Education
10/23/2017
RBW
In addition to UL ratings that are tested and rated by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), an independent product safety certification organization, IP ratings are given to fixtures after rigorous laboratory testing. Anything from lighting to mobile phones are tested for ingress protection. Fixtures are rated on how impervious their surfaces are to solid and liquid, from fingers and small drops of water to fine dust and full submergence.
Education
01/28/2016
RBW
LED lighting offers many benefits and features that were difficult, if not impossible to offer with other lighting technologies. Many of the obvious benefits, such as substantial operating energy and cost reductions, longer life, and lower overall heat generation are generally well known. Another feature that allows for dramatic appearance and productivity benefits now and in the future, involves the color temperature of the light produced by LEDs.
Education
01/28/2016
RBW
What used to be a fairly straight forward proposition dimming incandescent fixtures has been made more complicated by the fact that the new LED technology is different about how it is dimmed.
Education
02/25/2015
RBW
AC LED technology and light engines connecting directly to high voltage AC power infrastructures which provide a both lower maintenance, and ease of dimmablity.
Education
12/11/2014
RBW
Although many LED lights offer a dimmable range, (such as 100% to 0%) there is a difference between the measured value of light and the perceived value of light. For instance, an LED light that is dimmed to a measured value of 10% will be perceived by the human eye as a value of 31%. This difference is important to keep in mind when buying and specifying LED lights and dimmers.
Education
12/03/2014
RBW
Leading Edge Dimming (TRIAC dimming) utilizes a current that is turned off as the AC waveform begins, right after it crosses zero. Leading Edge Dimming is typically used with incandescent bulbs, and produces a rush of voltage every half cycle, resulting in a rush of current to the light source.
Education
11/26/2014
RBW
TRIAC dimming relies on adjustable timing of power at the start of each AC half cycle, which alters the voltage waveform to dim a light source. TRIAC dimming is almost instantaneous and wastes very little power. 0-10 V dimming utilizes a DC voltage that varies from 0 V to 10 V to dim a light source. 0-10 V dimming typically runs at a low current with little voltage drop.
Education
11/20/2014
RBW
Although the Watt is a very common unit of measurement for light sources, it does not actually measure how much light a source gives off. Watts measure how much energy is required to power a light source, whereas Lumens measure the ammount of light emitted by a light source. The more you know!