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With the advent of LED lighting, the relationship between legacy dimming technology and LED lamps has become an uneasy one.  Here MEGAMAN® shows how to overcome such difficulties.

New for old?

One of the big areas for dimming problems comes when home owners decide to switch out all of their traditional lamps for LEDs, but don’t change the dimmers at the same time.  This is largely down to the lack of public knowledge about the fact that trying to combine old and new technologies can lead to all kinds of issues.

The problems that can occur when new and old are combined include: lamp flicker, flashing, an inability to dim as low as required and failures with the LED and/or dimmer.  Even if the LED lamps seem to initially respond well to dimming, over time, the use of LED light sources on a legacy dimmer can have longer-term implications that lead to call-backs, weeks or months after installation.

The root of the problem

Almost all legacy dimmers designed for incandescent light sources are leading edge or trailing edge dimmers that commonly use a TRIAC/transistor as the key control device.  This chops out parts of the voltage and reduces power to the light source in order to achieve the dimming performance.  Though these work with incandescent lamps, LED lamps have an internal filtering circuit that distorts the supply signal and can result in system oscillations that are observed as flickering or flashing.

As well as encountering flickering and variable dimming performance, in extreme cases incompatible dimmer switches cannot be turned on, or suddenly shut off, can burn out, or permanently damage the LED lamps.  In addition, traditional dimmers have a minimum load requirement of 40W or 60W, something that causes problems when replacing them with low wattage LED equivalents.

GU10’s – the LED opportunity

With halogen directional reflector lamps being phased out across Europe from September 2016*, there will be an increased push from homeowners for LED replacements.  With the advances in LED lighting technology, there are now a wide range of exceptional alternatives to halogen lamps.

However, dimmable LED GU10 lamps are complex pieces of engineering, as they have to house a transformer, as well as dimmable driver components.  There are at present a lot of dubious dimmable LED replacement lamps on the market.  As with most things, you get what you pay for.  So avoid the lower end of the market and choose a trusted LED manufacturer.

MEGAMAN has just launched its new selection of GU10 lamps (that incorporate the company’s new Hybrid Reflector and U-DIM™ technology – see products here).  Available in both the popular Economy range and Professional range, these lamps are compatible with the widest possible range of existing dimmers, whether they are leading-edge or trailing-edge.

Overcoming LEDs and Dimming Problems:

Solution One: When keeping the traditional dimmer

For those installers faced with a homeowner who wants to keep their dimmers, wants LEDs and yet doesn’t know what type of dimmer has been installed, a solution is now at hand.  MEGAMAN has developed its new U-DIM™ technology, which takes the headache out of switching to dimmable LEDs.

MEGAMAN U-DIM dimmable LEDs are compatible with the widest range of existing dimmers, whether they are leading-edge or trailing-edge dimmers.  With the mains voltage halogen reflector lamps being phased out in Europe from 1st September 2016, home owners will need new lamps to operate perfectly with their existing dimmers and this dimming solution is a giant step in that direction.  U-DIM LEDs are easy to use and it is possible to ‘plug-and-play’ to upgrade a lighting scheme.

MEGAMAN U-DIM technology is offered as a standard feature on MEGAMAN Dimming LEDs and they offer superior performance and flicker-free dimming from 100% right down to just 5%.

Solution Two: When replacing with new LED dimmers

Dedicated LED dimmers are a good way to overcome many of the traditional dimmer/LEDs issues.  This is because they use micro control units to monitor and eliminate waveform noise and distortion, generating a digital signal to the control component that creates a stable and clean chopped waveform.  If these dimmers are combined with LED lamps that have been tested and approved for compatibility (this is usually found on the dimming and/or LED lamp manufacturer’s website) – see the MEGAMAN one here as an example, then smooth LED dimming is guaranteed from day one of installation.

Dimming LEDs Checklist:

• Buy dimmable LEDs from a brand you trust

They will have tested a wide variety of dimmers with their lamps and have more comprehensive dimming compatibility lists

• Trailing edge dimmers work best with LEDs

However, if the client doesn’t want to replace their leading edge dimmers, then use LEDs that have been proven to dim well with this technology, such as MEGAMAN U-DIM LEDs

• If in doubt, contact the LED manufacturer

Unsure of whether the dimmer and LEDs are compatible?  Check with the manufacturer’s online compatibility list, or contact their team for more advice

*For more information on the halogen ban – visit www.planfortheban.eu

Visit Novel Energy Lighting to buy your Megaman U-DIM GU10 lamps today

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• only 1% of those surveyed think lighting is of no importance in the customer experience.

• 72% have left a venue earlier than planned because it was too brightly- or poorly-lit
• 74% have stayed longer than planned because the lighting made them feel relaxed and welcome.

• “somewhere that draws you in” (36% of respondents)
• “somewhere to spend time” (34%)
• “somewhere to go back to” (26%)
•  none of the above (4%).

• the effect and ambience of the new lighting (67%)
• the ability of staff to dim the lights (43%)
• energy bill/CO2 savings (31%)
• the upfront costs (23%).

• the new lighting had been well received by customers – 84% of customers gave positive feedback on the lighting refurbishment
• good lighting boosts business – 91% think the lighting refurbishment had a positive impact on business in terms of an uplift in sales or profits
• education is still needed about the benefits of LEDs.

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Don’t wait for the phase out, switch and save today with LED alternatives!

In order to reduce C02 emissions, the European regulation is being enforced to stop the manufacture of inefficient directional halogen lamps.

From September 1st 2016, manufacturers will no longer produce:

• Halogen lamps directional from
  C & D classes
• Related products are PAR, R50/R63/R80
• MR11 (low volt with below 4,000h)
• MR16 main volt: low volt with below 4,000h

Switch to LED alternatives to save energy, reduce C02 and save money. Novel Energy Lighting offers a full range of LED lamps, tubes, and fittings from various top quality brands. To see all our products please visit us at: www.novelenergylighting.com, or call us 0208-540-8287, email: sales@novelenergylighting.com

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Since old fashioned incandescent and halogen bulbs are being banned by governments around the world, most home owners have had to consider low energy alternatives.

The favourite choice now is LED (Light Emitting Diode) bulbs, which are currently leading the field in terms of energy savings, product life and ease of use.

But how many of us understand the ways in which LED bulbs are different to incandescent models, and how to ensure that when we upgrade our lighting we actually make the right choices?

Let’s start with some basic facts about LED bulbs.

Basically, they offer a number of significant advantages to the obsolete incandescent types:

1. Major power saving: LEDs use approximately five times less energy as incandescent bulbs. As an example, you can replace an old 40W reading light bulb with an 8W LED. And since LEDs offer a more focused light, the energy savings could be up to 90%, and you can therefore have a lower-wattage bulb.
2. ‘Cleaner’ Product: LEDs are non-toxic, and in particular contain no mercury.
3. Less Heat: Much less heat is produced by LED bulbs, in comparison with incandescent lights. That is especially important in Southern climates where air-conditioning is used.
4. Longer Life:  LED bulbs do not need to be replaced very often – they can last up to twenty years in regular use.
5. Better Investment: They do cost more to buy, but when you consider their longer life and energy savings, they are a great investment.

So, when the time comes to replace old light bulbs, LEDs are the obvious choice, but how do we go about making the right selection for our home? There are so many styles, sizes, shapes and special formats on the market now, how do you know which is the right one?

Here are some tips to help you make the right decision…..

Consider how much brightness you need

Back in the bad old days, we all got used to measuring a light bulb’s brightness simply by its wattage. A 60 Watt bulb gave us an average light output for most domestic situations. However, wattage actually measures the amount of electrical energy a light bulb uses – a lot of which is given out as heat. Clearly, an LED will use fewer watts to generate the same amount of light.

To make sure that you get an LED with sufficient light output, you will need to get used to measuring brightness in lumens. An old fashioned 60-watt incandescent bulb generates about 800 lumens, so to get an equivalent, you need to look for an LED rated at 800 lumens of light output. A lot of LED packaging will tell you what wattage of incandescent bulb the lamp would be equivalent to.

What about quality of light?

Depending on where you are planning to use the LED bulbs, the quality of light may well be an important factor. Light quality is generally measured by CRI or Colour Rendering Index. This number indicates how accurately the bulb illuminates colours on a scale from 1 to 100. If you plan to use the lamp frequently – say in a living room – or it is going to be used in a prominent location like an entrance hall, CRI is a very important metric to consider. However, if it’s going to go into an airing cupboard or toilet, CRI isn’t as crucial. CRI ratings in excess of 85 and above are indications of very good colour rendering.

Are “warm” or “cool” light colours important?

There is a wide variety of LED bulbs available now, offering a range of light “colour temperatures” in Degrees Kelvin, or simply “K”. How do you know what colour temperature works for you? Colour temperatures with high K ratings, 6,000 or more, are classified as ‘cool’ colours, while those with lower K ratings, 3,500 or less, are classified as ‘warm.’ You will find most retailers referring to their products as cool white and warm white LED Bulbs.

Warm white bears a close resemblance to the light produced by halogens and incandescent bulbs. It is soft, easy on the eyes and promotes a comfortable and domestic aesthetic. As a rule of thumb, warm white bulbs should be used in ‘habitat’ spaces, such as living rooms, hallways and bedrooms, and as general illumination. In contrast, cool white is a very bright, sharp white light; less suitable for domestic spaces where the brightness of the light can be too harsh and even create a clinical effect.

What shape or type of LED bulb do you need?

LEDs now come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, and will be suitable for replacing just about any kind of incandescent light bulb. You will now find LED globe light bulbs, chandelier light bulbs, and reflector light bulbs – along with lots of newly manufactured shades, lamps and fixings that have them built-in.

The traditional “light bulb” shapes are designed to give an all-round source of light, for instance in a table lamp or ceiling fitting, and are known as “omni-directional”. Reflector types are designed to give light off in one direction, so they’re best for overhead lighting, spotlights, and display lighting.

How about replacing incandescent bulbs in dimming systems?

Unfortunately, many old incandescent dimmers aren’t fully compatible with LED lighting, so you need to be careful when considering dimming. Many of the newer types of LED light bulb do have dimming capabilities – a great option if you want to save even more energy and control the room’s ambient environment. But you may need to invest in an LED-specific dimmer. If you’re looking for a dimmable LED, carefully check the specification on the bulb’s packaging and make sure you control it with a compatible dimmer.

Some don’t like it hot!

LED based light bulbs work best when they are kept cool. If you use an LED outdoors in winter or inside a refrigerator, it will actually last longer. However, excessive heat can cause problems, particularly as LEDs exposed to extreme heat may degrade more quickly over time. So, if you plan to use them in an area that can get hot (like in overhead recessed spotlights) it would be better to invest in high-temperature specification types which use an advanced cooling system – like the types produced by Megaman.

And finally, how can you actually get the ball rolling to take advantage of LED technology in your home?

Right at the beginning it takes a little research effort – initially you need to go round your home and make a note of all the bulbs you are currently using – including wattage (60W, 100W etc.), type of fixture (screw, bayonet etc.), bulb type (reflector, standard, golf ball, etc.) size and colour (warm, cool, etc.). Also approximately how much usage each bulb gets.

Next you need to figure out the type of LED bulb which can be used to replace each incandescent type in terms of lumens, shape, size and fixture. Check out dimming requirements carefully, then make a comprehensive list and check prices on the Internet or through lighting retail outlets.

All that’s needed then is to make the investment, change the bulbs, and start making real savings on your electricity bill!

Visit www.novelenergylighting.com to explore the LED options available at great prices!

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How do you recognize a good LED lamp? Energy efficiency? Dimmability? Light color? Design? Size? Lifetime? There’s quite a lot to consider. However, there is also a simple solution. Join our experts, the Light Guys, on their mission: Brand Quality!

Visit www.novelenergylighting.com today to explore our range of Osram LED lighting

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In 2015 the number of lamps being recycled leapt by 44 per cent while luminaires were up 4.4 per cent. Commenting on the news, Nigel Harvey, CEO of specialist lighting WEEE compliance scheme Recolight, said: ‘It is particularly pleasing to see that the 2015 recycling rate bounced back up from 2014.  This is probably due, in part, to the recycling of fluorescent waste resulting from major LED integrated luminaire roll outs in business premises across the UK. The lamp recycling rate from 2013 to 2014 saw a drop when, for the first time, the data included LED lamps as well as Gas Discharge Lamps.  With very large quantities of LEDs being sold – but very few being returned as WEEE, the inclusion of LEDs inevitably reduced the rate.’

Turning to the luminaire recycling rate, he added ‘The luminaire recycling rate has increased from 2014 to 2015.  However, the tonnage of luminaires collected in 2015 is only 5 per cent higher than in 2014.  The rate increase is therefore primarily due to the 12.7 per cent reduction in the tonnage of luminaires reported as put on the market.  This reduction is likely to be a result of dual use classification, which means that any luminaires that could be used by consumers are now out of scope of the WEEE Regulations.’

• The Environment Agency data also reveals that membership of Recolight has increased more than any other UK scheme. The number of members increased by 23 producers between the end of 2014, and the beginning of 2016.  That is also Recolight’s biggest annual increase recorded since the scheme was established in 2007.

Visit Novel Energy Lighting to explore LED retrofit lamps and tubes for your project. Out with the old, in with the new!

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