eNewsletter

October 2009

Guest Column: LED Lighting Standardization Update

October’s Topic: LED Lighting Life Prediction
By Jianzhong Jiao, Ph.D., Director of Regulations & Emerging Technologies • Osram Opto Semiconductors, Inc.

Everyone who uses a light source is interested in how long they will last. For most traditional lighting products, the manufacturers provide information on “rated life.” Rated life tells the user how long the products will last. For conventional lighting products, (incandescent, fluorescent or high intensity discharge lamps), the rated life often refers to the lamp life. The general definition of rated life is, “The period for which an appliance, equipment, or machine is stated to last by its manufacturer under specified conditions of use.”

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A New Approach for Driving High-Power LED Lighting Applications
By James Aliberti, Product Marketing Engineer • Texas Instruments

In many high-power lighting applications such as street lights, high-bay stadium lighting and others, the trend is moving towards solid state lighting that uses LEDs as the lighting source. The reason for this adoption is the clear value proposition of higher energy efficiency and less frequent maintenance, both factors justifying the transformation.

In these types of high-power lighting applications, a number of different approaches are being considered to drive theses lamps. In this article, we will look at a new topology boasting higher efficiency and lower system cost for driving multiple LED strings.

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An LED Based Interior Convenience Lighting System
By Brian Blackburn, Applications Engineer • ON Semiconductor

Automotive Interior LED Lighting systems require a constant current regulation scheme. Multiple design approaches exist to tackle this particular design challenge that may result in a slowdown of the design process while engineering analysis can be performed to weigh the pros and cons for the various options.  By using a simple value process it is possible to speed up the analysis and help identify the best approach to take.  

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LEED Certified Building, Cutting-Edge Lights Help Solve Forensic Mysteries
One of the nation’s leading forensic pathologists has brand new LEED-certified facilities, including state-of-the-art lighting, to continue to solve medical mysteries in an environmentally-friendly space.

The District Nine Medical Examiner’s Office, an office within Orange County’s Health & Family Services Department, was expanded from 18,000-square-feet to 40,000-square-feet and includes a brand new morgue, administrative offices, storage space, as well as separate facilities for decomposition rooms. 

The facilities have earned a silver LEED-certification.

Jan Garavaglia, M.D., (Dr. G) is the chief medical examiner for District Nine (Orange-Osceola Medical Examiner’s Office) in Florida and returns to Discovery Health Channel in October to explain to viewers how people can die suddenly and unexpectedly. 

Medical manufacturer, BERCHTOLD Corp., learned of the LEED certification project and hosted Dr. G during an all-day site visit to its North American headquarters in Charleston.  Because Dr. G was interested in building a “green” morgue, she toured the facilities to learn about the different lighting technologies BERCHTOLD has to offer, as well as the benefits and features of each. 

According to Garavaglia, looking at the body is everything when performing an autopsy.  With high-quality, energy efficient lighting in the morgue, she can examine the different colors and intimate details of the body, as well as body and oral cavities with much more precision.

Alberta Ice Arena goes Green with Solid-State LED Lighting
Albeo Technologies Inc., a manufacturer and supplier of energy efficient LED lighting systems, has announced that the Bowden Ice Arena in Alberta has retrofitted entirely with Albeo’s C-Series High-Bay white-LED Solid-State Luminaire.  Albeo’s C-Series high-bay produces more than 25,000 lumens at 79 lm/W giving it a wall plug efficiency that surpasses fluorescent and HID high-bay lighting systems.  Albeo’s products are independently tested to LM-79 standards.  With fixtures mounted at 16 feet, illumination levels on the ice were increased 160 percent from 50 foot-candles (ft-cds) to 80 ft-cds, while energy consumption was lowered 28 percent from 458 watts to 325 watts. 

“The fast pace of hockey, the high speed of the puck, and the need for quick action demands high lighting levels,” said Andy Weiss, Bowden Administrative Services manager.  “Albeo’s LED High Bay more than doubled the light levels while reducing the electricity consumption.  The LED lights also eliminated the need for maintaining fixtures over ice and the whiter, cleaner light color is perceived as higher quality. ”  

“High light levels, cold air temperatures, shock and impact potential, and instant on requirements create a demanding environment for illumination systems in ice arenas,” said Jason Korbelik, Sales Manager at Albeo Technologies.  “Albeo’s LED lighting is superior to any other high-bay lighting system in all these dimensions including efficiency.”

Luminus Introduces High Brightness, Multi-Color PhlatLight LED     
Luminus Devices, Inc., developer and manufacturer of high light output, “Big Chip” PhlatLight LEDs, has introduced the SBM-160 PhlatLight LED, a multi-color LED available in a surface-mount (SMT) package. This breakthrough product is well suited for entertainment and architectural applications where high optical output and high efficiency are required.  

“With the introduction of the SBM-160, Luminus strengthens its leadership position within the performance segments of the entertainment and architectural lighting communities,” said Peter Weller, general manager for Luminus’ Lighting Business. “We continue to provide the lighting industry with highly differentiated products that give our customers the light output they need to solve the most demanding design challenges. This exclusive product release from Luminus represents a true paradigm shift enabling our customers to now replace multiple 1W emitters with a single SBM-160 module. We have reduced design complexity and cost, enabling new dimensions of design freedom.”  

The SBM-160 is a four-chip package consisting of individually addressable red, green, blue and white LEDs that generate more than 1,500 lumens of combined white light. The product utilizes a high-performance ceramic substrate resulting in an industry-leading thermal resistance of less than 1.5 C/W. A protective window covers the LED chips that emit directly into air, allowing for proximity optics that optimize collection efficiency and eliminate unwanted color fringing. 

Available in an SMT package, the SBM-160 integrates seamlessly with standard SMT manufacturing processes and equipment. PhlatLight LEDs are mercury-free, highly reliable and provide a lifetime of 60,000 hours with lumen maintenance of greater than 70 percent. The SBM-160 is available for sampling now with volume shipments starting in November. 

SemiLEDs Announces the Launch of a New High Power 365nm UV LED
SemiLEDs Corp., a LED chip technology developer, has launched the P5 UV LED, a new high power 5 W 365 nm UV LED in a silicon casing in ready to use format. With this significant achievement, SemiLEDs becomes one of the only LED chip producers to provide a high power 365 nm UV LED, once again proving itself as a pioneer in the LED industry. The launch of the P5 UV LED has positioned SemiLEDs not only as a leading LED chip manufacturer but also as the premier UV LED provider.

SemiLEDs P5 UV LEDs are made using its vertical MvpLED chips, which feature a copper-alloy base in a silicon casing with a UV glass encapsulation. The advantages of SemiLEDs MvpLED chips are delivered through these unique features as the copper-alloy base and silicon casing allow for maximum heat transfer from the junction to the board or heat sink, a crucial element to optimizing the lifetime of the UV LED. Furthermore, SemiLEDs 365 nm P5 UV LEDs’ improved thermal management is combined with optical advantages, which facilitate designs using higher drive currents to maximize light density. With a very small physical SMT footprint, the P5 is designed for 5 W operation or 1.5 A drive current, suitable for applications such as polymer curing.

UV LEDs have had a growing impact on a large and diverse group of UV market segments such as curing, currency/document verification, tanning, medical and sterilization. The benefits of UV LEDs over traditional mercury lamps are illustrated through their flexibility, compactness, cost effectiveness and absence of mercury, a notorious pollutant. UV LEDs are greatly enhancing applications in UV market segments and with UV LEDs poised to replace traditional UV lamps, a wide array of new applications are expected to further drive the UV LED market in the future.

National Semiconductor Introduces New High-Brightness LED Driver with Temperature Management Control
National Semiconductor Corp. has released a new LED driver with temperature management control and the addition of an online design environment to support it.  The LM3424, a member of National’s PowerWise energy-efficient product family, drives high-brightness LEDs in a variety of indoor, outdoor and automotive applications.  Supported in National’s WEBENCH  LED Designer, its temperature management control, thermal foldback, enables lighting designers to quickly and easily design a reliable thermal system using the LM3424.

Thermal foldback combats high temperatures LEDs can reach as a result of environmental conditions.  When LED temperatures rise above a safe threshold, the lifetime and efficacy of the LED decreases.  With the LM3424, lighting designers can program temperature and slope breakpoints within which the LEDs operate safely.  When an over-temperature condition occurs, the LM3424’s thermal foldback circuitry reduces the regulated current through the LEDs.  The reduced current dims the LED to a range programmed by the designer and the LED remains within the range until it returns to a safe operating temperature.

This method of thermal foldback maintains the lifetime and efficacy of the LED and ensures the warranty period of fixtures in applications such as automotive headlights, high bay warehouse lighting and street lighting.

National’s WEBENCH LED Designer helps lighting designers identify the ideal temperature threshold or foldback breakpoint of the LEDs.  Traditionally, resistor values are calculated by hand to identify temperature foldback breakpoints.  The WEBENCH online design environment allows the designer to easily enter the temperature foldback and slope points and then visualize the behavior of the design at different LED temperatures.  This requires no hand calculations.  An interactive temperature slider shows the results graphically.  The LED driver design automatically updates with entry of temperature breakpoint requirements.

National’s LM3424 and is priced at $1.75 in 1,000-unit quantities. 

45 V, 750 mA LED Driver for Boost, Buck or Buck-Boost High Current LED Applications
Linear Technology has released the LT3519, a 45 V, high side current sense DC/DC converter designed to drive high current LEDs. The LT3519's 3V to 40V input voltage range makes it well suited for applications such as automotive and industrial lighting. The combination of an internal 45 V, 750 mA switch, Schottky diode and internal compensation provides a highly compact LED driver solution.

The LT3519 can drive up to 10 100 mA white LEDs from a 12 V input, making it well suited for a variety of applications such as automotive and industrial lighting. It can deliver efficiencies up to 90 percent in boost mode from a compact MSOP-16E package. The LT3519 utilizes True Color PWM dimming to deliver constant LED color with ranges of more than 3,000:1. For less demanding dimming requirements, the CTRL pin can be used to offer 10:1 analog dimming. The device's fixed frequency, constant current, constant voltage regulation provides stable operation over a wide range of supply and output voltages, while ensuring uniform brightness of LEDs. There are three switching frequency options available: the LT3519, which switches at 400 kHz; the LT3519-1, which switches at 1 MHz; and the LT3519-2, offering a 2.2 MHz switching frequency, enabling designers to optimize efficiency while minimizing external component size.

The LT3519 senses output current at the high side of the LED, enabling buck, buck-boost or boost configurations. Combining a traditional voltage feedback and unique floating current sense feedback, these converters can operate as constant voltage or constant current source, offering maximum design flexibility. Other features include open LED protection, soft-start and thermal protection.

The LT3519EMS, LT3519EMS-1 and LT3519EMS-2 are available in an MSOP-16 package and are priced starting at $2.50 each, in 1,000-piece quantities. Extended temperature versions, or "I" grades, namely the LT3519IMS, LT3519IMS-1 and LT3519IMS-2, are tested and guaranteed to operate from a -40ºC to 125ºC operating junction temperature. They are priced at $2.94 each in 1,000-piece quantities. All versions are available from stock.

New Honeywell Material Improves Performance of LED Lighting for Displays and Other Applications
Honeywell has developed a new thermal management material that improves energy efficiency of LEDs, which are increasingly being used in applications such as street lamps, automotive lighting, flat panel TV displays and computer monitors.

The new product, called Honeywell LTM6300-SP, is a thermal interface material that highly effectively transfers heat generated by LED lamps. As LEDs become smaller, faster and more powerful, more heat is being generated in a confined space, which can threaten to damage the LEDs' performance. If LEDs overheat, they become dim, their color is muted and their lifespans are shortened.

Because LEDs are semiconductor devices, they require more precise heat management than traditional light sources. Honeywell's thermal management materials are designed to meet this specific challenge, helping to effectively transfer heat in semiconductor applications.

"Honeywell is committed to energy efficiency technology, and this newly developed thermal management material, which enhances the performance of energy efficient LEDs, is another example of our commitment," said Brian Daniels, chief technology officer for Honeywell Electronic Materials. "LTM6300-SP is the first in a series of HEM phase change materials being developed for the growing LED segment."

LTM6300-SP was designed for LED backlights for flat panel displays, but the packaging technology can be also implemented in LEDs used in a wide range of industries, from automobiles to computers. Honeywell LTM6300-SP is a high-thermal-performance phase change material that is superior to silicone-based products, which typically pump out and degrade at high temperatures.

The lighting industry has evolved from incandescent bulbs toward more energy-efficient options such as fluorescent bulbs and LEDs. Demand for LEDs is growing because they have several benefits over traditional light sources, such as lower energy consumption, longer lifespan and smaller size. They also produce more light per watt than incandescent bulbs, are more durable and faster and are mercury-free. When used instead of traditional light sources, LEDs also reduce pollution and carbon footprint because they demand less power, which translates into energy savings that result in lower carbon dioxide and mercury emissions.

The phase change material is based on Honeywell's packaging expertise in thermal management. Honeywell LTM6300-SP is designed to be used mainly as a screen printable paste and compliments Honeywell's other thermal interface products.

OnChip Introduces Submounts to Improve Efficiency of HB LED
OnChip has introduced Silicon and Ceramic Carriers or Submounts for HB LED manufacturers. With  power savings, increased life expectancy and faster response time over traditional bulbs, HB LEDs are rapidly taking over many applications such as LCD backlighting, traffic lights, automotive lighting, camera flash and even standard lighting.

HB LEDs are predominantly built with Indium Gallium Nitride (InGaN) technology. LEDs using InGaN come with several design challenges such as electrostatic discharge (ESD) sensitivity and package thermal coefficient of expansion (TCE) issues. InGaN chips are generally considered Class 1 devices and in many cases, a discharge of only 10 volts can destroy such sensitive components. In comparison, static charge of up to 30,000 volts is not uncommon and can be generated quite easily. Studies indicate that ESD damage to electronics and associated equipment is estimated at over $10 billion annually. ESD-damaged LEDs can appear dim, dead, shorted, or have low Vf or Vr. TCE mismatch between the LED chip and the lead-frame or package is another significant reliability threat. OnChip addresses both problems with these new submount offerings. OnChip produces silicon and ceramic submount that serves as an inter-poser between the InGaN chip and the lead-frame. Submounts reduce the TCE mismatch, while providing ESD protection via integrated zener diodes. Ceramics are well suited for High Power LEDs and OnChip offers both Aluminum Oxide and Aluminum Nitride materials. OnChip also provides miniature silicon ESD diodes that can be mounted alongside the LED chips. These ESD diodes are available both as flip chips - ESD0201 and as single-wire bond chips - ESD8x8. Submounts offer optical benefits as well. These devices contain solder bumps, enabling flip chip assembly of the LED chip. This approach eliminates shadows caused by wire-bonding. Furthermore, submounts offer a reflective metal surface which help direct the light in the desired direction.

OnChip Silicon and Ceramic are typically built to customer specifications. Pricing varies depending on the size of the Submount. Lead-time is 6 to 8 weeks upon receipt of order and customer’s final specifications.

Morgan Technical Ceramics’ Offers Pure CVD Silicon Carbide Wafer Carriers
Morgan Technical Ceramics (MTC) business has introduced its chemical vapor deposition silicon carbide (CVD SiC) wafer carriers for high temperature metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) processing. The pure CVD SiC wafer carriers significantly increase the yield for manufacturers of high brightness light emitting diodes (LEDs) using gallium nitride (GaN) deposition. 

The CVD SiC is 99.999+ percent pure, and exhibits high thermal conductivity and thermal shock resistance. It is a solid monolithic material that achieves theoretical density, generating minimal particulates and exhibiting very high corrosion and erosion resistance. The material can vary opacity and electrical conductivity without introduction of metallic impurities. The wafer carriers are typically about 17 inches in diameter, holding up to 40 2 to 4-inch wafers.

MTC pure CVD SiC wafer carriers significantly outperform traditional GaN wafer carriers, which are made of graphite, and then coated with a layer of CVD SiC.  These coated graphite-based carriers cannot stand up to the high temperatures (1,100°C to 1,200°C) required in GaN deposition for today’s high brightness blue and white LEDs. The high temperatures cause the coating to develop tiny pinholes through which process chemicals can attack the underlying graphite. Graphite particles can then flake off and contaminate the GaN. A typical coated graphite wafer carrier may have to be replaced as often as monthly, depending on usage conditions. 

The pure CVD SiC wafer carriers transmit heat efficiently, with a very high thermal conductivity. For example, CVD SiC has a thermal conductivity of 250 to 300 watts per meter kelvin (W m-1 K-1). By comparison, sintered SiC’s thermal conductivity is about 100 to 140 W m-1 K-1 and pure graphite is only about 85 W m-1 K-1.  CVD SiC’s higher thermal conductivity results in a uniform temperature across the wafer’s entire diameter, improving the GaN deposition process, and significantly increasing the yield of the target wavelength of LEDs compared to coated graphite wafer carriers. 

In addition to the increased LED yields with the use of the pure CVD SiC wafer carriers, the pure monolithic SiC is very long-lived, resists warpage, and only needs to be replaced when the carrier is broken, chipped, or damaged due to handling. This can result in real cost savings for semiconductor manufacturers.

Efficient LEDs in Main Headlights
Osram’s LED technology will contribute to the energy efficiency of Volkswagen’s L1 concept car, which according to Volkswagen can go into production in 2013, has headlights that are equipped with new Osram Joule JFL2 LED systems and matching reflectors. The LED modules take care of the dipped and main beam functions and consume far less energy than conventional headlamps. Joule JFL2 LED modules will be introduced in production in early 2010 and can then be included in new vehicle models easily and across multiple platforms.

One key to the energy-efficiency of Volkswagen’s L1 are Osram’s highly efficient Joule JFL2 LED modules, which are used in the front headlights. The dimmable LED light sources are responsible for the important dipped and main beam functions. Each of the five centimeter high headlights requires a total of three modules. Two provide the ECE (Economic Commission for Europe) compliant main light and one the high beam. Apart from the high performance diodes, this is made possible by the reflectors Volkswagen has developed, which shed a suitable light on the road and are therefore the perfect complement to the JFL2 LED modules.

Thomas Reiners, director of Application Technology for special lighting at Osram said, “Compact and efficient LED sources will be mandatory for low consumption and electric vehicles in the future in order to achieve the car industry’s CO2 objectives. A dipped beam headlight with these light sources will use less than 15 watts and therefore save 40 watts of power input per vehicle side compared with a halogen solution.”

With a power input of 19 watts per dipped beam, the one-liter car’s lighting is far more energy efficient today than conventional headlight solutions, in which mostly halogen lamps with 55 watts are used. Even Xenon lamps at 35 watts of input use 20 percent more energy on dipped lights (95 percent of nighttime
driving) than two Joule JFL2 LED modules.

“Energy efficiency and ease of integration were good reasons to rely on LED solutions for headlights on our one-liter car. This technology is just as forward-looking as our vehicle,” said Henning Kiel, lighting engineer at Volkswagen. Replaceable LED light sources represent a genuine alternative to the lamps already available in the car industry.

“They can bring about significant benefits both for end customers as well as during headlamp and vehicle production," said Christian Meier, Osram Product Manager Joule LED systems.

OSRAM LED solutions not only show their strengths in terms of efficiency. With a lifetime that normally exceeds that of a vehicle plus their considerable robustness against shocks and vibration, they are far less maintenance-intensive than conventional lamps. From early 2010, Joule JFL2 LED modules will be available to light other vehicles with economical diodes, too.

Joule JFL2 LED modules were developed in collaboration between Osram Automotive Lighting and the LED specialist Osram Opto Semiconductors. Together these companies develop solutions for the automotive industry from individual LEDs to standard LED systems such as Joule. The L1’s headlights are the result of a joint project by Volkswagen and Osram. The lighting manufacturer has developed an even more economical version of the Joule JFL2 LED module for them, which uses 14 watts in the standard configuration. Volkswagen designed the reflectors, which enable legally compliant headlights to be implemented with the latest lighting technology.

Solar Powered Parking-Lot Light Delivers Affordable Off-Grid Illumination
Carmanah Technologies has unveiled the newest design in solar LED lighting: the EverGEN 1710 solar-powered area light. Designed as a compact stand-alone lighting alternative for off-grid parking lots and other municipal, commercial or industrial areas, the new EverGEN 1710 light combines advanced motion-sensing capabilities with a range of energy saving operating profiles to ensure bright, reliable illumination whenever and wherever it’s needed. Featuring a dark-sky friendly LED fixture designed by industry-leading lighting manufacturer BetaLED, the EverGEN 1710 solar light incorporates all of the elements of a complete solar power system in a compact, pole-mounted design developed by world-renowned global innovation firm frog design.

“We knew this light would be special — delivering big system performance in the smallest form factor yet — so when it came to the design, we wanted the very best,” said Ted Lattimore, CEO, Carmanah.  “Working closely with the team at frog, we settled on a unique design that reflects the essence of renewable energy: clean, simple, practical and efficient. Although it’s a tough, high output, industrial-strength light, the quality finish and distinctive, contemporary styling would look great just about anywhere. But best of all it performs better than anything in its category — it’s a practical, cost-effective renewable energy alternative.”    

Since 1969, frog design has pioneered designs for companies such as Apple, Logitech, Microsoft and Sony. In discussing the partnership with Carmanah, Doreen Lorenzo, president of frog design, said, “The opportunity to partner with Carmanah to create a solution that is both beautiful and functional was one our designers embraced. It is a great example of innovation positively affecting our environment.”

As an environmentally responsible alternative, Carmanah’s solar-powered EverGEN 1710 area light is assembled using safe, recyclable materials in strict accordance with the European Union’s guidelines for the Restriction of Hazardous Substances in electronic equipment (RoHS).

The EverGEN 1710 solar light is scheduled for availability in early 2010.

Cree Offers Lighting-Class LEDs for Designing Energy Star-Compliant LED Fixtures
Cree, Inc. has the most lighting-class LEDs meeting the US Department of Energy (DOE) Energy Star performance criteria, offering fixture manufacturers a significant benefit when designing with XLamp XR-E, XP-E or MC-E white LEDs.

The DOE’s Energy Star Manufacturer’s Guide for Qualifying Solid-State Lighting Luminaires requires that LED fixture manufacturers seeking Energy Star Category A approval test their luminaires for a minimum of 6,000 hours (approximately nine months) to demonstrate the product’s long-term lumen maintenance. In lieu of performing this lengthy and costly testing, the DOE will accept an LED manufacturer’s lumen maintenance data if the LEDs are tested to the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) approved method for “Measuring Lumen Maintenance of LED Light Sources,” LM-80-08.

The DOE accepts Cree’s IES LM-80 test data for the Cree XLamp XR-E, XP-E and MC-E LEDs. This LM-80 test data can be submitted by luminaire manufacturers (along with the appropriate LM-79 optical and electrical data) to the DOE for Energy Star approval of both 25,000-hour residential and 35,000-hour commercial lighting products.

“Cree has the broadest family of lighting-class LEDs accepted by the DOE for use in Energy Star products,” said Paul Thieken, Cree director of marketing, LED components. “Our customers can avoid expensive and prolonged fixture testing by designing-in XLamp XR-E, XP-E or MC-E LEDs. Cree XLamp LEDs were also the first to be binned to ANSI C78.377A chromaticity back in 2007 and feature excellent white-point stability—further simplifying the design of LED fixtures to meet Energy Star requirements.”

Renaissance Lighting’s Solid-State LED Lighting Technology Wins Energy Star Qualification
The US Department of Energy (DOE) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have awarded the coveted Energy Star qualification to Renaissance Lighting Inc. on 11 of its newest all-white solid-state LED downlight fixtures. 

The Energy Star qualification helps customers identify the most energy efficient products on the market. Renaissance Lighting, a leading innovator in the development and manufacture of energy-efficient, ultra long-life solid-state luminaires, continues to achieve increased lighting efficiencies in terms of both light output and lower energy consumption. The Energy Star award for its all-white downlights is further validation of the company’s on-going ability to create breakthrough proprietary technologies and luminaire designs.

“The Energy Star recognition further validates the gains Renaissance Lighting has made with respect to product output, efficiency and overall performance,” said Renaissance Lighting CEO, Barry Weinbaum. “Add to this product innovation, value and total cost of ownership, elements critical to the lighting industry’s mainstream acceptance of solid-state LED lighting, and we now have what it takes to become actively involved in electric service company (ESCO)-sponsored rebate programs.”

Referring to Renaissance Lighting’s contract award and five-year schedule listing by the General Services Administration (GSA) earlier this year, Weinbaum also noted that the Energy Star qualification will likely provide his company additional visibility in its effort to conduct new business with the federal government’s many departments and agencies. The company also anticipates the Energy Star qualification will help position its product offering with state-and-local governments and international markets that react favorably to the Energy Star label, Weinbaum added.

The DOE’s Energy Star LED lighting criteria addresses product quality and efficiency, helping ensure that residential and commercial customers have a positive experience with this new technology. Four of the key criteria that are involved include: Luminaire efficacy – the efficiency of the light that leaves the fixture; minimum light levels that match incumbent technology, such as incandescent or CFL; limited correlated color temperature, and the use of industry-accepted test procedures to measure product performance.

Energy Star qualification currently requires an LED recessed downlight fixture to deliver at least 35 lumens per watt (efficacy). Renaissance Lighting’s patented optical technology beats the competition by producing better efficacies and increased light output while consuming less electrical power and is delivered with an unparalleled elegant design.