LED Lighting General Questions
LED lighting general questions to assist with ordering light fixtures from Specialty Lighting. Contact a representative for assistance.
What are LEDs?
LED stands for light emitting diode. An electrical current passes through a microchip, which illuminates the tiny light sources, LEDs, and the result is visible light. The heat LEDs produce is absorbed into a heat sink. Because of their efficiency, LEDs make a good alternative to most conventional light sources.
What are the advantages of using LEDs over standard light sources?
Lower maintenance and operational costs of LEDs make them a beneficial option since they need to be replaced less frequently and LEDs consume less energy than standard light sources. Most applications with LEDs offer a return on their investment in a period of three to four years.
What does Integrated LED mean?
Integrated LED fixture products refer to when a fixture and the LED light form one unit. The lamp (light bulb) cannot be replaced; once the light no longer works, the entire fixture must be replaced. Some of Specialty Lighting’s plug & play integrated fixtures include the RD60 series, continuity, and nuance. No driver required.
What is the lifespan of LEDs?
LEDs have a long lifespan, with most current options rated to last with at least 20,000 hours of operation. LED fixtures used only a few hours a day can last more than 20 years; fixtures used all day and night will expire sooner.
What is LED binning?
To prevent difference in color appearance and light output when LED chips are produced, binning is a way of sorting the chips so that all of the LEDs from one bin look the same and have similar light output.
What is the difference between lumens (lm) and watts (W)?
Lumens refer to the measurement of total light output or brightness of the bulb/lamp. More lumens (lm) mean a brighter light. Watts (W) refers to power consumption of the bulb/lamp. Lumens guide you to buy the amount of light you want. Think lumens not watts. As a reference, a 100 watt incandescent bulb/lamp produces about 1600 lumens, and a 75 watt bulb/lamp produces 1100 lumens.
Are LEDs dimmable?
While more recent LED technology is dimmable, that’s not the case for all LEDs. Before making a LED purchase, check to see if the LED fixture is compatible with a dimmer, and that the dimmer is the correct type for that fixture. Keep in mind that dimming LEDs lowers the lumen output and does not make a light warmer in color temperature.
What is LED retrofit lighting?
Retrofit LEDs utilize existing lighting fixtures whether through simple screw-in options or retrofit kits that fit into existing light source. To replace a standard lamp (light bulb) with a LED lamp (light bulb), make sure you do not exceed the fixture’s rating based on wattage for the particular size of lamp (light bulb). The fixture’s mounting base (socket) size and shape should be the same or the lamp (light bulb) will not fit.
Note: Watts (W) are not the same as lumens (lm). Watts (W) measure electric power consumption and lumens (lm) refer to the measure of light emitted. LED lamps (light bulbs) have much lower wattage than standard lamps (light bulbs). To maintain a consistent level of brightness, know the lumens (light out put) for the lamp (light bulb) you’re replacing.
A light source can be upgraded by installing a LED retrofit kit. Retrofit kits cost a fraction compared to replacing the entire fixture. Kits include materials you need to retrofit your fixture, including brackets, sockets, and screws to make sure the new LED lamps (light bulbs) work properly. Retrofit kits are available for a wide variety of indoor and outdoor applications.
Specialty Lighting offers a variety of retrofit LED fixtures and retrofit kits. Visit our Commercial, Industrial & Retrofit products page to learn more.
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