If you have attended a trade show recently, the buzz surrounding LEDs and the incorporation into luminaire design is inescapable. Previous generations of LED luminaires attempted to incorporate LEDs into essentially the same design as their traditional counter parts. This limited both performance and possibilities. As the demand for energy efficient lighting increases integrating LEDs into design becomes less of an afterthought. LED luminaire design is very different from traditional fixture development. LED luminaire design requires a systematical approach that balances competing requirements such as:
LED lighting is known for its efficiency but even the most efficient light sources would be judged inadequate without high-quality optics. A compact fluorescent lamp, for example, can lose up to 70 percent of its light if paired with an inappropriate optic, says Nadarajah Narendran, director of research at the Lighting Research Center (LRC), in Troy, N.Y. Likewise, the touted efficacy of LEDs wouldn’t exist without the right optics. (archlighting.com) As efficiency and thermal performance in LED packages continue to improve, they pose design advantages. Fewer LEDs may be needed to satisfy light levels and optical distributions. This allows even greater flexibility in optical and mechanical design. This empowers lighting manufacturers to create lighting solutions tailored to meet the most demanding field requirements and yield maximum supply chain value.
While luminaire designers are making tremendous leaps using technology, there are some practical considerations to keep in mind. Supplying power to these innovative light sources requires specialized LED drivers. LEDs are designed to run on low voltage (12-24V), direct current electricity. Conversely, the most common power supply is at a higher voltage (120-277V) using alternating current electricity. An LED driver rectifies this problem. Secondly, protection from voltage or current fluctuations come into play.
Too much or too little current can cause light output to vary or degrade faster due to higher temperatures within the LED.
Heat dissipation is and has been one of the primary challenges with LED technology. LED junction temperature must be kept below manufacturer specified levels to achieve long life. Luminaires with smaller form factors tend to have poorer thermal performance. This can lead to compromises such as a lowering the intensity of the light or sacrificing some longevity in favor of intensity.
Updated energy codes require efficient, bilevel lighting. This tips the scale toward units that low in power and often offered with 0-10V dimming control standards. Greater energy savings are achieved through occupancy and daylight dimming controls. As digital light sources, LED lighting fixtures can be precisely controlled with dimmers, push-button devices, wireless touchscreens, smart phones or integrated into a structure’s IT system. Digital Multiplex (DMX) and Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI) protocols have become widely adopted. While the initial priority focused on making commercial lighting more controllable, popularity has increased and it is now used in various applications, including hotel, restaurant, and residential settings.
GRE Alpha has a wide array of products that elevate luminaire design.
The GRE Alpha XLD 75 and XLD 200 both offer dual modes, giving you constant current and constant voltage options. Furthermore, both the output current and voltage are adjustable, letting you get the most optimal performance from your light fixtures. And as the only UL listed LED drivers on the market, you can use them to drastically reduce your approval times and agency approval costs.
Both of these models are easy to install thanks to our patented enclosures, which simplify wiring requirements. Fast to install and capable of working in temperatures ranging from - 40°C to -60°C, both options will have users remotely controlling their lighting in no time, no matter the environment.
The DALI Dimming Module and SLD-DIMTW Tunable White Dimming Module give users even more advanced customization and control of their lighting. Both capable of being incorporated into your existing LED drivers, these solutions offer customization with an extremely small form factor, high efficiency, and competitive cost. Easy to install and inexpensive, this simple upgrade can be implemented on new lighting projects, or retrofit to your older fixtures, enabling them to support industry standards like 0-10V, DALI, DMX, TRIAC, wireless and more.
GRE Alpha is committed to innovation and to delivering high-quality, leading edge LED lighting solutions. For more information about LED drivers, dimming modules, and accessories, 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 and for early access to other GRE Alpha news.
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