Feature Lighting Reliable information is invaluable
When information supplied with a product is incorrect, it’s almost as disappointing as when the product itself is faulty. Here, Nick Smith, marketing manager with Crompton Lamps, highlights the issues with some lamp packaging
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e’ve all experienced prob- lems with products from time to time. While we all appreciate that things can go wrong, when information sup- plied by the manufacturer is mis- leading, it is very disappointing as this is something that’s well within their control.
Therefore, any misinformation is sure to reflect badly on them and may even determine whether we do busi- ness with them again. For specifiers and installers, having confidence in product information is doubly impor- tant as any disappointment and subse- quent lack of confidence may reflect on them as well as the manufacturer. As far as lamp packaging is con- cerned, the quality and accuracy of information supplied is of particular concern. New lamps are being intro- duced to the market at a tremendous rate, many of them using relatively new technologies such as LEDs. Therefore, the information provided with the lamp is fundamental in under- standing the lamp’s performance. This is clearly illustrated by the importance of packaging when com- pact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) were first launched. Simply quoting wattages was no longer very meaning- ful - it was light output that was important. To address this, manufac- turers used their packaging to explain that, for example, an 11W CFL would provide the same light output as a 40W
tungsten GLS bulb. The same princi- ple is currently being applied to LED light sources, where manufacturers are now putting more emphasis on lumen output and less on wattage.
The point is the information on the packaging isn’t just for show, it’s really important. However, some lamp man- ufacturers are providing grossly inac- curate information that can only lead to disappointment.
Putting claims to the test At this stage it’s worth noting that the information provided by the leading lamp brands is generally very accurate - some even understate the lamp’s performance to be on the safe side. However, our concern over this matter has arisen following the testing of a number of lamps from lesser known brands, often targeting the budget end of the market. The results of those tests serve to illus- trate just how misleading some lamp packaging can be.
One such example is a 25W halo- gen capsule lamp, labelled as ‘energy saving’ and claiming to provide the same lumen output as a standard 40W incandescent lamp - a signifi- cant energy saving had the claim been true. However, our tests showed that the lumen output was only slightly higher than a standard 25W incandescent lamp, so there are no meaningful energy savings to be had with this lamp.
Left: new lamps are being introduced to the market at a tremendous rate. Consequently, the information
provided with the lamp is
fundamental in understanding the its performance
Above: Nick Smith, marketing manager with Crompton Lamps
In fact, it’s probably true to say that many lamps labelled ‘energy saving’ have been a source of disappointment, especially when the technologies were first introduced. Early CFLs certainly failed to deliver the expected results and are still the butt of many jokes today from people who don’t realise how this technology has advanced.
LEDs
Similarly, early generations of LEDs did not live up to expectations but the latest offerings provide exceptional performance. This makes the informa- tion provided with these lamps even more important.
For instance, we recently tested an LED GU10 spotlight that claimed a light output of 260 lumens but in fact only provided 180 lumens. A +/-10% variation in light output is considered acceptable with LEDs but this discrep- ancy greatly exceeds that.
These same lamps claimed to offer a ‘daylight’ colour temperature (6,500K) but were found to range from 5,800K to 6,000K. If you viewed this lamp in isolation you probably couldn’t tell the difference but if it was installed in the same location as genuine 6,500K lamps the variation would be very apparent.
Another consideration is luminous intensity, which varies with the beam angle of a directional light source and has a significant impact on the per- ceived performance of the lamp. A 5W directional LED lamp we encountered recently claimed a 38° beam angle and a luminous intensity of 620 candelas. Tests showed the luminous intensity was only 399 candelas.
The examples that have been men- tioned here are not isolated or uncom- mon, but are symptomatic of a general malaise in the performance informa- tion that some manufacturers pro- vide. As well as affecting the reputation of specifiers, installers and manufacturers it could also impact on the uptake of new lighting technolo- gies such as LEDs.
Given the importance of LED light sources for reducing energy con- sumption this is clearly an issue that needs to be addressed. In demanding accurate information from their sup- pliers, everyone involved in lighting specification has a key role to play in ensuring that lamps ‘do what they say on the box’.
Crompton Lamps
www.cromptonlamps.com T: 0845 612 8151
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Enter 222 APRIL 2013 Electrical Engineering
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