Articles & Interviews

LpR Article | Jul 01, 2016
Choosing the Appropriate Heatsink for an Application by Fischer Elektronik
Choosing the Appropriate Heatsink for an Application by Fischer Elektronik Next to vibrations and moisture, temperature-related stress on electronic semiconductor elements is the most common cause of failure for electronic components and devices. Effective thermal management is obligatory to ensure durability, reliability and performance. Jürgen Harpain, Manager of Development at Fischer Elektronik explains how different types of heatsinks provide excellent solutions and which one is the appropriate solution for a given application. Read more »
LpR Article | Jul 01, 2016
Labeling and Certification Testing Issues by UL
Labeling and Certification Testing Issues by UL Arno Grabher-Meyer from LED professional summarizes several issues regarding certification and certification processes which were discussed with David Edwards, an expert in testing and compliance engineering for consumer products at UL. Read more »
LpR Article | Technologies | Jul 01, 2016
How Silicones are Evolving to Meet the Growing Needs of the LED Lighting Industry by Dow Corning
How Silicones are Evolving to Meet the Growing Needs of the LED Lighting Industry by Dow Corning There are different materials for optics in lighting applications. The lighting application engineers François de Buyl, Martijn Beukema and Kevin van Tiggelen from Dow Corning are convinced that silicone’s unique qualities help to expand options in the design and molding of LED packaging components, as well as components for lamp and luminaire applications. Read more »
LpR Article | Jul 01, 2016
An Economical Omnidirectional A19 LED Light Bulb by the Industrial Technology Research Institute
An Economical Omnidirectional A19 LED Light Bulb by the Industrial Technology Research Institute Since 2009, when the Japanese government was vigorously promoting LED bulbs in end-market applications, they have become mainstream commodities in the LED lighting market. Chen-Peng Hsu, project manager of Electronics and Optoelectronics Research Laboratories at Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), introduces the R&D 100 award-winning invention of an omnidirectional A19 LED light bulb that is light weight and economical. Read more »
LpR Article | Jul 01, 2016
EMI Problems in TRIAC Dimmable LED Drivers by RECOM Lighting
EMI Problems in TRIAC Dimmable LED Drivers by RECOM Lighting TRIAC dimming adds a dimension to Power Factor (PF) and Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) that is rarely defined by LED driver manufacturers. Bianca Aichinger, Product Marketing Manager at RECOM Lighting, examines the relationship between PF, THD and harmonics and explains why this relationship can change as soon as the LEDs are dimmed, thus causing increased EMI and undesirable visible effects such as LED flashing and flicker. The European standards for EMC and Harmonics are only specified for full load and in the non-dimmed condition. In practice, there are often dimmer/driver/LED load conditions which may meet the regulations when undimmed, but fail significantly if dimming is used. Read more »
LpR Article | Jul 01, 2016
Reliable Thermal Management of High-Power LEDs by Haeusermann
Reliable Thermal Management of High-Power LEDs by Haeusermann Stefan Hörth believes that FR4 PCBs can easily replace IMS PCBs and even open new fields of LED applications. Haeusermann’s HSMtec Product Manager demonstrates that common FR4 laminates, including special copper filling, will sufficiently withstand the heat of HB LEDs. Read more »
Leading Article | Jul 01, 2016
Lacquer Systems for PCBs – Optical Requirements and Performance in Applications by Lackwerke Peters
Lacquer Systems for PCBs – Optical Requirements and Performance in Applications by Lackwerke Peters It is common knowledge that the quality of an LED luminaire doesn’t only depend on the LED. However, there are many components and technologies that are not taken into account from the outset. Lacquer systems for circuit carriers is one of them. Dr. Manfred Suppa and Johannes Tekath from the Lackwerke Peters demonstrate the relevance of conformal coatings, solder resists and casting compounds and how they influence LED lighting systems. Read more »
LpR Article | Jul 04, 2016
DC-Grids - Challenges and Chances for LED Lighting by the Fraunhofer Institute and LED professional
DC-Grids - Challenges and Chances for LED Lighting by the Fraunhofer Institute and LED professional At the beginning of November many important aspects of DC Grids were discussed at the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Systems and Device Technology in Erlangen at the European Center for Power Electronics (ECPE) conference. Besides fundamental issues, very specific ones like how the introduction of DC Grids affects lighting technologies and especially LED lighting were part of the program. Below, Arno Grabher-Meyer from LED professional gives a summary of the speeches and expert discussions and gives us an idea of what the key ideas could mean to the LED lighting community. Read more »
LpR Article | Jul 04, 2016
Human-Centric Lighting: Sensor Technology for Full- Spectrum Lighting Solutions by ams
Human-Centric Lighting: Sensor Technology for Full- Spectrum Lighting Solutions by ams While not necessarily common knowledge, research is rapidly validating the common-sense understanding that human beings are “tuned” to the natural lighting cycles of the sun, and can be equally “de-tuned”, to the detriment of both health and productivity, by artificial light sources that operate contrary to these natural flows. Sajol Ghoshal, Director of Sensor Driven Lighting at the Opto Sensor and Lighting BU at ams, discusses the available approaches for full-spectrum solutions, and potential humancentric benefits, of fully integrated intelligent ambient/color light sensor and driver technology. Read more »
LpR Article | Jul 04, 2016
Sensors and Feedback Control of Multi-Color LED Systems by MAZeT GmbH
Sensors and Feedback Control of Multi-Color LED Systems by MAZeT GmbH To obtain stable and consistent lighting conditions within the black body range with LED systems, especially RGBx systems is a challenging task. Feedback controlled systems are expensive, but the best solution. Here, the question of which type of sensor accomodates the given application best, arises. Thomas Nimz, Fredrik Hailer and Kevin Jensen from MAZeT GmbH discuss different options based on their scientific studies on LED systems with four or more different LEDs considering secondary conditions like color rendering index. Read more »
LpR Article | Jul 04, 2016
Focus Tunable Lenses for LED Lighting by Optotune AG
Focus Tunable Lenses for LED Lighting by Optotune AG Focus tunable lenses open up new possibilities in the design of LED based luminaires. With these shape changing lenses, the beam angle of a spotlight can be flexibly adjusted while keeping the efficiency on a constant, high level. Compact solutions combining a floodlight and a spotlight in one product can therefore be realized. This innovative technology reduces complexity and offers more flexibility in lighting design, especially for changing environments like museums, and shops. Joerg Wertli from Optotune AG demonstrates a very interesting technology for these applications. Read more »
LpR Article | Jul 04, 2016
An LED Solution for Historic Monumental Electric Chandeliers by Ramselaar Light Solutions
An LED Solution for Historic Monumental Electric Chandeliers by Ramselaar Light Solutions The Netherlands Institute for War Documentation (NIOD) is housed in a magnificent monumental late 19th century building at the Amsterdam Herengracht (the Netherlands). Recently, the unique brass chandeliers were provided with LED lamps, which were specially developed for this project by Ramselaar Light Solutions. Ron Ramselaar and M. Brouwers, advisor on behalf of the Government Buildings Agency (RGD), tell us about this extraordinary project. Read more »
LpR Article | Jul 04, 2016
Practical Results of a Gas Station Refurbishment with LED Luminaires by the Electromagnetica SA Semiconductor Lighting Centre
Practical Results of a Gas Station Refurbishment with LED Luminaires by the Electromagnetica SA Semiconductor Lighting Centre Perfect lighting at a gas station is very important for competitiveness. But a conventional lighting system is also a costly and energy demanding installation with high maintenance costs. Stelian Matei from the Electromagnetica SA Semiconductor Lighting Centre shows how a well-planned upgrade of conventional lighting to LED lighting lowers energy consumption and maintenance and, therefore, costs. Read more »
LpR Article | Jul 04, 2016
Practical Results of a Gas Station Refurbishment with LED Luminaires by the Electromagnetica SA Semiconductor Lighting Centre
Practical Results of a Gas Station Refurbishment with LED Luminaires by the Electromagnetica SA Semiconductor Lighting Centre Perfect lighting at a gas station is very important for competitiveness. But a conventional lighting system is also a costly and energy demanding installation with high maintenance costs. Stelian Matei from the Electromagnetica SA Semiconductor Lighting Centre shows how a well-planned upgrade of conventional lighting to LED lighting lowers energy consumption and maintenance and, therefore, costs. Read more »
LpR Article | Jul 04, 2016
Development Process for a Metal-Halide Replacement LED Module by Neonlite International Ltd.
Development Process for a Metal-Halide Replacement LED Module by Neonlite International Ltd. Seen for the first time at this year’s Light + Building, the TECOH® MHx, has provided specifiers and designers with a viable LED metal halide alternative. Talking about the issues surrounding such a development, Fred Bass, Managing Director of Neonlite International Ltd., the brand owner of MEGAMAN, shows how the module series has been developed and highlights its potential for metal halide replacement moving forward. Read more »
LpR Article | Jul 04, 2016
LED Market and Development Trends from the Point of View of a Full-Range Trader in Lighting by Everlight
LED Market and Development Trends from the Point of View of a Full-Range Trader in Lighting by Everlight In an interview with LED professional, Ms. Beate Jungwirth, Director of Marketing & Communications and PR at Everlight and Dr. Christopher Keusch, Senior Sales Manager at Everlight, talk about the market and development trends in the area of LEDs. The experts also discuss Everlight’s focus at the LED professional Symposium +Expo 2012 which takes place in Bregenz, Austria from September 25th to 27th. Read more »
LpR Article | Jul 04, 2016
LED Market and Development Trends from the Point of View of a Full-Range Trader in Lighting by Everlight
LED Market and Development Trends from the Point of View of a Full-Range Trader in Lighting by Everlight In an interview with LED professional, Ms. Beate Jungwirth, Director of Marketing & Communications and PR at Everlight and Dr. Christopher Keusch, Senior Sales Manager at Everlight, talk about the market and development trends in the area of LEDs. The experts also discuss Everlight’s focus at the LED professional Symposium +Expo 2012 which takes place in Bregenz, Austria from September 25th to 27th. Read more »
LpR Article | Jul 04, 2016
Energy Efficiency and Thermal Simulations of a Retrofit LED Light Bulb by the University of Turku
Energy Efficiency and Thermal Simulations of a Retrofit LED Light Bulb by the University of Turku Mika Maaspuro and Aulis Tuominen from the University of Turku investigated the energy efficiency of a LED driver mounted inside a retrofit light. The heat generation of the LEDs and the driver of the light bulb have been simulated and measured. A thermal model for the light bulb has been created and simulated using a Finite-Element-Method (FEM) software. Parameters of the model have been adjusted to match the temperature measurements which have been done with IR-camera and thermocouples. Read more »
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