Filaments v LEDs
by Robin DayEcoLEDLighting
In this White Paper I will briefly explain the value that LED lighting technology will represent as a major contributor to reduced running costs both in and outdoors of private homes, commercial premises and hotels where the cost of conventional energy (mains electricity) is high or alternatively not available in a remote location.
The application of LEDs to create light offers many specific opportunities to make, not only, substantial savings in cost of general lighting but also reduction of environmental impact of conventional mains power generation these include:
- A cost effective, long term, outright cost of ownership with minimal initial system outlay if this application is used as a replacement light supply using reduced voltage mains power (110Vac or 240Vac converted to 12Vdc or 24Vdc). If applied using 'solar' power technology, then the savings are considerably greater simply because sunlight is free and the fully developed technology to convert that to electrical power is available – off the shelf!
- Wider range of working voltage options as LEDs only require tiny amounts of power to operate efficiently which is ideal when considering systems to be run from solar or wind generated power. The option of running LED Lighting Systems from mains generated power (110Vac or 220Vac) via conventional transformers at vastly reduced running costs is an option.
- Vastly reduced power consumption of LEDs when compared to conventional mains powered lighting solutions where savings of 80% - 95% are common in many applications by using low voltage DC power from either solar or mains power as described previously
- Typical total life of 100,000 hours (10 years) per unit with minimal degradation of light output which eliminates the cost of periodic relamping and regular maintenance
- Low heat output where maximum LED operating temperatures are typically 60ºC rather than the 200º - 300ºC operating temperatures of conventional lighting solutions. Heat pollution is therefore reduced offering savings of secondary in door systems such as air conditioning
- 'Light Pollution' is virtually eliminated as light output from LEDs is directional, only directing light where it is required which is highly efficient as no light is wasted when compared to conventional lighting where light is typically omni directional from bulbs or tubes. A variety of 'optical' solutions are available form 2º - 135º for specific light guidance from light source
- The quality of the 'White' light available is far more suited to the human eye and therefore eliminates eye strain which in certain working / living environments can have adverse and costly (Health and Safety issues as well as Commercial implications) as the LEDs do not produce Ultraviolet light and are be perfectly matched to specific 'Color Index' for industrial and regulatory standards requirements
- LED lighting systems are 'Environmentally Friendly'. Other than the massive reduction in use of conventionally generated energy, there are no poisonous elements used in component manufacture such as Mercury and other noxious and polluting gases. Consider also that for every 10kWh of useable energy generated by a solar panel, 7kg of Carbon Dioxide gas is saved from being produced and entering the atmosphere.
- Instant On / fully dimmable illumination.
- Shock resistant as inside an LED there are no filaments to burn out or break with the light emitting from fully encapsulated silicon diodes immersed in phosphor which can be energized from a very low voltage input. Unlike typical conventional light sources, LEDs are not subject to sudden failure or burnout.
- Tamper proof
- Water proof
- Unaffected by external UV light
- Color Lighting options with DMX software control
The emergence of new alternatives in lighting technology and the, very particular, benefits in the application of 'Light Emitting Diodes' (LEDs) in general lighting over the last 10 years has caused a change to that 'comfort' zone especially when you become aware of the substantial reduction in overall running costs when compared to conventional lighting.
Initially the LED lighting industry had targeted the 'commercial' and 'military' aerospace market place where the benefits of applying LED Lighting technology to achieve substantial energy savings combined with massive reductions in maintenance costs are now proven and the application of LED lighting are now common place in 'retrofit and new build' projects.
Referring to the previous sentence I will give you an example of the pay back benefits of using LED lighting throughout the new Airbus A380 aircraft, where weight of fuel required versus carried payload means profit, but only if, the journey can be completed for less fuel cost and increased cargo payload. The low voltage requirement means that ¾ of a ton of on-board generators are not needed, and fuel usage drops by as much as 6¼ tons a trip (240 tonnes required for the Sydney / Los Angeles flight) which means 7 tons of cargo can be carried instead. The principal saving is the reduced cost of running the air conditioning along with power generation sub systems but with the added value of the elimination of ongoing of maintenance costs.
EcoLEDLighting has been established to design and manufacture state of the art solid state LED lighting solutions specifically for the, environmentally friendly, solar power global market place and through association with our technology partners are also able to offer a range of direct replacement lighting solutions.
EcoLEDLighting has chosen to target, initially, the Security, Emergency and Exterior Lighting applications market place as this is an ideal application of LED lighting technology where conventional lighting can be regarded not only as a wasteful and costly requirement, where ongoing maintenance costs are high and a continuous supply of mains power is not guaranteed. We feel we have a unique product where a 'Battery Back Up' system is not dependant on mains power which is not guaranteed in many locations throughout Africa and the rest of the world.
There are other features of our specific product design which make for an ideal application of LED lighting technology in both solar (12 and 24 Volt) and mains (110 and 220 Volt) power systems. This system is designed specifically to 'tamper proof', in that, it is impossible to disarm the lighting system without raising 'soft' warning alarm system and lamp units that are virtually indestructible from shock and fire. The lamp units are also fully waterproof which allows them to be used in harsh 'outdoor' environments with designs fully documented and tested to specifications set out by BS, CE, IP and SELV requirements for low voltage lighting.
The benefits of this emerging technology are well known but the application of this technology in the production of durable, high quality, lighting components is not and many LED lighting products offered currently are seriously flawed and do not offer the durability potentials available if that technology were applied correctly. EcoLEDLighting products are specifically designed and manufactured in conjunction with our technology supply partners to fully apply the benefits of continued high output lighting and durability to the maximum predicted component life and as such many elements of our designs are fully patented and copyright registered.
Robin Day
