LED Fixtures 101
WHY PURCHASE LED fixtures? The answer is simple…
It is estimated that switching to LED lighting over the next two decades could save the country $250 billion in energy costs
over that period, reduce the electricity consumption for lighting by nearly one-half, and avoid 1,800 million metric tons of
carbon emissions.
Plus:
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More efficient lamp source
Longer life
Environmentally friendly
Less light loss
Cold temperature operation
Instant on
No mercury or hazardous materials
No IR or UV emissions
Integrated controls
What is an LED?
LED stands for Light Emitting Diode. An LED is a semi-­conducting
device that produces light when an electrical current
flows through it. It is a light source, just like HID,
fluorescent, incandescent, etc.
SSL stands for Solid State Lighting. SSL is an umbrella
term encompassing different types of technologies.
Since LED systems use this technology, the term SSL
and LED are often used interchangeably. A similar
comparison can be drawn when using the terms
“lamp” vs. “light bulb”.
The LED system consists of several components.
The LED is the light source.
The LED driver is a self-contained power source that functions
like a fluorescent ballast. It provides proper voltage and
regulates current flow.
Image credit: Green Creative
www.gc-lighting.com
Multiple LEDs are combined into arrays. The luminaire (or fixture) is the final component. This is the surrounding
material constructed for optical and thermal control of the overall system.
Luminaire
LED Driver
LED Chip
LED Array
LED Definitions
Color Temperature – The color appearance of the light. This is measured in the integrating sphere, which analyzes the emitting
wavelength to determine the color temperature. Incandescent and halogen sources have a warm white color temperature of 2700K, while
fluorescents and LEDs are available in all colors of light, such as warm white (2700K-3000K), natural white (4000K) and day light (6500K).
Warm
Neutral
Cool
Natural
Daytime
Atmosphere
Soft, Comfortable, Relaxing
Balanced
Clean
Bright, Simulates outdoors
Crisp, Refreshing
Kelvin
2700K - 3000K
3500K
4100K
5000K
6500K
CRI Color Rendering Index (CRI or Ra) – CRI measures the
ability of a light source to accurately reproduce colors and is measured
on a scale from 0 to 100. Natural light has a CRI of 100 and is what all
light sources strive to replicate (left picture). A CRI of 65 is considered
poor (right picture), while a CRI of 80 is considered good. Halogen and
incandescent sources have CRIs close to 100, while fluorescent sources
are usually around 80. ENERGY STAR requires a CRI of 80 for integral
Left picture: 80 CRI (Good)
LED lamps.
Right picture: 65 CRI (Poor)
DLC (Design Lights Consortium) – The DLC Qualified Products List (QPL) serves efficiency programs and the lighting
industry by maintaining the leading public list of high-quality, high-efficiency LED products for the commercial sector.
ENERGY STAR – A government program set up to promote environmental protection through energy efficient products and
practices. Products that have been qualified by ENERGY STAR have passed strict requirements and can be considered energy
efficient and reliable.
Lighting Facts Label – A label that displays information, such as: Light output/Lumens, Watts, Lumens per Watt/Efficacy, IESNA LM-792008, LED Lumen Maintenance, Model Number, Type, Brand, Color Rendering Index (CRI), Correlated Color Temperature (CCT), and Product
Warranty.
Lumen – A measure of the total “amount” of visible light emitted by a source, defined as a unit of luminous flux.
Lumen Maintenance – A comparison of the amount of light produced from a light
source or from a luminaire when it is brand new to the amount of light output at a
specific time in the future. The remaining output at the specified time is expressed as a
percentage of the initial lumen output.
Lifetime – The reported life of an LED
Ambient Temp
TM-21 Lumen
Maintenance
(60,000 Hours)
Theoretical L70
(Hours)
25°C
>94%
>350,000
40°C
>93%
>250,000
50°C
>90%
>170,000
component or system is defined as the operating
time (L, in hours) for the component or system to reach two performance criteria: L70 (Theoretical)
– estimated time (in hours) to 70% lumen maintenance (70% of initial light output); and TM-21 –
projected lumen maintenance (% of initial output) at 60,000 hours. Ambient temperature affects the
L70/TM-21 rating. Always check the specifications of the product for lumen maintenance variance
based on this factor (see chart).
Foot-candle – A unit of measure of the intensity of
light falling on a surface equal to 1 lumen per square
foot. It has been replaced in the International System (SI)
by the candela (1 lumen per square meter).
Abbreviation : FC
image credit: www.lightingfacts.com
Efficacy – Lumen per Watt (LPW or lm/W) is a measure
of how well a light source produces visible light. It is the
ratio of luminous flux to power. LED fixtures are selected
by their efficacy, not the lamp source lumen output.
Ill
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Lumens
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Foot-Candles
Utility Rebates
Custom Rebate:
How is it calculated? It is based on the actual energy savings by comparing the formal
installation with the new one. Total rebate amount is based on annual kWh savings, such as
$0.1/kWh annual kWh saved on the full installation.
What is the process? After filling out an application, it will usually require a pre- and postinstallation visit from a program representative.
Prescriptive Rebate:
How is it calculated? It is a fixed amount per lamp or per fixture, such as $20/MR16.
What is the process? After filling out an application, it will be necessary to provide proof
of purchase and installation.
Utility Websites for Rebate Forms:
BGE http://bit.ly/1KBnJ38
DCSEU (DC Sustainable Energy Utility) http://bit.ly/1DddnUa
DELMARVA POWER http://bit.ly/1DddsHC
DOMINION POWER http://bit.ly/1Dddtvc
Met-Ed, Penelec, Penn Power, West Penn Power http://bit.ly/1U9DmjW
PECO http://bit.ly/1eDjUfo
PEPCO http://bit.ly/1INZVJ0
POTOMAC EDISON http://bit.ly/1VPHhEm
PPL Electric http://bit.ly/1INZWN5
SMECO SMALL BUSINESS http://bit.ly/1IlG9h4
SMECO BUSINESS SOLUTIONS http://bit.ly/1U8NQDD
What you need to know to select
the correct light fixture for
your project.
When you are ready to purchase the light fixture, determine
the part number:
Example:
HBLED-LD4 12 (12000 lumens)-UNV-L840(4000K)-ED1-U
Fixture Style
Lumen Output
Important Questions to Answer:
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Voltage
CRI
120V-277V
Color
Temperature
Driver
Packaging
New or Retrofit Project?
Literature provided by
If Retrofit/Replacement: What is the wattage/lamp/fixture you’re replacing? CapitalTristate and Eaton Lighting
Is there a product that better fills the needs of the customer?
If New: Room dimensions (L x W x H)? What tasks are performed in this space?
Light Levels Required? What foot-candle level is needed for tasks in the space? ***This answer determines the required lumen rating of fixture
What is the color temperature required?
Is Dimming required?
Rebate Available? Do fixtures qualify?
NOW YOU CAN FEEL CONFIDENT PURCHASING LED FIXTURES!
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