• • • ENERGY EFFICIENT SOLUTIONS • • •
The evolution of LED technology
In recent years, LED lighting has revolutionised the lighting industry, offering significant energy savings, reduced maintenance costs, and a smaller carbon footprint
owever, if you installed LED lighting over five years ago, you might not be fully experiencing the potential benefits. Upgrading your old LED lighting system now can help you achieve maximum cost savings and significantly reduce carbon emissions. LED technology has advanced over the last five years, with more efficient and intelligent lighting solutions now available. Continuous improvements are being made in this technology, enhancing the overall performance of LEDs, which is evident in the development of the chip efficiency, colour rendering and life span.
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The LED chip is the main component of an LED and has the role of converting electrical energy into light. The chip design within LED lights has significantly progressed and become more efficient in the past few years, with LEDs producing more light with reduced energy consumption. As a result, this makes for a more sustainable lighting option with the additional advantage of cost savings.
LEDs are notably known for their enhanced colour rendering capabilities. The colour rendering
8 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • MAY 2024
index (CRI) is the measurement of how natural colours render under an artificial white light source when compared with sunlight. The index consists of a scale from 0-100, with 100 representing a perfect colour accuracy. The lifespan of LED products has extended with advancements in this innovative technology. LEDs are now more durable, reducing maintenance costs and the need for replacements.
Burn time and dimming capabilities
LED lights last substantially longer compared to traditional lighting alternatives, such as incandescent bulbs. This type of sustainable lighting technology typically lasts between 15,000 and 50,000 hours, highlighting their longevity. LEDs not only have a long lifespan, but this does not affect their performance, thus proving LEDs to be the most efficient kind of bulb. The long burn time reduces maintenance costs and ensures a decrease in waste, impacting the environment in a positive way.
However, newer LED lighting systems offer improved dimming capabilities, allowing for better control over light output and energy usage, which illustrates the importance of implementing the most up to date LED solutions.
Smart lighting controls We live in a world of increasing convenience, and this can be seen through the development of smart lighting controls.
Smart lighting refers to an advanced lighting system that can be controlled remotely and automated using technology. An example of this includes motion sensors, where lights automatically switch on or turn off when someone enters or leaves the room. This provides convenience and allows users to customise their lighting preferences, whilst enhancing security. These smart lighting controls can also contribute to energy savings by automatically adjusting light levels based on factors such as occupancy, natural light availability, and user preferences, ensuring that light is only consumed when necessary.
electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk
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