Retrofit T8 LED linear tubes ready or not?

Transcription

1 Retrofit T8 LED linear tubes ready or not?

2 Word in the industry The overwhelming consensus from the LED lighting industry is that retrofit linear LEDs specifically T8s are not market-ready. LED T8 tubes (source: LED SA) Figure 1: T8 tube retrofit installation (source: Adventure Lighting)

3 What s the problem with LED retrofit T8s? Critics often site the following three reasons the retrofit LED T8 isn t quite ready for widespread adoption: 1. Safety and liability issues 2. Unrefined technology 3. Uncompetitive pricing

4 Safety and liability The European Commission Low Voltage Directive Administrative Co-operation Working Group (LVD ADCO) expressed their concerns over retrofit LED tube safety in a 2011 Recommendation report, especially in terms of electric shock. This mainly applies to the linear LED tubes with integrated drivers. This type of LED tube is most widely used, as it is considered easier to retrofit than those with external drivers. However, this is also where safety (and compliance) issues arise.

5 Safety and liability Why are LED T8 tubes susceptible to electric shock more than non-linear LED bulb? The installer must modify the fixture by bypassing or removing the existing ballast so that the LED can run directly off the line voltage (a fluorescent tube uses the ballast). If the fixture includes a starter and magnetic ballast, the installer must modify the existing control gear by removing/opening the starter and removing/shorting the magnetic ballasts. If the fixture includes an electronic ballast, the installer must bypass the electronic ballast completely and wire the power directly to the end socket of the tube.

6 Safety and liability Concerns: UL safety rating becomes invalid when the ballast is removed or bypassed Documentation may not be read and safety issues may ensue Maintenance worker unknowingly replaces a previously retrofitted LED tube with a T8 fluorescent when the socket is running directly off the line voltage A retrofitting company upgrades a facility to T8 LED and are liable if a maintenance worker performs an unknowingly unsafe operation

7 Unrefined technology High heat: In an integrated LED tube, all electronics are housed within. As a result of the restrictive space inside the tube, excess heat is generated with nowhere to go. The high temperatures reduce the performance of the components. Poor lifetime of LED driver: For all electronic components to fit inside the confines of the LED tube, smaller (and therefore inferior) components are used. In addition, the high temperatures reduce the lifespan. Inadequate controlled dimming support/inferior dimming: Many retrofit LED tubes are nondimmable or require phase-cut dimming. It is also difficult to find adequate controlled dimming support.

8 Unrefined technology Inferior lumen output: Do not provide a similar level of lumen output when compared to their fluorescent counterparts. Lumen depreciation is also a problem. (Department of Energy CALiPER testing) Inferior CRI: The CRI for LED tubes is rarely over 80. Poor CCT retention: Color shift problems at 9000 hours. Measured CCT is not the same as specified by the manufacturer and there are irregularities in the nanometer range of nm (Dennis McCarthy, SSL Product Specialist).

9 Uncompetitive pricing More expensive than fluorescent tubes (~$25-$70 for LEDs vs. ~$3 for fluorescent). Return-on-investment (ROI) cannot be justified. Unlike non-linear LED bulbs, many utility companies do not offer rebates for LED T8 replacements, even those with Design Lights Consortium (DLC) listing.

10 About Leapfrog Lighting Leapfrog Lighting provides specification-grade LED products for industrial, retail, and commercial applications. We ve created an innovative LED lighting solution that uses Intelligent Optics to provide architectural quality illumination unrivalled in the industry. Additionally, all our lamps are top performers in virtually all major efficiency-performance categories. You can contact Leapfrog Lighting through the following channels: Leapfrog Lighting 400 March Road Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K2K 3H4 T: Internet: Subscribe to our blog! Twitter: Facebook: LinkedIn: Google+: