Insight into the world of LEDS
Advantages
Economical – Reducing in cost by 50-75% since 2010, and now provide payback in 2 – 3 years (33- 50% annual return on investment), while lasting 10 – 20 years.
Energy Efficient – Reducing Energy Demand by 50%+ and are now capable of 150+ lumens per watt
Controllable – LED controls include occupancy/vacancy dimming, interior daylight harvesting by reducing in natural light from doors, and skylights. Exterior photocells allow for dusk to dawn operation. Controls can reduce energy consumption by an additional 20 – 30%
Rugged – Known as “Solid State Lighting (SSL) as they are made of solid material with no filament or tube or bulb to break
Long Lifetime – Engineered for a lifetime of up to 150,000 hours
No warm-up – LEDS light up instantly
Not affected by cold temperatures – LEDS “like” low temperatures and will startup even in subzero weather
Directionality – Within the range of 15 – 240 degrees, beam spreads are used to maximize light for every environment from Warehouse aisles, retail spotlights, and parking lot lighting.
Vibrant Color Projection – LEDS do not fade out colors like most other light sources such as fluorescent, making them perfect for educational facilities, medical practices, retail applications, and much more
Environmentally friendly – Contains no mercury or any other hazardous substances
Overview
LED (Light Emitting Diodes) are one of the newest and most useful technological advancement in the lighting industry. LEDS are small, solid light bulbs which are highly energy efficient and long lasting. LEDS operate differently than traditional incandescent light bulbs. This makes LEDS far more efficient, and durable than traditional incandescent light bulbs.
Tube Lamps
T-5, T-8 and T-12 Fixtures: The T stands for tubular shaped and the number stands for 1/8ths of an inch in diameter; T5 being 0.625”, T8 being 1”, and T12 being 1.5”.
T8 is the standard tube fixture size.
Although T5’s are 40% smaller then T8’s, T5’s generally contain just as high of light outputs as T8 fixtures.
T12 fixture LED’s are not typically manufactured. This size is for outdated fluorescent tube bulbs.
- Type A LED Tube works with a ballast
- Type B LED Tube is a direct wire. Can be either Single end or Double end power.
- Type C LED Tube is with an LED Driver on, usually with a dimmable Driver
- Type A-B LED Tube is a tube used for emergency ballast back-up fixtures
Panels and Troffers
Typical troffers are sized to fit into drop grid ceiling applications: 2×2, 2×4 and 1×4.
Flat Panels
Flat Panels are a smooth flat surface fixture. That fits perfectly inside the grid ceiling. Looks like a panel with a smooth sheet of light. It is perfect for an office retrofit. Now most panel fixture manufacturers make the panels with tunable Kelvin colors and dimmable control options built into the fixture.
Volumetric Troffers
Volumetric troffers also fit into the grid ceiling. They tend to have a single center basket that emanates the light. These designs are more slick and modern then there parabolic counterparts and fit great into office and educational facilities.
High Bays
Types:
UFO – UFO LEDs are disc-shaped fixtures. These types of fixtures are more modern and eye-catching in design than typical outdated metal-halide fixtures.
Linear – Linear high bays are fitted with light distribution lenses that focus the light output and are ideal for aisles or high ceilings.
Lowbays – Low bays are typically fitted with diffusers to increase light spread at lower heights and reduce harsh reflections. They are ideal for low hanging or low ceiling lighting applications.
Downlights
Downlights are frequently referred to as “can” lights or “pot” lights. Downlights are recessed into ceilings increasing the visual aesthetic of hallways and countertops. Downlights are typically sized at 4, 6, and 8”s.
These types of lights are extremely popular wherever a countertop is located; Front desks, kitchens, bathrooms… etc etc. They are also common for exterior pathways with overhead cealings.
Street Lights
Street lights, or pole lights, are usually found illuminating exterior walkways or streets where vehicles frequent.
The two most typical types of street lights are Shoe box and Cobrahead.
Shoebox streetlights are typically more common in parks or parking lots and are square in shape.
Cobrahead streetlights are typically more common in streets or highways and are round in shape.
Lamp bulbs
There are tons of bulb sizes and shapes and usually have minor to no change in terms of usage or efficiency, it is more often than not up to the preference of the user.
Threading: There are four commonly used thread types for lamp bulbs; E12 (Candelabra), E17 (Intermediate), E26 (Medium/standard), and E39 (Mogul). (These numbers differ between North America and Europe)
Shape: There are many shapes bulbs can come in, however the most typical bulb shape is signified with the designation A at the start. A signifies being pear like in shape. The number that follows the designation stands for 1/8s of an inch. An example being A19 (The most common household bulb) is a 2 and 3/8” pear shaped lamp bulb.
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