lighting products. Mainstream LED lighting products, cost structure in light beads cost accounting for about 40%, the drive power of 30%, 20% mechanical / thermal material, and the remaining costs about 10%. Seen the cost of lamp beads, the drive power, and mechanical / thermal material costs basically about 90% of the total cost is the main factor affecting the cost of LED lighting products. Further under the price of upstream raw material prices in the future, LED lighting products is expected to accelerate an alternative to the traditional incandescent lamp, energy saving lighting products.
, High voltage LED will become the future is an important direction
High-voltage LEDs (HV LEDs) has two advantages, one effectively reduces the cost and weight of the LED lighting to significantly reduce the cooling system design requirements, which will solve the lighting market, the biggest technical obstacle. VF voltage, current conditions in the IF completely subvert the traditional low-voltage (LV LED) LED VF low voltage, the IF current requirements. LED lighting due to the HV LEDs SOP may reduce the shape of the heating, lighting structure may tend to be more to save cooling materials, greater than 270 degrees light-emitting, low-cost, light weight. And the high-voltage LED chip group of high-voltage, low current, compared with the general low voltage LED low voltage, high current working environment, HVLEDs work fever was significantly reduced; HVLEDs only need high-voltage constant-current source can be a good , the high-voltage constant-current power transformer, electrolytic capacitor to solve the problem of low-voltage LED driver power supply and electrolytic capacitor life.
Fourth, the COB packaging technology has matured
COB packaging have three advantages: low cost, diversification of application convenience and design. COB packaging Bulb currently occupy about 40% of the LED bulb market, Japan and many domestic enterprises have begun to take the COB package mode. Cost and application point of view, the COB has become the mainstream of the future of lighting design. COB packaging of the LED module is installed in the floor pieces of LED chips, the use of many pieces of the chip can not only improve the brightness, and also help to achieve a reasonable configuration of the LED chip, reduce the amount of current of the input of a single LED chip to ensure high efficiency. And this surface light source can greatly expand the package heat dissipation area, so that the heat is more easy to transfer to the shell. Cost lighting applications with traditional COB light source module can save the cost of the device package, the light engine module production costs and the cost of secondary light distribution. Lighting system in the same function, in general can reduce about 30% of the cost of great significance for the promotion of semiconductor lighting applications. In performance, through reasonable to design and mold making microlens, the COB light source module can effectively avoid the discrete light source device combination existence of points of light, glare and other drawbacks also can be through by adding the appropriate red chip combination in does not reduce the light source efficiency and life under the premise of effectively improve the color rendering (now can do 90 or more). In the application, the COB light source module can make installation of the lighting plant production simpler and more convenient. In production, the existing technology and equipment to support large-scale manufacturing of the high yield of COB light source module. With the expansion of the LED lighting market, lighting demand in the rapidly growing, we can according to the needs of different lighting applications, and gradually formed the mainstream product of the series COB light source module, so that large-scale production.
, LED driver power trends
A downstream product development to the interior lighting industry will be gradually broken down. Such as home lighting, hotel lighting, jewelry, lighting, clothing, lighting, advertising lighting, the industry breakdown of the benefits is to make products more fit practical applications, and highlights the advantages of LEDs in various types of lighting.
2.LED lumens of lighting chip technology to improve the product power requirements reduced.
3.LED drive power gradually to the development of modular, intelligent aspects.
Market from the current domestic-oriented, gradually turning into an international-based.
Six, quick start of the indoor lighting market and development
Morphology and function of the current LED indoor lighting products did not jump out of thinking and patterns of traditional lighting products. A single product, is still to replace the incandescent bulb light and alternative LED fluorescent tube lamp-based. LED light source is different from the traditional, has a small size, fast response characteristics, but also the spectral composition of the discontinuous, single light flux is not high. Interior lighting design, LED and conventional light sources should be mutually reinforcing, complementary advantages, rather than substitutes for one another, who leather whose life relationship. Therefore, the LED of the \"intrinsic\" characteristics of quality decided to external \"form, should not be an alternative form of traditional light sources. LED interior lighting will highlight the three major characteristics:
An intelligent lighting control: the use of intelligent control based on environmental changes, the objective requirements of the user pre-demand conditions while automatically collecting all kinds of information in the lighting system, and the collection of information corresponding to the logical analysis, reasoning, judgment and analysis required in the form of storage, display, transmission, the corresponding state feedback control, in order to achieve the desired results. LED control is flexible, fast response, compact, powerful combination of features and intelligent control system to reflect the characteristics of LED.
(2) a variety of functional lighting: lighting environment and engaged in activities closely related to the lighting to meet the needs of people of different visual functions. For example, in the home life, the party need a bright light; to appreciate classical music or light music, soft lighting. Natural light from morning, noon, evening different color temperature on the people\\ s physical, psychological have a great impact.
Building integrated lighting: lighting products and building materials together, making part of the building into part of the lighting. The lighting in the building integration is buried, embedded in the inside of the building to hide the light source or lighting installation, make full use of the surface reflectance or transmittance of the building, showing the building shape, color. This way not only to hide the lighting pipeline or equipment, piping, but also enable the architectural lighting as an integral part of the whole interior design decoration, the effect of a complete and unified interior space.
7, modular is the way to
At present, many types of domestic LED products with different properties, poor interchangeability, which restricted the healthy development of semiconductor lighting industry, LED industry to normalized serialization, standardization development, improve the overall competitiveness of the LED lighting industry, which became LED business first solve the problem. To this end, the semiconductor lighting industry innovation center in Guangdong Province began construction of the project of standard optical components, domestic 100LED enterprises to participate. What is the meaning of the standard optical components of the project: First of all, any industry or industries to seize the standard-setting to seize the commanding heights of industry development can be the dominant industry chain development, reap the maximum benefit of the industrial chain; Second, the standard optical components standard strategy to try will make Guangdong Province Semiconductor will enable Guangdong Province, stand out in the new round of industrial competition in the semiconductor lighting industry, to seize market opportunities, standard with the standard optical components such as national and international standards to promote and expand the lighting companies of market and technical capacity of an unprecedented double. In the next 10 years, to create a number of one hundred billion \"Philips lighting companies to achieve the goal of\" Thirteen five trillion semiconductor lighting industrial scale.
Showing posts with label LED Technology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label LED Technology. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Glossary of Typical Lighting Terms
AMPERE : The standard unit of measurement for electric current that is equal to one coulomb per second. It defines the quantity of electrons moving past a given point in a circuit during a specific period. Amp is an abbreviation.
ANSI: Abbreviation for American National Standards Institute.
ARC TUBE: A tube enclosed by the outer glass envelope of a HID lamp and made of clear quartz or ceramic that contains the arc stream.
ASHRAE: American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers
BAFFLE: A single opaque or translucent element used to control light distribution at certain angles.
BALLAST: A device used to operate fluorescent and HID lamps. The ballast provides the necessary starting voltage, while limiting and regulating the lamp current during operation.
BALLAST CYCLING: Undesirable condition under which the ballast turns lamps on and off (cycles) due to the overheating of the thermal switch inside the ballast. This may be due to incorrect lamps, improper voltage being supplied, high ambient temperature around the fixture, or the early stage of ballast failure.
BALLAST EFFICIENCY FACTOR: The ballast efficiency factor (BEF) is the ballast factor (see below) divided by the input power of the ballast. The higher the BEF ( within the same lamp-ballast type ( the more efficient the ballast.
BALLAST FACTOR: The ballast factor (BF) for a specific lamp-ballast combination represents the percentage of the rated lamp lumens that will be produced by the combination.
CANDELA: Unit of luminous intensity, describing the intensity of a light source in a specific direction.
CANDELA DISTRIBUTION: A curve, often on polar coordinates, illustrating the variation of luminous intensity of a lamp or luminaire in a plane through the light center.
CANDLEPOWER: A measure of luminous intensity of a light source in a specific direction, measured in candelas (see above).
CBM: Abbreviation for Certified Ballast Manufacturers Association.
CEC: Abbreviation for California Energy Commission.
COEFFICIENT OF UTILIZATION: The ratio of lumens from a luminaire received on the work plane to the lumens produced by the lamps alone. (Also called "CU")
COLOR RENDERING INDEX (CRI): A scale of the effect of a light source on the color appearance of an object compared to its color appearance under a reference light source. Expressed on a scale of 1 to 100, where 100 indicates no color shift. A low CRI rating suggests that the colors of objects will appear unnatural under that particular light source.
COLOR TEMPERATURE: The color temperature is a specification of the color appearance of a light source, relating the color to a reference source heated to a particular temperature, measured by the thermal unit Kelvin. The measurement can also be described as the "warmth" or "coolness" of a light source. Generally, sources below 3200K are considered "warm;" while those above 4000K are considered "cool" sources.
COMPACT FLUORESCENT: A small fluorescent lamp that is often used as an alternative to incandescent lighting. The lamp life is about 10 times longer than incandescent lamps and is 3-4 times more efficacious. Also called PL, Twin-Tube, CFL, or BIAX lamps.
CONSTANT WATTAGE (CW) BALLAST: A premium type of HID ballast in which the primary and secondary coils are isolated. It is considered a high performance, high loss ballast featuring excellent output regulation.
CONSTANTWATTAGE AUTOTRANSFORMER (CWA) BALLAST: A popular type of HID ballast in which the primary and secondary coils are electrically connected. Considered an appropriate balance between cost and performance.
CONTRAST: The relationship between the luminance of an object and its background.
CRI: (SEE COLOR RENDERING INDEX)
CUT-OFF ANGLE: The angle from a fixture's vertical axis at which a reflector, louver, or other shielding device cuts off direct visibility of a lamp. It is the complementary angle of the shielding angle.
DAYLIGHT COMPENSATION: A dimming system controlled by a photocell that reduces the output of the lamps when daylight is present. As daylight levels increase, lamp intensity decreases. An energy-saving technique used in areas with significant daylight contribution.
DIFFUSE: Term describing dispersed light distribution. Refers to the scattering or softening of light.
DIFFUSER: A translucent piece of glass or plastic sheet that shields the light source in a fixture. The light transmitted throughout the diffuser will be redirected and scattered.
DIRECT GLARE: Glare produced by a direct view of light sources. Often the result of insufficiently shielded light sources. (See GLARE)
DOWNLIGHT: A type of ceiling luminaire, usually fully recessed, where most of the light is directed downward. May feature an open reflector and/or shielding device.
EFFICACY: A metric used to compare light output to energy consumption. Efficacy is measured in lumens per watt. Efficacy is similar to efficiency, but is expressed in dissimilar units. For example, if a 100-watt source produces 9000 lumens, then the efficacy is 90 lumens per watt.
ELECTROLUMINESCENT: A light source technology used in exit signs that provides uniform brightness, long lamp life (approximately eight years), while consuming very little energy (less than one watt per lamp).
ELECTRONIC BALLAST: A ballast that uses semi-conductor components to increase the frequency of fluorescent lamp operation ( typically in the 20-40 kHz range. Smaller inductive components provide the lamp current control. Fluorescent system efficiency is increased due to high frequency lamp operation.
ELECTRONIC DIMMING BALLAST: A variable output electronic fluorescent ballast.
EMI: Abbreviation for electromagnetic interference. High frequency interference (electrical noise) caused by electronic components or fluorescent lamps that interferes with the operation of electrical equipment. EMI is measured in micro-volts, and can be controlled by filters. Because EMI can interfere with communication devices, the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) has established limits for EMI.
ENERGY-SAVING BALLAST: A type of magnetic ballast designed so that the components operate more efficiently, cooler and longer than a "standard magnetic" ballast. By US law, standard magnetic ballasts can no longer be manufactured.
ENERGY-SAVING LAMP: A lower wattage lamp, generally producing fewer lumens.
FC: (SEE FOOTCANDLE)
FLUORESCENT LAMP: A light source consisting of a tube filled with argon, along with krypton or other inert gas. When electrical current is applied, the resulting arc emits ultraviolet radiation that excites the phosphors inside the lamp wall, causing them to radiate visible light.
FOOTCANDLE (FC): The English unit of measurement of the illuminance (or light level) on a surface. One footcandle is equal to one lumen per square foot.
FOOTLAMBERT: English unit of luminance. One footlambert is equal to 1/p candelas per square foot.
GLARE: The effect of brightness or differences in brightness within the visual field sufficiently high to cause annoyance, discomfort or loss of visual performance.
HALOGEN: (SEE TUNGSTEN HALOGEN LAMP)
HARMONIC DISTORTION: A harmonic is a sinusoidal component of a periodic wave having a frequency that is a multiple of the fundamental frequency. Harmonic distortion from lighting equipment can interfere with other appliances and the operation of electric power networks. The total harmonic distortion (THD) is usually expressed as a percentage of the fundamental line current. THD for 4-foot fluorescent ballasts usually range from 20% to 40%. For compact fluorescent ballasts, THD levels greater than 50% are not uncommon.
HID: Abbreviation for high intensity discharge. Generic term describing mercury vapor, metal halide, high pressure sodium, and (informally) low pressure sodium light sources and luminaires.
HIGH-BAY: Pertains to the type of lighting in an industrial application where the ceiling is 20 feet or higher. Also describes the application itself.
HIGH OUTPUT (HO): A lamp or ballast designed to operate at higher currents (800 mA) and produce more light.
HIGH POWER FACTOR: A ballast with a 0.9 or higher rated power factor, which is achieved by using a capacitor.
HIGH PRESSURE SODIUM LAMP: A high intensity discharge (HID) lamp whose light is produced by radiation from sodium vapor (and mercury).
HOT RESTART or HOT RESTRIKE: The phenomenon of re-striking the arc in an HID light source after a momentary power loss. Hot restart occurs when the arc tube has cooled a sufficient amount.
IESNA: Abbreviation for Illuminating Engineering Society of North America.
ILLUMINANCE: A photometric term that quantifies light incident on a surface or plane. Illuminance is commonly called light level. It is expressed as lumens per square foot (footcandles), or lumens per square meter (lux).
INDIRECT GLARE: Glare produced from a reflective surface.
INSTANT START: A fluorescent circuit that ignites the lamp instantly with a very high starting voltage from the ballast. Instant start lamps have single-pin bases.
LAMP CURRENT CREST FACTOR (LCCF): The peak lamp current divided by the RMS (average) lamp current. Lamp manufacturers require <1.7 for best lamp life. An LCCF of 1.414 is a perfect sine wave.
LAMP LUMEN DEPRECIATION FACTOR (LLD): A factor that represents the reduction of lumen output over time. The factor is commonly used as a multiplier to the initial lumen rating in illuminance calculations, which compensates for the lumen depreciation. The LLD factor is a dimensionless value between 0 and 1.
LAY-IN-TROFFER: A fluorescent fixture; usually a 2' x 4' fixture that sets or "lays" into a specific ceiling grid.
LED: Abbreviation for light emitting diode. An illumination technology used for exit signs. Consumes low wattage and has a rated life of greater than 80 years.
LENS: Transparent or translucent medium that alters the directional characteristics of light passing through it. Usually made of glass or acrylic.
LIGHT LOSS FACTOR (LLF): Factors that allow for a lighting system's operation at less than initial conditions. These factors are used to calculate maintained light levels. LLFs are divided into two categories, recoverable and non-recoverable. Examples are lamp lumen depreciation and luminaire surface depreciation.
LIFE-CYCLE COST: The total costs associated with purchasing, operating, and maintaining a system over the life of that system.
LOUVER: Grid type of optical assembly used to control light distribution from a fixture. Can range from small-cell plastic to the large-cell anodized aluminum louvers used in parabolic fluorescent fixtures.
LOW POWER FACTOR: Essentially, an uncorrected ballast power factor of less than 0.9 (SEE NPF)
LOW-PRESSURE SODIUM: A low-pressure discharge lamp in which light is produced by radiation from sodium vapor. Considered a monochromatic light source (most colors are rendered as gray).
LOW-VOLTAGE LAMP: A lamp ( typically compact halogen ( that provides both intensity and good color rendition. Lamp operates at 12V and requires the use of a transformer. Popular lamps are MR11, MR16, and PAR36.
LOW-VOLTAGE SWITCH: A relay (magnetically-operated switch) that allows local and remote control of lights, including centralized time clock or computer control.
LUMEN: A unit of light flow, or luminous flux. The lumen rating of a lamp is a measure of the total light output of the lamp.
LUMINAIRE: A complete lighting unit consisting of a lamp or lamps, along with the parts designed to distribute the light, hold the lamps, and connect the lamps to a power source. Also called a fixture.
LUMINAIRE EFFICIENCY: The ratio of total lumen output of a luminaire and the lumen output of the lamps, expressed as a percentage. For example, if two luminaires use the same lamps, more light will be emitted from the fixture with the higher efficiency.
LUMINANCE: A photometric term that quantifies brightness of a light source or of an illuminated surface that reflects light. It is expressed as footlamberts (English units) or candelas per square meter (Metric units).
LUX (LX): The metric unit of measure for illuminance of a surface. One lux is equal to one lumen per square meter. One lux equals 0.093 footcandles.
MAINTAINED ILLUMINANCE: Refers to light levels of a space at other than initial or rated conditions. This terms considers light loss factors such as lamp lumen depreciation, luminaire dirt depreciation, and room surface dirt depreciation.
MERCURY VAPOR LAMP: A type of high intensity discharge (HID) lamp in which most of the light is produced by radiation from mercury vapor. Emits a blue-green cast of light. Available in clear and phosphor-coated lamps.
METAL HALIDE: A type of high intensity discharge (HID) lamp in which most of the light is produced by radiation of metal halide and mercury vapors in the arc tube. Available in clear and phosphor-coated lamps.
MR-16: A low-voltage quartz reflector lamp, only 2" in diameter. Typically the lamp and reflector are one unit, which directs a sharp, precise beam of light.
NADIR: A reference direction directly below a luminaire, or "straight down" (0 degree angle).
NEMA: Abbreviation for National Electrical Manufacturers Association.
NIST: Abbreviation for National Institute of Standards and Technology.
NPF (NORMAL POWER FACTOR): A ballast/lamp combination in which no components (e.g., capacitors) have been added to correct the power factor, making it normal (essentially low, typically 0.5 or 50%).
OCCUPANCY SENSOR: Control device that turns lights off after the space becomes unoccupied. May be ultrasonic, infrared or other type.
OPTICS: A term referring to the components of a light fixture (such as reflectors, refractors, lenses, louvers) or to the light emitting or light-controlling performance of a fixture.
PAR LAMP: A parabolic aluminized reflector lamp. An incandescent, metal halide, or compact fluorescent lamp used to redirect light from the source using a parabolic reflector. Lamps are available with flood or spot distributions.
PAR 36: A PAR lamp that is 36 one-eighths of an inch in diameter with a parabolic shaped reflector (SEE PAR LAMP).
PARABOLIC LUMINAIRE: A popular type of fluorescent fixture that has a louver composed of aluminum baffles curved in a parabolic shape. The resultant light distribution produced by this shape provides reduced glare, better light control, and is considered to have greater aesthetic appeal.
PARACUBE: A metallic coated plastic louver made up of small squares. Often used to replace the lens in an installed troffer to enhance its appearance. The paracube is visually comfortable, but the luminaire efficiency is lowered. Also used in rooms with computer screens because of their glare-reducing qualities.
PHOTOCELL: A light sensing device used to control luminaires and dimmers in response to detected light levels.
PHOTOMETRIC REPORT: A photometric report is a set of printed data describing the light distribution, efficiency, and zonal lumen output of a luminaire. This report is generated from laboratory testing.
POWER FACTOR: The ratio of AC volts x amps through a device to AC wattage of the device. A device such as a ballast that measures 120 volts, 1 amp, and 60 watts has a power factor of 50% (volts x amps = 120 VA, therefore 60 watts/120 VA = 0.5). Some utilities charge customers for low power factor systems.
PREHEAT: A type of ballast/lamp circuit that uses a separate starter to heat up a fluorescent lamp before high voltage is applied to start the lamp.
QUAD-TUBE LAMP: A compact fluorescent lamp with a double twin tube configuration.
RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE (RFI): Interference to the radio frequency band caused by other high frequency equipment or devices in the immediate area. Fluorescent lighting systems generate RFI.
RAPID START (RS): The most popular fluorescent lamp/ballast combination used today. This ballast quickly and efficiently preheats lamp cathodes to start the lamp. Uses a "bi-pin" base.
ROOM CAVITY RATIO (RCR): A ratio of room dimensions used to quantify how light will interact with room surfaces. A factor used in illuminance calculations.
REFLECTANCE: The ratio of light reflected from a surface to the light incident on the surface. Reflectances are often used for lighting calculations. The reflectance of a dark carpet is around 20%, and a clean white wall is roughly 50% to 60%.
REFLECTOR: The part of a light fixture that shrouds the lamps and redirects some light emitted from the lamp.
REFRACTOR: A device used to redirect the light output from a source, primarily by bending the waves of light.
RECESSED: The term used to describe the doorframe of a troffer where the lens or louver lies above the surface of the ceiling.
REGULATION: The ability of a ballast to hold constant (or nearly constant) the output watts (light output) during fluctuations in the voltage feeding of the ballast. Normally specified as +/- percent change in output compared to +/- percent change in input.
RELAY: A device that switches an electrical load on or off based on small changes in current or voltage. Examples: low voltage relay and solid state relay.
RETROFIT: Refers to upgrading a fixture, room, or building by installing new parts or equipment.
SELF-LUMINOUS EXIT SIGN: An illumination technology using phosphor-coated glass tubes filled with radioactive tritium gas. The exit sign uses no electricity and thus does not need to be hardwired.
SEMI-SPECULAR: Term describing the light reflection characteristics of a material. Some light is reflected directionally, with some amount of scatter.
SHIELDING ANGLE: The angle measured from the ceiling plane to the line of sight where the bare lamp in a luminaire becomes visible. Higher shielding angles reduce direct glare. It is the complementary angle of the cutoff angle. (See CUTOFF ANGLE).
SPACING CRITERION: A maximum distance that interior fixtures may be spaced that ensures uniform illumination on the work plane. The luminaire height above the work plane multiplied by the spacing criterion equals the center-to-center luminaire spacing.
SPECULAR: Mirrored or polished surface. The angle of reflection is equal to the angle of incidence. This word describes the finish of the material used in some louvers and reflectors.
STARTER: A device used with a ballast to start preheat fluorescent lamps.
STROBOSCOPIC EFFECT: Condition where rotating machinery or other rapidly moving objects appear to be standing still due to the alternating current supplied to light sources. Sometimes called "strobe effect."
T12 LAMP: Industry standard for a fluorescent lamp that is 12 one-eighths (1 inches) in diameter. Other sizes are T10 (1 inches) and T8 (1 inch) lamps.
TANDEM WIRING: A wiring option in which a ballasts is shared by two or more luminaires. This reduces labor, materials, and energy costs. Also called "master-slave" wiring.
THERMAL FACTOR: A factor used in lighting calculations that compensates for the change in light output of a fluorescent lamp due to a change in bulb wall temperature. It is applied when the lamp-ballast combination under consideration is different from that used in the photometric tests.
TRIGGER START: Type of ballast commonly used with 15-watt and 20-watt straight fluorescent lamps.
TROFFER: The term used to refer to a recessed fluorescent light fixture (combination of trough and coffer).
TUNGSTEN HALOGEN LAMP: A gas-filled tungsten filament incandescent lamp with a lamp envelope made of quartz to withstand the high temperature. This lamp contains some halogens (namely iodine, chlorine, bromine, and fluorine), which slow the evaporation of the tungsten. Also, commonly called a quartz lamp.
TWIN-TUBE: (SEE COMPACT FLUORESCENT LAMP)
ULTRA VIOLET (UV): Invisible radiation that is shorter in wavelength and higher in frequency than visible violet light (literally beyond the violet light).
UNDERWRITERS' LABORATORIES (UL): An independent organization whose responsibilities include rigorous testing of electrical products. When products pass these tests, they can be labeled (and advertised) as "UL listed." UL tests for product safety only.
VANDAL-RESISTANT: Fixtures with rugged housings, break-resistant type shielding, and tamper-proof screws.
VCP: Abbreviation for visual comfort probability. A rating system for evaluating direct discomfort glare. This method is a subjective evaluation of visual comfort expressed as the percent of occupants of a space who will be bothered by direct glare. VCP allows for several factors: luminaire luminances at different angles of view, luminaire size, room size, luminaire mounting height, illuminance, and room surface reflectivity. VCP tables are often provided as part of photometric reports.
VERY HIGH OUTPUT (VHO): A fluorescent lamp that operates at a "very high" current (1500 mA), producing more light output than a "high output" lamp (800 mA) or standard output lamp (430 mA).
VOLT: The standard unit of measurement for electrical potential. It defines the "force" or "pressure" of electricity.
VOLTAGE: The difference in electrical potential between two points of an electrical circuit.
WALLWASHER: Describes luminaires that illuminate vertical surfaces.
WATT (W): The unit for measuring electrical power. It defines the rate of energy consumption by an electrical device when it is in operation. The energy cost of operating an electrical device is calculated as its wattage times the hours of use. In single phase circuits, it is related to volts and amps by the formula: Volts x Amps x PF = Watts. (Note: For AC circuits, PF must be included.)
WORK PLANE: The level at which work is done and at which illuminance is specified and measured. For office applications, this is typically a horizontal plane 30 inches above the floor (desk height).
ZENITH: The direction directly above the luminaire (180 angle).
ANSI: Abbreviation for American National Standards Institute.
ARC TUBE: A tube enclosed by the outer glass envelope of a HID lamp and made of clear quartz or ceramic that contains the arc stream.
ASHRAE: American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers
BAFFLE: A single opaque or translucent element used to control light distribution at certain angles.
BALLAST: A device used to operate fluorescent and HID lamps. The ballast provides the necessary starting voltage, while limiting and regulating the lamp current during operation.
BALLAST CYCLING: Undesirable condition under which the ballast turns lamps on and off (cycles) due to the overheating of the thermal switch inside the ballast. This may be due to incorrect lamps, improper voltage being supplied, high ambient temperature around the fixture, or the early stage of ballast failure.
BALLAST EFFICIENCY FACTOR: The ballast efficiency factor (BEF) is the ballast factor (see below) divided by the input power of the ballast. The higher the BEF ( within the same lamp-ballast type ( the more efficient the ballast.
BALLAST FACTOR: The ballast factor (BF) for a specific lamp-ballast combination represents the percentage of the rated lamp lumens that will be produced by the combination.
CANDELA: Unit of luminous intensity, describing the intensity of a light source in a specific direction.
CANDELA DISTRIBUTION: A curve, often on polar coordinates, illustrating the variation of luminous intensity of a lamp or luminaire in a plane through the light center.
CANDLEPOWER: A measure of luminous intensity of a light source in a specific direction, measured in candelas (see above).
CBM: Abbreviation for Certified Ballast Manufacturers Association.
CEC: Abbreviation for California Energy Commission.
COEFFICIENT OF UTILIZATION: The ratio of lumens from a luminaire received on the work plane to the lumens produced by the lamps alone. (Also called "CU")
COLOR RENDERING INDEX (CRI): A scale of the effect of a light source on the color appearance of an object compared to its color appearance under a reference light source. Expressed on a scale of 1 to 100, where 100 indicates no color shift. A low CRI rating suggests that the colors of objects will appear unnatural under that particular light source.
COLOR TEMPERATURE: The color temperature is a specification of the color appearance of a light source, relating the color to a reference source heated to a particular temperature, measured by the thermal unit Kelvin. The measurement can also be described as the "warmth" or "coolness" of a light source. Generally, sources below 3200K are considered "warm;" while those above 4000K are considered "cool" sources.
COMPACT FLUORESCENT: A small fluorescent lamp that is often used as an alternative to incandescent lighting. The lamp life is about 10 times longer than incandescent lamps and is 3-4 times more efficacious. Also called PL, Twin-Tube, CFL, or BIAX lamps.
CONSTANT WATTAGE (CW) BALLAST: A premium type of HID ballast in which the primary and secondary coils are isolated. It is considered a high performance, high loss ballast featuring excellent output regulation.
CONSTANTWATTAGE AUTOTRANSFORMER (CWA) BALLAST: A popular type of HID ballast in which the primary and secondary coils are electrically connected. Considered an appropriate balance between cost and performance.
CONTRAST: The relationship between the luminance of an object and its background.
CRI: (SEE COLOR RENDERING INDEX)
CUT-OFF ANGLE: The angle from a fixture's vertical axis at which a reflector, louver, or other shielding device cuts off direct visibility of a lamp. It is the complementary angle of the shielding angle.
DAYLIGHT COMPENSATION: A dimming system controlled by a photocell that reduces the output of the lamps when daylight is present. As daylight levels increase, lamp intensity decreases. An energy-saving technique used in areas with significant daylight contribution.
DIFFUSE: Term describing dispersed light distribution. Refers to the scattering or softening of light.
DIFFUSER: A translucent piece of glass or plastic sheet that shields the light source in a fixture. The light transmitted throughout the diffuser will be redirected and scattered.
DIRECT GLARE: Glare produced by a direct view of light sources. Often the result of insufficiently shielded light sources. (See GLARE)
DOWNLIGHT: A type of ceiling luminaire, usually fully recessed, where most of the light is directed downward. May feature an open reflector and/or shielding device.
EFFICACY: A metric used to compare light output to energy consumption. Efficacy is measured in lumens per watt. Efficacy is similar to efficiency, but is expressed in dissimilar units. For example, if a 100-watt source produces 9000 lumens, then the efficacy is 90 lumens per watt.
ELECTROLUMINESCENT: A light source technology used in exit signs that provides uniform brightness, long lamp life (approximately eight years), while consuming very little energy (less than one watt per lamp).
ELECTRONIC BALLAST: A ballast that uses semi-conductor components to increase the frequency of fluorescent lamp operation ( typically in the 20-40 kHz range. Smaller inductive components provide the lamp current control. Fluorescent system efficiency is increased due to high frequency lamp operation.
ELECTRONIC DIMMING BALLAST: A variable output electronic fluorescent ballast.
EMI: Abbreviation for electromagnetic interference. High frequency interference (electrical noise) caused by electronic components or fluorescent lamps that interferes with the operation of electrical equipment. EMI is measured in micro-volts, and can be controlled by filters. Because EMI can interfere with communication devices, the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) has established limits for EMI.
ENERGY-SAVING BALLAST: A type of magnetic ballast designed so that the components operate more efficiently, cooler and longer than a "standard magnetic" ballast. By US law, standard magnetic ballasts can no longer be manufactured.
ENERGY-SAVING LAMP: A lower wattage lamp, generally producing fewer lumens.
FC: (SEE FOOTCANDLE)
FLUORESCENT LAMP: A light source consisting of a tube filled with argon, along with krypton or other inert gas. When electrical current is applied, the resulting arc emits ultraviolet radiation that excites the phosphors inside the lamp wall, causing them to radiate visible light.
FOOTCANDLE (FC): The English unit of measurement of the illuminance (or light level) on a surface. One footcandle is equal to one lumen per square foot.
FOOTLAMBERT: English unit of luminance. One footlambert is equal to 1/p candelas per square foot.
GLARE: The effect of brightness or differences in brightness within the visual field sufficiently high to cause annoyance, discomfort or loss of visual performance.
HALOGEN: (SEE TUNGSTEN HALOGEN LAMP)
HARMONIC DISTORTION: A harmonic is a sinusoidal component of a periodic wave having a frequency that is a multiple of the fundamental frequency. Harmonic distortion from lighting equipment can interfere with other appliances and the operation of electric power networks. The total harmonic distortion (THD) is usually expressed as a percentage of the fundamental line current. THD for 4-foot fluorescent ballasts usually range from 20% to 40%. For compact fluorescent ballasts, THD levels greater than 50% are not uncommon.
HID: Abbreviation for high intensity discharge. Generic term describing mercury vapor, metal halide, high pressure sodium, and (informally) low pressure sodium light sources and luminaires.
HIGH-BAY: Pertains to the type of lighting in an industrial application where the ceiling is 20 feet or higher. Also describes the application itself.
HIGH OUTPUT (HO): A lamp or ballast designed to operate at higher currents (800 mA) and produce more light.
HIGH POWER FACTOR: A ballast with a 0.9 or higher rated power factor, which is achieved by using a capacitor.
HIGH PRESSURE SODIUM LAMP: A high intensity discharge (HID) lamp whose light is produced by radiation from sodium vapor (and mercury).
HOT RESTART or HOT RESTRIKE: The phenomenon of re-striking the arc in an HID light source after a momentary power loss. Hot restart occurs when the arc tube has cooled a sufficient amount.
IESNA: Abbreviation for Illuminating Engineering Society of North America.
ILLUMINANCE: A photometric term that quantifies light incident on a surface or plane. Illuminance is commonly called light level. It is expressed as lumens per square foot (footcandles), or lumens per square meter (lux).
INDIRECT GLARE: Glare produced from a reflective surface.
INSTANT START: A fluorescent circuit that ignites the lamp instantly with a very high starting voltage from the ballast. Instant start lamps have single-pin bases.
LAMP CURRENT CREST FACTOR (LCCF): The peak lamp current divided by the RMS (average) lamp current. Lamp manufacturers require <1.7 for best lamp life. An LCCF of 1.414 is a perfect sine wave.
LAMP LUMEN DEPRECIATION FACTOR (LLD): A factor that represents the reduction of lumen output over time. The factor is commonly used as a multiplier to the initial lumen rating in illuminance calculations, which compensates for the lumen depreciation. The LLD factor is a dimensionless value between 0 and 1.
LAY-IN-TROFFER: A fluorescent fixture; usually a 2' x 4' fixture that sets or "lays" into a specific ceiling grid.
LED: Abbreviation for light emitting diode. An illumination technology used for exit signs. Consumes low wattage and has a rated life of greater than 80 years.
LENS: Transparent or translucent medium that alters the directional characteristics of light passing through it. Usually made of glass or acrylic.
LIGHT LOSS FACTOR (LLF): Factors that allow for a lighting system's operation at less than initial conditions. These factors are used to calculate maintained light levels. LLFs are divided into two categories, recoverable and non-recoverable. Examples are lamp lumen depreciation and luminaire surface depreciation.
LIFE-CYCLE COST: The total costs associated with purchasing, operating, and maintaining a system over the life of that system.
LOUVER: Grid type of optical assembly used to control light distribution from a fixture. Can range from small-cell plastic to the large-cell anodized aluminum louvers used in parabolic fluorescent fixtures.
LOW POWER FACTOR: Essentially, an uncorrected ballast power factor of less than 0.9 (SEE NPF)
LOW-PRESSURE SODIUM: A low-pressure discharge lamp in which light is produced by radiation from sodium vapor. Considered a monochromatic light source (most colors are rendered as gray).
LOW-VOLTAGE LAMP: A lamp ( typically compact halogen ( that provides both intensity and good color rendition. Lamp operates at 12V and requires the use of a transformer. Popular lamps are MR11, MR16, and PAR36.
LOW-VOLTAGE SWITCH: A relay (magnetically-operated switch) that allows local and remote control of lights, including centralized time clock or computer control.
LUMEN: A unit of light flow, or luminous flux. The lumen rating of a lamp is a measure of the total light output of the lamp.
LUMINAIRE: A complete lighting unit consisting of a lamp or lamps, along with the parts designed to distribute the light, hold the lamps, and connect the lamps to a power source. Also called a fixture.
LUMINAIRE EFFICIENCY: The ratio of total lumen output of a luminaire and the lumen output of the lamps, expressed as a percentage. For example, if two luminaires use the same lamps, more light will be emitted from the fixture with the higher efficiency.
LUMINANCE: A photometric term that quantifies brightness of a light source or of an illuminated surface that reflects light. It is expressed as footlamberts (English units) or candelas per square meter (Metric units).
LUX (LX): The metric unit of measure for illuminance of a surface. One lux is equal to one lumen per square meter. One lux equals 0.093 footcandles.
MAINTAINED ILLUMINANCE: Refers to light levels of a space at other than initial or rated conditions. This terms considers light loss factors such as lamp lumen depreciation, luminaire dirt depreciation, and room surface dirt depreciation.
MERCURY VAPOR LAMP: A type of high intensity discharge (HID) lamp in which most of the light is produced by radiation from mercury vapor. Emits a blue-green cast of light. Available in clear and phosphor-coated lamps.
METAL HALIDE: A type of high intensity discharge (HID) lamp in which most of the light is produced by radiation of metal halide and mercury vapors in the arc tube. Available in clear and phosphor-coated lamps.
MR-16: A low-voltage quartz reflector lamp, only 2" in diameter. Typically the lamp and reflector are one unit, which directs a sharp, precise beam of light.
NADIR: A reference direction directly below a luminaire, or "straight down" (0 degree angle).
NEMA: Abbreviation for National Electrical Manufacturers Association.
NIST: Abbreviation for National Institute of Standards and Technology.
NPF (NORMAL POWER FACTOR): A ballast/lamp combination in which no components (e.g., capacitors) have been added to correct the power factor, making it normal (essentially low, typically 0.5 or 50%).
OCCUPANCY SENSOR: Control device that turns lights off after the space becomes unoccupied. May be ultrasonic, infrared or other type.
OPTICS: A term referring to the components of a light fixture (such as reflectors, refractors, lenses, louvers) or to the light emitting or light-controlling performance of a fixture.
PAR LAMP: A parabolic aluminized reflector lamp. An incandescent, metal halide, or compact fluorescent lamp used to redirect light from the source using a parabolic reflector. Lamps are available with flood or spot distributions.
PAR 36: A PAR lamp that is 36 one-eighths of an inch in diameter with a parabolic shaped reflector (SEE PAR LAMP).
PARABOLIC LUMINAIRE: A popular type of fluorescent fixture that has a louver composed of aluminum baffles curved in a parabolic shape. The resultant light distribution produced by this shape provides reduced glare, better light control, and is considered to have greater aesthetic appeal.
PARACUBE: A metallic coated plastic louver made up of small squares. Often used to replace the lens in an installed troffer to enhance its appearance. The paracube is visually comfortable, but the luminaire efficiency is lowered. Also used in rooms with computer screens because of their glare-reducing qualities.
PHOTOCELL: A light sensing device used to control luminaires and dimmers in response to detected light levels.
PHOTOMETRIC REPORT: A photometric report is a set of printed data describing the light distribution, efficiency, and zonal lumen output of a luminaire. This report is generated from laboratory testing.
POWER FACTOR: The ratio of AC volts x amps through a device to AC wattage of the device. A device such as a ballast that measures 120 volts, 1 amp, and 60 watts has a power factor of 50% (volts x amps = 120 VA, therefore 60 watts/120 VA = 0.5). Some utilities charge customers for low power factor systems.
PREHEAT: A type of ballast/lamp circuit that uses a separate starter to heat up a fluorescent lamp before high voltage is applied to start the lamp.
QUAD-TUBE LAMP: A compact fluorescent lamp with a double twin tube configuration.
RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE (RFI): Interference to the radio frequency band caused by other high frequency equipment or devices in the immediate area. Fluorescent lighting systems generate RFI.
RAPID START (RS): The most popular fluorescent lamp/ballast combination used today. This ballast quickly and efficiently preheats lamp cathodes to start the lamp. Uses a "bi-pin" base.
ROOM CAVITY RATIO (RCR): A ratio of room dimensions used to quantify how light will interact with room surfaces. A factor used in illuminance calculations.
REFLECTANCE: The ratio of light reflected from a surface to the light incident on the surface. Reflectances are often used for lighting calculations. The reflectance of a dark carpet is around 20%, and a clean white wall is roughly 50% to 60%.
REFLECTOR: The part of a light fixture that shrouds the lamps and redirects some light emitted from the lamp.
REFRACTOR: A device used to redirect the light output from a source, primarily by bending the waves of light.
RECESSED: The term used to describe the doorframe of a troffer where the lens or louver lies above the surface of the ceiling.
REGULATION: The ability of a ballast to hold constant (or nearly constant) the output watts (light output) during fluctuations in the voltage feeding of the ballast. Normally specified as +/- percent change in output compared to +/- percent change in input.
RELAY: A device that switches an electrical load on or off based on small changes in current or voltage. Examples: low voltage relay and solid state relay.
RETROFIT: Refers to upgrading a fixture, room, or building by installing new parts or equipment.
SELF-LUMINOUS EXIT SIGN: An illumination technology using phosphor-coated glass tubes filled with radioactive tritium gas. The exit sign uses no electricity and thus does not need to be hardwired.
SEMI-SPECULAR: Term describing the light reflection characteristics of a material. Some light is reflected directionally, with some amount of scatter.
SHIELDING ANGLE: The angle measured from the ceiling plane to the line of sight where the bare lamp in a luminaire becomes visible. Higher shielding angles reduce direct glare. It is the complementary angle of the cutoff angle. (See CUTOFF ANGLE).
SPACING CRITERION: A maximum distance that interior fixtures may be spaced that ensures uniform illumination on the work plane. The luminaire height above the work plane multiplied by the spacing criterion equals the center-to-center luminaire spacing.
SPECULAR: Mirrored or polished surface. The angle of reflection is equal to the angle of incidence. This word describes the finish of the material used in some louvers and reflectors.
STARTER: A device used with a ballast to start preheat fluorescent lamps.
STROBOSCOPIC EFFECT: Condition where rotating machinery or other rapidly moving objects appear to be standing still due to the alternating current supplied to light sources. Sometimes called "strobe effect."
T12 LAMP: Industry standard for a fluorescent lamp that is 12 one-eighths (1 inches) in diameter. Other sizes are T10 (1 inches) and T8 (1 inch) lamps.
TANDEM WIRING: A wiring option in which a ballasts is shared by two or more luminaires. This reduces labor, materials, and energy costs. Also called "master-slave" wiring.
THERMAL FACTOR: A factor used in lighting calculations that compensates for the change in light output of a fluorescent lamp due to a change in bulb wall temperature. It is applied when the lamp-ballast combination under consideration is different from that used in the photometric tests.
TRIGGER START: Type of ballast commonly used with 15-watt and 20-watt straight fluorescent lamps.
TROFFER: The term used to refer to a recessed fluorescent light fixture (combination of trough and coffer).
TUNGSTEN HALOGEN LAMP: A gas-filled tungsten filament incandescent lamp with a lamp envelope made of quartz to withstand the high temperature. This lamp contains some halogens (namely iodine, chlorine, bromine, and fluorine), which slow the evaporation of the tungsten. Also, commonly called a quartz lamp.
TWIN-TUBE: (SEE COMPACT FLUORESCENT LAMP)
ULTRA VIOLET (UV): Invisible radiation that is shorter in wavelength and higher in frequency than visible violet light (literally beyond the violet light).
UNDERWRITERS' LABORATORIES (UL): An independent organization whose responsibilities include rigorous testing of electrical products. When products pass these tests, they can be labeled (and advertised) as "UL listed." UL tests for product safety only.
VANDAL-RESISTANT: Fixtures with rugged housings, break-resistant type shielding, and tamper-proof screws.
VCP: Abbreviation for visual comfort probability. A rating system for evaluating direct discomfort glare. This method is a subjective evaluation of visual comfort expressed as the percent of occupants of a space who will be bothered by direct glare. VCP allows for several factors: luminaire luminances at different angles of view, luminaire size, room size, luminaire mounting height, illuminance, and room surface reflectivity. VCP tables are often provided as part of photometric reports.
VERY HIGH OUTPUT (VHO): A fluorescent lamp that operates at a "very high" current (1500 mA), producing more light output than a "high output" lamp (800 mA) or standard output lamp (430 mA).
VOLT: The standard unit of measurement for electrical potential. It defines the "force" or "pressure" of electricity.
VOLTAGE: The difference in electrical potential between two points of an electrical circuit.
WALLWASHER: Describes luminaires that illuminate vertical surfaces.
WATT (W): The unit for measuring electrical power. It defines the rate of energy consumption by an electrical device when it is in operation. The energy cost of operating an electrical device is calculated as its wattage times the hours of use. In single phase circuits, it is related to volts and amps by the formula: Volts x Amps x PF = Watts. (Note: For AC circuits, PF must be included.)
WORK PLANE: The level at which work is done and at which illuminance is specified and measured. For office applications, this is typically a horizontal plane 30 inches above the floor (desk height).
ZENITH: The direction directly above the luminaire (180 angle).
Luminous Efficacy and Color Quality Advances in LED Systems
Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are a viable alternative to incumbent and emerging lighting technologies in many application areas, including outdoor and general lighting solutions. To lead against other technologies, LEDs must improve to out-compete the alternatives in terms of luminous efficacy and color quality.
Luminous efficacy and proper color rendition is a function of the LED, the thermal management and driver and power-supply efficiency of the luminaire. As a result, lighting solution designers need to consider the complete system.
Luminous efficacy of a source
Luminous efficacy is a measure of how efficiently a light source produces visible light – or the ratio of luminous flux to power. Depending on context, the power can be either the radiant flux of the source's output, or it can be the total electric power consumed by the source. Most often, luminous efficacy of a source is measured in terms of lumens per watt (lm/W), which is increasingly used by standards bodies and regulatory agencies.
For example, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has set hard goals for LED luminous efficacy, seeking to have cost-effective, market-ready warm white LEDs producing 160 lm/W by 2025.
While there is every indication that these goals are achievable — for example Cree's XLamp XM-L LEDs are one of the most efficient on the market right now — LEDs are only one part of LED-based solutions.
Luminous efficacy of the system
Luminaire efficacy should take into consideration the LED's luminous efficacy of a source in light of the relative efficiency of other system components.
For example, "LEDs also require supplementary electronics, usually called drivers," wrote the DOE on its solid-state lighting website. "The driver converts line power to the appropriate voltage (typically between 2 and 4 Vdc for high-brightness LEDs) and current (generally 200 to 1,000 mA), and may also include dimming and/or color-correction controls.
"Currently available LED drivers are typically about 85 percent efficient. So LED efficacy should be discounted by 15 percent to account for the driver." Other system components, including the power supply or the fixture’s overall thermal profile, also will have an effect on the total luminaire efficacy.
At the moment, LEDs are surpassing compact fluorescent lighting in terms of luminaire efficacy. Of course, efficacy by itself is not enough to a make a good and competitive lighting solution. Low-pressure sodium lamps, for example, can outperform LEDs and most other light sources in terms of luminous efficacy, but they have a nearly monochromatic light that poorly renders colors.
Color rendering
For most lighting applications, the light source must accurately reproduce the colors of the objects it illuminates. An example might be down lighting in a kitchen, where one would not want the luminaire to make naturally bright fruit or vegetables seem dull or, perhaps, even spoiled.
Recently, the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology, which is part of the Department of Commerce, proposed the Color Quality Scale. This qualitative measurement seeks to improve upon the aging Color Rendering Index (CRI) for comparing the color-rendering capabilities of fluorescent lights, which was introduced more than 40 years ago by the International Commission on Illumination.
However, whether using the newer Color Quality Scale or the CRI, color rendering should be a significant consideration in lighting solution design.
Luminous efficacy and proper color rendition is a function of the LED, the thermal management and driver and power-supply efficiency of the luminaire. As a result, lighting solution designers need to consider the complete system.
Luminous efficacy of a source
Luminous efficacy is a measure of how efficiently a light source produces visible light – or the ratio of luminous flux to power. Depending on context, the power can be either the radiant flux of the source's output, or it can be the total electric power consumed by the source. Most often, luminous efficacy of a source is measured in terms of lumens per watt (lm/W), which is increasingly used by standards bodies and regulatory agencies.
For example, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has set hard goals for LED luminous efficacy, seeking to have cost-effective, market-ready warm white LEDs producing 160 lm/W by 2025.
While there is every indication that these goals are achievable — for example Cree's XLamp XM-L LEDs are one of the most efficient on the market right now — LEDs are only one part of LED-based solutions.
Luminous efficacy of the system
Luminaire efficacy should take into consideration the LED's luminous efficacy of a source in light of the relative efficiency of other system components.
For example, "LEDs also require supplementary electronics, usually called drivers," wrote the DOE on its solid-state lighting website. "The driver converts line power to the appropriate voltage (typically between 2 and 4 Vdc for high-brightness LEDs) and current (generally 200 to 1,000 mA), and may also include dimming and/or color-correction controls.
"Currently available LED drivers are typically about 85 percent efficient. So LED efficacy should be discounted by 15 percent to account for the driver." Other system components, including the power supply or the fixture’s overall thermal profile, also will have an effect on the total luminaire efficacy.
At the moment, LEDs are surpassing compact fluorescent lighting in terms of luminaire efficacy. Of course, efficacy by itself is not enough to a make a good and competitive lighting solution. Low-pressure sodium lamps, for example, can outperform LEDs and most other light sources in terms of luminous efficacy, but they have a nearly monochromatic light that poorly renders colors.
Color rendering
For most lighting applications, the light source must accurately reproduce the colors of the objects it illuminates. An example might be down lighting in a kitchen, where one would not want the luminaire to make naturally bright fruit or vegetables seem dull or, perhaps, even spoiled.
Recently, the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology, which is part of the Department of Commerce, proposed the Color Quality Scale. This qualitative measurement seeks to improve upon the aging Color Rendering Index (CRI) for comparing the color-rendering capabilities of fluorescent lights, which was introduced more than 40 years ago by the International Commission on Illumination.
However, whether using the newer Color Quality Scale or the CRI, color rendering should be a significant consideration in lighting solution design.
How to Install LED Tube Lights?
LED (Light Emitting Diode) tube lights are soon advancing to become the forefront of traditional lighting, that consist of fluorescent tube lights & CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Lamps). LED tube lights have a low luminous intensity, therefore they offer better distribution of light as compared to other sources of light & the intensity of glare is reduced to a greater extent. They are energy efficient & more long lasting than other traditional sources of light, hence it makes sense to save in frugal electricity bills & replacement costs. LED lighting works on the lines of green expertise, that is they generate less carbon emissions & do not contain poisonous mercury or any dangerous elements. Moreover, you don't must worry about getting the whole wiring process changed; a few simple modifications in the existing fixtures will serve the purpose. So, the next time you happen to alter your existing tube light, make definite you think about installing LED tube lights. & in the event you have already decided to put in them, here are a few tips on how to put in LED tube lights perfectly.
Installing LED Tube Lights
When you start with installing LED tube lights than fluorescent tube lights, you will recognize there's main components; the ballast, the starter & the tube light that you need to get rid of. Now, the starter may not be a separate part in the whole circuit & is sometimes built in the ballast itself.
Remove the elderly bulbs from the fixtures & be definite the electricity or the mains to the whole fixture is turned off while doing so. You may need simple tools like screw drivers, wires, wire stripper & cutter, some nuts & bolts; keep all of them handy.
One time the elderly bulbs or tube lights are taken off you will must remove the reflector that encloses the wiring & the ballast as well. Usually, it is simple to detach the reflector, you may use the screw driver to remove this, in case it is fixed using screws otherwise you can use a wire stripper to pull out the reflector.
Now, you need to get rid of the ballast & starter (if present). The ballast will have screws holding it, unscrew them using a screw driver & dispose it off. While doing so, the wiring attached to it would even be removed. Reconnect the wires in the fixture so as to complete the circuit.
You are there! Fix the reflector back in its place covering the wiring work & insert the LED tube lights in the sockets. Now, while inserting the LED tube lights you ought to be definite of the top & bottom ends, & must be fixed in to the circuit likewise. In case you are unable to identify the top & bottom refer to the instructions manual provided by the manufacturer.
One time you are completed with installing the LED tube light in the fixture, turn on the mains or electricity. If all the connections are proper & the fittings are completed in the correct manner, you will have a better illumination. Your project does not finish here, it is important that you dispose off the elderly fluorescent bulbs or tube lights properly according to the local regulations. Since, these bulbs contain small amounts of poisonous mercury, that are highly hazardous.
A few modifications to the existing fixture can make the installation of LED tube lights simple & more convenient than before. LED tube lights are definite to last longer & save much electricity as compared to the traditional lighting process. And they are environmental friendly & contain no poisonous mercury or the use of ballast.
LED tube lights bring an array of lighting effects and can be readily installed without having you modify the existing tube light fixture, thus helping you modify the ambiance of any room the simpler way. They will soon see them replace the existing compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) all over.
Installing LED Tube Lights
When you start with installing LED tube lights than fluorescent tube lights, you will recognize there's main components; the ballast, the starter & the tube light that you need to get rid of. Now, the starter may not be a separate part in the whole circuit & is sometimes built in the ballast itself.
Remove the elderly bulbs from the fixtures & be definite the electricity or the mains to the whole fixture is turned off while doing so. You may need simple tools like screw drivers, wires, wire stripper & cutter, some nuts & bolts; keep all of them handy.
One time the elderly bulbs or tube lights are taken off you will must remove the reflector that encloses the wiring & the ballast as well. Usually, it is simple to detach the reflector, you may use the screw driver to remove this, in case it is fixed using screws otherwise you can use a wire stripper to pull out the reflector.
Now, you need to get rid of the ballast & starter (if present). The ballast will have screws holding it, unscrew them using a screw driver & dispose it off. While doing so, the wiring attached to it would even be removed. Reconnect the wires in the fixture so as to complete the circuit.
You are there! Fix the reflector back in its place covering the wiring work & insert the LED tube lights in the sockets. Now, while inserting the LED tube lights you ought to be definite of the top & bottom ends, & must be fixed in to the circuit likewise. In case you are unable to identify the top & bottom refer to the instructions manual provided by the manufacturer.
One time you are completed with installing the LED tube light in the fixture, turn on the mains or electricity. If all the connections are proper & the fittings are completed in the correct manner, you will have a better illumination. Your project does not finish here, it is important that you dispose off the elderly fluorescent bulbs or tube lights properly according to the local regulations. Since, these bulbs contain small amounts of poisonous mercury, that are highly hazardous.
A few modifications to the existing fixture can make the installation of LED tube lights simple & more convenient than before. LED tube lights are definite to last longer & save much electricity as compared to the traditional lighting process. And they are environmental friendly & contain no poisonous mercury or the use of ballast.
LED tube lights bring an array of lighting effects and can be readily installed without having you modify the existing tube light fixture, thus helping you modify the ambiance of any room the simpler way. They will soon see them replace the existing compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) all over.
Friday, September 2, 2011
LED lights and started the outbreak of the main lighting market opportunities
EU and other countries are announced the installation of a new car daytime running lights, and the complete ban, the cut-off incandescent Act, together with the safety certification standards are ready, LED lights up and the main lighting needs. Market opportunities for the catching, LED components, LED driver IC and system manufacturers have resorted to a complete program to step up to eating this great opportunity.
EU norms in all vehicles by 2012 new cars be fitted with dedicated daytime running lights (DRL), to ensure safer driving. In addition, including the European Union, the United Kingdom, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the United States, Argentina and other countries has been officially announced, no later than 2014 will completely ban the incandescent lamp with a cut-off. In the national policy to promote, the light-emitting diode (LED) daytime running lamps and lighting applications is becoming the main light source and the following street lighting market, LED manufacturers full layout of the business focus.
National policy to accelerate LED lights / lighting universal primary
To make driving safer, the EU took the lead on September 24, 2008 notice requirement since the beginning of February 2011, all cars and small trucks with new models equipped with daytime running lights are required; and other goods vehicles, buses since 2012. from August 7 to be equipped with daytime running lights. In addition to the EU, other countries are starting to regulate all types of vehicles started the car to be fitted with daytime running lights, now nearly the only Canadian regulations allow light to replace daytime running lights.
Experts point out that, due to daytime running lights must be in the vehicles to maintain the brightness, the traditional DRL power consumption for the headlights for 25 to 30%, so with low power consumption and long life advantages of LED light source to be a vendor research and development trend, the use of LED daytime running lights headlights to be only 10% of electricity consumption. Consider traffic safety and energy demand trends, the development of LED daytime running lights will be imperative, a LED lamp manufacturers to expand new market opportunities.
Today, car manufacturers Audi (Audi) promote LED daytime running lights of the most active, its A8, R8 and A4 series have switched with LED daytime running lights, A8 Philips (Philips) Lumileds of LuxeonEmittor as daytime running light source; R8 and A4 are selected Osram Opto Semiconductors (OsramOptoSemiconductor)) of AdvancedPowerTopLED and GoldenDRAGONLED; even expected in 2010′s third-generation A8 will the full import of LED daytime running lights. In addition, many car manufacturers have been the first half of this year’s new models are also equipped with LED daytime running lights, such as the Mercedes-Benz (Benz) and so on.
In fact, in addition to daytime running lights outside, LED has been widely used in interior lighting, including the instrument panel, backlit buttons, sunroof, head-up display and so on. Osram Opto Semiconductors, said the car on-demand color selection (ColoronDemand) feature allows car manufacturers to use the company’s unique identifying color, creativity and diversity of competitors, or in different series using different colors to be distinguished.
In addition, LED lights for use outside the proportion has continued to rise, such as the 2008 Cadillac (Cadilac) Escalade First, the use of LED headlamps. Philips Lumileds said that the listing of Lexus (Lexus) LS600h and the Audi R8 have been mounted LED headlights, which use the Lexus that is Philips Lumileds and Nichia (Nichia) high power LED. As for the third LED brake light, taillights, turn signals, side lights, dipped beam and high beam and so demand is also growing. LED is also frequently used in the car section of the taillights, in addition to considering the small size, temperature stability and long life characteristics, another advantage for the fast response, the driver can depress the brake plate moment on. For example, Nissan (Nissan) Tiana after the lights and Chrysler (Chrysler) third brake lights, turn signals and lamps have switched after the use of LED light sources.
Even LED brake lights, turn signals and other signals technologies has matured, but the LED headlights, front fog lamps and other lighting types not yet universal, and then benefit from the national DRL Act enacted, LED daytime running lights has become a hot lamp applications .
On the other hand, in order to comply with energy saving trend, countries from 2009 onwards to stop production, to ban incandescent bulbs, especially the EU countries will start in September this year, prohibit the sale of 100-watt conventional light bulb, 2012, a total ban all traditional light bulbs, for the earliest implementation of the area.
According to market LEDinside forecasts, as governments have been released to ban incandescent schedule, the overall global effect of lighting products will be updated gradually from 2010 to 2012 the fermentation, to 2012, LED lighting compound annual growth rate of 33%. The progressive upgrading of the LED luminous efficiency and lower costs, the future of LED lighting will be cut into the interior lighting.
In energy policy, fueled by governments, is bound to drive LED daytime running lights and the main lighting market demand for the early to ensure product performance, reliability and security, the European Union, the North American government agencies with the responsibility to verify the safety, has been for the lights and the main set lighting set standards and safety-related certification.
Standards / Safety verify the development of intense LED lights / bright primary lighting business
European Union for the LED daytime running lights and headlights were worked out ECER112, ECER87 norms, experts said, LED lights and verify the different traditional lights, LED light source lit illumination will gradually increase, as stable, the EU provides LED light source required to achieve the most minute light illumination requirements, and in light stable period of 30 minutes after the illumination, that in the light and 1 minute after 30 minutes, the brightness values to different types of lights on the lower limit of the , such as the daytime running lights, the lower limit of the individual to 1,200 cd and 400cd; According to the EU LED turn signals regulate ECER6 provides upper and lower limit is 1,000 cd and 175cd; The LED position lights ECER7, the lower limit was 17cd, 4cd. In addition, he added said, using gradually increasing the proportion of LED headlights and taillights, brake lights no longer light up the same, so does not require a long period of steady illumination, the lights validation exception.
Moreover, the concern is, by all UK insurance companies jointly called for Thatcham Union, accompanied by German Rhine requirements established for claims of non-mandatory EMC verification services, mainly to adapt its LED lights the need for additional battery-loop system for to protect the safety of the driver in the car, thus requiring the vehicle to carry out electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) verification, to confirm the vehicle’s electrical system are up to any officially sanctioned the EMC specifications. Any vehicle within the new electronic products must be verified through EMC, the market for after-loading (AM) with greater impact, the Alliance and look forward to expanding this service to Europe. In addition, Thatcham verify that the project will also include after-loading the product meets the original product’s specifications, including functional and assembly of.
Representation of the current major customers for the Osram lamp, Philips, Valeo, Narva, etc., but the poor status of the automobile market to verify the order also followed shrink, as domestic demand is not received verification lights, but with the LED lights are more popular, the domestic automobile manufacturers to use LED lights will greatly enhance the proportion of the existing more than half the proportion of vehicles equipped with LED brake lights, turn signals, etc., so the domestic automobile manufacturers demand more verification LED lights.
The main lighting and LED lights verify the project very different, most of the time, lights and a lower chance of human contact, so no need electrical safety requirements; the other hand, LED lighting is the main there is a demand. In addition, LED lights only need to verify the system; rules, however, verify the LED lighting project covers Ming LED components and systems.
Different LED lighting different safety requirements, in addition to lighting equipment for the European and American safety standards are not the same, the main difference is that the voltage (230 volts in Europe, North America, 120 volts), the standards for safety and for different structural differences .
LED lighting project for the main electrical safety verification testing, optical properties, EMC safety testing and the EU Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) / Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive compliance testing. Li Zhiming proposed validation prices vary in different lighting, to effectively reduce the validation costs, manufacturers have to find the components meet the safety conditions.
Compared to the German Rhine, the North American market, LED lighting is more active Ming regulation verify the UL, in addition to LED lighting, but also specifically for LED components to develop draft safety verification ULSubject8750. ULSubject8750 for LED components include verification of safety light module, control circuit and power supply.
UL said that as traditional lamps Certification previously not taken into account characteristics of LED components, so ULSubject8750 reinforcement system used in conventional LED lighting systems the lack of safety standards, and applies to all LED lighting safety verification.
The LED lights verify program covers safety abnormal test, electrical specifications and mechanical strength, so in addition to the basic test of all lamps, such as temperature, abnormal test and insulation properties, consider the LED is the semiconductor components, with quite different characteristics of the traditional disparity between the light source Therefore the Special Programme abnormal test items, and mechanical strength, mainly for the structure of the review and confirmation switch, power cord specifications meet lighting requirements, and related electrical spacing is caused by short circuit, to avoid short circuit, open circuit or back to the passing load conditions.
However, while in government policy and verification under escort, LED lights and the main lighting after strong potential, but compared with backlight and street lighting, automotive lighting applications with the main design requirements are more stringent, especially for headlights and interior when the main light source, LED heat, light-emitting efficiency and reliability are facing great challenges. Therefore, the two major potential inroads into this market, LED manufacturers have been gradually developed a higher luminous efficiency of LED with new cooling, packaging technology, to accelerate the market forming.
EU norms in all vehicles by 2012 new cars be fitted with dedicated daytime running lights (DRL), to ensure safer driving. In addition, including the European Union, the United Kingdom, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the United States, Argentina and other countries has been officially announced, no later than 2014 will completely ban the incandescent lamp with a cut-off. In the national policy to promote, the light-emitting diode (LED) daytime running lamps and lighting applications is becoming the main light source and the following street lighting market, LED manufacturers full layout of the business focus.
National policy to accelerate LED lights / lighting universal primary
To make driving safer, the EU took the lead on September 24, 2008 notice requirement since the beginning of February 2011, all cars and small trucks with new models equipped with daytime running lights are required; and other goods vehicles, buses since 2012. from August 7 to be equipped with daytime running lights. In addition to the EU, other countries are starting to regulate all types of vehicles started the car to be fitted with daytime running lights, now nearly the only Canadian regulations allow light to replace daytime running lights.
Experts point out that, due to daytime running lights must be in the vehicles to maintain the brightness, the traditional DRL power consumption for the headlights for 25 to 30%, so with low power consumption and long life advantages of LED light source to be a vendor research and development trend, the use of LED daytime running lights headlights to be only 10% of electricity consumption. Consider traffic safety and energy demand trends, the development of LED daytime running lights will be imperative, a LED lamp manufacturers to expand new market opportunities.
Today, car manufacturers Audi (Audi) promote LED daytime running lights of the most active, its A8, R8 and A4 series have switched with LED daytime running lights, A8 Philips (Philips) Lumileds of LuxeonEmittor as daytime running light source; R8 and A4 are selected Osram Opto Semiconductors (OsramOptoSemiconductor)) of AdvancedPowerTopLED and GoldenDRAGONLED; even expected in 2010′s third-generation A8 will the full import of LED daytime running lights. In addition, many car manufacturers have been the first half of this year’s new models are also equipped with LED daytime running lights, such as the Mercedes-Benz (Benz) and so on.
In fact, in addition to daytime running lights outside, LED has been widely used in interior lighting, including the instrument panel, backlit buttons, sunroof, head-up display and so on. Osram Opto Semiconductors, said the car on-demand color selection (ColoronDemand) feature allows car manufacturers to use the company’s unique identifying color, creativity and diversity of competitors, or in different series using different colors to be distinguished.
In addition, LED lights for use outside the proportion has continued to rise, such as the 2008 Cadillac (Cadilac) Escalade First, the use of LED headlamps. Philips Lumileds said that the listing of Lexus (Lexus) LS600h and the Audi R8 have been mounted LED headlights, which use the Lexus that is Philips Lumileds and Nichia (Nichia) high power LED. As for the third LED brake light, taillights, turn signals, side lights, dipped beam and high beam and so demand is also growing. LED is also frequently used in the car section of the taillights, in addition to considering the small size, temperature stability and long life characteristics, another advantage for the fast response, the driver can depress the brake plate moment on. For example, Nissan (Nissan) Tiana after the lights and Chrysler (Chrysler) third brake lights, turn signals and lamps have switched after the use of LED light sources.
Even LED brake lights, turn signals and other signals technologies has matured, but the LED headlights, front fog lamps and other lighting types not yet universal, and then benefit from the national DRL Act enacted, LED daytime running lights has become a hot lamp applications .
On the other hand, in order to comply with energy saving trend, countries from 2009 onwards to stop production, to ban incandescent bulbs, especially the EU countries will start in September this year, prohibit the sale of 100-watt conventional light bulb, 2012, a total ban all traditional light bulbs, for the earliest implementation of the area.
According to market LEDinside forecasts, as governments have been released to ban incandescent schedule, the overall global effect of lighting products will be updated gradually from 2010 to 2012 the fermentation, to 2012, LED lighting compound annual growth rate of 33%. The progressive upgrading of the LED luminous efficiency and lower costs, the future of LED lighting will be cut into the interior lighting.
In energy policy, fueled by governments, is bound to drive LED daytime running lights and the main lighting market demand for the early to ensure product performance, reliability and security, the European Union, the North American government agencies with the responsibility to verify the safety, has been for the lights and the main set lighting set standards and safety-related certification.
Standards / Safety verify the development of intense LED lights / bright primary lighting business
European Union for the LED daytime running lights and headlights were worked out ECER112, ECER87 norms, experts said, LED lights and verify the different traditional lights, LED light source lit illumination will gradually increase, as stable, the EU provides LED light source required to achieve the most minute light illumination requirements, and in light stable period of 30 minutes after the illumination, that in the light and 1 minute after 30 minutes, the brightness values to different types of lights on the lower limit of the , such as the daytime running lights, the lower limit of the individual to 1,200 cd and 400cd; According to the EU LED turn signals regulate ECER6 provides upper and lower limit is 1,000 cd and 175cd; The LED position lights ECER7, the lower limit was 17cd, 4cd. In addition, he added said, using gradually increasing the proportion of LED headlights and taillights, brake lights no longer light up the same, so does not require a long period of steady illumination, the lights validation exception.
Moreover, the concern is, by all UK insurance companies jointly called for Thatcham Union, accompanied by German Rhine requirements established for claims of non-mandatory EMC verification services, mainly to adapt its LED lights the need for additional battery-loop system for to protect the safety of the driver in the car, thus requiring the vehicle to carry out electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) verification, to confirm the vehicle’s electrical system are up to any officially sanctioned the EMC specifications. Any vehicle within the new electronic products must be verified through EMC, the market for after-loading (AM) with greater impact, the Alliance and look forward to expanding this service to Europe. In addition, Thatcham verify that the project will also include after-loading the product meets the original product’s specifications, including functional and assembly of.
Representation of the current major customers for the Osram lamp, Philips, Valeo, Narva, etc., but the poor status of the automobile market to verify the order also followed shrink, as domestic demand is not received verification lights, but with the LED lights are more popular, the domestic automobile manufacturers to use LED lights will greatly enhance the proportion of the existing more than half the proportion of vehicles equipped with LED brake lights, turn signals, etc., so the domestic automobile manufacturers demand more verification LED lights.
The main lighting and LED lights verify the project very different, most of the time, lights and a lower chance of human contact, so no need electrical safety requirements; the other hand, LED lighting is the main there is a demand. In addition, LED lights only need to verify the system; rules, however, verify the LED lighting project covers Ming LED components and systems.
Different LED lighting different safety requirements, in addition to lighting equipment for the European and American safety standards are not the same, the main difference is that the voltage (230 volts in Europe, North America, 120 volts), the standards for safety and for different structural differences .
LED lighting project for the main electrical safety verification testing, optical properties, EMC safety testing and the EU Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) / Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive compliance testing. Li Zhiming proposed validation prices vary in different lighting, to effectively reduce the validation costs, manufacturers have to find the components meet the safety conditions.
Compared to the German Rhine, the North American market, LED lighting is more active Ming regulation verify the UL, in addition to LED lighting, but also specifically for LED components to develop draft safety verification ULSubject8750. ULSubject8750 for LED components include verification of safety light module, control circuit and power supply.
UL said that as traditional lamps Certification previously not taken into account characteristics of LED components, so ULSubject8750 reinforcement system used in conventional LED lighting systems the lack of safety standards, and applies to all LED lighting safety verification.
The LED lights verify program covers safety abnormal test, electrical specifications and mechanical strength, so in addition to the basic test of all lamps, such as temperature, abnormal test and insulation properties, consider the LED is the semiconductor components, with quite different characteristics of the traditional disparity between the light source Therefore the Special Programme abnormal test items, and mechanical strength, mainly for the structure of the review and confirmation switch, power cord specifications meet lighting requirements, and related electrical spacing is caused by short circuit, to avoid short circuit, open circuit or back to the passing load conditions.
However, while in government policy and verification under escort, LED lights and the main lighting after strong potential, but compared with backlight and street lighting, automotive lighting applications with the main design requirements are more stringent, especially for headlights and interior when the main light source, LED heat, light-emitting efficiency and reliability are facing great challenges. Therefore, the two major potential inroads into this market, LED manufacturers have been gradually developed a higher luminous efficiency of LED with new cooling, packaging technology, to accelerate the market forming.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Easiest way to make Led Circuit !!!
Simple LED circuits are not so hard to build. An LED (Light Emitting Diode), is a very low current light source that is safe and durable for use in your project. This article will show you how to make a very simple LED circuit.
The LEDs you purchase online will usually have several important pieces of information written about them, like angle, intensity (mcd), wavelength(nm), power consumption, size.
1. In the first step you must select the types(brightness and color) of leds that you are using and how many leds you want to light up. In this simple circuit you will be in one way limited by the amount of voltage that can be safely provided for your project.
2. Find out how big voltage you will have or need from your power supply, than you should take a look for the diodes voltage specification on the manufacturers site or on the packaging.
In case that you don’t find this information you can estimate:
Blue (430 nm) 4.6 V
White 3.3 V
Blue 3.3 V
True Green 3.3 V
Green 2.2 V
Yellow 2.1 V
Red or Orange 2.0 V
For example if you would like to have 3 White Leds in your simple led circuit, than you will need 3 x 3.3V = 9.9V.
3. In these step we will choose from where will we power up the simple led circuit:
a. DC voltage, where you can use 9V, AA or AAA batteries which are easy to find, cheap and you can than move around with your led circuit.
b. AC voltage, from where you can get constant power and the simplest way is to use a wall plug. But first you must cut the end of the plug and using a multimeter, you must see which is the negative and positive wire.
AC voltage may even be designed in the circuit. AC will only drive the LED half of the time since the voltage travels in waves. A full-wave bridge rectifier can be used to fully power LEDs. This is fundamentally what the wall wart is doing for you.
You must find a power supply bigger than the calculated voltage (>9.9V) and if you are driving a big number of leds than current can be also important.
4. LED's cannot be connected directly to the battery or power supply. The LED will be instantly destroyed because the current is too big. The current power must be reduced. The simplest way to do this is by using a resistor. Calculate the LED resistor value with the following formula:
LED Resistor Value, R=(supply voltage - LED voltage) / LED current
Supply voltage - The voltage obtained from a power source for operation of a circuit
Led voltage - look at step 2
LED current - is 20 mA (this is a typical value if not specified else by the manufacturer)
If the resistor value is not available, then pick the nearest greater standard resistor value. In case you require to increase the battery life you can select a higher resistor value to reduce current. The reduced current will lead to a dimmer LED.
5. You can soldier the wires directly together, use crimp connectors, or use a tiny circuit board. Choose the best technique based on the size of your project.
6. The final step is to mount the LEDs in your project. Radio Shack and others sellers sell plastic or chrome LED holders that make a professional looking mount easy. You can add momentary push buttons or on/off switches to your simple LED circuits.
Building a simple LED circuit is an easy project.
The LEDs you purchase online will usually have several important pieces of information written about them, like angle, intensity (mcd), wavelength(nm), power consumption, size.
1. In the first step you must select the types(brightness and color) of leds that you are using and how many leds you want to light up. In this simple circuit you will be in one way limited by the amount of voltage that can be safely provided for your project.
2. Find out how big voltage you will have or need from your power supply, than you should take a look for the diodes voltage specification on the manufacturers site or on the packaging.
In case that you don’t find this information you can estimate:
Blue (430 nm) 4.6 V
White 3.3 V
Blue 3.3 V
True Green 3.3 V
Green 2.2 V
Yellow 2.1 V
Red or Orange 2.0 V
For example if you would like to have 3 White Leds in your simple led circuit, than you will need 3 x 3.3V = 9.9V.
3. In these step we will choose from where will we power up the simple led circuit:
a. DC voltage, where you can use 9V, AA or AAA batteries which are easy to find, cheap and you can than move around with your led circuit.
b. AC voltage, from where you can get constant power and the simplest way is to use a wall plug. But first you must cut the end of the plug and using a multimeter, you must see which is the negative and positive wire.
AC voltage may even be designed in the circuit. AC will only drive the LED half of the time since the voltage travels in waves. A full-wave bridge rectifier can be used to fully power LEDs. This is fundamentally what the wall wart is doing for you.
You must find a power supply bigger than the calculated voltage (>9.9V) and if you are driving a big number of leds than current can be also important.
4. LED's cannot be connected directly to the battery or power supply. The LED will be instantly destroyed because the current is too big. The current power must be reduced. The simplest way to do this is by using a resistor. Calculate the LED resistor value with the following formula:
LED Resistor Value, R=(supply voltage - LED voltage) / LED current
Supply voltage - The voltage obtained from a power source for operation of a circuit
Led voltage - look at step 2
LED current - is 20 mA (this is a typical value if not specified else by the manufacturer)
If the resistor value is not available, then pick the nearest greater standard resistor value. In case you require to increase the battery life you can select a higher resistor value to reduce current. The reduced current will lead to a dimmer LED.
5. You can soldier the wires directly together, use crimp connectors, or use a tiny circuit board. Choose the best technique based on the size of your project.
6. The final step is to mount the LEDs in your project. Radio Shack and others sellers sell plastic or chrome LED holders that make a professional looking mount easy. You can add momentary push buttons or on/off switches to your simple LED circuits.
Building a simple LED circuit is an easy project.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Why LED tube light are future over traditional fluorescent tube light ?
LED Tube Lights are sometimes erroneously called LED fluorescent tubes. An LED tube light is actually an LED bulb that is designed to resemble a fluorescent tube light in its dimensions and fixture options. The similarities finish with the shape.
These type of lights are based on innovative solid-state lighting know-how while fluorescent tubes are powered by a know-how that is at least a generation elderly. LEDs have taken advantage of the phosphor know-how developed to help improve the performance of fluorescent tubes and have successfully leapfrogged several years worth of development that goes in to improving any lighting know-how. Today LED tube lights deliver equal or better lighting performance with only a fraction of the energy consumption of the traditional fluorescent tube lights.
1. Energy-saving, the brightness of LED tube light is same as that of traditional fluorescent tube light; it can save more than 70% energy than fluorescent tube.
2. Long life time, it is more than 50,000 hours, no maintenance, and can save labor cost.
3. Environment friendly, LED tube light will no ultraviolet and infrared radiation, no mercury pollution and other poisonous materials (when the fluorescent tube break, it will release mercury which is harmful to human health). And less heat release; old fluorescent tube can be used again.
4. No flash, start fast, is the best light source to protect human eyes.
5. No noisy, because LED tube light don’t need ballast and starter.
6. Solid light source, easy to be shipped and prevent vibration; PC material is not easy to be broke and pressed.
7. Wide application, can be used in office building, factory, shopping mall, school, public area and home lighting and decoration.
8. No mosquito and other bugs (on the contrary, when fluorescent tube is working, it release out ultraviolet and attract mosquito come), but LED tube will not give out ultraviolet to attract mosquito, this ensure clear and comfortable environment.
9. Rich color, can make LED tube at different color to meet different requirements.
10. Broad usage, the shape and size of LED tube light is same as fluorescent tube, people can use LED tube to replace fluorescent tube directly.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Led-World Exclusive Comparison - LED TV vs LCD TV
When buying a TV, you might ask what is the best view, an LED or LCD TV. LED TV With the increasingly widespread, it is important to know what could be better to buy a TV LED.
When it comes to buying new TVs, the only time you should now have an LCD TV is that if you are buying a TV with a budget or can not find a TV LED on the size you need. Other TV shows are much cheaper LED TVs, but the price difference is down and soon find TVs LED to be so cheap.
Price aside, televisions LEDs have many advantages over LCD. They have a much better contrast ratio and black levels, better color accuracy, and power consumption. The only thing is to wait and see how long you can last TV LED compared to LCD TVs. This can not be determined yet because the LEDs are new televisions.
The contrast ratio of reason and black levels are much better on these sets because they use technology that can control and adjust the backlight. LCD TVs, the screen is to block the light turning the glass LCD. This ends up causing the television to have a contrast ratio of just less darkening.
When it comes to producing better color accuracy, LED backlit color TV dominates other TV. Color backlight allows the TV to produce very realistic colors. However, some TVs use white LED backlight, which is not much of an improvement in LCD televisions.
TV LEDs also have a better viewing angle. This is very important as you can watch TV in a wider angle. Most TVs have suffered a lot when it comes to viewing angles. Usually does not work so well when you go beyond 30 degrees off center. However, LED TV viewing angles are fantastic, and are almost as good as plasma TVs.
Energy consumption is very important because you can save money in the long term. TV LEDs have a slight improvement over LCD TVs when it comes to energy consumption, and near the power consumption of plasma TVs. However, this improvement in energy consumption is only true for edge-lit TVs, rather than local regulations LED TV.
When it comes to buying the TV, it is advisable to get a TV LED, since it seems to have many advantages over most LCD rivals. With advantages such as energy consumption, better viewing angles, contrast ratio and color accuracy, you can not go wrong with a TV LED
Friday, May 20, 2011
Led-World Exclusive - All-LED-lights Mercedes-Benz CL on 2011 Shanghai Auto Show
"Innovation for Tomorrow" is the slogan of the fourteenth session of the Shanghai auto show. Based on this concept, the auto show brings many new technologies to the first facing the public. Mercedes-Benz CLS enjoys its debut on the auto show. Its 71 LED lights design makes it the focus. 2011 Shanghai Auto Show
LED has been used in automotive lighting for some time, but now there are only two kinds of vehicles applying the all-LED headlights: Mercedes-Benz CLS and Audi A8. According to manufacturers, those Audi A8 sales domestically use Xenon headlights and all LED lights are only options. Then here are the questions: What about all LED headlights? Will them become the future mainstream?
Currently, a single LED light source intensity is still less than xenon lamps. Among the majority of the car lights, LED lamp only plays a supporting role for Xenon Headlights. To reach the same brightness, even high-brightness LED requires an additional group LED lights comparing with the xenon lamps. And this group of high-brightness LED costs much and release much more heat than xenon lights.
However, the manufacturers tell us that, through some special power conversion device, LED light can issue different color temperature. The car headlights of Mercedes-Benz CLS can transform the color temperature under certain conditions and can be used as fog lights. Audi A8's daytime running lights can be converted into turn signals.
At present, LED lights have been widely used as auxiliary lights for vehicles. In turn lights, fog lights, and many other places LED Lights have replaced other sources. However, the high cost of LED brightness and thermal are the problems that R & D personnel facing. LED lighting as the main front Car Headlights is still immature. If this bottleneck breaks, LED will be the future of the automotive field.
Now, if you want to replace your car headlights, HID Xenon Car Headlight Kits are still your best option. They are providing driver better visibility and nigh vision for safety concern. NearbyExpress.com is a professional wholesaler and dropship supplier of Car Eletronics. The products are now at low China wholesale price for all its clients.
Philips introduces 75W equivalent LED light
Philips claims that the new lamp will create light that will be indistinguishable from a standard incandescent light bulb.
LED lamps are expected to revolutionize the lighting industry because of their sharply reduced power consumption and their long life compared with standard incandescents. But to date, market acceptance has been slow given the high initial cost and limited brightness. LED lamps have only been able to emit light equivalent to a 60-watt standard bulb.
On Friday, Philips will look to change that game by announcing that it will market an LED lamp later this year whose light output equals that of a 75-watt incandescent.
The bulb, the EnduraLED A21, will retail for about $40, last 25,000 hours and produce 1100 lumens of light by consuming just 17 watts of electricity. (A standard 75-watt lampfrom GE produces 1170 lumens.)
Over the life of the lamp, Massachusetts consumers will save $300 in electricity costs alone and will break even in 1.6 years.
"The trick with an A lamp is how to project 1100 lumens in 360 degrees," said Ed Crawford, general manager of lamps for Philips Lighting, North America. "It's absolutely more difficult to do 1100 lumens in an omni-directional lamp."
To accomplish that, the new lamp, available around September or October, contains 18 LED modules fixed in multiple directions. Various metal fins surrounding the lamp are used to dissipate heat.
LED lamps are expected to revolutionize the lighting industry because of their sharply reduced power consumption and their long life compared with standard incandescents. But to date, market acceptance has been slow given the high initial cost and limited brightness. LED lamps have only been able to emit light equivalent to a 60-watt standard bulb.
On Friday, Philips will look to change that game by announcing that it will market an LED lamp later this year whose light output equals that of a 75-watt incandescent.
The bulb, the EnduraLED A21, will retail for about $40, last 25,000 hours and produce 1100 lumens of light by consuming just 17 watts of electricity. (A standard 75-watt lampfrom GE produces 1170 lumens.)
Over the life of the lamp, Massachusetts consumers will save $300 in electricity costs alone and will break even in 1.6 years.
"The trick with an A lamp is how to project 1100 lumens in 360 degrees," said Ed Crawford, general manager of lamps for Philips Lighting, North America. "It's absolutely more difficult to do 1100 lumens in an omni-directional lamp."
To accomplish that, the new lamp, available around September or October, contains 18 LED modules fixed in multiple directions. Various metal fins surrounding the lamp are used to dissipate heat.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Salute to Father of LED
Nick Holonyak
Zeigler, Illinois; 1928
NICK HOLONYAK, JR. was born in Zeigler, Illinois on November 3, 1928. he attended the University of Illinois and received a B.S. (1950), M.S. (1951), and Ph.D. (1954) in Electrical Engineering. A Texas Instruments Fellow, he was John Bardeen’s first student. He later was employed as a member of technical staff at Bell Telephone Laboratories (1954-55) and helped demonstrate feasibility of diffused-impurity silicon devices, including transistors, oxide-masked transistors, p-n-p-n switches and SCR’S. He served with the U.S. Army Signal Corps (1955-57) at Ft. Monmouth, New Jersey, and at Isogo-ku, Yokohama, Japan. In 1957 he joined the Advanced Semiconductor Laboratory of the General Electric Company (Syracuse) and made contributions in the areas of power and signal p-n-p-n devices (including invention of the shorted-emitter and symmetrical SCR and thyristor switches—TRIAC’s, etc.), tunnel diodes, phonon-assisted tunneling (the initial observation of inelastic tunneling and the beginning of tunneling spectroscopy), halide transport and first epitaxial growth of III-V compounds and compound mixtures (including heterojunctions, 1960-63), double injection and deep-impurity-level effects, junction luminescence (GaAsP LED’s), and III-V alloy semiconductor lasers (visible spectrum, GaAsP, 1962). His work from 1960 to 1962 on GaAsP and the initial construction in 1960 of a p-n junction in the crystal system, and a visible-spectrum (red) laser in 1962, led to the commercial introduction of red GaAsP LED’s (and eventually to the concept of an “ultimate lamp”). He is the inventor of the first practical light emitting diode (the GaAsP LED), which also marks the beginning in the use of III-V alloys in semiconductor devices (including heterojunctions.)
Since 1963 he has been a professor at the University of Illinois in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and is a member of the University of Illinois Center for Advanced Study. He and his students have worked primarily on III-V semiconductors, III-V alloy crystal growth and the demonstration of red-orange-yellow-green stimulated emission in In1-xGaxP, In1-xGaxP1-zAsz and A1xGa1-xAs1-yPy, stimulated emission on nitrogen trap transitions in the alloys GaAs1-xPx and In1-xGaxP, and heterojunctions in various ternary III-V’s and in the quaternaries A1xGa1-xAs1-yPy and In1-xGaxP1-zAsz. He and his students were the first to make quaternary III-V semiconductor devices (LEDs and lasers.) Since 1976 he has been concerned with quantum-well (QW) light emitters and lasers, and with impurity-induced layer disordering, which shifts lower gap quantum well layers to higher gap bulk crystal and serves as a basis for integrated optoelectronic devices. In 1990 he and his students introduced (~400˚C) stable native oxides on, and buried in, Al-bearing III-V compounds and demonstrated their use in optoelectronic devices (LEDs and lasers). He and his students were the first (1977) to construct p-n diode quantum well lasers (InP-InGaAsp, LPE) and were the first to achieve (1978) continuous (cw) room temperature (300 K) laser operation of quantum well heterostructures and superlattices, and later (1982) strained layer quantum well heterostructures. They are the source of the name “quantum well laser.” Most recently (with Dupuis, 2001) he introduced tunneling-coupled quantum-well-assisted quantum-dot lasers, and (with Feng, 2004) the light-emitting three-port operation of heterojunction bipolar transistors, including QW-based HBTs and, after 57 years, a transistor laser.
He is co-author of the book SEMICONDUCTOR CONTROLLED RECTIFIERS (Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1964) and PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF SEMICONDUCTORS (Prentice-Hall, 1989), editor of the Prentice-Hall series “Solid State Physical Electronics,” and has served on the Editorial Board of the PROCEEDINGS OF THE IEEE (1966-1974), SOLID-STATE ELECTRONICS (1970-1991), and JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS and APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS (1978-1980). He received a General Electric Cordiner Award (1962), and for his contributions to the field of visible-spectrum light emitting diodes and diode lasers, he is the recipient of the IEEE Morris N. Liebmann Award (1973), the John Scott Medal (1975, City of Philadelphia), the first GaAs Symposium Award with Welker Medal (1976), the IEEE Jack A. Morton Award (1981), the Electrochemical Society Solid State Science and Technology Award (1983), the Sigma Xi Monie A. Ferst Award (1988), the IEEE Edison Medal (1989), the Charles Hard Townes Award of the Optical Society of America (1992), the National Academy of Sciences Award for the Industrial Application of Science (1993), American Electronics Association 50th Anniversary Award (1993, “Inventing America’s Future”), American Society for Engineering Education Centennial Medallion (1993), Vladimir Karapetoff Eminent Members’ Award of Eta Kappa Nu (1994), TMS John Bardeen Award (1995, The Minerals, Metals, and Materials Society), 2000 IEEE Third Millennium Medal, Frederic Ives Medal of the Optical Society of America (2001), the IEEE Medal of Honor (2003), the Washington Award (Western Society Engineers, 2004), the Lemelson-MIT Prize (2004), and the MRS Von Hippel Award (2004). In 1990 he received the U.S. National Medal of Science and in 2003 the 2002 U.S. National Medal of Technology. In 1992 he received from Northwestern University an honorary doctor of science degree and was elected an honorary member of the Ioffe Physical-Technical Institute (St. Petersburg, Russia). In 1994 he received an honorary doctor of engineering degree from Notre Dame University, in 1995 the Japan Prize, and in 2003 the Global Energy International Prize (Russia). In 1993 he was appointed (University of Illinois) the John Bardeen Chair Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and of Physics, a chair sponsored by the Sony Corporation. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering (1973), a member of the National Academy of Sciences (1984), foreign member of the Russian Academy of Sciences (1999), eminent member of Eta Kappa Nu (1998), fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (1984), fellow of the IEEE (life fellow, 1994), fellow of the American Physical Society, fellow of the Optical Society of America, fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2003), and laureate of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois (2005). In 2008 he was inducted into the U.S. National Inventors Hall of Fame.
Semiconductors, quantum well and dot lasers, LEDs, transistor lasers, optoelectronics
Professor Holonyak has made fundamental contributions to the science and technology of elemental and compound semiconductors, including major achievements in solid-state lasers and incoherent light emitters. He invented the first practical light-emitting diode and is the first to make III-V alloy devices (III-V alloys now part of all high performance lasers and LEDs, U.S. Patent #3,249,473). He and his students built the first p-n diode quantum well lasers and introduced the name quantum well lasers (also vital now in all lasers and LEDs). He is known also for his work on early diffused silicon devices, tunnel diodes, and silicon-controlled rectifiers, including invention of the symmetrical switch. (TRIAC) used in wall light dimmers. He was the first to observe inelastic tunneling, which is the beginning of tunneling spectroscopy. Among the 39 patents he holds on semiconductor materials and devices are the fundamental patents on quantum-well layer disordering and on the aluminum-based III-V oxide, now being exploited in optoelectronics (and a licensed U of I technology).
For his contributions to the field of semiconductor materials and devices, visible light-emitting diodes, diode lasers, and quantum-well heterostructure lasers, he received the IEEE’s Morris N. Liebmann Award, Jack A. Morton Award, Edison Medal, and Third Millennium Medal; John Scott Medal of the City of Philadelphia; Solid State Science and Technology Award of the Electrochemical Society; GaAs Symposium Award with Welker Medal; Monie A. Ferst Award of Sigma Xi; Charles H. Townes Award and Frederick Ives Medal (2001) of the Optical Society of America; National Academy of Sciences Award for the Industrial Application of Science; American Electronics Association 50th Anniversary Award; American Society for Engineering Education Centennial Medallion; Vladimir Karapetoff Eminent Member’s Award of Eta Kappa Nu; and John Bardeen Award of the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society.
He received the 1990 National Medal of Science, an honorary doctorate of science from Northwester University (1992), and an honorary doctor of engineering degree from Notre Dame University (1994). He is an honorary member of the Ioffe Physical Technical Institute (St. Petersburg, Russia). In 1995 he received the Japan Prize. In 1997 the Optical Society of America established the Nick Holonyak, Jr. Award; in 1998 he was elected an Eminent member of Eta Kappa Nu; and in 1999 he was elected a foreign member of the Russian Academy of Sciences. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Sciences, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Eight former graduate students are elected members of the National Academy of Engineering. In 2003 he received the Medal of Honor of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE); Global Energy International Prize, Russia; U.S. Medal of Technology; and was elected a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. In 2004 he received the Washington Award, of the Western Society of Engineers, the Lemelson-MIT Prize of invention, the MRS Von Hipple Award; and in 2005 was named a Laureate of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois. In 2006 he became a Member of the Consumer Electronics Assn Hall of Fame, and in 2008 was inducted into the U.S. National Inventors Hall of Fame.
His research now is concerned with coupled quantum-dot/quantum-well lasers, light-emitting transistors (LETs), and transistor lasers (LTs), which has resulted in fundamental changes in transistors and in lasers.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Comparison - Led-vs-Fluorescent-vs-Incandescent
If there’s one constant in this world, it might just be that technology is always changing. The second you feel as if you may finally have a handle on it all, it changes so much that you have to just about start at square one. The same goes for lighting. Lamp technology has changed so much in recent years that knowing which ones to include in a kit has become as difficult as solving world hunger. That’s why we’re going to look at some of the newest and best light fixtures for incandescent, fluorescent, and LED and give you some tips on which lights work best for every type of video production. Though we can never show you the exact lighting kit to buy for your needs, hopefully we can point you in the right direction.
Incandescent
Unfortunately, there is precious little to say that would make incandescent bulbs look good. They produce a lot of heat and guzzle power like a Hummer guzzles gas. These features don’t bode well for the incandescent’s future, but there is one redeeming quality: incandescent bulbs are still the brightest lamps money can buy. They are also some of the cheapest fixtures on the market today. If you need something that can compete with the strength of the sun or light the inside of an entire house, then incandescents and HMI’s are really the only way to make it happen.
Though I do my best to be good to the environment, I have to admit that I still use incandescent PARs like Smith Victor’s A80 or Lowel’s Omni and DP as the backlight in my three-point lighting setups. I just find it too hard to get the rim light strong enough while still keeping the fixture out of the shot using any other type of lighting fixture. Also, for background washes, I still use a Lowel Tota light with a 750W bulb or a Cool-Lux Hollywood Soft Light with a 1000W bulb. These fixtures combined with gels and cookies give me the light intensity and look I need for backgrounds in larger scenes. Lighting the same scene with fluorescents or LED lamps would require several fixtures, making it more difficult to get wide shots without stands in the frame and of course, making it more expensive too.
The other advantage of using incandescent-style bulbs is that I can dim the lights without ballasts by using a heavy-duty light dimmer available from any home improvement center. This makes light dimming affordable, but does change the color temperature of the light when dimmed. However, I am usually able to live with the results.
The most affordable incandescent lights on the market right now come from Lowel, Smith Victor, and Cool-Lux which sell great interview lighting kits for a good price. If you’re looking for lights that industry professionals use most often, both ARRI and Mole-Richardson offer some high-quality lighting kits as well. Depending on what you’ll be using these lights for, there should be a light amongst these manufacturers that fits your needs.
Fluorescent
On the other hand, fluorescent bulbs produce very little heat and draw less than a quarter of the power of similar incandescent lights. They are generally very soft lights and tend to look great as key lights for interviewing subjects. The biggest problem with this lamp type is that they can’t be dimmed by a simple variable resistor dimmer. Since fluorescents work by using bursts of electricity to fluoresce gas inside of a tube, cutting down on the amount of electricity to the fixture will either make the light blink or turn off altogether. This means that the only way to dim fluorescent lights is to use a ballast which makes the fixtures fairly large and cumbersome. That’s why these kinds of lights are typically used in studios rather than field work. We actually use fluorescent lights from Kino-Flo such as their 4-Bank and DivaLites to light our green screen and subject in our studio. That being said, companies like Kino-Flo have been hard at work putting together systems, like their Barfly, that are easier to use in the field. These kits usually have fluorescent lamps with ballasts built right into the unit along with hard cases to withstand the frequent abuse of using lights on the road. In fact, many major networks are now using fluorescent fixtures for their studios since it saves so much on cost and generally casts a pleasing soft light on their anchors.
Some of the best fluorescent light fixtures can be found at Kino-Flo and FloLight, who have been in the industry for a while. You can also check out Videomaker’s review on the Kino-Flo Barfly to see for yourself what these fixtures can do.
LED
Of all of the lighting technologies, the most promising is the LED. LEDs are an answer to many of the problems gaffers had with incandescent light fixtures. LEDs are small, lightweight, produce almost no heat, draw very little power, can be dimmed without changing color temperature, and can even go between color temperatures at the flick of a switch. With all of these features, it’s no wonder that LED fixtures seem to be the Holy Grail of video lighting.
The only real problem with LEDs are their limited light intensity. Even the strongest LED lamps fall woefully short of the amount of lumens an incandescent lamp can throw on a subject. That’s why LEDs are most often used as key and fill lights in interviews, and on-camera lights since the fixtures can be placed close to the subject in these situations. With the way technology advances in the world of LEDs, I can only imagine that it’s just a matter of time before these lamps begin to equal those of incandescents. In fact, some companies such as LitePanels with their Sola, and ARRI’s L-Series Fresnel concept are now making LED fixtures that are just as bright as similar incandescent fixtures.
Even so, LED light fixtures are hard to beat for field shooting. They are lightweight, can take a decent amount of abuse, and can run off of battery power for long periods of time due to their low power consumption. Lights like these have become very popular at trade shows and events where lighting is usually less than ideal and space is limited. This last year at CES, I saw dozens of people using LED fixtures like the LitePanel 1×1 with an external battery pack for quick interviews and product shots. Many energy conscious studios and buildings are using them too. The White House Press Briefing Room saw their energy consumption drop 95% after using LED fixtures. Even prime time television shows such as Fox’s 24 used LEDs to light parts of their set.
Though only a handful of companies once sold LEDs, most brand name manufacturers have jumped on the LED bandwagon. Kino-Flo’s website has a coming soon page for LED lighting kits, ARRI now sells LoCaster LED fixtures as well as hybrid LED kits, FloLight sells Microbeam LEDs in both a small and large form, Mole-Richardson has a MoleLED concept light that is soon to be released, and Lowel introduced their Blender which can switch between indoor and outdoor color temperatures. Videomaker has also had the privelege to review some of the more interesting LED lights over the past couple of years including the ARRI H-2 “Hybrid” kit, and the LitePanel 1×1 Bi-Color light, both of which are dimmable and can switch color temperatures. Though many of these lights can be more expensive than their incandescent counterparts, the flexibility and energy savings they give is almost always worth the cost.
Monday, October 18, 2010
LED-Next-generation bulbs to capture nearly 50% of lighting market by 2020
A new report finds that the market for light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is set to explode in the next ten years, surpassing even compact fluorescent lightbulbs as the ultimate energy-efficient lighting option.
By 2020, LEDs will cover 46 percent of the $4.4 billion U.S. market for lamps in the commercial, industrial and outdoor stationary sectors, driven by the overall push toward energy efficiency, according to a study released this week by Pike Research, a Boulder, Colo. cleantech market-research firm. That's a big jump, considering that LEDs now capture only two percent of the lighting market, according to estimates.
"As energy efficiency becomes increasingly important for controlling costs, improving energy independence, and reducing environmental impacts, governments and organizations have looked to lighting as the 'low hanging fruit' of energy efficiency," the study states.
Currently, lighting accounts for 17.5 percent of the world's electricity consumption, and $40 billion of the electricity bill in the United States, which makes it full of potential for energy and cost savings. While fluorescents have been justly praised for offering greater efficiency than incandescent bulbs, LEDs have been shown to be more efficient and to last longer than any other lighting source on the market, making them the logical next step.
LED lightbulbs typically last 50,000 hours — twice as long as fluorescents — and are up to twice as efficient as fluorescents, which are four to six times more efficient than incandescents. Further, unlike fluorescent or incandescent bulbs, LED tubes do not get especially hot.
According to a 2009 report released by market research group GigaOmPro, incandescent bulbs only convert about 4 to 6 percent of the energy they receive into light; the rest is wasted as heat. While fluorescent bulbs can raise the temperature in a room by up to two degrees, resulting in increased cooling load for buildings, LEDs don't raise the temperature at all.
"Growth rates [for LEDs] have been in the double digits and we don't anticipate growth to slow,," writes analyst Katherine Austin in the GigaOm report.
"With a new administration in the U.S. White House, a new energy secretary, and a new focus on energy efficiency, market conditions for are very likely to remain positive. Other countries, especially China, Korea and Japan, share this focus. By 2012, the market for LEDs in general lighting applications could climb as high as $10 billion, although in light of the recent economic downturn, we expect that $4-5 billion may be more realistic."
In addition to their high efficiency and long lifespan, LEDs also do not require ballast and do not contain toxic mercury, which means disposing of them when they die poses fewer health and environmental hazards.
LEDs are also favored by the Department of Energy, which has been investing heavily in advancing the technology over the last ten years. The European Union is currently phasing out the use of incandescent bulbs, which the U.S. will do in 2012, leaving only fluorescents and LEDs left as the lighting options.
Cost is Chief Barrier
Despite the positive forecast, there remain short-term financial and technological obstacles to market success for LEDs, with the biggest problem being price.
LED tubes cost anywhere from $50 to $100, compared to $2 to $10 for fluorescents. The other roadblock frequently cited by electrical engineers and facilities managers is brightness; they are concerned occupants will complain that the lights are not bright enough. Both problems are being addressed by LED manufacturers, which are researching ways to increase the luminance of LEDs and cut costs.
In 2008, for instance, researchers at Purdue University found a way to replace the expensive standard substrate used in LED production — sapphire — with low-cost, metal-coated silicon wafers. The switch would greatly reduce the cost of LED manufacturing, assuming another silicon shortage does not come along.
Even without a cost breakthrough, though, reports suggest that paying more for LEDs would be worth it. In a recent LED-to-fluorescent comparison, Greentech Media found that while LEDs are clearly more expensive at first, they are far more cost-effective in the long run.
Comparing an installation of 40 LEDs and 40 fluorescent tubes, the report found that in the first year it would cost $3,069 for the energy and initial purchase of LEDs, while the fluorescent tubes would cost $1,071. Given that every year thereafter the energy costs of the LED tubes would be lower than fluorescents — $269 versus $431 — the analysis found that after 16 years the LEDs offered a six percent cost savings.
Still, as with most green building products, the long-term cost savings of LEDs won't necessarily convince building owners right away. It's likely to take awhile for them to warm up to the idea that they should increase their lighting budget by a few thousand dollars, even if it means reducing their energy bills.
In the meantime, during the ten years the study predicts it will take for LEDs to overcome obstacles to their adoption, fluorescents will continue to replace incandescents, the authors say. To fill that future market demand, companies are emerging with controllers and sensors to help boost the efficiency of flourescent bulbs.
Cavet: 'Save Energy and Money Now'
One such firm is the venture-backed Toronto company Cavet Technologies, which recently launched its LumiSmart Intelligent Controller, a device that connects directly to lighting circuits and automatically adjusts voltages to improve efficiency.
With its 'save energy and money now' approach, Cavet is likely to be appealing to building owners.
"A 100,000 square foot property can be outfitted with LumiSmart in one afternoon and benefit from an immediate savings of 30 percent with an ROI payback period of between 12 to 24 months," Albert Behr, president and CEO of Cavet Technologies, told SolveClimate.
According to the company, a single LumiSmart ILC can manage lighting loads of up to 6.9 kilowatts, or around 130 fluorescent lights. The product provides power savings by altering the power waveform and then applying what Cavet calls an "adaptive power factor correction." By inserting on-off pulses into the sine wave, LumiSmart is able to dramatically reduce electrical consumption with minimal impact on lighting levels.
So far, Cavet has caught the eye of venture capitalists and as-yet-unnamed utilities in Canada, Europe and the U.S., all eager to test the company’s controller. It also won praise from cleantech analyst Dallas Kachan, former managing director of The Cleantech Group, who released a positive assessment of the company via his market research firm, Kachan & Co, last week.
The key benefit of Cavet's controller, analysts say, is that it is relatively inexpensive at $2,000 per controller and is quick and easy to install. While it still needs to be installed by an electrician, it's about as plug-and-play as such a device gets, the company says.
"There are other lighting controllers, but they generally take a lot of time and money to install, so the more lights an organization has, the more expensive these other solutions are," Kachan says in the company’s launch video.
The LumiSmart product has been in trials throughout Canada and Europe during the last year, including at the Canadian headquarters of electronics manufacturer Celestica, which is both making and testing the product.
At the LumiSmart product launch earlier this month, Cavet executives showed on stage how their product had delivered a 40 percent energy savings at the manufacturing facility.
Later this year, the firm plans to release a related demand-and-response product, which will allow property managers and utilities to set building lighting systems to automatically power on and off, and dim, according to the availability and price of electricity.
Others Hedging Their Bets Elsewhere
While Cavet is focused for the time being on making fluorescents more efficient, another smart lighting company, Siemens spin-off EnOcean, is hedging its bets by focusing on controlling and automating lighting—no matter the light source.
EnOcean's sensors, transmitters and controllers have ultra-low energy requirements, allowing them to run off of so-called "harvested energy" from ambient light, sunlight and electrical cables.
For its part, U.S. industrial giant General Electric has decided that it's going to be ready and waiting when the residential LED market blows up. The company recently announced the late 2010 or early 2011 release of its LED bulb shaped like an old-fashioned incandescent bulb. Although GE is not the first company to figure out how to make LEDs more "bulb-like." the fact that the inventor of the bulb is making an LED version is big news.
GE's bulb is guaranteed to last 17 years and consume only nine watts of power, delivering a 77 percent energy savings over incandescent bulbs.
Early adopters will likely rush out to buy the bulb, but with a price tag of $40 to $50 each, the costs could remain a barrier to widespread market penetration.
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