What makes a quality LED?
By Radiant Lighting | 25 Jun 2021 | 0 Comments
LED’s have proliferated in homes and commercial spaces over the last 15 years and there is valid reasons why that happened. LED’s last significantly longer and use far less electricity than incandescent bulbs. Property owners have recognised the savings that LED’s bring over their lifetime and manufacturers are continuing to improve the technology leading to better products at better prices.
That being said, with so many LED luminaires available, it’s become clear that there is a spectrum of quality available on the market. We’ve written this article to highlight some key things to consider when buying a LED light to ensure you’re buying the best quality.
Compliance
At a minimum, the LED luminaires you purchase must be safe to operate. That means, they have passed mandatory safety requirements in Australia and will have a Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM). Unregistered brands and suppliers, particularly from overseas online stores, may be supplying lights that do not meet Australian standards and regulations.
Longevity and warranty
LED’s are expected to last anywhere from 15,000 to 50,000 hours, which is an exceptionally long time compared to incandescent lights. When looking at a LED luminaire, keep an eye out for manufacturers who can back up their claims with testing or certification. In regards to warranty, the key here is to look for least 2 years for a product claiming a 15,000 hour lifetime or a minimum of 3 years or longer for lights claiming a lifetime over 15,000 hours.
Colour Rendering Index (CRI)
The effect of a light source on colour appearance is expressed in the colour rendering index (CRI), on a scale of 0-100. Natural outdoor light the highest possible CRI of 100 which is used as the benchmark for any other light source. Simply put, you want the highest CRI available to create a ‘true colour’ in the room. We recommend you to seek out a CRI over 92 on your functional LED luminaires.
Parts
The parts that make up a light will greatly affect the performance, and will require the least amount of maintenance and care in the future. When speaking with a lighting retailer, ask to inspect and hold the lights for yourself – we promise you’ll know the difference between a quality LED downlight and one that just meets compliance.
In house testing
Here at Radiant Lighting we are passionate about lighting. That’s why FAZE, a brand developed by Radiant Lighting, utilise the VISO Base Spion® Goniometer. This means that every FAZE product has comprehensive LDT and IES simulation files available. The VISO Light Inspector software which we use alongside the VISO Base Spion® is the strongest and most intuitive light measurement software solution on the market.
To ensure you’re purchasing the best quality lighting for your space, speak with one of our lighting consultant on 08 9240 2227.
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