LED 101: Understanding the Fundamentals of LED Lighting

IP wateproof rating explained and recommended IP levels for the bathroom

IP wateproof rating explained and recommended IP levels for the bathroom

WHAT DOES IP PROTECTION MEAN?

The index of protection – the IP – is an essential characteristic of most of the electrical devices and it shows the protection rate of the device from any external agents such a solid object or liquids. It is expressed of word "IP" followed by 2 numbers, which show:

the first digit describes the degree of protection rate against solid objects, dust, the solid particles and bodies;
the second digit describes the degree of protection offered against liquids.

The IP rating is relevant when the environment conditions are standard; in special cases and hazardous environments special protection is required.

Although there are numerous combinations of IP ratings for LED strips and fixtures, the most common ones are: IP67, IP65, IP44, IP20. For specially IP rated luminaires you will find each product clearly marked with its IP rating PLUS the highest zone in which it can be installed.

In general, all LED strips have IP20, same with many LED fixtures. IP44 you will find for LED strips inside an aluminum profile with closed end caps and in many spotlights and down lights. IP65 or more is usually used for waterproof LED strips and some special fixtures.
The first digit – protection from foreign bodies


0 – no protection from foreign bodies;
1 – protected against solid objects greater than 50mm(e.g. accidental touch by hands);
2 – protected against solid objects up to 12mm(e.g. fingers);
3 – protected against solid objects greater than 2.5mm(e.g. tools and wires);
4 – protected against solid objects greater than 1mm(e.g. small tools and wires);
5 – protected against dust, limited ingress(e.g. no harmful deposit);
6 – totally protected against dust.

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Ensuring LED Longevity and Performance: Understanding the Impact of Temperature

LED operating temperature and lifetime

LED lamps, modules and fixtures can be damaged by high operating temperature, with mechanical failure or significant drop of performance being the most common.

How a LED behaves when functioning at higher operating temperatures is directly related to its quality. High quality LEDs, like Nichia or Cree, will function within parameters at high temperatures too, while low quality LEDs will break down, change their color, loose brightness or a combination of these.

For LED technology, it is a must to avoid operating at temperatures beyond those specified by the manufacturer. Failure to do so while lead to at least one of the following:
  1. complete failure of the LED
  2. light output is decreased permanently (Lumen Degradation) even if the issue with high temperature is solved
  3. light output is decreased temporally while the LED functions at high temperature
  4. the color temperature of the white LED changes

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Demystifying LED Lifetimes: From Light Bulb to LED

LED Lifetime, Lumen Maintenance

Product lifetime, Light Bulb vs LED

The typical product lifetime of an incandescent light bulb is 1000 hours. When the bulb reaches the end of its product lifetime, it cannot emit light anymore. Typically, just before, there is spark or pop, as the filament inside breaks down.

LEDs use a different meaning for product life. They are the only light sources that over time lose brightness, even up to 90% of initial flux. Eventually, LEDs will also fail completely. However, some emit visible light even after decades.

For example, a Nichia LED with 60,000 hours typical product lifetime will continue to light well beyond the 60,000 hours rated life. Under normal operating conditions, it will even after 200,000 hours.

LED lifetime is the time interval the product can still serve its intended purpose.  The time passed until a LED has 70% of the initial brightness is equal with the product lifetime.

This definition, known as L70 lifetime,  endorsed by all well-known luminaire manufacturers and sellers.

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What defines an environmental friendly LED linear lamp?

What defines an environmental friendly LED linear lamp?

Linear lamps are light sources preferred in the office and commercial sectors, with billions of linear lamps installed in buldings across the world, operating 11 hours, on average, daily. Summed up, the office and commercial sectors account for near half of the lighting electricity consumed on the planet.

Upgrading this lighting time with LED fixtures should have beneficial results if LED linear fixtures are environmental friendly with focus on energy efficiency, durability, and exclusion of dangerous substances.

The lamps they replace, with fluorescent tubes, are not environmental friendly because of short lifespan, high mercury content and UV light emissions.  

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