General Illumination and LED Basics

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General Illumination and LED Basics
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General Illumination -Terms and Definitions

• General Illumination - a term used to distinguish
  between lighting that illuminates tasks, spaces,
  or objects from lighting used in indicator or
  purely decorative applications. In most cases,
  general illumination is provided by white light
  sources, including incandescent, fluorescent,
  high-intensity discharge sources, and white
  LEDs.
• Ballast - an electrical device used with
  fluorescent or HID lamps to supply sufficient
  voltage to start and operate the lamp but then to
  limit the current during operation.
• Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) - a generic name
  used for a whole family of small, single-ended
  fluorescent lamps with a folded, bridged, or
  spiral glass tube design and with high color
  rendering (CRI gt 80) and a long life (gt 8,000
  hours).
• Color Rendering Index (CRI) - a measure of a
  lamps ability to render colors accurately. The
  scale ranges from 1 (low pressure sodium) to 100
  (the sun). A CRI of 85 is considered to be very
  good.
• Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) - relative
  color appearance of a white light source,
  indicating whether it appears more yellow/gold or
  more blue, in terms of the range of available
  shades of white. This is measured on a Kelvin
  scale. 5000K is considered midday sunlight.

Kelvin Scale
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• Cove Lighting - a lighting system comprised of
  light sources shielded by a ledge or recess, and
  distributing light over the ceiling and possibly
  the upper part of the wall.
• Direct Current (DC) - electric current without
  alterations. DC current is usually supplied by a
  battery, a transformer, or photovoltaic cells.
• Efficacy - a measure used to compare light output
  to energy consumption. Efficacy is measured in
  lumens per watt. A 100-watt light source
  producing 1750 lumens of light has an efficacy
  (efficiency) of 17.5 lumens per watt (L/W).
• Fluorescent Lamp - a low-pressure mercury
  electric-discharge lamp (light bulb) in which a
  phosphor coating on the inside of the glass
  tubing transforms some of the ultraviolet energy
  created inside the lamp into visible light.
• Halogen Lamp - a type of incandescent lamp (light
  bulb) that contains halogen gases (such as
  iodine, chlorine, bromine, and fluorine), which
  slow the evaporation of the tungsten filament.
• HID Lamp - high intensity discharge (HID) lamps
  (light bulbs) have a longer life and provide more
  light (lumens) per watt than most other light
  sources. Available in mercury vapor, metal
  halide, high pressure sodium, and low pressure
  sodium types.

Cove Lighting
Halogen Metal Halide
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• Hard Wired - technically means that the light
  fixture is permanently connected to an electrical
  source. The light fixture is not hard-wired if it
  gets power via a cord plug.
• Incandescent Lamp - lamp (light bulb) in which
  light is produced by means of an element heated
  to the point of incandescence by the passage of
  an electric current.
• Luminaire - a complete lighting unit consisting
  of a lamp (light bulb) or lamps, a housing, and a
  connection to the source of electrical power.
• Line Voltage - usually 120 volts. This is the
  power coming into a building or outlet.
• Low Voltage - usually 12 volts but sometimes 24
  volts.
• Lumen - a unit of measure used to describe the
  amount of light that a light source produces or
  emits.
• Wattage - the amount of electrical power consumed
  by a lamp or light fixture measured in watts

Watts Volts x Amps
Watts x Hours x Local Cost Energy
Cost 1000
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LED 101- Terms and Definitions

• Light Emitting Diode - a semi-conductor diode
  (chip) that emits light when an electrical
  current is applied in the forward direction of
  the device, as in the simple LED circuit.
• Binning In general, LEDs are mass produced in
  a bin. These bins are made with the same
  semiconductor material, thus they produce the
  same shade of color. A different bin of LEDs has
  the chance for variance in semiconductor
  material, thus possibly producing a different
  shade of the same color.
• Solid State Lighting (SSL) This is LED
  technology in general. The term refers to the
  solid nature of the LED. There are no gasses,
  filaments, or chemicals producing the light. This
  also gives it resistance to shock and impact that
  older technologies cannot provide.
• RGB- The combination of Red, Green, and Blue
  Leds to produce 16.7 million colors. This gives
  the ability to do color changes, washes, and even
  video capability.
• High Brightness LED LEDs that individually
  consume 1 watt or more. These are used in
  spotlight, floodlight, and general illumination
  applications.
• Printed Circuitry Board (PCB Board) In LED
  applications, A PCB is a thin board made of
  fiberglass or a similar material. Electrical
  wires are "printed" onto the board, connecting
  the LEDs together. This allows for superior
  controllability.

Packaged 5mm LEDs
RGB
High Brightness LED 1watt
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• Viewing Angle LED is a very directional light
  source and some diodes can be made with a narrow
  or wide viewing angle.
• SMD This means Surface Mount Device. Basically,
  the LEDs are mounted on a continuous strip or
  bar (PCB Board) without penetrating the backing
  (ie, the underside is smooth).
• Through-Hole-Technology The diode penetrates
  the back of the PCB board so that only the diode
  is visible from the front. All circuitry and
  soldering is on the back of the strip or bar.

Through-Hole SMD
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LED - Advantages and Challenges

• ADVANTAGES
• LEDs produce more light per watt than
  incandescent bulbs, and are rapidly approaching
  CFLs.
• LED light is directional and can be focused to
  highlight areas without the use of reflectors.
• LED lifetime is not effected by on/off cycling.
  Fluorescents burn out more quickly. HIDs require
  warm up and cool down periods.
• LEDs produce instant light when turned on. They
  achieve full brightness is micro seconds.
• LEDs, being solid state components, are
  difficult to damage with external shock, unlike
  fluorescent and incandescent bulbs which are
  fragile.
• LEDs are a true GREEN lighting source as they
  do not contain any harmful chemicals or gasses.
  Fluorescents contain mercury, and Incandescent
  contains lead.
• Average lifetimes frequently average 50,000
  hours, and even up to 100,000 hours in certain
  applications. Fluorescents - 15,000 to 20,000
  hrs., Incandescent 1,500 to 2,500 hrs.
• LEDs rarely fail to the point of replacement.
  Fluorescent and Incandescent can burn out
  completely where LED failure is usually
  classified as light depreciation (fading over
  time).
• LEDs ARE the most efficient light source. In a
  tough economy right now, LEDs are a great way to
  lower monthly energy bills, and save the planet
  at the same time.
• LEDs do not emit any IR or UV. This is
  especially important in perishable food displays.

Incandescent
Fluorescent CFL

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CHALLENGES

• Cost has been the biggest obstacle for LED to
  overcome. We are approaching the price point
  where LED makes sense in EVERY application, but
  we are not quite there yet. For new construction
  or large remodels, LED makes perfect sense as the
  payback will be much faster.
• Optics are needed with LEDs to disperse light.
  Optics can lower actual light output. The
  technology is combating this with higher
  brightness LEDs.
• Thermal Management is usually the largest
  technical problem to overcome. Heat can lower LED
  lifetime which is why we say that the lifetime
  depends on the application. Insulated areas where
  heat cannot escape can be detrimental to LED
  life. Some technologies, however, are built with
  mechanisms (heat sinks) to fight this.
• Availability of LED products on hand is usually
  limited. Some Lighting Suppliers are starting to
  carry a limited selection, but the full range of
  possibilities is yet to be introduced.

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What does this all mean?

• LED is still a relatively new technology in
  comparison to incandescent and fluorescent. This
  means that our general knowledge in lighting is
  invaluable in explaining the benefits of LED.
• These terms and concepts are to give you a basic
  background. They are not the end-all of
  knowledge. The true intention of this is to spark
  your own research and make it more familiar.
• We need to be able to talk shop with our
  potential distributors. This background will give
  you some credibility when talking to experienced
  re-sellers.

Innovative LED Lighting Design

• This will help you when reading spec sheets or
  competitor brochures. These technical specs, and
  your understanding of them ,can be the difference
  in closing a sale.
• Eventually, we will all become lighting designers
  in some form or another. Knowing the general
  electricity requirements, the effect that a light
  will have, and how to apply it will be key.

Traditional Landscape Uplighting
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LED NEON FLEX - Breakdown
What is it?
LED Neon Flex was developed over 20 years ago,
and several manufacturers in China claim to have
the rights to it. It is used for an alternative
to exposed neon bordering, and is truly the
simplest, yet most advanced solution for long,
power consuming runs. It can bend and flow with
rooflines and edges without fear of breakage.
Planning and Installation times for users are
drastically reduced with its pure
simplicity. Different forms of LED Neon Flex
have circulated around the U.S. market for 7-8
years. Most of these products have been cheap and
poorly constructed imitators. This is why many
early applications failed, and thus, left a bad
taste in the mouth of those first willing to try
it. As a result of a great partnership with our
manufacturer, Brilliant Concepts has unveiled the
LED Neon Flex-Plus. The first and only Patented,
UL Listed, Guaranteed, and Inventoried product
of this type in the North American Market.
Problems of the past have been addressed by our
manufacturer, and we feel confident that we are
providing the best product on the market.
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Uses and Applications

• Exposed Neon We must be careful in our
  language when explaining our product as a neon
  replacement. We must be clear that it as an
  exposed neon replacement or alternative. Neon
  is also used to do face lit and halo lit channel
  letters.This seems to be an industry wide term,
  so we should go with the flow.
• Architectural Bordering This is the intended
  application for LED Neon-Flex, and although it
  works well in other applications, this is where
  it truly shines. It can accent sharp edges, or
  flow and bend with a tight curve or a long
  radius. Just about every retail or service
  related business can benefit even from the simple
  roof outline. This is proven to draw attention
  and curiosity. It may be one of the simplest, yet
  most effective forms of advertising.

LED NEON FLEX BORDERING
Exposed Glass Neon Sign Bordering
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• Interior Design This is a great avenue as LED
  Neon-Flex can go places previously forbidden by
  Glass Neon. It is a basic industry standard to
  NOT mount exposed Glass Neon below the 8 ft. line
  due to its fragility and shock hazard. LED Neon
  Flex can be mounted on stairs, under bar
  countertops, and embedded in floors. This is due
  to the durable nature of LED technology and the
  added protection of the PVC jacket.
• Signage LED Neon-Flex can be used in some
  signage applications. The effect is debated among
  sign industry insiders. Some have said that LED
  Neon-Flex works well for Face-Lit Channel
  Letters, Halo-Lit Channel Letters, and Sign
  Bordering. Others say that it is only bright
  enough for bordering. There is also a 24v version
  that is a smaller diameter and perfect for making
  custom signs.

Bar Floor Outline and Bar
Countertop
Halo-Lit Channel Letter
Neon-Flex Ultra Thin 24v- Custom Signage
Face-Lit Channel Letter
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Innovators vs. Imitators
There are many factors involved in making such a
simple product. LED Neon-Flex has been made by
several different manufacturers, all with
different philosophies, materials, and
construction techniques. They all seem to produce
a similar effect when first plugged in. The
product earns its wings in time-tested
applications and installations. The imitators
use cheaper components and materials, short-cut
construction techniques, and unskilled and
untrained workers to assemble it. The result is a
low quality product that does LED Technology a
disservice. These specific companies usually lend
to a product that is just not bright enough,
leaves many hot spots, and has continual section
burnouts. Brilliant Concepts manufacturer,
however, is a true innovator in this field. Large
amounts of time, energy, and money have gone into
product research and development to provide us
with a truly explosive and reliable product. This
makes Brilliant Concepts the only North American
company to offer the LED Neon Flex-Plus through a
large domestic inventory.
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Specific Differences

• LED CHIPS -

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Specific Differences
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