An Overview of Different Types of LED Light Fittings

1. Introduction to LED Light Fittings

LED light fittings are those light fixtures created for use with energy-efficient LED bulbs. In the advent of new technology, LED, short for light-emitting diode, lighting has gained steady popularity due to its advantages over older technologies. In short, LED bulbs and fittings are often more energy-efficient, provide cleaner, cooler, white light, and are far longer-lasting than traditional incandescent bulbs and fixtures. LED technology began as a dim, cold-temperature blue and evolved into the warm, white LED light bulbs that are common today. Various designs include LED strips, LED tracks, LED downlights, and edge lighting. Early LED bulbs were expensive, but prices continue to decrease as demand rises.

While we are not going to get very technical, understanding a few terms will help to create a better vision concerning LED light fittings in the home, business, or classroom. LED terminology to know: natural lighting, LED filament bulb, incandescent light bulb, color temperature (K) (from soft white, warm white, bright white, to daylight white), LED strip lights, brightness, lumens, light output or brightness, dimmable. A word about LED: LED lights have been popular for a few years for many good reasons. They are durable, energy-efficient, and can easily be fixed from one color to another by adding a colored lens. What makes LEDs different and better is that they do not require heat to emit light. LEDs are cool to the touch with lower power, which heats the lighting unit and eventually shuts it off. Some of the newest fixtures to be made into LED reflectors are the pool light, LED sign, outdoor floodlight, LED downlight, and retrofit kits.

2. Types of LED Light Fittings

3. Applications and Benefits of Various LED Light Fittings

While LED was once a niche technology, it has vastly expanded its applications, with end users finding a variety of functions in many different markets. Residentially, the majority of new home development in the developed world has fully embraced the technology, and the shift away from incandescents, both off and on the shelf, is clearly demonstrated through sales statistics. At the commercial level, plastic form factors and increased light quality have turned linear LED tubes into a no-brainer for new office tower and shopping mall builds, not to mention big box stores across all markets. In the industrial sphere, fixture manufacturers and LED innovators have attracted the attention of major players to deploy energy-saving, maintenance-free light engines in parking lots and plant floors worldwide.

Benefits of LED in general are known to many, from a longer life to less energy consumption. Also of importance are the reduced aggregate amount of raw materials consumed and the short time to full replacement in terms of labor and energy costs. LED also provides immediate 'ON' lighting with no heat-up times. Functionally, LED has opened up many options that were not practical with conventional light sources, such as the ability to be dimmed directly from most control systems, precise color temperature control, independent LED and heat sink, reduced fixture size, and improved light quality. Applications of LED light fittings are not dissimilar to those of conventional light sources; however, their ability to form custom and dynamic colors for the creation of aesthetic ambiance lighting applications or for presentation and video walls is a significant point of difference. Sensor integrations and the lighting options available to be triggered from their activation provide options for security and assistive lighting in both residential and commercial applications. Furthermore, with the implementation of smart home systems around the world, we are seeing an increasing use of LED lighting fixtures that can be controlled via these networks.

4. Future Trends in LED Light Fittings

Going forward, it is clear that smart technology will continue to develop, with refinements to lighting design and integration into the new raft of smart automated options that are becoming available. This is extremely important as such smart technology is becoming more affordable and the consumer is being bombarded with this technology. Light designers are looking at designing LED fittings based on commercial-grade lighting, giving a softer design style and implementing these into homes. The design styles could be large pendant fittings and floor lamps. Although they look aesthetically pleasing, the cost incurred in buying such a fitting is typically above $1000.

The introduction of a downward regulation of energy efficiency means that we will have to innovate with lighting design and make products that would otherwise not be considered. An example is that in September, the LED dimming and smart lighting market had a growth of 50 in sales volume, and we are looking to design a 0-10V system to future-proof our range. Because of this downgrade, it is looking very likely that in the future, 2024 residential fittings will be upgraded to have a dimming feature. This will form part of the future light market strategy. The lighting industry is extremely dynamic and is constantly evolving. There are many factors that can either open doors or shut doors. The regulatory requirements in lighting are getting so complex that understanding and interpreting these to design lighting is becoming increasingly more difficult. However, from a business point of view, anyone can do electrical lighting design.

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