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GRE Alpha would like to extend an exclusive invitation to its guests, customers and newsletter readers to attend the 2016 Hong Kong International Lighting Fair. From October 27 to 30, GRE Alpha will be exhibiting at booth number 1-CON003, offering product information and networking with industry professionals and clients. Team members will also be showcasing several products, including the Constant Voltage Tunable White LED Dimming Module, 7-in-1 LED Dimming Module, LED Wireless SLD-SmartDIM Dimming Module, and GRE Alpha’s new XSP300 LED Driver

GRE Alpha’s Constant Voltage Tunable White LED Dimming Module features LED dimming with changing in color temperatures from 2000K to 8000K using just one 0/1-10V dimmer. A color tuning module with a dimming range of 0 to 100 percent, the product offers a wide range DC input of 8 to 48 volts, up to 97 percent efficiency and up to 1024 dimming levels to give high resolution smooth dimming.

The 7-in-1 LED Dimming Module is a constant voltage, 240 Watts dimming module offering multi-colored status with an LED indicator, seven dimming controls (including switch, 0-10V, 1-10V, VR, DALI, DMX and PWM), user-adjustable linear or logarithmic dimming transfer, selectable switch mode timing durations, a dimming range of 0 to 100 percent, wide range DC input of 8 to 48 volts, up to 97 percent efficiency and up to 1024 dimming levels to create high resolution smooth dimming.

GRE Alpha’s LED Wireless SLD-SmartDIM Dimming Module is a constant voltage, wireless and Zigbee-enabled dimming module supporting up to 240 Watts of power. The SLD-SmartDIM’s features include wide range DC input at 8 to 48 volts, high efficiency up to 95 percent, a high precision ratio, compatibility with IEEE 802.15.4 Zigbee Light Link-enabled devices, suitability for LED lighting and signage applications, easy installation and a compact size.

The new XSP300 LED Driver is a dual-mode, constant current and constant voltage, next generation e-capless LED driver. The XSP300 boasts patented thermal-core technology -25 to 80 degrees Celcius full load operation, built-in 20kV surge protection, a universal AC input and user programmable output current and voltage via trim pots. With integral wiring compartments for reduced installation costs, the XSP300 offers up to five combinable channels of output, dimming options through GRE Alpha’s other dimming modules, and efficiency up to 92 percent.

GRE Alpha looks forward to showcasing these innovative products and to seeing you at the 2016 Hong Kong International Lighting Fair. Click here to register for the event, or click here to contact a GRE Alpha service representative and schedule a one-on-one appointment with a technical expert.

From color variation and dimming to new applications and beyond, innovative improvements on LED lighting management systems appear every day. Some of the most important of these advancements include developments in energy efficiency and output. With continuous increases in efficiency comes lengthier lifespans of LED products, keeping these lighting fixtures and LED drivers functioning in the homes and businesses of consumers for far longer than ever before.

LED lighting products are progressively more reliable, easily becoming a go-to solution for cost-effective, efficient residential and commercial lighting. Advancements have not yet solved all issues with LED lighting—such as those regarding thermal management heat dissipation—but implementing a few simple changes can turn headaches into solutions.

LED Lighting and Heat: Trends and Evolutions

One of the largest changes to LED lighting systems is their increased capacity to create large amounts of energy without overheating. Most LED lights produce upwards of 350 milliwatts of energy, equating to approximately 70 percent heat output and 30 percent light output. The high temperatures resulting from heat output lower LED efficiency and make the products less dependable, thus creating a great need for thermal management and heat dissipation solutions.

With the transparent resin that encapsulates LEDs as a poor thermal conductor, and the back side of an LED chip generating heat from electrical energy not transformed into useful light, among other concerns, it is necessary to lower the overall operating temperature of LED lighting management systems. In order to create a more optimal “low junction” temperature, heat removal can be accomplished through passive thermal design. This includes:

• Using building materials with conductive properties when building LED lighting products, thus inherently allowing for better heat dissipation.
• Heat dissipation through convection or radiation within the LED product.
• Adding a metal core printed circuit board (MCPCB) as a heat spreader.
• Designing products with heat sinks in mind, especially in regards to LED product shape, proximity of the LED board to the driver’s circuitry, and methods of mounting elements together.
• Implementing heat pipes and/or vapor chambers to further improve effective thermal conductivity.

The regulation of heat is referred to as thermal management. Thermal management represents a significant achievement in terms of the efficiency of LED lighting management systems and can be accomplished in myriad ways. Combinations of heat dissipation tactics allow for thermal management of not only the LED light bulb itself, but also that of other critical LED components of the lighting fixtures as a whole. This improves overall efficiency and the lifespan of LED lighting management systems.

Overcoming Other Challenges

The relative “newness” of LED technology means that design flaws, manufacturing defects and the eventual end-of-life phase of LED components have all been scrutinized to overcome and improve the lifespan of LED lighting management systems. Though progress has been made, the electrolytic capacitors of LED drivers—among other components—continue to provide lifespan challenges. There are effective solutions to help consumers overcome this and other challenges, including evolutions in efficient design of components and systems to improve functionality, monitoring manufacturing methods to keep defects at a minimum, and providing thermal conduction paths and heat sinks in appropriate locations to aid in cooling and heat dispersal. Ensuring capacitors are situated so as to avoid surrounding components’ heat by radiation, keeping other heat-generating components away from the underside of the capacitor, and using a convection cooling or fan in the power supply all aid in thermal regulation and heat dissipation, decreasing wear and tear.

While all of these solutions improve functionality and the overall lifespan of LED fixtures and lighting management systems, they are not enough to address the overall reliability of LED drivers. Continued improvements are being made, and an innovative new product from GRE Alpha is helping to bridge that gap.

The GRE Alpha Solution: A New 300 Watt LED Driver

GRE Alpha has developed a new, ultra-reliable, 300 watt LED driver—the XSP 300—a new generation product that will be unveiled at the Hong Kong Lighting Fair held from October 27 through October 30, 2016. Heralded as the world’s most rugged 300 watt LED driver, the XSP 300 features patented thermal-core technology and temperature-sensitive components for an 80C full load. This advanced thermal core technology, paired with applied advanced electronics, means that GRE Alpha’s XSP 300 has been able to overcome previously unsolved high thermal stress issues. It is idea for installation in signage, architectural and high power LED applications.

GRE Alpha is committed to innovation and to delivering high-quality, leading-edge LED lighting solutions. For more information about products, or to speak with a GRE Alpha product expert, visit the Enquiries page and fill out the Enquiry Form. Sign up for the GRE Alpha newsletter to stay up-to-date on new products like the XSP 300 and for early access to other GRE Alpha news.

Modern technological advancements in LED lighting management systems have revolutionized the lighting industry, providing highly improved performance, enhanced efficiency and economically viable lighting solutions for both residential and commercial applications. In last month's post, we introduced our 0-10V dimming module and digital addressable lighting interfaces (DALI) dimming module, two LED lighting components that offer true innovations in dimming control for projects of varying size and scope. Working alongside those components is the digital multiplex (DMX) control, a key element implemented in color mixing applications and the newest innovation in GRE Alpha's  LED lighting management system offerings.

A More Colorful LED World

Transitioning from traditional lighting systems to LED lighting was the first step in lighting management system evolution. That was followed quickly by the need for dimmer switches for the much brighter, more efficient residential and corporate LED lighting solutions. As LED lighting systems have evolved and become more widely adopted, and the number of new applications for LED lighting continue to evolve, color mixing opportunities have also increased. This is where DMX lighting control protocol becomes important.

DMX is a standard element of digital communications often used for lighting stages, building  façades, entertainment and other systems requiring coloration effects. As pricing for LED lighting with color has decreased, LED color mixing has seen an increased demand for use in architectural and residential applications. Both use the DMX lighting protocol to create environmental moods, enhance productivity and provide simple, flexible lighting control applications.

GRE Alpha's Innovative DMX Dimming Module

Boasting a simple plug-and-play design that works with CV systems, GRE Alpha's DMX dimming module can upgrade existing non-dimmable systems to work with DMX lighting protocol -  simply by adding the dimming module. It follows the latest DMX 512-A protocol, the current standard for manufacturing and intensities as set by the Entertainment Services and Technology Association (ESTA). Adhering to DMX 512-A protocol allows the GRE Alpha DMX product to seamlessly integrate with existing DMX-enabled control consoles and dimming panels.

Additionally, GRE Alpha's DMX dimming module is remote device management (RDM)-enabled, allowing for simple, two-way communication between DMX devices and lighting consoles. Unlike other DMX dimming modules, GRE Alpha's DMX dimmer uses a 4-in-1 LED chip that offers four color channels - red, green, blue and white or amber (RGBW/RGBA) - instead of the basic three-channel red, green, blue (RGB)color control. This gives users four types of colors to mix for proper ambiance, allows for precise control of the white/amber color and affords the option to create a wider range of customized color shades. The GRE Alpha DMX dimming module is at the forefront of color application in LED lighting management systems. As costs for color variation continue to become more efficient, the LED lighting industry will continue to produce color mixing DMX lighting options for the masses.

Always Innovating in LED Lighting

GRE Alpha has launched three new products this summer and is not done yet. In addition to the 0-10V dimming module, the DALI dimming module and the DMX dimmer, there is yet another product coming soon to the GRE Alpha line. Stay tuned for updates as the summer continues.

GRE Alpha is committed to innovation and to delivering high-quality, leading-edge LED lighting solutions. For more information about products, or to speak with a GRE Alpha product expert, visit the Enquiries page and fill out the Enquiry form.

HONG KONG (21 July, 2016)—GRE Alpha is proud to announce its attendance at the 2016 Hong Kong Science Park networking seminar: “How IoT and Green Technologies from Science Park Create a Smart Living.”

On Friday, 22 July, Kelvin Kwong, business development manager at GRE Alpha, will present on the company’s new products and technological innovations related to the Internet of Things (IoT). The discussion will feature:

• A project case for GRE Alpha’s lighting management components integrated with various lighting management systems
• A showcase of new GRE Alpha wireless dimming components, including dimmable, add-on and tunable components
• A demonstration of SLD-SmartDIM wireless control
• Arrange of topics related to smart lighting components and solutions for IoT

Kwong will also offer information on evolutions in dimming efficiency, tips for achieving maximum efficiency, and discuss the risks of employing inefficient dimmable drivers and/or LED dimming components in lighting management systems.

GRE Alpha is committed to helping consumers achieve the most efficient LED lighting systems possible. Attend the presentation to learn how GRE Alpha’s wireless dimming components are the future of lighting management systems and smart home applications.

Event information:
Date: Friday, 22 July, 2016
Time: 14:30 to 17:30
Presentation: #9
Venue: Chamber 3, InnoCentre, Kowloon Tong
Language: Cantonese
Audience: All are welcome

To obtain more information about GRE Alpha and its products, or to speak with a product expert, visit www.grealpha.com/contact and submit an Enquiry form.

Lighting Japan, a large lighting exhibition that recently lit up the LED and OLED arena, was a great success with more than 20,000 visitors and buyers flocking to the site. According to Reed Exhibitions, which organized the expo, the number of companies that attended the show increased by 15 percent over the previous year.

GRE Alpha, which specializes in the design and manufacture of solid-state lighting power supplies and lighting control accessories, showcased its products and displayed its newest technology in LED powering systems. R&D and Design engineers from various sectors visited the exhibition to find solutions.

Its products are well suited for the architectural and signage market primarily because they are installation-ready and also because the drivers are PSE Certified LED drivers. The PSE label ensures the stability and high quality of the product and materials used. GRE Alpha's 12V 24V LED Drivers enable dimming and color-changing when integrated into circuits.

Japan is an important LED lighting market, with the second-largest LED lighting market in the world and more than 10 exhibitions held each year exhibiting the latest global LED lighting trends and new LED lighting technologies. Its LED and laser diode (LD) technologies have gained momentum and analysts forecast that the trend is bound to continue till 2019.

As LEDs work well with devices controlled by DMX and DALI protocols, GRE Alpha's DALI Dimmer module provides smooth, linear dimming with great flexibility. Its constant voltage output LED Dimming module and XLA constant current dimmable driver were showcased. In addition, the GLV constant voltage driver, the GLD-DIM dimming add-on and SLD-DIM RGBW dimming module added more color and flavor to the LED lighting set up.

GRE Alpha's DALI Dimmer module provides smooth, 0-100 percent linear dimming and works flawless and efficiently with the DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) interfaces.  For traditional line voltage dimming applications, GRE Alpha’s XLA and XLAV Line Voltage Dimmable LED Drivers will work with legacy type dimming systems that are controlled via phase cutting dimming technologies.

LED technology appears to sync well with dimming control but it must be remembered that the integrated lamp should be back compatible with the line voltage dimmers to reduce installation costs. The XLA Series is a TRIAC/ELV Dimmable LED driver series that offers dimming compatibility and high-dimming performance.

For DC type digital dimming systems GRE Alpha’s wide array of DC dimming modules offer flexibility, while providing an optimal lighting experience. Its modular approach positions it to enable high end dimming capabilities to even any non-dimmable LED Driver, without having to replace them with expensive Dimmable LED drivers.

Tokyo 2020 is expected to be special as it will be for the first time in the Olympics' long history that LED lighting will be installed in a big way. The new Tokyo National Stadium and all athletic facilities will use LED lighting. This is bound to impact the market positively.

Although LED commercial lighting is quite common in Japan's schools, hospitals and retail stores, its outdoor LED lighting market has considerable potential to expand. Currently the focus has been on LED standardization and making LED an affordable option- this is expected to open the market up further.

The advantages of using LED lighting are many:- energy savings, reduction in lighting maintenance, uniformity in lighting, durability and the most important feature—being able to achieve various stage effects using lighting and dimming techniques.

GRE Alpha is expected to play a great role in this; the company's commitment to innovation and its power conversion expertise is expected to come to the fore. It has been constantly pushing the boundaries in lighting system integration, lighting control technology and power electronics and has been able to deliver efficient, best-in-class powering solutions across a wide spectrum of industry.