LED Advantages and Application in Downlighting

The lighting industry is constantly expanding, and the interest in solid state lighting is equally growing with it. There are many reasons why the adoption of LED based lighting systems is picking up quickly in the lighting market. LEDs are recognized for their extended operating lifetime compared to traditional bulbs. They also offer flexibility in design, due to their small form factor, which enables the implementation of diverse and more challenging designs. Furthermore, when it comes to power consumption and light output, LEDs have proven to be more efficient and produce more light for the power they consume than many light sources presently available. Therefore, this makes LEDs a favorable choice when it comes to saving cost and energy, integrating with existing designs, and providing a good return on investment in the long run. 

All these advantages have led to the emergence of numerous LED products with varying specifications to meet the needs of the lighting market. LED manufacturers are racing to produce power LEDs that could achieve the best results in light output, efficacy, and lifetime. Likewise, companies that produce LED drivers, optics, and thermal management components are continuously developing products that offer a complete solution for an efficient LED system. This resulted in a rich pool of products serving different purposes and targeting different segments of the lighting industry.

One of the most common lighting applications for general area lighting is recessed downlighting . Found in many market segments, downlighting accounts for up to 25 percent of the lighting energy used. For that reason, developing an LED based downlight brings all the benefits that LEDs have to offer, mainly energy saving.  

Downlights can be found as a primary lighting application in market segments such as hospitality, retail, healthcare, residential, and commercial. Incorporating LEDs in those markets will bring about significant benefits including flexible designs, maintenance free public spaces, no damage caused by UV or IR, lower labor costs, electricity savings, and quick payback time.