LED High Bay Lights – Lepro Blog https://www.lepro.com/learning Knowledge, tips and skills of Lighting Tue, 27 Feb 2024 06:13:08 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.8.4 The Impact of LED Technology on Agriculture https://www.lepro.com/learning/impact-of-led-tech-on-agriculture/ https://www.lepro.com/learning/impact-of-led-tech-on-agriculture/#respond Tue, 27 Feb 2024 06:13:08 +0000 https://www.lepro.com/learning/?p=3282 For decades, the farming community in the United Kingdom has been under stress. Farmers rely largely on subsidies to make ends meet while retail competition always keeps prices low. They are increasingly looking to technology to boost output, save expenses, and uncover untapped markets. LED lighting is one example of a technology with unforeseen benefits.… Read More »The Impact of LED Technology on Agriculture

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For decades, the farming community in the United Kingdom has been under stress. Farmers rely largely on subsidies to make ends meet while retail competition always keeps prices low. They are increasingly looking to technology to boost output, save expenses, and uncover untapped markets. LED lighting is one example of a technology with unforeseen benefits. Here, we examine how LEDs are shaking up the agricultural sector.

Effortless Cost Control

The supermarkets in the UK engage in a pricing war, resulting in artificially low food prices. Farmers, who sometimes have to sell their wares for less than they cost to produce, are on the receiving end of this unfair system. Many rely significantly on subsidies; however, as a result of Brexit, these subsidies are shifting and will be phased out over the next several years, replaced by a new plan that places far more emphasis on landowners utilizing their property to promote and protect the environment.

tri proof light factory

Farmers in this type of environment need to maximize productivity on their crops. They are accomplishing this in some ways, one of which is by switching to LEDs from fluorescent and halogen bulbs. Those that use vast indoor rooms for livestock or plant and vegetable cultivation may realize an 80% reduction in their lighting costs after switching to LEDs. LEDs consume 80% less energy and emit 80% less CO2 because they convert most of their energy into light rather than heat.

How LEDs Increase Milk Supply

Farmers may solve the shortage by finding strategies to increase output as milk is one of the key items sold at a loss. A recent study found that cows produce the most milk when they are exposed to light for 16–18 hours each day at levels of brightness between 160 and 200 lux at the very least, then 6 hours of exposure to a lower level of light. It is believed that this exposure to light raises the cows’ levels of the hormone prolactin, which is in charge of milk production. Cows with 16 to 18 hours of light per day can produce up to two liters of milk more than those with only 13 hours of light per day.

Sheds must be constantly and evenly illuminated at 160–200 lux during the lighter periods and at roughly 50 lux during the darker hours to obtain these greater yields. If this were implemented, farms’ energy consumption would grow dramatically; however, if LEDs were used instead, this would not be the case. The price would be less than what it would cost to keep the shed illuminated with fluorescent lights for 13 hours.

The fact that LEDs are dimmable is another perk. This allows for precise scheduling, and lux levels may be monitored using sensors. Even better, they may be programmed to adjust their brightness based on the amount of available sunlight, so maintaining uniformity while reducing energy consumption and associated expenses.

Enhancing Plant Growth and Productivity

The weather in the United Kingdom necessitates the use of artificial illumination, such as fluorescent and metal-halide bulbs, in order to speed up the growth process and increase yields. However, there are a number of drawbacks to utilizing this type of lighting, including the fact that it is costly to operate and isn’t very efficient and that it may not offer the exact wavelength or intensity of light that a particular crop requires for optimal growth.

There are several advantages to using LEDs to replace fluorescent and metal-halide lighting for indoor plant cultivation. One recent study found that LED-grown wheat outperformed fluorescent-grown wheat in terms of both production and quality, while also reducing lighting energy use by 80%. Photosynthesis, tiller count, biomass, and yield were all improved by the LEDs’ capacity to produce more intense light. 

The fact that LEDs could have their color temperature and output altered was an added bonus. Improvements in starch and protein content were achieved because different sections of the spectrum had varied effects on the plants at different phases of development. It’s possible that many other types of crops can reap the same rewards.

Less Work to Maintain

It takes a lot of light bulbs to illuminate large indoor rooms used for raising animals or cultivating plants in bulk. It might take a while to replace them, especially if they are up high. LEDs are practical in this context due to their significantly longer lifespan, typically about 50,000 hours. This reduced need to replace bulbs frequently also reduces the associated costs of doing so. Also crucial is the fact that LEDs are far cooler than conventional kinds of illumination, reducing the risk of fire.

In Conclusion

The agricultural sector in the UK stands to benefit greatly from the use of LEDs. Not only may they help farmers save money on electricity and lower their carbon impact, but they can also increase milk production and crop yields without sacrificing quality.

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What are the Different Types of LED Chips? https://www.lepro.com/learning/led-chip/ https://www.lepro.com/learning/led-chip/#respond Thu, 24 Nov 2022 03:18:42 +0000 https://www.lepro.com/learning/?p=2842 It would seem like just yesterday that LED technology was introduced, but it’s been around for many years. Many homeowners and business owners have installed the technology, whether it’s for home appliances or industrial high bay lights.  4 Kinds of LED Chip Technology  Since LED technology is used in various applications, LED manufacturers have developed… Read More »What are the Different Types of LED Chips?

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It would seem like just yesterday that LED technology was introduced, but it’s been around for many years. Many homeowners and business owners have installed the technology, whether it’s for home appliances or industrial high bay lights. 

4 Kinds of LED Chip Technology 

Since LED technology is used in various applications, LED manufacturers have developed four kinds of LED chips that meet a product’s needs. What are the four types of LED chips manufacturers use in their products?

  • LED COB or Chip on Board
  • LED DIP or Dual In-Line Package
  • LED SMD or Surface Mounted Diode
  • MicroLED

LED Chip on Board (COB)

The latest LED lighting advancement is the LED Chip on Board technology. Its design is centered on the product’s presence of multiple LED diodes. As such, manufacturing costs for the technology runs about 20% less than what SMD chips cost.

ED Chip on Board (COB)
  • Small devices, like cameras or cell phones, tend to use this technology because of the high amount of lumens using very little energy they produce. They provide a light output of more than 120 lumens per watt. 
  • Thanks to its design, heat is efficiently dissipated, allowing for use for long periods of time, despite how much light output is provided.  

COB technology is extremely durable because it can tolerate electrical current-voltage changes. 

Finally, it emits a multi-directional light, meaning it has a beam angle of roughly 160 degrees. 

LED Dual in-Line Package (DIP)

When people think of LEDs, they tend to think about Dual IN-Line Package LEDs. The design comprises a diode encased in a tough opaque plastic case with two parallel connector pins sticking out. The casing’s color determines the LED light. 

LED Dual In-Line Package (DIP)

While many DIP chips are still in use, they have a low luminous efficiency, unlike the currently available LEDs. Therefore, they are commonly used as indicator lights for various electronics. 

LED Surface Mounted Diode

The diode of the Surface Mounted Diode (SMD) is enveloped in a semi-rigid resin soldered to the circuit. SMDs are smaller in size than DIP chips and much more effective. SMD development is seen as an advancement in LED technology, as it introduces three diodes on one chip. White light is only achievable by combining the three main colors – green, blue and red. The combination means approximately 16 million different colors are possible. 

Another way to attain the white light is to apply a coating of phosphor layer that will absorb the blue light so that the yellow color is given off. The layer’s density dictates the SMD chip’s color temperature. Lepro high bay lights are designed with SMD2835 LED Chips, which can reach 145lm/W light efficacy.

LED Surface Mounted Diode

When it comes to features and performance, here are a few things to be mindful of:

  • The chips can generate up to 80 lumens per watt, which is much higher than other DIPs. As such, many LED strips and downlights use them.
  • It generates a unidirectional light, but since they are distributed over the light fitting’s whole surface, you can still get a 360-degree angle beam.
  • Thanks to its 80% Color Rendering Index feature, it offers true color reproduction.

SMDs do have one particular shortcoming, and this is the chip-to-board connection temperature. It’s just not ideal for long-term use.

MicroLED Chip

MicroLED technology is the result of various microscopic LEDs to define pixels. It’s the technology used in flat panel TVs because it offers higher energy efficiency, better contrast and lower response time. 

MicroLED

And LED technology goes beyond lighting, including products like cell phones, gadgets and TVs. 

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What is Light Flicker and What Can Be Done to Reduce it? https://www.lepro.com/learning/flicker-free-led/ https://www.lepro.com/learning/flicker-free-led/#respond Thu, 17 Nov 2022 07:31:05 +0000 https://www.lepro.com/learning/?p=2834 Lights that flicker experience what is known as power fluctuations. It causes a flicker effect that is barely noticeable or strobe-like. When a person is exposed to flickering lights for an extended period of time, it can have a significant impact on their health, and concentration levels and reduce their recovery times. However, flickering lights… Read More »What is Light Flicker and What Can Be Done to Reduce it?

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Lights that flicker experience what is known as power fluctuations. It causes a flicker effect that is barely noticeable or strobe-like. When a person is exposed to flickering lights for an extended period of time, it can have a significant impact on their health, and concentration levels and reduce their recovery times. However, flickering lights can also affect the lighting system’s performance.

As such, it’s imperative to know what steps to take to ensure the LED lighting in your home or business is free of flickers.

What Causes Lights to Flicker?

When there is a fluctuation in a light source’s output, the light will flicker. The flickering results from the light switching turning off and on because of the changes in the power voltage magnitude (alternate current). The Hertz (Hz) measurement provides an idea of how noticeable the flickering will be. The majority of people can see flickering below 50 to 70Hz, but studies show some individuals are especially sensitive to flickering and can see frequencies of more than 100Hz. 

And, for some individuals, it is their subconscious that picks up the higher frequencies. 

Flickering can happen to every lighting type – fluorescent, halogen, incandescent, and LED. Seeing this flickering isn’t as easy in less energy-efficient lights. That’s because the filament keeps its heat (thermal persistence) and will continue to work even when it is experiencing fluctuations. 

Thermal persistence does not occur with LED lights, meaning the light stops working immediately when the power supply is turned off. So, should an LED be connected to a 50Hz AC supply, it will shut off 50 times a second, which the human eye can detect.

Fixing the issue is as easy as installing a fully-capable control system or LED driver to regulate the main power supply’s frequency. The key is finding the equipment necessary to handle the requirements of the system’s environment and main power requirements. By doing so, you can pretty much eliminate the flickering altogether. 

What Kind of Effects Can Flickering Cause?

A light flicker can have little to no effect on some people, while others can have a tremendous impact on their health. For those with increased sensitivity, it can lead to the following problems:

  • Eye strain
  • Inability to concentrate
  • Lethargy 

Many people are susceptible to light frequency changes, which can lead to headaches and migraines. People with epilepsy may even suffer seizures from the constant flickering.  

It’s not uncommon for light flickering to produce a stroboscopic effect. This effect means moving objects look as if they are slowing down. This effect is acceptable at a nightclub but can have devastating consequences in a work environment, especially industrial environments with moving parts.

The lighting industry has ensured that LED lighting is the industry’s standard for energy efficiency. Still, many designers have failed to understand the impacts flickering can have in places like factories, offices, or retail. 

According to research, an increase in a flicker’s kilohertz range means people are less likely to see it. Therefore, it’s imperative to attain a frequency level best for the lighting system you have installed. 

How Flickering Can Affect LED Lights

There is no persistence with LEDs, so the light output frequency is time to the power source’s output waveform. A run-of-the-mill LED driver has an output frequency that’s boosted two times more than input frequency (50Hz input voltage equates to 100Hz output frequency). While most people will be unable to see the flickering, they will still experience the side effects of prolonged exposure – headaches, eye strains, and lethargy.

Flickering can happen when there is a pulse with modulation, which is a common method of dimming. Pulse with modulation can regulate the LED’s power input, making the flickering noticeable unless there is some regulation of the PWM frequency.

A well-designed LED driver can potentially boost the output to thousands of hertz, making it impossible for the human eye to see. To ensure this, the LED driver must be installed near the LED light, which isn’t always possible in a typical lighting system. However, it’s often delegated to professional situations like television and film shoots.

LED Driver and Control System Designs

If you want an LED light free of flickering, a capacitor should be installed to the driver output to offset the ripple. The drawback is that it can decrease the system’s reliability and lifespan. (Low-quality capacitors are notoriously known to affect systems.)

It’s also essential to use drivers that have two-stage power factor correction that can regulate three things – noise, ripple, and output frequency. 

No matter what method is chosen, it’s important to find and install a high-quality LED driver that reduces the output ripple current fluctuations. It’s why lighting designers need to work closely with LED driver manufacturers and suppliers to come up with a solution that will work in the setting the design will be installed.

How to Ensure You Get Flicker-Free Products

There are several things that lighting professionals can do that will help decrease the possibility of flickering in their products. For example, steer clear of AC-LED-advertised products. The low price, coupled with no driver and a simple circuit design, can generate a 40% flicker rate with full output. Dimmer levels can cause an even higher flicker percentage.

You want to make sure the supplier understands flickering and how the driver can affect it.

There are two things to be mindful of to ensure the best possible outcome:

  • Strike a balance between performance and price
  • Light quality should be ideal regardless of where it’s being installed

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5 Key Tips for Choosing the Right Sports Facility Lighting https://www.lepro.com/learning/sports-facility-lighting/ https://www.lepro.com/learning/sports-facility-lighting/#respond Thu, 03 Nov 2022 07:00:35 +0000 https://www.lepro.com/learning/?p=2826 LED lights can have a significant impact on sports facilities and complexes. This kind of lighting will help brighten the area, ensuring patron safety while decreasing energy consumption and lowering costs. With this outstanding light quality, you can feel assured that it will brighten up the large space that handles various sports activities.   What are… Read More »5 Key Tips for Choosing the Right Sports Facility Lighting

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LED lights can have a significant impact on sports facilities and complexes. This kind of lighting will help brighten the area, ensuring patron safety while decreasing energy consumption and lowering costs. With this outstanding light quality, you can feel assured that it will brighten up the large space that handles various sports activities.  

What are the Lighting Requirements of Sports Facilities?

When choosing an LED lighting system for a typical sports facility, there are several things to be mindful of. What are they?

Ceiling Height 

Sports facilities are usually designed to be quite large in size with high ceilings. As such, they need lighting that will be bright enough for every inch of the building and can be installed high up simultaneously. 

Glare and Consistency

Athletes and coaches can feel more comfortable training in a highly-lit, glare-reduced environment. It’s also important to find a lighting system with little glare and remains consistent throughout the facility’s use. One type of lighting that eliminates excessive glare is LED technology, which is designed with light diffusers or low-glare asymmetrical optics. 

Windows

Another factor to be mindful of is the window size of the sports facility. Windows must provide some balance between natural and artificial lighting, including installing light sensors that will turn the lights off to reduce costs when enough natural light is available. 

Activity or Event

Sports complexes tend to be used for different activities, such as aerobics, badminton, tennis, volleyball, etc. The lighting purchased and installed should be able to accommodate every one of them. There is no one-size-fits-all. Every sport will have its own lighting requirements, which is why the particular area in which the sport will be played must have the proper lighting.  

You can also purchase motion-detected sensors to ensure unoccupied areas do not receive light. 

Maintenance

Finally, sports facilities owners have two more issues to contend with for lighting – how easy an installation the lighting is and how accessible to fix them. People tend to go with LED technology because of its lower costs and easy-to-maintain nature compared to other lighting sources. 

How to Address Designated Arenas within a Sports Complex

Some sports facilities have an arena, such as an indoor skating rink, which demands a particular lighting system. The best lighting system for sports facilities with an arena is one tailored to large spaces and high ceilings. This is literally the same requirement for non-arena sports complexes. 

Well-lit skating rinks are a must to ensure the safety of users and attendees of the rink. There must be consistent light with no glare effect. For instance, LED high bay lights provide the best consistent, no-glare lighting to a rink without using a lot of energy.

Many arenas will have several recreational activities taking place in the same location, and each sport may have different lighting requirements. If this is the case, installing a changeable lighting system can solve this problem. 

It’s also best to find lights that don’t need time to warm up so athletes can get started on their workout, rather than what until enough light is produced. 

Arenas tend to be colder than the typical sports facility, so lights that can function at a lower temperature should be installed to ensure a longer lifespan and lower maintenance costs. 

What about Professional Sports Facilities Lighting?

The typical sports facility has needs that are not the same as a professional sports facility. Instead, the lighting must convey an air of professionalism and atmosphere. The kinds of lighting for consideration include:

  • Cold lights (not warm lights)
  • Dynamic white lights
  • RGB lights 

With LED lighting, you have control over the light colors. For instance, at a hockey match, the start, intermission, and shooting of goals often come with a fantastic light show. These effects can be produced using an LED light with different light options and effects. 

Many professional arenas have a TV viewing audience, which means the right lighting for HD television is critical. The arena needs to have a high-quality lighting system that stays working throughout the performance. Lighting should also have an 80 CRI minimum requirement but maintain an 85 CRI consistency television calls for. 

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How to Find the Right Ambient and Task Lighting for Your Workshop https://www.lepro.com/learning/workshop-lighting-fixtures/ https://www.lepro.com/learning/workshop-lighting-fixtures/#respond Thu, 27 Oct 2022 09:44:28 +0000 https://www.lepro.com/learning/?p=2818 High-quality workshop lighting is a must – something to be mindful of if your current workshop lighting is inadequate or you’re considering building a new one. Poor lighting, like glare and insufficient lighting, can lead to eyestrain and other vision issues. It can also result in low-quality work because the lack of sufficient lighting can… Read More »How to Find the Right Ambient and Task Lighting for Your Workshop

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High-quality workshop lighting is a must – something to be mindful of if your current workshop lighting is inadequate or you’re considering building a new one. Poor lighting, like glare and insufficient lighting, can lead to eyestrain and other vision issues. It can also result in low-quality work because the lack of sufficient lighting can affect tool setups and measurements (even with the best equipment being used). Bad workshop lighting may also contribute to workplace accidents.

And, if there are more reasons to use high-quality lighting in your workshop, think about the cost savings attributed to better light.

2 Primary Kinds of Lights in a Workshop

There are two critical types of workshop lighting:

  • Ambient Lighting – This lighting is found in the entire building to illuminate the space. The key to a safe working environment using ambient lighting is to learn the basic rules of lighting and calculate the building space and size.
  • Task Lighting – This lighting allows you to focus on a particular work area when visibility is a necessity to ensure accuracy and workers’ safety.

For example, if the shop is located in a garage or a shed, add windows and skylights to use the natural light to brighten the space. 

Artificial lighting will still be necessary, especially on cloudy days or nighttime, but natural light can brighten the space and your mood. Once you’ve got the ambient lighting installed, it’s time to look at the kind of task lighting you need.

Consider Glare and Light Positions

  • Bare incandescent bulbs will give your eyes light and reflect on the tabletop.
  • Overhead light reflectors will protect your eyes but still create a glare on shiny surfaces.
  • Lighting that’s high above and behind you will lighten up the surface and reduce glare.

Outfit Your Workshop with Ambient Lighting First 

The first thing you need to worry about with your shop lighting is the ambient light, ensuring it’s more than adequate for the space you have. Most shops will do well with easily installable suspended fluorescent lighting with two four-foot tubes. However, other florescent lighting styles can work, along with incandescent fixtures. The key to any fixture is to ensure the reflectors point the light downward.

Special Tip: You can brighten the room, even more, by using a light color on the ceiling.

The best type of lights for a workshop that won’t consume a lot of energy are LED high bay lights. Yes, the cost for them is a bit more than the typical transformer magnetic ballast lights, but the energy savings more than makes up for it. The electronic ballast doesn’t make as much noise, eliminates the fluorescent flicker, and the tubes will start working immediately in the cold rooms. With the high bay lights, the fixtures have a longer lifespan and won’t show their age the older they get.

Make sure to set up the fixtures that ensure the light evenly falls around the workspace. Have ceiling fixtures installed behind you while you work at each particular station.

Since light reflects off surfaces at the same angle it hits, you want to place it away from reflecting on you, so there is no glare. Put light perpendicularly to the work surface length to reduce the glare too. Make sure lights are close together to reduce dark spaces between each fixture. 

Have one light fixture at a particular height above the workspace. Turn off all the other lights to test that one to see how the light spreads. If light gets into your eyes, you’ll need to reposition them.

How Much Light Should Your Workshop Get?

How much light your workshop needs depends on the kind of work you’ll be doing. If precision is a must, you want to ensure you have plenty of light. Here’s a good idea of what your ambient lighting levels should be in your workspace.

  • Large Space (High Contrast) – 300 to 500 lumens
  • Small Space (Medium Contrast) – 750 to 1,000 lumens
  • Extremely Small Space (Low Contrast) – 1,500 to 2,000 lumens

To ensure the right amount of light is installed, use the following steps:

  • Measure the shop’s width and length, multiplying the length by the width to get the square footage area.
  • Figure out what illumination level is necessary, but don’t forget you can also add task lighting to the space.
  • Divide the square footage area by 10.76, which converts the total to square meters.
  • Multiply the area using the square meters number by the preferred level of lighting in lux to find out how many lumens you will need.
  • Divide this number by the lumens of the light source and round up to the following whole number. This will tell you how many tubes or bulbs will be necessary to get the amount of light you need.

Arrange Task Lighting Secondly

With task lighting, you can place the light where it’s needed. For example, you can use a portable work light (moving it from one place to another when necessary). You can also use a shop-built stand light to provide the task lighting you need. Another task light fixture that can work is a 250-watt halogen work lamp. Hang lamps with clamps can be hung from the ceiling if you’ll be working in a basement.

Use an LED shop light if you’ll be working at a workbench or carving station, positioning the light over the work. If you’re creating fine details, you can use the light to help you see better as you look through the magnifying lens. If you aren’t using a magnifying lens, you can use a swing-arm desk lamp. Whatever lamp you choose, you can clamp it to the surface or drill holes to keep it in place.

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How LED Drivers Help to Provide More Power to Your Lighting Devices https://www.lepro.com/learning/led-driver/ https://www.lepro.com/learning/led-driver/#respond Fri, 21 Oct 2022 03:19:07 +0000 https://www.lepro.com/learning/?p=2814 LED technology is made up of an array of parts, and LED drivers are one aspect that can be quite confusing. After all, there are all kinds and varieties of drivers. How do you know which one you should choose for your particular situation?  What makes one LED driver different from another LED driver? A… Read More »How LED Drivers Help to Provide More Power to Your Lighting Devices

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LED technology is made up of an array of parts, and LED drivers are one aspect that can be quite confusing. After all, there are all kinds and varieties of drivers. How do you know which one you should choose for your particular situation?  What makes one LED driver different from another LED driver?

A Closer Look at LED Drivers

The LED driver is responsible for power regulation to one or more LEDs. The electrical device is a critically important part of the LED circuit, and without out, the entire unit fails.  It’s a necessity because it decreases the possibility of temperature changes affecting the LED’s forward voltage. 

What is a forward voltage? This is the voltage amount the light will emit and needs to produce electricity and work. With an increase in temperature, the LED forward voltage drops, and more current is needed by the LED. This process continues until the LED no longer works. 

However, the LED driver, which is a self-contained power supply, can match the LED electrical characteristics.  The LED driver maintains the forward voltage’s changes, ensuring that thermal runaway does not occur and the LED has a consistent current.

How Can You Find the Right LED Driver?

There are two kinds of drivers – low-voltage DC input power and high-voltage AC input power. What is the difference between them?

  • High voltage AC power LED drivers are known as Off-Line drivers or AC LED drivers. This type of driver is better with a larger lighting project such as commercial or residential lighting.
  • Low-voltage DC input LED drivers are recommended for the majority of applications due to their efficiency and reliability. They are ideal for smaller projects.

You can also make a switch from a high-voltage AC power LED driver to a low-voltage DC input LED driver by using an extra switching power supply.

Consider what kind of driver current you want to be installed in the LED. You’ll use more wattage but get more light from higher drive currents.  Figure out what the LED specifications are to find out what the recommended drive currents and heat sink requirements are. You don’t want the LED to generate too much heat or current.

Be mindful of what you want from the lighting application. If you want a dimmer, make sure the driver you choose has that capability.

What You Need to Know about LED Dimming Drivers

The kind of power you use will dictate the capabilities of the dimming LEDs.

Low Voltage DC Power Drivers

With DC-powered drivers, there are two ways to dim them. The simplest method is through the use of a potentiometer, which provides a 0 to 100% dimming range. With one driver in the circuit, it’s recommended to use a 20k Ohm Potentiometer. However, more than one Potentiometer is necessary for multiple drivers. You can find the potentiometer’s value is found in the KΩ/N – K is the value with the N being the driver number.

Another option is to use a 0-10V wall dimmer such as the A019 Low Voltage Dimming Control. When you have several units, this option is a better way to dim. All you need to do is install the dining rights to the driver’s right side for it to work.

High Voltage AC Power Drivers

There are several high-voltage AC power driver options for dimming, but it depends on the driver. Many of them work with 0-10V dimming. The Mean Well and Philips LED drivers provide TRIAC dimming, which works with all kinds of powerful dimmers. This help because it lets LEDs work with all kinds of well-known residential dimming systems.

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Downlighting vs. Uplighting Fixtures: Which One is Best for Your Home or Office https://www.lepro.com/learning/uplight-vs-downlight/ https://www.lepro.com/learning/uplight-vs-downlight/#respond Fri, 14 Oct 2022 06:49:07 +0000 https://www.lepro.com/learning/?p=2800 If you’ve seriously thought about making upgrades to your exterior lighting, you’ve probably reached out to an electrician about the matter. They may have mentioned the terms “uplighting” and “downlighting” without feeling explaining them. You may think the differences are relatively self-explanatory – one light points upward, with another pointing downward.  These terms mean more… Read More »Downlighting vs. Uplighting Fixtures: Which One is Best for Your Home or Office

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If you’ve seriously thought about making upgrades to your exterior lighting, you’ve probably reached out to an electrician about the matter. They may have mentioned the terms “uplighting” and “downlighting” without feeling explaining them. You may think the differences are relatively self-explanatory – one light points upward, with another pointing downward. 

These terms mean more than just upward or downward, and these other “issues” are worth looking into before you decide which one to go with. 

What does Uplighting Mean?

The term uplighting means lights installed at ground level and pointed upward to lighten your house. With this lighting, you can highlight certain areas of your home and surrounding property, such as landscape, trees and architecture. If you have a large home and want a light that illuminates the high parts, then you’ll want to uplight. 

This kind of lighting is also suitable for creating surface depth and shadows and also giving layers to the lighting. It can also produce boundaries around your property. These lights are often called spotlights or bullet lights.

2 Key Uplight Fixtures for Your Home

  • Wall Scores – These are usually used for uplighting purposes, mounted on the wall and pointed upward. This style of lighting goes back to Classical antiquity when it was used to hold candles and torches. They are used as night lights for bathrooms and hallways and can produce a mood lighting effect. 
  • Deck Lights – These lights have the propensity to generate an amazing light effect with their subtle style. Subtly is the key here, and don’t have an emphasis on the limelight. Installation of these lights can be found outdoors, such as in flowerbeds, laws, terraces, driveways, etc. However, each light needs to be installed correctly, regardless of the surface being installed on. Consider how the light will be used to determine if you want to walk or drive over your lights. 

What does Downlighting Mean?

This term is applied to any light installed at a high point around or on the home to shine onto the property. It’s also a way to accentuate textures and layers on the home’s outside. The difference between them is that uplighting offers security to a home, whereas downlighting focuses on creating an inviting feeling. 

Downlighting is usually installed to accentuate above-ground features, such as fountains or landscapes, when the day turns to night. It can also be used for parties and finding paths toward the home and back for your family and visitors. 

4 Key Downlight Fixtures

  • Barn Lights – These fixtures offer lighting to barns, farmhouses and workshops. The gooseneck light is noted by its downward-pointed shade and wall-mounted arm. 
  • UFO High Bay Lights – UFO High bay lights are typically defined as those round lights which are installed on the ceiling over 18ft. Besides, high bay lights are often used with reflectors.
  • Decorative Pendant Style Light Fixture – The light is hung from the ceiling by a chain.
  • Recessed Lighting – These lights are installed in ceilings to generate light, particularly in the living room, bedroom, dining room, basement, etc. However, they are also installed in commercial buildings such as offices, meeting rooms, etc. 
  • Table Lamp – This kind of light is often seen as a desk or night table accessory, so you can easily read or spend time in the light without an overhead light.

Should You Get Uplighting or Downlighting Fixtures?

The easiest way to determine if uplighting or downlighting fixtures are best is to determine what you want from the light. If you want to add security and accentuate your home’s features, then you want an uplight fixture. However, if you want to accentuate the features around the home, so it looks inviting and taller, then you want to purchase downlight fixtures. 

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5 Steps to Determine How Much Money You Will Save With LED Lights https://www.lepro.com/learning/led-energy-saving/ https://www.lepro.com/learning/led-energy-saving/#respond Mon, 26 Sep 2022 09:26:57 +0000 https://www.lepro.com/learning/?p=2790 The goal most people have when converting from an older lamp to a newer LED lighting fixture is to save money on electricity. Although newer lamps will help with efficiency, the amount of money saved is not so easy to determine. Finding this information involves an easy-to-use math equation that any homeowner or business owner… Read More »5 Steps to Determine How Much Money You Will Save With LED Lights

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The goal most people have when converting from an older lamp to a newer LED lighting fixture is to save money on electricity. Although newer lamps will help with efficiency, the amount of money saved is not so easy to determine. Finding this information involves an easy-to-use math equation that any homeowner or business owner can use to determine how much savings they will see.  

Gather Data

You’ll need to collect some general information. For example, you have warehouse lighting you want to retrofit. The metal halide lamp produces 1,000 watts. With the Lepro UFO high bay lights, the wattage is 240. 

  • Determine how many hours per day the lamp is to be used. In this instance, the number of hours is 12. 
  • From there, determine how many days a year the lamp is used. Ignore the major holidays, and the amount of days is 360. 
  • Consider the electricity rate. This rate will vary based on the region and state, but the cost is $0.12/kWh on average.

Determine Per LED Lamp Savings 

The key to finding savings is to look at each lamp. The equation to determine this will be:

The wattage of the old lamp minus the wattage of the new lamp determines energy saved for each lamp

  • In the above example, 1000 watts subtracted from 240 watts comes out to 760 watts saved for each lamp.

Determine Yearly Run Time

You only have one part of the answer in determining savings. You need to consider run time for the actual answer. This equation is the following:

Daily run time multiplied by yearly usage to find the total yearly run time

  • In the above example, 12 hours of runtime multiplied by 360 days comes to 4,320 hours. 

Determine Total Energy Savings 

The above two steps give you the ability to determine total energy savings. At this point, you’ll be factoring in electricity costs that give the lamp the power for the noted amount of hours. In the above example, the 1,000 watts will be converted into kilowatts, with the equation looking like the following:

Energy saved with each lamp multiplied by yearly run time divided by 1,000 to get Total Savings of Energy 

  • 760 watts of every lamp multiplied by 4,320 divided by 1,000, coming out to 3283.2kWh saved.

Determine the Dollars Saved

It’s great to know how much energy you’ll be saving, but nothing hits the psyche more than knowing how much money you are saving. How do you do this?

Multiply the electricity rate by the total energy saved to find the saved monetary amount.

  • 3283.2kWh multiplied by $0.12/kWh for savings of $393.98 for each lamp.

As you see, it’s pretty basic math to determine if you see any actual savings when converting to a more energy-efficient wattage. Use the formulas to find the answers to your questions about the products you currently have and looking to purchase. 

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Industrial Lighting Standards to Ensure Workplace Safety https://www.lepro.com/learning/industrial-lighting/ https://www.lepro.com/learning/industrial-lighting/#respond Thu, 22 Sep 2022 03:31:26 +0000 https://www.lepro.com/learning/?p=2778 Industrial Lighting design is divided into four groups: General lighting Local lighting Mixed lighting  Zoned general lighting To determine which one is a necessity, there are four provisions to follow: General lighting should be used when mixed lighting is unreasonable for use, or local lighting cannot be installed. Certain areas require higher lighting than what… Read More »Industrial Lighting Standards to Ensure Workplace Safety

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Industrial Lighting design is divided into four groups:

  • General lighting
  • Local lighting
  • Mixed lighting 
  • Zoned general lighting

To determine which one is a necessity, there are four provisions to follow:

  • General lighting should be used when mixed lighting is unreasonable for use, or local lighting cannot be installed.
  • Certain areas require higher lighting than what general lighting can provide.
  • Mixed lighting is ideal for areas with high lighting requirements, with low density in working positions, or when general lighting is unsuitable.
  • Local lighting is not suitable for workplaces.

Different Industrial Lighting Types 

There are several lighting types available:

  • Duty lighting
  • Emergency lighting
  • Guard lighting
  • Normal lighting
  • Obstacle lighting.

Emergency lighting can include safety lighting, evacuation lighting, and backup lighting, and the following rules should be followed:

  • Equipment lighting should be included where activities can continue if there is a fault with the normal lighting causing it to go out.
  • If there is a fault with the standard lighting, safety lighting should be added to places to ensure people stay safe in dangerous places.
  • If there is a fault with the standard lighting, evacuation lighting should be made available over passages and exits to make sure everybody can leave safely.  
  • On-duty lighting should be added to normal lighting but work independently or in conjunction with emergency lighting.
  • Install guard lighting near the guard range
  • Obstacle lighting installation should strictly adhere to regulations set forth by the transportation or aviation industries. 

Environmental Factors for Proper Factory Lighting 

When choosing the kind of lights to use based on the environment they’ll be used in, you must factor in the following situation:

  • Temperature
  • Humidity
  • Dust
  • Corrosion
  • Contamination
  • Vibration
  • Fire and explosion hazards 

There are three environmental conditions to help you choose your lights:

  • Normal environments can use recessed lights.
  • Dusty locations with no fire risks can use lights that can be used with the amount of dust produced. The air concentration or sedimentation amount calculates how much dust is in the air. In basic dusty environments, lights that are dust-proof (IPSX grade) should be installed. In general dusty areas that have conductive dust and dust-tight lights (IP6X) should be installed.
  • In conductive fiber settings, it’s best to install IP65-rated lights, especially if they need to be washed regularly. 

One such light to consider is the Lepro LED High Bay Light. It has an IP65 rating and is both waterproof and dust-proof. They come with a corrosion-resistant finish and can pass more than 150 hours of the spray/salt test. The Lepro LED High Bay lights can be used in high salt areas such as the beach or seashore. The die-cast housing and strong PC lens have an IK10 impact-resistant rating.

What is a Clean Room?

This is an area of a factory where the environmental conditions must remain tightly controlled. The key aspect of the lighting is to ensure work activities can be easily seen – safe and efficient for the employees. 

Any lighting system installed should not affect the flow of air or the production process and be easily maintainable. 

There are specific industries where clean rooms are standard: aviation, computer, electronics, and semiconductor. The food and beverage and pharmaceutical industries also have biological clean rooms.  

Industrial Lighting Arrangement 

Serious problems can occur when mistakes happen in a clean room, which is why they have stringent higher levels of lighting. 

  • If no special requirements are necessary, it’s advisable to use high color rendering neutral white light. These requirements are also applicable to local lighting to avoid glare. 
  • The lighting system of a certain dust level will depend on the requirement for air handling. Fluorescent lights with high color rendering aspects are ideal for these areas.
  • In a light source with a wide color temperature range, you can choose the right color temperature. 

Clean Room Lighting: Use Thin Wire Cables 

  • Cleanrooms with strict guidelines must ensure a controlled airflow to ensure the desired environment is maintained. Airflow changes must be avoided. 
  • Do not use surface or hidden lights.
  • Use thin lights, those with a width smaller than the distance between the building’s suspended ceiling brackets. 
  • Standard fluorescent bulbs can be used for a glare source but are controllable with reflectors inside the light. 

With this kind of lighting, the Jurassic Teardrop light fixture with thin wire cable racks and 36W lighting can be used. 

This can lead to an increased light efficiency of nearly 15%.

Clean Room Lighting: Use Recessed Lights

  • Use recessed light fixtures for clean rooms with a medium level of dust.
  • No matter what kind of lighting you are installing (open or closed), be sure that air can pass through the filter.
  • Ensure you have a straightforward design that won’t affect the operating system.
  • Make sure to choose lights that don’t cause glare and provide ample light. 

Remember, when you need lights for your factory, you need to base the decision on the following:

  • Environmental condition
  • Production and work condition
  • Ease of installation and coordination
  • Aesthetic appearance 
  • The economical and technical sense 

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5 Popular Lighting Options for Gyms and Fitness Studios https://www.lepro.com/learning/gym-and-studio-lighting/ https://www.lepro.com/learning/gym-and-studio-lighting/#respond Fri, 02 Sep 2022 03:24:52 +0000 https://www.lepro.com/learning/?p=2765 Every fitness center or gym needs to have the proper lighting for workout enthusiasts to train safely and see progress being made. However, when it comes to gym lighting and studio lighting, there is some difference.  Gyms need a reliable, bright light source that simulates daylight, but 24-hour gyms need lights that run continuously. This… Read More »5 Popular Lighting Options for Gyms and Fitness Studios

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Every fitness center or gym needs to have the proper lighting for workout enthusiasts to train safely and see progress being made. However, when it comes to gym lighting and studio lighting, there is some difference. 

Gyms need a reliable, bright light source that simulates daylight, but 24-hour gyms need lights that run continuously. This is not necessary for fitness studios, which are only open for specific periods of time. Still, no matter what the light source, though, it needs to be simple enough that any employee or trainer can use it. 

5 Best Lighting Fixtures for Fitness Studios or Gyms 

Lepro UFO LED High Bay Lights

Most people recognize hanging lights – they’ve been available for years. And they simultaneously give off both a modern and classic look. Lepro’s UFO LED High Bay Lights is circularly designed so every area around it will get light. Use the chain to mount it and put it on the ceiling. 

Lepro has developed lights in various wattages – 100W, 150W, 240W – giving you a choice in how much light you want or need. Another great feature is the wide and vented top that keeps heat from accumulating and wearing the bulb faster. A unique feature of this bulb is where you can mount it – floor, wall or ceiling. If you want to drill holes and mount the lights, you can do that. Use the adjustable mounting brace to ensure you always get the angle you want. 

Falive Lighting Tri Bright Gym Light 

With the Falive Lighting Tri Bright Gym Light, you get a 20-feet diameter of bright light. It has three sections that include a recently-updated assortment of the latest lighting technology that keeps glares down to a minimum and offers the best lighting possible. Each section comes with lightweight, durable aluminum hinges. The manufacturer has also ensured the internal wiring is secure. 

Unlike other lights, the Falive Lighting Tri Bright Gym Light is equipped with heat-resistant technology, meaning the lights won’t get too hot. This increases the light’s lifespan and saves the filament. 

When it comes to fitness studio or gym light, there isn’t many out there that can compare. 

QiMH LED Lights 

If you want simplicity, choose the QiMH LED lights. Similar to other available light choices, you just screw these bulbs into a bulb socket for them to work. There are four independent light sections to provide you with as much or little light as you want. For them to work, you just need to push and pull the blade. Install as many lights as you want, as the dimensions for them are 9.86 inches x 9.86 inches x 4.72 inches.

According to the company, the bulb will last at least 50,000 operating hours, surpassing what traditional lightbulbs can do. For 24-hour gyms, it’s a no-brainer. On top of that, you see financial savings of 88%.

These lights will brighten 360 degrees around them, meaning you’ll have at least 6,000K of area light, and you don’t need a lot of dome lights that create spaces of darkness.

WYZM LED Canopy Lights

If you’re looking for lights you don’t have to adjust or maintain, look at WYZM LED Canopy Lights for your studio or gym. They can be quickly installed, connecting to a 120V or 220V. Every bulb has a bracket to keep moisture from getting inside. Each fixture has four mounting brackets, so you can install them wherever you want. 

These bulbs are also great for energy conservation, with the 70W bulbs emitting the same amount of light as the 300W non-LED bulbs. They last longer and will cost less in the long run. 

LED Canopy Lights by WYZM

Yiizon LED Gym Light 

The great thing about Yiizon LED Gym Lights, they can be used for any application. You can control how much light each section gets, raising and lowering them to narrow or widen the area. You can also collapse them, so the light doesn’t bother everyone. 

You also save a lot of money on your electric bill because they are LED lights. If you own a gym, these lights will benefit you and your clients. They are also easy to install. Just screw them into an E26 lightbulb socket in the ceiling (no tools are necessary). The lights have a 4,000-lumen output that generates 6,500K daylight white, which helps with mood enhancement. When you have fitness lovers happy in the gym, they’ll want to come back repeatedly. 

Yiizon LED Gym Light

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