achieve what all the hype would have you think. It’s a bit like 3D TVs, I was lucky enough to purchase one but then found I could not get any films to for it, therefore not able to see if the high quality hype is true. “The sign trade should be careful when
listening to all the hype surrounding LEDs such as talk of ‘50,000 hours life’ and ‘brighter than fluorescent’ and often compared next to the most inefficient T 12 fluorescent lamp (which i have not seen for 10 years. These are just two points but very important ones. Yes, LEDS can last 50,000 hours but due to many factors their actual useful life can some times be as low as 10,000 hours. Richard refers to useful life as ending when
The colour of this fluorescent ceiling lighting installed by Avenue Signs in a multi-million pound new build property can be changed to suit the occasion.
the LED brightness drops below 70 per cent of its original brightness. “The weak link in the chain can be the drivers as they do not last anywhere near as long as the LEDs, I know of many cases of
drivers failing within nine months. A lot fail because although most have operating temperatures of -40 to +60 degrees Celsius which may sound suitable, but when you have drivers fitted in signs in minimum spaces without cooling or heat sinks and the sign is in full sun light, the temperature of the driver can well exceed +60 degrees. Insight discovered this during tests and we added thermal cut-outs in our drivers which mean when it gets to 55 degree the driver switches off then restarts when the temperature falls. The important thing is how many sign trade clients get caught out by this, I know some large LED and driver manufactures do not have thermal cut outs in their drivers. Another big problem, clients by say a 40W driver and calculate the maximum amount of LEDs totaling 40W, are drivers specify using only 80% ie 32W of LEDs, so during very cold conditions you have the extra power required to allow normal operation.” Richard says that the sign trade does recognise the value of quality products and is willing to pay for it. “Our budget fluorescent range has accounted for 70 per cent of
This Mk4 extruded aluminium joining section from Insight Sign Systems allows Highlight to be made to any continuous length as it supports and secures joints almost invisibly and prevents water ingress.
our sales but now 65% of clients are purchasing our Superbright, our most expensive LED version. This shows me that the UK trade want to give their clients the most up to date products available regardless of the higher costs, which is very encouraging in such hard times. It is a very good product and very bright while being economical to run; but the sign trade can only take our word for that, and that is a big responsibility, one we take very seriously, conducting years of testing before placing the products on the market.” While there are many reputable suppliers with
a lot of knowledge in the sign industry there are others with little or no understanding of the sign industry and less experienced sign makers can be vulnerable. Richard continues: “Most of the sign trade are
hard working innovative people but in my view too trusting sometimes, and for that reason I think they do get caught out using incorrect products for certain jobs. I think trade suppliers like our self should be duty bound to make sure they do not sell any product that’s not suitable for the job in question. “For instance, when I quote a client I ask lots
A Lumirescent driver from Insight Sign Systems showing high quality anodised aluminium casing with built in heat sinks and clear labelling advising how much LED strip can be operated from the driver.
of questions and sometimes advise on many steps that should be taken when using LED products, even if it is not our product that is chosen. At times this loses me the job, as they think I am complicating a plug in and play system, but is long term that i am thinking about. In 80% of inquiries we receive the clients do not ask any questions about life or warranty, that to me is the fault of the hype, as these clients seem to think no matter what application the LEDs are used in, it will mean 50,000 hours of illumination.
ISSUE 125 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010 Sign Update 65
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