Thirteen products including replacements for 25-60W A-lamps comprise the new Verbatim line of LED-based retrofit lamps for the European market. The new family is meant to replace incandescent to halogen to compact fluorescent lamps (CFL), although the timing of the launch is in part tied to the looming next step of the Ecodesign Directive energy-efficiency regulation slated to take effect September 1 across the European Union (EU).
Branded Classic, the overall family includes five A-lamp Classic A products that cover the aforementioned range. The lamps are designed for use on a 220-240V grid, and that is the primary reason for a European-specific launch. A later US launch will yield an offering designed for 110V operation.
Verbatim is touting 85% energy savings in general for the family relative to incandescent lamps along with an expected 25-yr life. "Unlike compact-fluorescent lamp bulbs, LED lamps typically deliver five times the operating life, turn on instantly and do not contain hazardous materials such as mercury," said Verbatim business development manager Jeanine Chrobak-Kando. "LED technology is the best energy saving alternative available to replace conventional bulbs."
At the high end of the Classic A products, the 11W model delivers 810 lm. The A-lamps are available in versions for E27 screw-type sockets and B22 bayonet sockets. The new line-up includes two Classic B candelabra lamps with E14 sockets including a transparent 3.5W model designed to replace a 15W incandescent.
There are also lamps for MR16 GU5.3 and PAR16 fixtures. The 4W and 6W MR16 spotlights have 20° and 25° beam patterns respectively. And a 4W PAR16 with a GU10 base replaces 20W legacy lamps delivering 180 lm.
All of the lamps fall within the 2700-3000K color-temperature range. And the offering has a minimum CRI of 80 throughout the line-up.
The EU Ecodesign Directive effectively eliminated 75W and 100W incandescent lamps the last two years. Starting September 2012, all non-directional lamps of any wattage level will have to meet Class C energy guidelines and that essentially eliminates standard incandescent lamps entirely.
