What are LEDs?
A light-emitting diode (LED) is an electronic light source. LEDs are based on the semiconductor diode. When the diode is forward biased (switched on), electrons are able to recombine with holes and energy is released in the form of light. This effect is called electroluminescence and the color of the light is determined by the energy gap of the semiconductor. The LED is usually small in area (less than 1 mm2) with integrated optical components to shape its radiation pattern and assist in reflection.
In other words LEDs are the revolutionary way to directly convert electrical energy to visible light. This is unlike conventional light sources (light bulbs), which use extreme heat (wasted energy) to generate the light.
Back To Top
COLOR/TEMPERATURE
An LED’s color temperature is measured in kelvins (K). Color temperatures greater than 5500K are "cool white" with a blue/green color. Color temperatures of 3000-5500K are “neutral white” while color temperatures of 2700–3000 K are "warm white" with a yellow/red color.
A common complaint regarding LED lighting is that it appears too ‘blue’. Some manufacturers of LED lighting solutions utilize the higher temperature LEDs (blue color) due to their high lumen per watt output.
Standard Smashray LED systems are produced in the ‘Neutral White’ color. This color temperature closely resembles the spectrum of natural daylight.
Back To Top
LED Driver
An LED driver is a self-contained power supply that has current and voltage outputs matched to the characteristics of the LED or array of LEDs.
Back To Top
LED LIGHT ENGINE
An LED Light Engine is subsystem of an LED luminaire that contains one or more LED packages, or an LED array, or an LED module; and LED driver; electrical and mechanical interfaces; and an integral heat sink to provide thermal management. An LED light engine with a standard lamp base is an LED Lamp
Back To Top
What is Luminance, Illuminance and Foot Candles?
Luminance is the intensity of light per unit area of its source. Luminance does not change with distance from the light.
Illuminance, or Light Level, is the total luminous flux incident on a surface/work plane, per unit area. The work plane is where the most important tasks in the room or space are performed (ie. The desk surface in an office). Illuminance does change with distance from the light. When discussing light levels required in offices, classrooms, etc… at task level illuminance is the relevant term.
Illuminance is measured in foot candles (ftcd, fc, fcd) (or lux in the metric SI system). A foot candle is actually one lumen of light density per square foot, one lux is one lumen per square meter.
Back To Top
I’ve heard that Thermal Management is critical with LED lights. Please explain.
While LED’s generate low amounts of heat into the room they are lighting (creating the benefit of lower air conditioning costs), the LED’s are actually emitting a large amount of heat off of the back of the conductive substrate they are mounted to. That substrate is mounted directly to a heat sink that serves the purpose of dissipating the heat away from the LED. Ensuring that the heat sink is designed and operates properly is imperative to the quality of LED lighting solutions. Excess heat directly affects both short-term and long-term LED performance. The short-term (reversible) effects are color shift and reduced light output while the long-term effect is accelerated lumen depreciation and thus shortened useful life.
Back To Top
What is a CONVERSION or RETROFIT?
Smashray conversion kits are a quick and simple way to convert and upgrade your existing lighting fixtures to extremely energy efficient LED lighting. Maintaining the existing fixture minimizes time, cost and waste.
Back To Top
What are the real benefits of LED’s?
Energy savings – Smashray products save from 50% to 80% over existing technologies such as fluorescent and HID light bulbs.
No Mercury or Lead – disposal of LEDs does not contaminate the environment and poison our environment and wildlife
Long life – eliminates replacement and maintenance costs throughout its life of 50,000+ hours
Minimal heat generation – reduces air conditioning costs
Directional illuminance – can eliminate light pollution by aiming the fixture and LED in the desired direction
Life span not affected by “on/off” – the life of conventional light sources is diminished each time they are cycled on and off, but this is not the case with LEDs, which see no reduction in life due to cycling
Instant on – LEDs turn on instantly and do not require a ‘start up’ time. HID light bulbs require a start up time of up to several minutes. This is a significant benefit for industrial applications where delayed ‘on’ times can cause major disruption.
Back To Top
What is Mercury?
Mercury is a highly toxic metal that is harmful to both humans and wildlife. Exposure to even small amounts of mercury, over a long period of time, may cause negative health effects including damage to the brain, kidneys and lungs.
Unborn and young children are especially susceptible to mercury exposure because their nervous systems are still developing. Whether it is absorbed through the skin, inhaled or ingested, exposure to mercury should be taken very seriously.
Mercury is classified as a toxic substance.
Back To Top
What types of light sources contain mercury?
Mercury is present in several types of conventional lighting including:
- Fluorescent and compact fluorescent bulbs.
- High intensity discharge bulbs (HID). The following are HID bulbs:
- mercury vapor
- metal halide
- high pressure sodium
Back To Top
What is RoHS ?
RoHS is the acronym for Restriction of Hazardous Substances. The substances banned under RoHS are lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), hexavalent chromium (CrVI), polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE). All of Smashray’s products and processes are RoHS compliant.
Back To Top
Are Smashray lights UL Certified?
Yes, all Smashray products are certified to UL and CSA Standards prior to being released to the market.
Back To Top
Are Smashray lights compatible with Solar technology?
Yes, our lights are easily partnered with solar technology. Due to an LED’s low
energy consumption, stored energy within a solar panel can power LED lights for a long period of time.
Back To Top
Are Smashray lights compatible with Occupancy Sensors?
Yes, our lights will be linked in to your existing electrical system and will work well with an existing or newly installed occupancy sensor.
Back To Top
What is the warranty on Smashray LED products?
All Smashray products have a 5 year limited warranty. Please contact us for details.
Back To Top
Where/how can I find more information about government incentives?
You can visit the following websites:
UNITED STATES:
http://www.goodtobegreen.com/FinancialIncentives.aspx#fed
http://www.dsireusa.org
CANADA:
http://business.everykilowattcounts.com/com/programs-incentives-rebates.php?pir=ERIP
http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/industrial/financial-assistance/retrofit/index.cfm?attr=0
http://www.bchydro.com/etc/medialib/internet/documents/psbusiness/pdf/business_-_pip_-_all.Par.0001.File.A07-080j_All_Incentives.pdf
Back To Top
