LED luminaire performance: changing traditions can set the right expectations

Those working at the forefront of LED technology know that LEDs are certain to become one of the light source choices for general illumination. Over the next few years, we can expect to see an increasing number of LED luminaires in the marketplace. Already today we are seeing LED luminaires challenging traditional light sources in several general and niche lighting applications.

LED device manufacturers have to be commended for their persistence in improving white LED performance over the last decade. The year 2007 may be when LEDs began to seriously take on traditional light sources in general lighting applications. Downlighting and street/parking lot lighting are two applications for which several manufacturers have released LED products to compete with traditional lighting.

However, as with many traditional luminaires, not all LED-based luminaires provide reliable performance. While the LED itself may have good quality and performance as a bare device, its integration into a luminaire and that luminaire’s installation environment are key to the final product performance and whether it will stand up to customer expectations. Luminaires that do not meet customer expectations can turn off users from promising LED technology.

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This article was published in the January/February 2008 issue of LEDs Magazine.

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