No comment yet

IP and Waterproof Rating Explained

LED Lighting IP and Waterproof Rating

LED lighting products come with an IP rating that classifies the level of protection each product has against solids like dust and liquids like water. The "IP Rating" is a code for the "International Protection Rating" or "Ingress Protection Rating" that defines the level of protection that electrical appliances (like LED light bulbs) provide against the intrusion of solid objects or dust, accidental contact, and water.
The IP rating is expressed as IPNN with "N" being numbers. For example, you may find a LED lighting product on the EagleLight website that has an "IP" Rating of 65.
The level of protection against solid particles is shown in the first digit. This measures protection against dirt, dust, and other solid matter. The second number classifies the protection against harmful ingress of water.
The higher the number the greater the protection. Lower numbers are better suited for inside carpeted areas like office LED lighting, school LED lighting, and LED lighting of churches. EagleLight LED light bulbs with higher numerical LED light bulb IP ratings are better suited for areas with more exposure like industrial LED lighting and commercial LED lighting like hospital lighting and factory LED lighting or warehouse LED lighting.

LED lighting IP Solid Rating Chart - First IP Rating Numerical Digit

First Number Effective Against
0 No protection against contact and ingress of objects
1 Any large surface of the body, such as the back of a hand, but no protection against deliberate contact with a body part (>50mm)
2 Fingers or similar objects (>12mm)
3 Tools, thick wires, etc. (>2.5mm)
4 Most wires, screws, etc. (>1mm)
5 Dust protected--Ingress of dust is not entirely prevented, but it must not enter in sufficient quantity to interfere with the satisfactory operation of the equipment
6 Dust tight--No ingress of dust; complete protection against contact

LED lighting IP Water Rating Chart - Second IP Rating Numerical Digit

The second numerical digit indicates the level of protection from harmful ingress of water:

Second Number Effective Against
0 Not protected
1 Dripping water from vertical
2 Direct sprays of water up to 15 degrees from vertical
3 Spraying water of up to 60 degrees from vertical
4 Splashing water from all angles, limited ingress
5 Low pressure water jets from all angles
6 Powerful water jets, like decks for ships
7 Immersion up to 1 meter
8 Immersion beyond 1 meter

For the Scientist and Engineer

Ingress Protection (IP) ratings are developed by the European Committee for Electro Technical Standardization (CENELEC) (NEMA IEC 60529 Degrees of Protection Provided by Enclosures - IP Code), specifying the environmental protection the enclosure provides.
The IP rating can include a third number but normally has two numbers:

  1. Protection from solid objects or materials
  2. Protection from liquids (water)
  3. Protection against mechanical impacts (commonly omitted, the third number is not a part of IEC 60529)

LED lighting on LED-Purchase.com IP ratings do not include impact ratings or ability to withstand shock or a drop.

LED IR Light

1 comment

Analysis of the Global LED Display and Lighting Market

Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are solid-state semiconductor devices that convert electrical energy into visible light. The semiconductor materials used in LEDs are crystals comprised of a combination of two or three elements such as gallium, phosphide, and gallium indium nitride. LEDs are preferred for the advantages they offer over incandescent light sources and for their directionality, low operating costs, long lifespan, and durability.
The inability of existing light-emitting technologies to meet the demand for better performance has resulted in the creation of high-brightness light-emitting diodes (HBLEDs). HBLEDs are composed of various materials including aluminum (Al), gallium (Ga), indium (In), phosphide (P), and nitride (N). AlGaInP is used for manufacturing red and yellow LEDs, also known as warm-color LEDs. InGaN is used for manufacturing green and blue LEDs, also known as cold-color LEDs. White LEDs are created by adding phosphor to blue LEDs.
Conventional LEDs are easier to manufacture than HBLEDs, which require sophisticated, compound semiconductor growth techniques. The most popular method to manufacture HBLEDs is metal-oxide chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). The market is driven by the increased use of LEDs in backlighting.
This research service provides an in-depth analysis of the light-emitting diode (LED) market, with a particular focus on segments such as mobile, backlighting, and automotive backlighting. Market engineering measurements are given for the total market as well as for the market segments. It also provides revenue forecasts and revenue forecasts by vertical for geographical regions, including North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of World. The study highlights market drivers and restraints, provides revenue forecasts, and offers a competitive analysis. An overview of technology trends and a growth strategy analysis are included. The study period for this service is 2008 to 2016, with a base year of 2011.

LED Display

No comment yet

LED Outdoor Lights Benefit from the Shakeout Period of Global Street Lights

led street light 3-26

The latest report published by the Global Market Research Institution points out that traditional outdoor lights will be replaced by LED outdoor lights in worldwide scale from 2013 to 2015, especially in Mainland China, Japan and Taiwan. Under the promoting policies, global LED outdoor lighting will reach $2,478,000,000 in 2013 with the annual growth rate up to 46%.

Other emerging market countries, such as Thailand, Russia, Latin America and Africa will embrace the currency of replacing traditional street lights in large scale in 2014. Until 2015 in which penetration of LED street lights smoothly improves and growth rate slows down, annual replacing and increasing LED street light will maintain in 10,000,000 globally.

Many local provinces in America and Canada, namely San Diego, Seattle, Los Angeles push out alternative projects of LED street lights in the second half year of 2012 one after another. And local famous company Cooper Lighting, Gree and GE Lighting also announce new product lines to meet different application needs. The same as International LED companies in Europe. Philip launches "City Touch" which enables users more easily to monitor all lighting system of the whole city through the management interface. Moreover, it can report maintenance status and monitor management of every lighting with the real-time status. City Touch has been widely applied by large European lighting operators.

led street light2 3-26

Global LED outdoor Lighting market grows rapidly against the main trend in 2012, and China takes 1/3 of the newly-installed LED road lights in globe. It's the subsidy from the government that motivate the LED street lights to develop, especially in weak export situation. As a result, more and more companies view a good prospect in Energy-Saving Projects of Chinese Public lighting. Due to the fierce competition causing the lower price of LED in 2012, shipments are concentrated in the hands of enterprises with scale advantages, but still there are new manufactures cut into this market. Guangdong is expected to install 300,000 machines this year, being the fastest growing regional market of LED outdoor lights.

Taiwan Energy Bureau invests 2 billion to expand LED energy saving projects which predict to replace 250,000 traditional light to LED road lights in 2013 and 2014. These projects benefit not only the LED street lights made in Taiwan but also Taiwan wafers, LED components, power suppliers and radiators.

LED Street Lights

1 comment

Blue Man Group Wear LED When They Perform

Blue Man Group, an organization of musical performance act, employ digiTHIN screen to embody from a video projection in the recent production. The artists perform vividly with visual effects by wearing those screens which is developed by display LED under its digiLED brand.

It's about 47,000 people that are attracted by the group per week to shows in New York, Boston, Chicago and Orlando. Moreover, a new Las Vegas production now open at Monte Carlo Resort and Casino.

In light with BMG show director Bill Swartz, the group's creative idea does work that a mixed space lies in real life and the technical world of phones and texts. Swartz says "We call it 2.5D space".

The modular 320x160mm digiTHIN tiles are fixed to the performers using magnetic mountings while the 6mm pixel pitch allows the use of imagery on the relatively small surface area of the screens.

After the first successful application in the New York production, BMG is supposed to use digiTHIN in the following production.

Blue Man Group has always supported emerging technologies and the current wave of LED displays is no exception,” says Swartz. "Resolution and programming capabilities are developing rapidly more than our imagination every year. We need to plan our production well before a year, so we pay more attention to quality and availability of the product and how it takes effect with other technologies on stage."

Tom Mudd, displayLED’s technical manager, said: " Blue Man Group perform an animated character by sliding from the video into real life. What they realizes is that the moving video display would become part of the character itself if they install digiTHIN panels on the actor. Blue Man Group's use of digiTHIN has opened the door to the idea that you can wrap LED around people and stage features."

Swartz added:" Making LED display into wearable costume faces several challenges including weight, cable management and configuring the tile layout to human shape and scale. We enlighten the digiTHINs around a good deal, and they take the beating pretty well. I also really like the magnetic mounting."

LED Indoor Displays

No comment yet

Color Rendering Index Explained

LED CRI Defined

The Color Rendering Index (CRI) is the relative ability of a light source to replicate colors generated by a reference light source of the same color temperature. It is measured as a number between 0 and 100.

LED CRI Explained

This is often used to compare a light source ability to replicate the sun. In this case the sun is the reference light source. In layman's terms a CRI of 80 means that the LED light bulb is replicating 80% of the visible color spectrum that the sun would produce at the same color temperature. A CRI of 100%, taken at a color temperature of noon day sunlight will exactly reproduce the colors found on a sunny day at noon. A CRI of 50% taken at noon day sun will partially reproduce the colors when compared to that of a normal noon day.
If you have ever watched a sunset you will notice how the colors change from a purer white to more yellow and red. This color change is typical of the changes in color temperature from higher numbers to lower numbers. If the reference light source used for CRI is at noon day sun a 100% CRI will result in a whiter light, if the reference source used is at sun set, at 100%CRI wil result in a light with more yellow and red. If you were to measure the light of sunset to a reference of noon day sun, the sunset light would only produce a CRI of 60% or less: less than 60% of the light spectrum of noon day light is present in the light of a sunset, hence the shift to more yellows and reds.

Examples of Color Temperature and CRI

Light source Color Temperature Color Rendering Index
Candle 1700k 100CRI
High Pressure Sodium 2100k 25CRI
Incandescent 2700k 100CRI
Tungsten Halogen 3200k 95CRI
Cool White 4200k 62CRI
Clear Metal Halide 5500k 60CRI
Natural Sunlight 5000-6000k 100CRI
Daylight Bulb 6400k 80CRI

Watch the fine print

Some marketers use differing color temperatures as a reference to attain 100% CRI, when the actual CRI would be much less than 100% if noon day sun light was used as a reference.
Many products marketed as 'natural sunlight' light sources are far from noon day sun.

For the Scientist

If this has not confused you try this Wikipedia definition:
"The Color Rendering Index (CRI) (sometimes called Color Rendition Index), is a measure of the ability of a light source to reproduce the colors of various objects being lit by the source. It is a method devised by the International Commission on Illumination (CIE). The best possible rendition of colors is specified by a CRI of one hundred, while the very poorest rendition is specified by a CRI of zero. For a source like a low-pressure sodium vapor lamp, which is monochromatic, the CRI is nearly zero, but for a source like an incandescent light bulb, which emits essentially black body radiation, it is nearly one hundred. The CRI is measured by comparing the color rendering of the test source to that of a "perfect" source which is generally a black body radiator, except for sources with color temperatures above 5000K, in which case a simulated daylight (e.g. D65) is used. For example, a standard "cool white" fluorescent lamp will have a CRI near 63. Newer "triphosphor" fluorescent lamps often claim a CRI of 80 to 90.
CRI is a quantitatively measurable index, not a subjective one. A reference source, such as black body radiation, is defined as having a CRI of 100 (this is why incandescent lamps have that rating, as they are, in effect, almost blackbody radiators), and the test source with the same color temperature is compared against this. Both sources are used to illuminate eight standard samples. The perceived colors under the reference and test illumination (measured in the CIE 1931 color space) are compared using a standard formula, and averaged over the number of samples taken (usually eight) to get the final CRI. Because eight samples are usually used, manufacturers use the prefix "octo-" on their high-CRI lamps."

LED Bulb Lights

1 comment

Brief Introduction to LED Strip Light

3-19 strip light

Introduction

LED strip light is also called LED rope light, LED string light, LED light bar. An LED strip light is primarily used as a decorative lighting fixture, featuring small Light-emitting diode (LED) light bulbs linked together and encased in a PVC jacket to create a string of lights. LED strip light can be used in many applications both indoors and outdoors.

Specification

LED strip light adopts FPC as assemble board circuit and assembles with SMD LED, thus with the advantage of thickness of a coin. There are many different specifications according to
customers’ needs, usually 30cm with 18LEDs or 24LEDs, 50cm with 15 LEDs, 24 LEDs or 30 LEDs, 60cm, 80cm and so on. In terms of LED component, LED strip light can be divided into 3528, 3020 and 5050 common types, a metric calling. 3528 means that kind of LED component with 3.5mm length and 2.8 width, and 5050 5.0mm length and 5.0mm width.

3-19 strip light2

Features

  • Pure color. LED strip light has the pure, soft and glare-free light because of the adoption of high brightness SMD LED as luminous element, meeting the need of decorative purpose and lighting purpose.
  • Softness. LED strip light employs very soft FPC as substrate, therefore it can be randomly bent without breaking, easy to shape to satisfy the need of advertising.
  • Low heat productivity. Due to the low power per single LED, namely 0.04~0.08W, LED strip light has so low heat productivity that even being the decorative light in fish tank without increasing the water temperature and affecting the growth of fishes.
  • Super energy saving.  Comparing to the traditional decorative lights, the power of LED strip light is lower several times but the effect is much better for 3528 only consumes 4.8W per meter and 5050 7.2W per meter.
  • Environmental protection. The constituent materials no matter LEDs or FPC can be recycled, which won’t cause pollution and destruction to environment even of extensive use.
  • Safety. It’s low-voltage DC 12V adopted by LED strip light that makes sure the safety for the elderly and children.
  • Easy Installation. It can be installed in various supported surface with retaining clip, trunking, wire, iron mesh. You can enjoy the fun of DIY decoration without any professional staff.
  • Long life span. LED strip light can spent 80,000-100,000 hours in normal way. Its life span can up to 10 years even if working 24hours every day. Therefore, the life span of LED strip light is several times longer than that of traditional ones.

LED Decorative Lights

No comment yet

LED Car Light Stuff

3-15 car light

The lighting system of a motor vehicle consists of lighting and signalling devices mounted or integrated to the front, sides, rear, and in some cases the top of the motor vehicle. The purpose of this system is to provide illumination for the driver to operate the vehicle safely after dark, to increase the conspicuity of the vehicle, and to display information about the vehicle's presence, position, size, direction of travel, and driver's intentions regarding direction and speed of travel.

3-15 car light3

Car lights are generally a fundamental element of a vehicle. Without one, there’s end up being a lot of injuries specially through the night. With this particular aspect in mind, you might wish to have the very best car lights positioned in their particular car. A good example of good quality car lights may be the LED car lights. They are car lights which are not just energy efficient but additionally vivid and sturdy. The actual LED car lights being produced at present may be used generally in most autos these days. This means that should your car or truck uses normal lights, you may be able to adjust the crooks to the particular LED kind of lights. There are many positive aspects which can be connected with these types of lights.

3-15 car light4

Next, the user with the auto are experiencing a longer enduring car lighting when they utilize LED kind of gentle. LED lights generally keep going longer simply by virtually 2 times the amount of time standard lamps previous. In fact, many of them can also last 3 x so long. Which means one will save a lot of lamp alternative cash once they purchase LED car lights. The money stored from utilizing LED car lights enable you to do something in addition on the vehicle.

Mercedes-Benz F800 Style Research Vehicle

Last but not least, one third advantage of the actual LED car lights could be the capacity to ingest significantly less electrical power. During the past, car lights which were effective necessary the usage of far more electrical power. This specific meant that at the certain position your auto’s electric powered system was being beyond capacity. Apart from this, the car lights cannot manage to get their required quantity of power and for that reason their own lifespan ended up being lowered. This LED to be able to fees accrued on account of constant replacing exactly the same. While using LED car lights, it’s not the case. The power consumption utilized by the actual lights is minimal and for that reason it doesn’t wear out the electricity method from the car or truck. At the same time, your lights get their needed quantity of energy and therefore stay longer than normal. These are just basic types of the main advantages of LED car lights. You can get the most effective lighting to suit your own car in the online site.

LED Car Lights

2 comments

What is High Bay Light

Introduction:

3-14high bay

High-bay lighting is used in high-ceiling areas to light surfaces more than 15 feet away. Common high-bay applications include industrial manufacturing, gymnasiums, warehouses, and warehouse-type retailers. Besides those used in general environment, there’re explosion-proof high bay lights and corrosion-proof ones used in special places as well as others in large-scale high buildings.

Type:

High bay lights can be divided into general high bay lights and local high bay lights.

General high bay lights

Deposited on the top or in side wall of working places, general lights can light up the entire working surface, most of which are high-power incandescent lamp, tungsten-halogen lamp , High- intensity gas discharge lamp and fluorescent lamp.  The vast majority of mining lights belong to this type.

Local high bay lights

Local high bay lights are the lighting to improve the illumination of a particular working places. They can be strengthened and supplemented on the basis of general lights as well as used as temporary lighting in some places where usually don’t need lighting. They usually employ incandescent , halogen light source  with extra low voltage (AC, ≤ 50V).

3-14high bay2

High bay lights can be divided into traditional high bay lights (Na high bay lights, mercury high bay lights and so on) and LED high bay lights.

Compared with traditional ones, LED high bay lights have the following advantages:

  • CRI RA> 70
  • High luminous efficiency, more energy saving , 100W LED High Bay Lights  equivalent to 250W traditional high bay lights
  • More safety because of cold light source and low temperature
  • Lighter weight

LED High Bay Lights

1 comment

LED Grow Light Advantages

led grow liht1

LED plant grow light designed to stimulate plant growth by emitting an electromagnetic spectrum appropriate for photosynthesis. LED grow lights either attempt to provide a light spectrum similar to that from the sun, or to provide a spectrum that is more tailored to the needs of the plants being cultivated. Depending on the type of plant being cultivated, the stage of cultivation and the photoperiod required by the plants, specific ranges of spectrum, luminous efficacy and color temperature are desirable for use with specific plants and time periods. LED grow lights are used in applications where there is either no naturally occurring light, or where supplemental light is required.

Among the many uses of LED grow light is their ability to grow plants indoors without the need for any sunlight. LED grow light offers many advantages when it compares to other traditional grow lights. One of the biggest advantages to growing with LEDs is that LEDs consume a fraction of the electricity, as much as 70% less. Another advantage of LEDs is they are near zero heat signature. LED grow lights give off less than 10% of the heat that a high intensity discharge bulb such as high-pressure sodium (HPS) or metal halide (MH) bulbs do. Less energy consumption and less heat go hand in hand as the majority of the wasted electricity in HID systems is given off as heat. If you have ever grown with HID systems, heat is always a byproduct, which must be mitigated by venting and air conditioning systems. After just a few minutes of use a HID bulb becomes extremely hot and will burn the skin if touched and has been known to cause fires. Growing with LEDs eliminates this problem completely as even after being on for 24 hours, the LED grow light is only slightly warm and cool to the touch.

Therefore, the advantages of LED grow light can be concluded as follow:

  • Provide light throughout the entire spectrum
  • Not give off excessive heat
  • Consume a minimal amount of energy
  • Be long lasting

LED Grow Lights

No comment yet

LED Light Bulbs Explained II

Naming Conventions for Light Bulb Shapes

Lighting lamps and light bulbs are described by a shape and diameter and length designation. This normally is in the form of letter(s) followed by a number followed by an optional letter. The first letter(s) indicate the shape, the numbers indicate the diameter and the final, optional letter can designate the length.

Light bulb shape examples include: PAR for Parabolic Aluminum Reflector light bulb or T for Tube. Many household halogen light bulbs are a MR16 for Metallic Reflective.
Click on the image to enlarge

Sizes are referenced by a number that follows the shape. In the US these numbers indicate the maximum diameter in eighths of an inch. In other parts of the world this number will designate the diameter in millimeters. An example of a US bulb is the R20, this is 20/8 or 2.5" in diameter. An example of a metric measure is the A19 which is the typical household incandescent light.

Sample LED Light Bulb Shape Designations:

  • A Standard household incandescent light bulb shape
  • B Bulged bulb shape
  • BT Bulged or Blown Tubular bulb shape
  • BR Short reflector style light bulb
  • C Candle or Conical bulb shape
  • CP Crystalline Pear bulb shape
  • E Ellipsoidal bulb shape
  • ER Extended reflector light bulb shape
  • F Flame style candelabra bulb shape
  • G Globe bulb or circular bulb
  • HK Hexagonal Candle
  • K Krypton or narrow reflector light bulb shape
  • MB Halogen bulb
  • MR Quartz reflector lamp (low wattage)
  • P Pear bulb shape
  • PAR Parabolic Aluminized Reflector (PAR) lamp
  • PS Elongated standard incandescent bulb
  • R Reflector light bulb style
  • S Strait Sided bulb style
  • T Tube lamp shape

Here are some standard diameter sizes:

  • 8 = 1 inch Example: T8
  • 11 = 1.375 inches Example: MR11
  • 16 = 2 inches Example: MR16
  • 20 = 2.5 inches Example: R20
  • 30 = 3.75 inches Example: PAR30
  • 38 = 4.75 inches Example: PAR38

Length designations include:

  • S for short
  • L for long

A Shaped Light Bulbs

"A" type bulb shapes are standard house hold light bulbs. The number after the bulb shape is the number of eighths of and inch in diameter. For non-imperial measured bulbs the number following the bulb shape is the number of centimeters at the widest point of the bulb.
Standard bulb sizes include A19 for imperial measurements and A60 for a slightly smaller metric measured bulb.

B and C Shaped Light Bulbs

B shaped bulbs are also know as Candelabra Light Bulbs. The have a bulged base that tapers to a rounded or pointed tip. In some bulbs the tip is bent giving the slight look of a licking flame. C shaped bulbs are similar to holiday lamps.

These bulbs are common in chandeliers, night lights and lower wattage applications such as holiday string lights.
Typical bases for B and C shaped bulbs are E12 in North America.

PAR Light Bulbs: PAR16, PAR20, PAR30 and PAR38

PAR light bulbs utilize a parabolic mirror or reflective surface to focus the light. For LEDs the PAR designation is used to define the shape, as most do not have a reflective lower surface due to the directive nature of LEDs.
Common PAR lamps include the PAR20, PAR30, PAR38 and PAR42, though many other sizes exist. These bulbs come in various beam angles that result in spot and flood lamps.
This shape is very similar to the R shape and in some cases the PAR and R are interchangeable as shapes for LED

PAR Size Diameter in Inches
PAR-16 2
PAR-20 2 1/2
PAR-20 2 1/2
PAR-30 3 3/4
PAR-36 4 1/2
PAR-38 4 3/4
PAR-46 5 3/4
PAR-56 7
PAR-64 8

More LED Light Bulbs