Signs of the Times - August 2012 - (Page 32)

LED UPDATE By Dr. M. Nisa Khan As president of LED Lighting Technologies, Dr. Nisa Khan educates the lighting industry and consumers about LED lighting. She has a bachelor’s degree in physics and mathematics, and master’s and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering. Email her at nisa.khan@iem-asset.com Overload of Light Information Light and energy education for citizens and sign buyers has become imperative. In today’spresent vast, digital-based, world, Internet and cloud networks multimedia information that anyone, almost anywhere, can receive and share with personal, hand-held devices. Via high-speed connections, large amounts of electronically transported data can reach desired destinations within seconds; and, more impressively, it may be voice, full-color graphic images or fullmotion video – or any combination thereof. The excitement continues with similar information presentations through large-format signs and displays. Other alluring technologies exist, and one, most popular at such special events as the Super Bowl, is full-color, high-definition, surface projection. Today’s technological world appears much more impressive than just a decade ago – but what’s the value of information we receive via this advanced media? Dr. Peter P. Bohn, my former supervisor at AT&T Bell Laboratories, would occasionally say “90% hype and 10% reality.” Ironically, we were developing systems for advanced, high-bandwidth, super-telecommunication media. I now wonder, with the advent of super media and as everyone’s web access expands, what are the potential percentages for hype versus reality? The rapid and ever-increasing LED lighting-product market is a comparable trend, so here, then, I’ll attempt to assess its hype and reallife issues. Limit claims and generalizations Although certain LED lamp applications are well proven, others haven’t proven superior to existing lamps. For example, many LEDbased tubular lamps are touted as replacements for T5 and other linearfluorescent lamps (LFLs), but, even though such LED replacement lamps could someday prove superior, for large-space lighting applications, the present majority doesn’t outperform its fluorescent counterparts. This claim is supported by DOE’s latest CALiPER tests (www1.eere.energy. gov/buildings/ssl). Unfortunately, same or lowerwattage tubular LED replacement lamps appear bright when directly viewed, so buyers, seeing justification firsthand, often choose tubular LED lamps over LFLs. When viewed directly, LED lamps appear much brighter than fluorescents because the LED light is concentrated; however, when the total lumen output and distribution are evaluated for wider spaces, the LED tubes routinely fall short. This indicates the LED replacements for LFLs don’t produce more – or even an equal amount of lumens – for the same wattage category. You can’t compare by looking at the lamps’ glow – it requires scientific, light-meter measurements. Typical buyers can’t perform such tests and, subsequently, are often disappointed with their purchase at some later time. Truth is, LEDs aren’t always better; nor do they always save energy for all lighting applications, but they’re suited for most signage and display applications that don’t fall into illumination categories. There are applications, however, where lower-wattage LED lamps actually provide better performance. Task lighting, for example, or certain types of down lighting and other illumination applications that don’t require wide and uniform spatial light distribution over large spaces. Apply product standards Until recently, consumers didn’t fret about lighting – they simply purchased incandescent lamps to suit their needs. And, if they desired light dimming, they installed an integrated-dimming unit suited to the main-supply AC voltage. In contrast, buying lamps isn’t easy today, because of the various lighting options and energy-saving obligations. One of today’s options includes compact-fluorescent lamps (CFLs) with dimming capabilities. Because energy-saving CFL technologies have improved significantly over the past several years, many governments want to ban certainwattage incandescent lamps; some are considering an eventual, full incandescent ban. To benefit most from CFL replacements, buyers must learn of a lamp’s white-light output (the color and hue varies) options, plus dimming, lumen, wattage and lifespan specifications. Further, because CFLs contain mercury, recycling and disposal-handling methods should be adopted, which can only be effective if a yet-selected authority regulates discard methods. Further, consumers now have another option: LED lighting, which comprises even more technology hurdles. We’ve all seen that LEDlamp makers offer numerous products in terms of color, size, shape, wattage, dimming, driver options, lumen output and beam angle, but, the most troubling is these many products spawn from a sea of global vendors. Obviously, proper light and energy education for typical citizens – and sign buyers – has become imperative. The selection process should start with standard product specifications. In an ideal world, retail lamp marks would reveal such basic parameters as lumen output, warm- or coolcolor specifications via CCT, color rendering, wattage, plug-in requirements, a do-and-don’t list and recommended applications. For 32 SIGNS OF THE TIMES / AUGUST 2012 / www.signweb.com http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/ssl http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/ssl http://www.signweb.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Signs of the Times - August 2012

Signs of the Times - August 2012
ST Update
Technology Update
Vinyl Apps
Strictly Electric
LED Update
Software Update
Technology Review
Technology Review
New Products
The Value of Signs
Casino and Gaming Signage
A Commercial-Sign Company Snapshot
Business is Blowing Up
Built to Last
Industry News
Advertising Index
Editorially Speaking

Signs of the Times - August 2012