Cree LED lamp 200 lumens per watt

[SunEagle]

There already is a place for them and right now, Task Specific. I am certain in due time LED's will be used widely for area lighting. Right now in the home some excellent uses are under counter lighting, reading lamps, accent lighting, security, and landscaping are a few that come to mind.

The two benchmarks I look for as a Professional is when the day comes when the ILS association and the EIA adopt them for area lighting in both private and public buildings. As of now that day has not come. But FWIW I think that day will come within 5 years.

So if neither the ILS or EIA accept LED lighting in buildings how are they being installed and passing local inspectors? These lamps are not just being used for spot lighting but for hallway and area illumination. I don't understand.

[Sunking]

So if neither the ILS or EIA accept LED lighting in buildings how are they being installed and passing local inspectors?

No problem with AHJ inspections as there is no code issues, it is specifications. EIA has not included LED's as of yet into government public buildings for area lighting. If you were either a designer or other type of contractor doing lighting designs and installations into federal buildings, you just cannot use LED's because they are not allowed in Government Buildings as of yet. You have to use either T8 or T5. Government is real picky with their standards.

ILS Association is an organization of lighting designers like those you would find in design/build firm usually an electrical engineer, and ILS is not recommending LED's for area lighting as of yet. That does not mean a designer cannot use LED's as obvious a few are doing so at the request of clients, but it has nothing to do with code issues.

The switch or I should say the acceptance will come when lighting manufactures can offer lighting fixtures that can equal or exceed today's lighting like T5. When LED fixtures do that, they will be used, but performance and price point has to be there.

Imagine if you were the client and I told you I was going to use LED lighting but to do so will cost you twice as much for the initial installation and more to operate in energy bills. You would likely fire me right on the spot or demand changes. The AHJ would not give a crap if it is LED or florescent so long as the lighting fixtures are listed and meet the minimum lighting requirements. And FWI there are commercial LED lighting fixtures on the market right now, they just are not in high demand.

[SunEagle]

No problem with AHJ inspections as there is no code issues, it is specifications. EIA has not included LED's as of yet into government public buildings for area lighting. If you were either a designer or other type of contractor doing lighting designs and installations into federal buildings, you just cannot use LED's because they are not allowed in Government Buildings as of yet. You have to use either T8 or T5. Government is real picky with their standards.

ILS Association is an organization of lighting designers like those you would find in design/build firm usually an electrical engineer, and ILS is not recommending LED's for area lighting as of yet. That does not mean a designer cannot use LED's as obvious a few are doing so at the request of clients, but it has nothing to do with code issues.

The switch or I should say the acceptance will come when lighting manufactures can offer lighting fixtures that can equal or exceed today's lighting like T5. When LED fixtures do that, they will be used, but performance and price point has to be there.

Imagine if you were the client and I told you I was going to use LED lighting but to do so will cost you twice as much for the initial installation and more to operate in energy bills. You would likely fire me right on the spot or demand changes. The AHJ would not give a crap if it is LED or florescent so long as the lighting fixtures are listed and meet the minimum lighting requirements. And FWI there are commercial LED lighting fixtures on the market right now, they just are not in high demand.

Thank you for the explanation. I use to be a member of the IES while I worked at a consulting engineering office years ago so I understand the rules and guidelines for area and task lighting. I also agree that with the introduction of the T5 lamps it would be very hard to justify any other type of lighting concerning costs.

I just won't give up on the LED lighting as a light source. Maybe it is because solid state electronics was my major back in college and at that time LED's couldn't produce enough lumens beyond being colorful electronic number displays. They have come a long way since the mid 70's and I will continue to follow them in their evolution.

[Sunking]

I just won't give up on the LED lighting as a light source.

Well you shouldn't, and it will come around in the future. But like any commodity or product, the Free Market dictates a technology is going to be used. It has been that way since man first walked on the earth and will continue until man is extinct.

[SunEagle]

Well you shouldn't, and it will come around in the future. But like any commodity or product, the Free Market dictates a technology is going to be used. It has been that way since man first walked on the earth and will continue until man is extinct.

Just saw an article from EC&M concerning LED lighting being used at the Mount Everest Base Camp. They are using 132 66 watt fixtures from Redbird and lighting the laboratory, operating room and patient area. I know that this is still not a government facility but it is nice to see these type of area lighting fixtures continue to be used in places. (of course being able to operated in the cold temperatures is a nice feature since it is very cold up there at the camp).