LEDs – LIGHTING UP YOUR TOMORROW

LED technology continues to develop rapidly as a general light source. As more LED (light emitting diode) products and light fixtures are introduced into the market, what do consumers need to know to make informed buying decisions?

The number of white light LED products available in the market continues to grow, including portable desk/task lights, LED bulb replacement, under-cabinet lights, recessed downlights, retail display lights, and outdoor fixtures for street lighting, parking lot, path, and other area lighting. The best white LED products can meet or exceed the efficiency of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). The best warm white LEDs available today can produce about 45-50 lumens per watt (lm/W). In comparison, incandescent lamps typically produce 12-15 lm/W; this translates to an extra efficiency of up to four times.

However, LED device efficacy doesn’t tell the whole story. Good LED system and luminaire design is imperative to energy-efficient LED lighting fixtures. For example, a new LED recessed downlight combines multicolored high efficiency LEDs, excellent thermal management, and sophisticated optical design to produce more than 700 lumens using only 12 watts, for a luminaire efficacy of 60 lm/W. Conversely, poorly-designed luminaries using even the best LEDs may be no more efficient than incandescent lighting.

Unlike other light sources, LEDs usually don’t ”burn out;” instead, they get progressively dimmer over time. LED useful life is based on the number of operating hours until the LED is emitting 70% of its initial light output. Good quality white LEDs in well-designed fixtures are expected to have a useful life of 30,000 to 50,000 hours. A typical incandescent lamp lasts about 1,000 hours and a comparable CFL lasts 8,000 to 10,000 hours.
 

In Malaysia, ItraMAS Corporation, the leading manufacturer of LED-based lighting applications has launched a series of high performance products under “Q-RAYTM” brand for the commercial, residential and public lighting sectors. Its R&D center and manufacturing plant based in Penang is ISO9001:2000 (UK) and ISO14001:2004 (UK) certified and is equipped with fully computerised assembly system and sophisticated testing equipment. The company specialises in research, design, manufacture, sales and service of LED lighting products. Its US-based subsidiary, Digital Lighting Inc., is an ENERGY STAR Partner, a Program under the US Department of Energy (DOE).

ItraMAS achieved a milestone in quality and innovation when it’s Q-RAYTM MP 400 became the world’s first LED desk lamp to be listed by ENERGY STAR. This innovation has also won Q-RAY™ MP-400 desk lamp the Honorable Mention award in the Lighting for Tomorrow 2008 competition organised by Department of Energy and American Lighting Association. To meet ENERGY STAR qualifications for both residential and commercial applications, LED fixtures need to meet or exceed very stringent quality and reliability standards.

Visit the Q-RAYTM LED Lighting Gallery today and discover the wonders and benefits of state-of-the-art LED fixtures at The Segambut Tile & Interior Decoration Centre (STADEC), Unit 1.06, No. 144, Jalan Segambut, 51200 Kuala Lumpur, located at the entrance into Segambut Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03 - 62586053 or 016-2558758 (Leona)