TAG | LED
LUX magazine reports that like most people in the lighting business, I’m often asked by acquaintances for advice. Usually, my friend’s building project has come to a crucial stage. I receive an email with the subject line ‘Urgent lighting advice’, links to the John Lewis website and the comment, ‘What do you think of these???’
Needless to say, at this stage no one wants to hear me spouting off about design concepts or reinterpretations of the architecture. They want me to endorse their tasteful choice of luminaires from John bloody Lewis. My brother and his wife once proudly showed me their £4,000 installation of Chinese LED downlights which put splodgy pools of light on the carpet and nowhere else. ‘Very contemporary,’ I said.
No one, as far as I know, has ever acted on my advice. So I thought I’d compile a list of some general principles of lighting for my acquaintances to ignore. These are not all mine; most are accepted orthodoxies. And they’re general principles – for each a professional could come up with a further list of caveats and addendums. But if you follow them, I believe you’ll create a far better scheme than the average. And if it stops someone spending £4,000 on downlights, I’ll have done my job.
1 Use a professional lighting consultant if the budget permits.
2 Think first about the lighting you want to achieve rather than the technology.
3 Maximise daylight if you can.
4 Light for the people who’ll use the space and their tasks.
5 Invest in the interior: the secret of good lighting is having good stuff to light.
6 Layer the light: ambient, then accent and task.
7 Light the walls rather than the floor.
8 Light the ceiling rather than the floor.
9 Don’t be afraid of darkness (at least pools of relative darkness).
10 Never ‘floodlight’ a building – you’ll flatten it.
11 For exteriors, pick out architectural details unseen in the day.
12 Be brave enough to use colour in any scheme, but only as an element.
13 Don’t obsess about uniformity; it’s overrated.
14 Follow the codes and regs, but they’re no substitute for common sense.
15 The most efficient light is the one you’re not using – use design to reduce energy use.
16 It’s better to use lots of low-output lights rather than a few higher-powered ones.
17 Conceal or integrate the majority of light sources.
18 For groups of pendants or wall lights, use odd numbers of fittings such as three, five or seven to achieve the ‘harmony of repetition’. It works!
19 It’s better to use pendants decoratively rather than as the workhorses of a scheme.
20 Consider control at the outset – different tasks and times of day need different light levels and even colour temperatures.
21 If the controls aren’t simple to use, they won’t be used. Give users four labelled buttons (‘meeting’, ‘presentations’, ‘lunch’, for example, and an ‘off’).
22 Don’t assume compatibility between lamps, drivers and dimming controllers: test them.
23 Buy lamps (and even LED luminaires) in batches to ensure they match in colour and output.
24 Don’t assume a high CRI number will ensure good colour rendering (it doesn’t include strong reds, for instance). Find out the product’s R9 value.
25 Buy from reputable manufacturers – otherwise it’s a false economy.
26 Don’t be missold by optimistic maintenance factors. You don’t want a dim space in three
years’ time.
27 Know what warranty you’re getting by reading the small print. Better still, write your own.
28 Futureproof your project: Make sure you can replace failed lights with matching kit.
29 If there’s no maintenance plan, assume the scheme won’t be maintained.
30 Finally, if you can’t find all the numbers you need on a spec sheet, don’t buy the product.
Novel Energy Lighting supplies a wide range of cost-effective LED lamps and fixtures. These are cost-effective and deliver paybacks of less than 1 year, while lasting over 10 years. We provide full LED range at competitive prices. Most of our LED lights have up to 5 years warranty and 30 days satisfaction guaranteed. Moreover, these lights offer lifetime cost benefits with up to 90% energy savings and up to 50,000 hours of operational lighting. LED Lighting is recommended for cost efficiency and energy savings.
LED · led lamp · led lighting · LED lights · led retail · lights · retail lighting
20
Smart controls market to reach $56bn by 2020
Comments off · Posted by admin in LED, LED downlights
13 JUNE 2014
Sales of smart lighting control products are expected to reach $56 billion (€41 billion) by 2020, according to a new report.
The highest growth will happen in commercial and industrial applications of smart lighting, says a recent report by Markets and Markets. Public and government buildings are high on the list of current adopters, due to a desire to save energy.
The study looked at the key growth strategies of the major players in the market, including Acuity Brands, Legrand, Lutron and Zumtobel. Europe currently has the largest market for smart lighting, with the Asia Pacific region coming second.
Industry figures predict that IT companies will grab a substantial share of the wireless lighting controls market in the future.
Hugh Martin, CEO of US firm Sensity Systems which provides technology for data mining through connected lighting systems, told Lux: ‘A few years ago, the Consumer Electronics Show was all about gadgets. Now it’s about software and connections. The same will happen to the lighting industry, and you’ll see Cisco and Google there.’
intelligent lighting · LED · led controls · led lighting · lighting controls · Novel Energy Lighting · smart lighting
LUX Magazine Jun-2014 reports:
On the ROAD
How new lights on the M3 will not only save energy and maintenance but could also save lives
LUX magazine reported that if it had been taken a short time earlier, the photo to the right would have looked distinctly more orange. It shows part of the M3, which stretches from southwest London to Southampton, which has been fitted with new LED luminaires that provide clear white light and replace high-pressure sodium (SON) light sources.
Saving energy was the main motivation behind the change, and the 250 and 150W SON fittings were found to be the main culprit in energy consumption. EM Highway Services, which operates and maintains this part of the M3 on behalf of the Highways Agency, was asked to find more energy-efficient lighting.
EM opted for an upgrade to Philips’ Luma 3 LED fittings, and a total of 476 luminaires were installed along the motorway. The brief was to create uniform light distribution across the lanes, but it was also important that the LED configurations were flexible because the M3 sometimes operates with a 10-lane arrangement with varying light levels. The new luminaires are modular and can be combined with a number of different optics, making the fitting ideal for the job.
As well as saving energy, the white LED light has improved visibility on the motorway. This might save lives in dangerous situations; drivers can detect movement faster and at a greater distance, giving them more time to stop if they need to. As an added bonus, the brighter light makes it possible to reduce light output without compromising light quality, saving even more energy.
Julian Nassar, electrical stream project engineer from EM Highway Services says: ‘By using the Luma LED technology, we have been able to provide high-quality, reliable lighting using less energy while also saving on maintenance costs. This has provided increased safety for the road user through an improved light source.’
Novel Energy Lighting sells top quality LED lamps, bulbs and tubes at the lowest trade, retail and wholesale prices. We are able to supply the full range of Philips trade and specification LED products including the Luma 3 LED road fittings. Contact us for your project. Most of our LED products have up to 5 years warranty and 30 days satisfaction guaranteed. These lights offer lifetime cost benefits with up to 90% energy savings and up to 50,000 hours of operational lighting. LED Lighting is recommended for cost efficiency and energy savings.
LED · LED fittings · LED lamps · LED lights
LUX Magazine, 12 JUNE 2014
Increasing LED light levels boosted pupils’ cortisol levels by the same amount as fluorescent light, and slightly faster, in a study conducted by Fagerhult’s lighting academy.
Measuring the hormone levels of students at a university in Sweden, researchers found that the students’ level of cortisol, the hormone that keeps us awake, increased in LED-lit environments with luminance levels of 100cd/m2. The work was based on a previous study from 2009, conducted with fluorescent T5 luminaires, which showed that the cortisol in students’ blood level increased when they were exposed to boosts of a high luminance in the morning and early afternoon.
Henrik Clausen, director of the Fagerhult Lighting Academy, said: ‘People started asking whether LED would have the same effect as T5, so we had to repeat our research. We did that at a school in Sweden where we found the same hormone release results.’ Clausen added, ‘Actually the pupils’ cortisol levels raised a little bit faster with LEDs than they did with fluorescent. It’s probably because there is an inherent peak of blue light in LEDs, but we don’t know that for sure.’
The research facility is now looking at students’ grades to see if the improved hormone levels result in better academic performance, but has not yet proven a correlation in the LED-lit classrooms. The 2009 study on increased fluorescent light levels showed an increase in performance by one grade on average in the dark part of the year, Clausen claimed.
Another study from 2007, also comparing differently lit classrooms, showed that colour temperature did not make a difference to the students’ hormone levels, whereas light intensity did.
Speaking at the International Lighting Fixture Design conference in London last week, Clausen cautioned not to apply the research results too widely: ‘If you want to do research you have to choose a path and we chose to focus on classroom lighting, so we don’t claim that this approach works for everything.’
LED · LED lamps · led lighting · led tubes · Novel Energy Lighting · school lighting
Get rid of flickering fluorescent tubes and stop climbing ladders for dead ones by switching to LED Tubes. LED Tubes are now a commercially viable alternative to fluorescent tubes in terms of superior light output and a better lifespan.
Led Tubes
LED Tubes save over 60% energy compared to fluorescent tubes. Also these tubes offer a lifespan of about 50,000 hours (many years) of usage, without compromising on light output quality. Unlike fluorescent tubes, LED tubes produce less heat with less energy consumption.
Along with saving lots of money spent on electricity bills, LEDs do not require any special waste handling. Fluorescent tubes contain phosphor and mercury, which makes them a hazardous waste. Fluorescent tubes must be segregated from other waste and are subject to special recycling processes. LED tubes contain no toxic chemicals and are much kinder on the environment. Besides, their long lifespans means that they are disposed of much less frequently.
Novel Energy Lighting, a distributor of LEDs, has its niche in the LED lighting industry. We sell several top quality brands of LED Tubes at very competitive prices. Many of these tubes come with warranties ranging from three to five years. We sell waterproof IP65 tube fittings, which are ideal for areas like car parks and warehouses. Philips is one of the manufacturer’s promoted by Novel Energy Lighting.
These LEDs enhance your working environment with quality, uniform light. You can use these LEDs in your office, warehouse, shop or plant room.
LED · LED lights · led tubes
LED GU10 lamps deliver a warm, halogen-like accent beam, and are a perfect fit for spot lighting (track, corridors, lift lobbies, display cases and cabinets) in the hospitality industry. They are particularly suitable for public areas where the light is on 24/7, such as lobbies, corridors, stairwells. You can also create a great ambience in your home with LED lamps, and simultaneously control your budget. LED GU10s consume only 10% of energy of equivalent output halogen bulbs, yet deliver superior light output; there is no compromise on light quality with energy reduction. LED GU10 lamps are very durable and will continue to operate for years without failure.
LED GU10 lamps
With LEDs, you do not have to worry about them burning out, flickering or failing as soon as you fit them. LED GU10s, unlike fluorescent lamps, do not produce harmful UV or IR radiation in form of heat. They are great for lighting heat sensitive objects like artwork or food.
Novel Energy Lighting supplies top quality LED GU10 lamps that are cost-effective and deliver paybacks of less than 1 year, while lasting over 10 years. These lamps come in wattages ranging from 3.5W to 8W (over 65W halogen equivalency). In addition to the energy savings, these lamps have rated life times up to 50,000 hours, which means that you can enjoy energy and maintenance cost savings for years to come. We sell quality lights from manufacturers including Philips, Healthfield, Toshiba and Osram.
LED GU10s come in both dimmable and non-dimmable configurations. Dimmable lights, in home settings, are great for areas like living rooms, bedrooms and bathrooms. In office settings, dimmable lights can be installed in conference rooms. Non-dimmable LEDs are ideal for areas that require constant lighting like lobbies, stairwells and receptions.
LED lamps do not contain mercury- or lead, which makes them environmentally friendly, and when they do eventually fail, they can be easily recycled with no harm to the environment.
By switching to LEDs, you are making a smart choice to illuminate your space with energy efficient lighting.
LED · led GU10 · led gu10 lamps · LED lights
2
LED Candles – Enhance the Glow in Your Home
Comments off · Posted by admin in LED, LED Candles
Are some of the lamps in your chandelier not working? Is your chandelier losing its charm due to flickering or lifeless lamps? Do you want your chandelier to enhance the appeal of your living area? Instead of candles and incandescent candle lamps, LED Candles can be used. These candles are long lasting, efficient and produce bright and sparkling light. You can use these candles for bed-side lamps or living room candle lamps. These lamps produce sparking white light despite low energy consumption. If you plan to have a quiet candle light dinner with your loved one, instead of burning candles for the celebration, you can use these energy-saving candle lamps.
Led Candles
Novel Energy Lighting has a beautiful range of LED Candles made by Philips and Megaman. The new MasterLED DiamondSpark candle collection from Philips has an evolutionary new shape and delivers a brilliant radiance and sparkle. These clear candle lamps produce consistent warm white colour temperatures over 360 degrees, and they are dimmable to create an intimate ambience. This range of LED candles gives a classic feel to the environment and can last as long as 20,000 hours, which is 20x longer than traditional candle bulbs. They consume 80% less energy, so pay for themselves in a matter of months
The Megaman LED candle ranges sold at Novel Energy Lighting come in opal and clear finishes, with power ratings from 3.5W to 7W=40W. Most are dimmable. As LEDs last longer than traditional candles, these candles can be used as constant accent or decorative lighting.
LED · LED Candles · LED lights
Megaman is known for its quality LED lighting technology. It has evolved from manufacturing CFLs to making LED reflectors. Although it makes a range of LED lamps, the lamps are comparatively different from the usual lens-style LEDs. Megaman uses a reflector design and Thermal Conductive Highway technology that enhances the efficiency of heat dissipation, beam control, and optical focus, and reduces glare lighting.
The heat sink in Megaman lamps aid in dissipating heat efficiently, to avoid weakening of the LED multi-chip and other components . This optimum thermal control technology allows Megaman LED lamps to have a longer life and high lumen maintenance. As a result, the rated lumen maintenance life ( L70) is up to 50,000 hours. Megaman delivers comfortable lighting with its axial LED geometry. This method helps the LED reflectors produce precise beam control and less glare when focused on a specific area.
Megaman
Megaman’s LED lighting provides high optical efficiency of up to 98%, due to its unique technology, which uses reflectors as light sources. This efficient optical design reduces the potential for energy loss and helps in creating an energy saving solution. These LED lamps are perfect replacements for traditional lamps, and deliver equivalent lumens output at high colour rendering indexes, with good distribution of light. LEDs also prevent light wastage beyond the designated beam angle.
Novel Energy Lighting supplies LED spots made by Megaman to commercial, retail, and end-user customers. These LED lamps produce more pleasing light while conforming to the expected brightness of the spot. One of Megaman’s more popular LED spots is the 6W GU10; available in 2800K, 4000K, and 6000K colour termpatures. This GU10 is equivalent to a 50W halogen, is dimmable, and will fit all existing GU10 fittings. Rated for up to 50,000hrs (L70), and available at market leading prices. Use Megaman LED lamps for your next retrofit project.
LED · LED lamps · LED lights
27
LED Downlights – Fit and Forget Lighting Solution
Comments off · Posted by admin in LED, LED downlights
Illuminating the home appropriately is important. Imagine if you have poor lighting in your kitchen and it flickers or stops working while you are preparing dinner! Burning your hand or cutting your finger would be likely under such circumstance. Novel Energy Lighting has a wide range of LED Downlights for illuminating kitchens and bathrooms. These lights produce instant and continuous brightness, without flickering; they are a fit and forget solution. The rated lifespan is much longer for LEDs than for traditional lighting. These downlights can last for up to 50,000 hours (L70).
LED Downlights
Novel Energy Lighting’s recessed downlights include the HDL15 dimmable 15W white downlight, Philips 24W compact dimmable LED DN125B Coreline, and 3W-28W CQ Series downlights. A wide range of sleek finishes is offered, including White, Chrome, Brass, Satin Nickel, and Chrome. This LED distributor also supplies mains GU10 downlights. These lights can also be used as accent lighting or general lighting.
With the advancement in technology, fire rated downlights are manufactured to prevent the spread of fire through ceiling fixtures. Some of the fire rated LED lighting Novel Energy Lighting sells are Robus RFS10165GZ Mains Voltage IP65 Shower Fire Rated Downlight, and Ansell iCage Tilt Gimble Fire Rated Downlight with various finishes.
The LED Downlights sold at Novel Energy Lighting save energy and produce higher output than CFL lights. We are also the approved distributor for LEDs manufactured by Philips and Megaman. You can fit and forget these lights as an efficient lighting solution.
LED lights were initially used as indicator lights in electronic devices. However, the use of LEDs evolved over the years. In the present day, many homes and businesses use LEDs as a light source to illuminate rooms and make them more appealing with general and accent lights. Philips introduced LED lighting to bring “Sense and Simplicity” to our lighting requirements. Its highly efficient, eco-friendly, long lasting and controllable lighting is ideal for replacing traditional and energy inefficient lighting. Although LEDs are widely used in buildings, restaurants, hotels, and retail shops, these lights are also great for domestic and office use.
In an incandescent light source, the tungsten filament is heated by the electric current to produce light. Only 10% of this energy input is emitted in the form of light output; the balance (90%) is emitted as heat, making them very efficient room heaters, but poor light emitters!. On the other hand, LEDs use semiconductor technology to produce light with the help of a diode that allows the electric current to pass through the semiconductor. Thus, up to 90% of the energy input is saved due to less heat emissions from the diode light source. LED lamps perform with the help of optical, electrical, mechanical and thermal LED components. LED performance parameters to consider are the brightness output and efficacy, colour temperature and consistency, rated lifetime, and light distribution, and colour rendering index.
Philips LEDs are generally more efficient than other manufacturers, since they utilise high quality chips and robust lamp designs with quality heat sinks. These light sources offer high levels of brightness and intensity, low energy consumption, less heat emission, shock and flicker resistance, no UV emissions, long life, easy controllability, and high performance. Novel Energy Lighting only stocks and sells the best LED products in the market, and strongly recommends Philips LED as the preferred solution for lighting projects.
LED · LED lights · philips led
