The cost of central emergency lighting systems rivals that of self-contained units and lowers maintenance and battery replacement costs. Current legislation has led to a huge drive to install emergency lighting in all public places where failure of normal power could result in disorientation and panic. The chosen emergency lighting systems depends on the […]
An explanation of the “initial” and “over time” performance criteria for LED-based luminaires, according to recent IEC performance standards. There has been a significant increase in the use of LED-based luminaires in recent years. Initially, there were no universal standards available to measure or compare the performance of LED-based lighting products. This situation has been […]
Substandard electrical products are threatening life and property around the world. In this article, the SAFEhouse Association highlights luminaires, their industry requirements and standards. Users have a vast choice of suitable luminaires for lighting interior and exterior areas. While product safety is important, so is the creation of a safe and attractive lighting installation […]
To understand the causes of the blackening of the ends of fluorescent lamps, it helps to know a little about light itself. Light is a form of energy that can be released by an atom. It is made up of many small particle-like packets that have energy and momentum but no mass. These particles, […]
LEDs have become firmly established as relevant light sources for general illumination. LEDs have become firmly established as relevant light sources for general illumination. Their costs are now at such a low level that they can be used in any application. In terms of efficiency, they already outperform all previous light sources. There is, […]
Visual comfort is a subjective impression related to road lighting quality. If the degree of visual comfort is not good enough, a motorist’s level of fatigue will increase and, as a result, his visual performance and alertness will decrease. So, both visual comfort and visual performance are important for road safety. This article discusses […]
In December 2015, the New York Yankees Stadium became the second major league baseball (MLB) stadium to convert to LED lighting, after the Seattle Mariners Safeco field. The move to use LED lighting in MLB stadiums heralds a breakthrough for LED lighting in an arena previously dominated by metal halide technology. This move also […]
An update on a 2013 Vector article on the characteristics of LED drivers and their influence on performance and lifetime. The article, “Driving the LED revolution” (Vector, June 2013, p. 29) explains why drivers are needed for LEDs, their most important characteristics and how they influence the performance and lifetime of LEDs. Now, three […]
A discussion on sphere theory, practical measurements and pitfalls experienced while measuring lamps and luminaires in an integrating sphere. Due to economies of scale, the acquisition of an integrating sphere is no longer confined to larger corporations. This tool is now available at reasonable cost to small companies and research facilities. Indeed, this bodes […]
Emergency lighting cycles without electrode heating before lamp ignition usually damage fluorescent lamps. Emergency lighting cycles usually damage fluorescent lamps as most emergency gear does not provide a programmed electrode heating cycle before lamp ignition or external heating during low power emergency arc discharge. These shortcomings are amplified by South Africa’s currently fragile grid, […]
