Philips Lumileds offers high-voltage LEDs to mid-power Luxeon line

Philips Lumileds has announced the Luxeon 3535 HV LED family that, since the model suffix implies, operate from greater voltages -- 24V and 48V versions can be found. The increased forward voltage simplifies driver design because the voltage drop in the AC line electrical power is less than in typical low-voltage LEDs, along with the lesser variation can lead to much better efficacy.


With all the new LEDs, Lumileds is targeting what it terms space-constrained, solid-state lighting (SSL) applications which include retrofit lamps, downlights, and wall-mounted luminaires together with sconces. Lumileds item manager Michael Howley stated, "We're locating that suppliers of wall packs, wall sconces, and pendants in lots of unique regions in the planet are interested in high-voltage LED technological innovation and also the layout simplicity it affords."


The advantages of a high forward voltage are manifested immediately in driver part count, based on Lumileds. "The advantage of developing in high-voltage LEDs is that they use drivers containing on typical much less than 20 elements, relative to conventional LED drivers that will incorporate as much as 50 components," stated Howley. "As a consequence, the total BOM expense is usually lowered and also the volume of stock they need to have to carry to style and design the driver is minimized."


The brand new mid-power LEDs do trail the latest high power LEDs with regards to efficacy. At a 4000K CCT, efficacy tops out at 125 lm/W for the 24V model when driven at 20 mA and characterized at a 25￠XC junction temperature. Individuals ailments yield an output of 120 lm, and the LEDs provide CRI of 80 across the board.


Lumileds only entered the mid-power LED space focusing on basic lighting applications final 12 months. The enterprise announced the 3535 2D relatives, as an example, last May. The company now intends to broaden its place in what it considers a fast-growing segment. Certainly, in an interview last October, CEO Pierre Yves Lesaicherre foreshadowed a broader mid-power family members around the way.


Some business players have questioned the reliability of mid-power devices, specifically in applications such as downlights or retrofit lamps in which temperatures get very large. Without a doubt, we've a function article authored by Cree that particulars some dependability issues with mid-power units. Largely the report concerns the reliability of plastic LED packages.


Considering that entering the mid-power industry, however, Lumileds has insisted that it might apply technology gleaned from its high-power LEDs on the lower-cost products. The organization has nevertheless to reveal details of how the brand new LEDs are packaged or constructed. But Rahul Bammi, vice president of promoting at Lumileds, explained, "Lumileds' meant aim is identical dependability for mid-power and high-power LEDS."


Lumileds mentioned that it is actually providing LM-80 lumen maintenance data for its mid-power LEDs that would supply backing for long-life claims. Also, the business mentioned the new LEDs are getting supplied having a choice of 3- or 5-step MacAdam ellipse color bins -- colour uniformity widespread to discrete high-power LEDs.