OKT Lighting had applied for the UPC CODE on December 6th successfully

All led lighting products include LED Retrofit Recessed Downlight, LED Flat Panel Light, T8 LED Light Tube, which from OKT Lighting will print the UPC code on the box from 2014.

But what is the UPC Code?
The full name of UPC is Universal Product Code, that have 12 digit UPC codes, Only client specified exported to North America and the need to apply for the code. The UPC code is established by the unified code commission UCC commodity bar code. It is first appeared in the world and the application of commodity barcodes, which are widely used in North America. UPC codes have 5 kinds of version, the commonly used commodity code included UPS-A and UPS-E. The former is the UPC general commodity bar code, while the latter is the UPC-A compressed version. At first, UPC barcode is used to help create a grocery store to speed up the checkout process to better tracking inventory, but for its application is very successful, so the system soon spread to all the other retail goods.
UPC code, which possesses uniqueness, contains the origin of goods, transport, shortage, inspection and other information. It is also the firewall to prevent counterfeit goods and protect consumers’ rights and interests.

What are the advantages of using UPC code?
1. Can make us to quickly master the sales information and understand the best-selling products, thus increase profit opportunities;
2. Settlement more quickly and accurately, provide a better service for consumers;

Lighting Research Center Launches Light and Health Alliance

The Lighting Research Center (LRC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has launched a new collaborative initiative—the Light and Health Alliance—to bridge the science of light and health to practical applications, and to provide objective information based on basic and applied research. The Alliance is led by Dr. Mariana Figueiro, LRC Light and Health Program director and associate professor at Rensselaer.

Light has a profound effect on health and wellbeing, including sleep, alertness, and performance. Humans need to be exposed to a sufficient amount of light of the right spectrum, for a sufficient amount of time, and at the right time, for the circadian system to remain synchronized with the 24-hour day. The LRC is researching light as a treatment for a variety of conditions, including jet lag, Alzheimer’s disease, insomnia and other sleep disorders, seasonal affective disorder and depression. Light can be used to improve sleep, alertness, and performance, along with overall health and wellbeing among the general population, and in populations with rigorous work schedules, such as submariners and night shift nurses. 

“Through this collaborative initiative, we will conduct evaluations, demonstrations, and research projects to develop practical devices and applications using light to improve people’s lives,” said Dr. Figueiro. “We will also hold seminars and present at conferences to educate key audiences and advance attention to light and health.”

The Light and Health Alliance is a collaboration among manufacturers, government organizations and NGOs, codes and standards bodies, along with architects, specifiers, medical facility managers and physicians, working to enable the broad adoption of lighting for human health by producing factual information based on basic and applied research and by visualizing future applications. Acuity Brands, Ketra, OSRAM SYLVANIA, and Philips are current members. Dr. Figueiro is seeking interested organizations to join this innovative program. Please email figuem@rpi.edu for details about becoming a member.

Tips for us how to use LED Flat Panel Light fixture

When bought some led flat panel lights, we should know how to use them correctly. Only by right usage steps, led flat panel light could be maintained and used for a long time. Now, professionals will give us some useful tips on using led flat panel correctly as below:

The first step before you use led panel light is to installation. Don't install led panel light on pin deformation condition. When you are installing it on printing circuit board, you had better keep the same distance between the hole centre of circuit board and the foot centre spacing of led panel light. Because the hole spacing is so wider that welding distortion. When you plug led panel light into PCB board, the hole of PCB board should be made to match the size of led panel light in case of too big or too small. It is recommended to use guide sleeve positioning when installing. You should choose the size of welding pad in according with the type of your led panel light. For double welding pin, each foot of welding pad occupies the area of not less than 4.6 square millimeters. For SMD bracket, each foot of welding plate occupies the area of not less than 1.65 square millimeters. When it comes to welding, you should consider the suitable temperature and time. Please reduce the shock the welding stress to the chip of led thermal to a minimum. Please don't be charged while welding.

When you use led panel light, you must focus on its working condition. The driving current of working should not exceed the maximum current wrote in the specification. It is advised that the drive current keeps between 10 to 20 MA. The ideal temperature of working is negative five to zero. However, it is impossible. Therefore, you had better put a small fan aside the led panel light to disperse the heat, so that it can prolong it lifetime of using.

At the same time, you also should pay attention to the polarity of led panel light. Generally speaking, the longer end of light foot is for positive, while short one is for negative. You should identify carefully if the lame feet are the same long. Don't make heat resistance components close to led panel light as far as possible. Please avoid friction with hard objects such as metals.

In a word, you should know more about the characteristics of your led flat panel light as much as possible, so that you can take reasonable measures of protection when you are using it.

Why you need a LED Flat Panel Light

Led Flat Panel is made by the Led light. The light source of the Led flat panel light is high brightness white led light or warm white led light with  some features such as high effective, low power, long life, easy to control, non-maintenance, safe and environmental etc. It is a new cold light source.
The Led panel light can be used in hospital, office, bank, hotel and some other place that indoor. For more features, pls read the commonets as below :
1, LED panel light energy efficient: the degree of electricity consumption is only 1000 hours (normal 60W incandescent light 17 hours of electricity consumption of an ordinary 10W energy saving lamp 100 hours of electricity consumption of 1)
2, LED panel light and long life: light-emitting semiconductor chip, no filament, no glass bulbs, not afraid of vibration, less breakable, life of up to 50,000 hours (incandescent life of only 1000 hours, ordinary life is alsoenergy-saving lamps Only 8000 hours)
3, LED panel light is health light: light healthy does not contain ultraviolet and infrared light, does not produce radiation (ordinary light contains ultraviolet and infrared ray)
4, Green products, environmental: Led panel light is not harmful elements such as mercury and xenon, conducive to Centrifugal Fan recovery and, it does not produce electromagnetic interference (ordinary lamps contain mercury and lead, elements,energy saving lamp electronic ballasts will produce electromagnetic interference)
5, Protection of eyesight: DC drive, no strobe (ordinary light are AC drive, will inevitably produce strobe)
6, Light efficiency is high: fever small, 90% of the electrical energy into visible light (80% of normal incandescent heat into electricity, only 20% of the electrical energy into light energy) 

7, High safety factor: LED panel light required voltage, current is small, less heat, not produce safety hazards, mines and other dangerous places in the 14, impact resistance, anti-Lei Lijiang, no ultraviolet (UV) and infrared ( IR) radiation. No filament and glass case, there is no fragmentation of the traditional lamp problem, the human body without harm, no radiation.
8, low thermal voltages: safe and reliable. Surface temperature ≤ 60 ℃ (Ta = 25 ℃ ambient temperature when);
9, Wide voltage range over the globe. 85V ~ 264VAC full voltage range constant current, ensure the life and brightness from voltage fluctuations;
10, Using constant-current PWM technology, high efficiency, low calorie, high precision constant current;
11, LED Panel light reduce line loss, pollution-free power grid. Power factor ≥ 0.9, THD ≤ 20%, EMI meet global targets to reduce the power supply line power loss and to avoid pollution of the power of high frequency interference;
12, Common Criteria can directly replace the existing grille light
13, the market potential: low voltage, DC power supply, battery, solar power, in remote mountainous areas and field lighting electricity, less electricity places.
LED Panel light source lighting market in the 21st century of hope, notice the many benefits of its future will gradually replace the traditional light source, high brightness LED oko committee that will be the man, after following the Edison incandescent light bulbs, one of the greatest inventions, the current global energytimes of crisis, energy is a valuable resource, saving energy is our future problems.
LED Flat Panel light, as a new energy-saving, environmentally friendly products the green light, must be the future Hydraulic Fittings trend.

Anchor to Expand LED Lighting Business and Begin Manufacturing in India

Anchor Electricals, a subsidiary of Panasonic India, is reportedly looking to expand its LED lighting business. Last week the company opened an LED lighting experience center in Mumbai and announced plans for a similar center in Bangalore."Our next such showroom will be in Bangalore and we will continue expanding to other major cities in India and hope to increase to 1,000 stores, including distributor and dealer stores, by around FY 2014-15," Anchor Electricals vice president sales Ashok Gangar said. "We will open four distributor stores in Mumbai and gradually spread out to other main urban areas." Gangar further stated that Anchor would soon select a site for a new plant to manufacture LEDs in India, however, he refused to share the details of the location.

Panasonic acquired Anchor, the 49-year-old Indian family-owned electrical equipment brand, in 2007. Anchor sells products like switches, fans, CFL and LEDs and also sells switches under the Panasonic brand, which are priced slightly higher.

"By March next year our turnover would be Rs 2,100 crore and it has almost doubled. In 2007, when Panasonic acquired it, the turnover was around Rs 1,000 crore," he said, adding that it has remained in number one atop the electrical switch gear industry. Currently, 55 percent of the company's revenue comes from this business segment, Gangar noted.

Although, presently the company does not export, Ganger revealed the company has plans to export in next two years to Gulf and Africa. "Till now there is no export from us. But in last few years, changes have happened. Our quality has improved as new technologies are coming from Japan. In next two years, we would start exporting our products to Middle East and Africa under Anchor by Panasonic brand."

2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Headquarters Incorporates Energy- and Maintenance-Saving GE LED Fixtures

LED fixtures at Rio de Janeiro site will save half a million dollars in energy costs compared to fluorescent technology

The modular headquarters of the Organizing Committee for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic and Paralympic Games is the first commercial building in Brazil to adopt GE Lighting’s Lumination™ ET Series Recessed LED Troffer, an ultra-thin fixture as thin as the width of a finger that brings modern styling to traditionally uninspired commercial ceiling spaces.

LED fixtures at Rio de Janeiro site will save half a million dollars in energy costs compared to fluorescent technology.

Approximately 3,000 Lumination ET Series Troffers offer an indoor lighting solution with lower energy consumption, longer life and lower greenhouse emissions resulting from power consumption compared with other options available in the market. The technology will help make the headquarters of 2,000 employees a benchmark in the search for more efficient solutions in the sports field and also will create an important legacy in infrastructure and technology for Rio de Janeiro and Brazil.

"LED technology plays a fundamental role in the model that sustains the environmentally conscious construction of the new headquarters for Rio 2016,” says Alexandre Ferrari, general manager of GE Lighting in Brazil. “We worked in partnership with Rio 2016 and the International Olympic Committee to create and enable a solution that combines energy efficiency, innovation and long-term, tangible benefits.”

By opting for the GE LED solution, Rio 2016 will save nearly half a million dollars on its energy bills over the four years the building will be used by the Organizing Committee. During this period, maintenance costs will be marginal, as the fixtures have an 11-year lifespan, approximately 120 percent longer than conventional fluorescent fixtures that last about five years.

"The headquarters of the Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Rio 2016 is a project that seeks to use best practices in the adoption of energy-efficient technologies and solutions, creating an important and lasting legacy for the Brazilian society,” says Leonardo Gryner, operations general director for Rio 2016, “GE is certainly a strategic partner that contributed directly to achieving the goals of this initiative.”

The innovative design of the Lumination Luminaires allows greater lighting uniformity with fewer lighting points. When illuminated, the Lumination ET Series Recessed LED Troffers produce a perfectly even glow, delivering exceptionally uniform light to fill the space. While off, they appear free of a light source, while fluorescent fixtures are typically visible. The ultra-thin panels (0.5 inches) fit seamlessly in most common T-bar ceiling grids and feature a built-in dimmable LED driver to help make installation less complex and time consuming compared to traditional fixtures. As the Rio 2016 headquarters is a modular construction, the LED solutions will be available for future use after the closing of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

The lighting design for this building was completed by Peter Gasper, a well-known lighting designer for several major Brazilian landmarks.

LED technology is part of a range of energy-efficient and lower-environmental-impact solutions provided by GE for the Rio 2016™ headquarters. The company also is responsible for state-of-the-art technologies used in energy security and electrical distribution. The building also uses 25 Uninterruptible Power Supply units supplied by GE Digital Energy, which continue the energy supply for 10 minutes in the event of a failure while the generators are turned on, preventing the interruption of work. Electrical distribution components also have been installed in the building, including circuit breakers, relays, plugs and other equipment from GE Industrial Solutions.

Efficient Technologies

LED technology is part of a range of energy-efficient and lower-environmental-impact solutions provided by GE to for the Rio 2016™ headquarters. The company also is responsible for state-of-the-art technologies used in energy security and electrical distribution. The building also uses 25 Uninterruptible Power Supply units supplied by GE Digital Energy, which continue the energy supply for 10 minutes in the event of a failure while the generators are turned on, preventing the interruption of work. Electrical distribution components also have been installed in the building, including circuit breakers, relays, plugs and other equipment from GE Industrial Solutions.

Both the LED Lumination Luminaires and the UPSs are part of GE’s ecomagination℠ initiative, which helps customers improve operational efficiencies while allowing a significant improvement in their environmental impact.

GE has been an official sponsor of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) since 2006. Its commitment to contributing to the quality of the Games led the company to announce, in August 2011, the extension of its sponsorship agreement until the 2020 Games. Since the beginning of this partnership, GE has done more than $1 billion in Olympic-related business.

GE’s Lumination™ LED DownLights Provide Customizable Lighting Design

The first led downlight of GE’s Lumination™ LED Luminaires, the DI Series offers easy customization through an ideal ambient lighting solution for high-end retail, commercial office, and hospitality applications. Featuring the breakthrough design of GE Lighting’s Infusion™ technology, users can easily select their preferred lumen output and color temperature to illuminate key products or focal points with the simple switch of an LED module.

Offering greater flexibility and future-friendly versatility than typical LED downlights, the GE Lumination LED DownLight modules can be quickly and effortlessly removed and upgraded in seconds through a twist-fit design that doesn’t require a fixture change. The Infusion technology provides outstanding efficacy and color rendering—including high R9 values across all color temperatures—which is ideal for retail settings, lobbies and other areas where the color, richness and detail of merchandise and key interest areas can pop.

Source: GE Lighting

Additionally, the energy-efficient DI Series is available in 4- and 6-inch round and square shapes that allow users to choose the perfect light for each application.

“GE Lumination LED Downlights provide dramatic illumination to any store, office or hotel,” said GE Indoor LED Product Manager John Koster. “At the heart of the design is the Infusion DLM downlight module, which uses a unique color-mixing technology to deliver 90+ CRI and very high R9 at all lumen levels and color temperatures without sacrificing efficiency. Better yet, the socketable module allows for easy upgrade as LED technology advances, ensuring the lowest total cost of ownership. Customers will finally be able to upgrade or service just the LEDs—tool-free—without having to change the entire downlight. With lumen package options from 1,000 to 4,000 lumens, the Lumination DI Series truly is the ideal LED alternative to everything from 13-watt CFL to 100-watt metal halide downlights.”

A product of GE ecomagination℠, the LED modules of GE Lighting’s Lumination LED DownLights come in a variety of lumen outputs, color temperatures and offer up to 90 CRI color rendering—ideal for 10-16-foot ceilings. Additionally, the DI Series has a 50,000-hour rated lifetime, providing considerable maintenance savings compared to 20,000-hour rated lifetime for many CFL downlights.

Learn more about Lumination LED lighting fixtures at www.ledpanel-light.com. Read more about GE’s commitment to innovative solutions to today’s environmental challenges at www.ecomagination.com.

RAB Lighting Introduces the LPANEL Line of Affordable LED Panels

RAB Lighting announces the availability of LPANEL, its new line of LED panel fixtures. Designed with high performance and affordability in mind, the new LPANEL products deliver ultra smooth edge-to-edge light in a modern design. LPANEL breaks new ground in efficiency delivering up to 106 lm/W.

RAB is serious about consistent color. The LEDs in PANEL fixtures are binned for 3-step consistency and are warranted for no more than a 200K shift over a 5-year period. At 10 hours average daily use, RAB LEDs are rated to last 27 years, which dramatically reduces the time and expense associated with re-lamping traditional fluorescent fixtures.RAB LPANELs are offered in three sizes (2x2, 2x4 and 1x4), three color temperatures (warm, warm/neutral and neutral) and several lumen packages to suit every application. Many LPANEL models are DesignLights Consortium® (DLC) approved and significant rebates can be obtained from local utilities. For even more savings, LPANEL is available with an optional dimmable driver that delivers full-range dimming from a 0-10V control signal.

RAB’s 5-year no compromise warranty covers light output, color stability, driver performance and paint finish. Simple, comprehensive and valuable, the RAB LED Warranty ensures that your investment is protected.

All LPANEL fixtures feature a modular splice box/driver compartment and integral T-bar clips for easy, secure installation. An emergency backup option is also available to provide emergency lighting when power is lost.

Why led light tube's 3014 lamp bead will replace 3528 lamp bead?

In the previous year, led light tube of indoor lighting in the industry which is around 0.06w, the ball bubble made most of the 3528 lamp beads, and in the first half of the year is 3014 lamp bead based to use most, using 3014 lights in the market is more attractive, more novel and also continue to strengthen in the competition in the market.

As early as in the first half of 2012, Xin Light electronics, Hong photoelectric, and other enterprises have launched 3014 white light series products, and those led lighting enterprises have also passed the white LED test. In 2013, as the industry growth, in the field of indoor lighting of ball bubble lamp and led light tube warm into the outbreak. The amount of 3014 also continued to rise, has been largely replaced by 3528.

In high LED industry research institute of statistics, in 2012 China LED ball steep light sales breakthrought in 200 million, up 15.8% from a year earlier. China LED bulb sales in 2013-2017 annual compound growth rate at about 66%, up to more than 2.5 billion sales in 2017. And indoor lighting in the ball bubble lamp also is less than the size of the led fiuorescent tube, thus it can be seen both occupied how much market share.

3528 lights in the LED market replaced by 3014 of the main reason: 3014 lights, ball bubble or fluorescent lamp, it has reduced the cost of the luminous flux increased. Moreover, 3014 lights, Which possess the better light rate and price advantage, have better heat dissipation performance and bigger light emittint area. Thus concluded that a long period of time, the use of 3014 lamp as the core source of led lighting tube and bulb is a kind of trend.

Lutron to Widen PhotonStar LED Product Distribution

PhotonStar customers will have the option of ordering many of the company’s high performance LED lighting products with a prewired Lutron Ecosystem driver, straight from the factory.

Lutron’s EcoSystem protocol seamlessly communicates with all Lutron EcoSystem digital controls from the recently launched Energi Tripak solution to the complete building system Quantum and all systems in between.

PhotonStar’s Marketing Director Fenella Frost commenta, “Adding seamless Lutron EcoSystem protocol compatibility as an option on our products is in line with our mission to provide the most reliable and workable control and lighting solutions to our customers. We intend to further deliver on this aim through collaboration with many respected industry leaders.”

Rishang Malaysia to Launch LED Commercial Lightings in Malaysian Market

Rishang LED, the leading manufacturer of LED lighting modules and components in the world and renowned lighting brand, will be launching its wide range of products for the Malaysian market. Marketed through Rishang Malaysia, there will be all types of products that can be used in the commercial lighting sector of the local market segment that will cover commercial and private properties respectively.

Rishang Malaysia is the sole and exclusive distributor for Rishang LED products in Malaysia where the company will be involved in all areas of distribution, marketing, sales and support for the complete product line. This is a significant milestone for Rishang Malaysia which will see the rolling out of all types of commercial lighting modules, LED power supply, components and LED bulbs that are suitable for use in all spaces.

LED or Light-Emitting Diode lights have been one of the fastest growing technologies in the world especially through its known benefits which offer better cost savings in utility bills like electricity. Apart from that, LED lights can operate for a longer time up to 7 times more than conventional lighting. By emitting lesser heat, LED lights help the premise owners to depend less on cooling units like air-conditioning systems which will in the long-run provide more savings and making them the ideal replacement for conventional light bulbs.

Rishang Malaysia will be offering a wide range of LED bulbs in Malaysia which can be used in all types of environments. This product is highly energy-efficient and cost-effective which can be used for lighting, illumination, decoration and any other purposes required. The LED bulbs can be used for spotlights, wall-washers and in display cabinets as well as for customized purposes like garden and outdoor lighting in which the bulbs can be mounted into waterproof enclosures to withstand any type of extreme weather conditions.To launch the campaign, Rishang Malaysia will be bringing in popular modules like LED modules and LED strips for lightboxes and signages in Malaysia. In offering affordable options in this area, business owners who are using lightboxes and signages in their premises have a more economical and beneficial option. Rishang LEDs have been used in many businesses to replace fluorescent bulbs for signage purposes. The brand is currently being used by large corporations and organisations like AIA and the Pavilion Shopping Center in Kuala Lumpur. Apart from that, Rishang LED products are used in retail and convenience stores like 7-Eleven and many others.

Another popular product that business owners can consider through the launch is to replace the current fluorescent lights with Rishang Malaysia’s T5 and T8 LED tubes. These tubes are among the most commonly used and installed in many spaces where the dimension and length are identical. With minor adjustments, business operators can now enjoy up to 50% in electricity savings per month which would be highly advantageous in the long term.

Customers of Rishang Malaysia will enjoy technical support and customer service in terms of installation and on design. Pricing of the products are very competitive and based on the current market rate where bulk purchases will enjoy additional discounts. All Rishang LED products come with 5-years warranty with 1-to-1 exchange against manufacturer’s defects with no questions asked.

As part of this launch, Rishang Malaysia is inviting LED distributors from all regions around Malaysia to apply for exclusive distribution privileges. Entry into this market requires very low capital where Rishang Malaysia will be offering support in all areas. This includes providing the appointed distributor with a website for better online presence and e-commerce facilities for ordering of stock and other services. From there, Rishang Malaysia will facilitate all orders and make arrangements like logistics, delivery and technical support. Meanwhile, Rishang Malaysia will be responsible in the support of the distributor’s network through a well-planned and run advertising and promotions campaign throughout the year to ensure business growth for the partners.

On top of that, Rishang Malaysia is partnering with the Malaysian Advertisers’ Association through a collaborative programme which will be venturing into a major campaign to improve the Association’s services to its members. Rishang Malaysia will work with all parties involved to assist the Association in becoming more relevant and to play a more integral role for the enhancement and strengthening of the Malaysian advertising industry.

EOI Automotive LED Lighting October Revenue Up from Last Year

Following the rise in the automotive electronics market, Excellence Opto. Inc. (EOI) is trying to make a mark for itself in the automotive LED lighting market. The company’s single month consolidated revenue for October reached NT $172 million (US $5.8 million), growth of 46 percent compared to October last year. Accumulated consolidated revenue for Jan.-Oct. was NT $1.38 billion, increase in revenue of NT$ 243 million compared to same period last year with a yearly performance growth of 21.44 percent mainly due to increase in automotive LED lighting module shipments.

Over the past few years, automotive LED applications have become EOI’s new blue ocean market as the company continues developing this niche market. For automotive LED lighting to be manufactured by automotive LED lighting module suppliers, every project must undergo meticulous design and go through stringent TS1649 product quality system and spec certification, due to strict safety regulations. Once entering the automobile OEM’s automotive LED lighting supply chain, the company can then hope to establish stable long term orders. The company’s product gross profit margin has improved since focusing on this niche market.

EOI has maintained their principal of making impeccable products. The company has gradually entered the close industrial supply chain, and manufacturer automotive electronic components which have a lifespan over 10 years. EOI’s long-term  development of automotive industry strategy has lead to revenue growth. Revenue contribution for automotive LED lighting products last year was 60 percent higher than total revenue. Target revenue contribution for this year is expected to rise to 65 percent.

EOI has continued to receive automotive lighting module orders for new vehicles from automotive manufacturers such as Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Audi, and more. The company hopes to become the biggest benefactor from automotive LED lighting market growth. 

It's Time for the LED industry to Tackle Compatibility

The story behind LED development—only the 4th lighting technology developed in human history—is remarkable. The potential ahead of LED lighting to deliver real and measurable advantages—to save energy, last years longer, significantly lower bottom-line costs—is limitless.  But for it to be the next great defining feature of the lighting landscape, LED lighting needs to work.

Yes, work. That’s precisely the question LED end-users, specifiers, designers, utilities and regulatory agencies ask themselves before adopting LED options for their stores and retail fronts, offices and homes. Will these alternative lighting offerings achieve what they promise?

And the simple, scary truth facing the LED industry today is often, there’s no guarantee they will.

Today, legacy infrastructure—the transformers, fixtures, and control devices already incorporated into built environments—creates unique and challenging compatibility interferences with widespread LED adoption.  

What we’ve seen to date in our current, ongoing preliminary phase of LED adoption is “plug and play” applications--a customer simply installs an LED bulb into an existing fixture. Sometimes that fixture works with the LED bulb’s mechanical, electric, and thermal requirements; sometimes it doesn’t; and sometimes there are mixed results. The effect? Consumer uncertainty.  

Any new technology only has a small window to prove its value. Second chances with first impressions do not exist—which is why in any market; it’s essential to capitalize on the moment of market introduction. It’s an opportunity—and a test—to gain the trust of the consumer on the first try.  

The LED industry, peers, partners, and competitors, must work together to ensure full compatibility with the millions of lamps, dimmers, transformers, and fixtures on the market.

When looking at the compatibility problem, there are three separate issues to address: 1. Electrical compatibility; 2. Mechanical compatibility; and 3. Thermal compatibility.  

Electric Compatibility. Common voltages in lighting systems are significantly higher than LED requirements. As a result, the transformer and dimmers often don’t operate consistently, or properly.  Frequently this causes the LED to flicker and dim erratically, one lamp powering off before another, or the LED not even powering on at all.

Mechanical Compatibility. Problems arise when LEDs do not match the size and dimensions of traditional lamps.  It’s simply a matter of fitting a square into a round hole—the LED does not fix the legacy fixture’s width or height.

Thermal Compatibility. Traditional light sources and LEDs operate at dramatically different temperatures.  While some halogen lamps operate at 200 degrees Celsius, LED lamps must operate between a specific thermal temperature to ensure long life and safety standards.  In much of the legacy fixture infrastructure, there’s no means to dissipate heat in the bulb design.  

Let me be clear. Compatibility is the number one compelling problem facing the entire LED industry today. No end-user, designer, specifier will–or should—care what promises and potential LED technology holds in the future, if it doesn’t meet their needs in the present.

So while others keep the issue in the dark, Ledzworld works to guarantee our technology fits legacy lighting infrastructure. How? By proofing every one of our LED solutions against hundreds of the most commonly used dimmer, transformer and fixture applications.  It’s painstaking work, but it’s this behind-the-scenes effort that gives our customers the peace of mind they need, and deserve.

We’re also innovating LED drivers that guarantee our lamps are hassle-free, and work seamlessly on a wide range of magnetic and electric transformers and in combination with commonplace dimmers.

Recently, the company launched a breakthrough MR16 LED lamp with our patented Chameleon driver.  The Chameleon driver self adjusts to its environment by first detecting the transformer type, then analyzing its waveform, and finally adjusting itself to make a perfect electrical fit with that particular transformer. This innovative driver makes the company's MR16 LED retrofit lamps truly "plug and play" devices that can be used in a wide variety of transformer and dimmer combinations.  Anywhere, every time.

What’s more, the CTR functionality implemented in Ledzworld's Chameleon driver design also provides an intelligent temperature control monitoring system. The temperature control system acts as a watchdog by continuously measuring the ambient temperature inside the driver compartment by utilizing a built-in thermal sensor embedded into the Chameleon driver chipset.

Bottom-line, our lamps work on the spectrum of magnetic transformers, in combination with most commonly used leading edge dimmers, and with a large variety of electronic transformers paired with commonly used trailing edge dimmers.

Ledzworld set out to revolutionize the lighting industry with one unshakable commitment: to develop, design, and manufacture LED lighting that meets—and exceeds—all LED technology expectations. But that starts with ensuring that our technologically progressive, best-in-class lamps work as well with older infrastructure as they do with the new.  

So that a few bad actors don’t spoil LEDs reputation, it’s time for the entire LED industry to tackle compatibility, together.  

China Electric Enters LED Lighting Field with Takeover of GIO Optoelectronics

China Electric Manufacturing Corp. has announced its acquisition of GIO Optoelectronics Corp. in hopes to meet their operation goal of increasing LED lighting revenue share by 20 percent next year. The company announced yesterday its acquisition of 160 million shares at NT $ 0.8 per share with allocated funds reaching NT $83.9 million. Main shareholder of GIO, Chimei Corp. sold its 39.2 percent stake to China Electric and relinquished chairmanship. China Electric will join GIO in LED lighting product R&D, but will not interfere with the company’s operations.

With poor tablet manufacturing prices this year, China Electric has slashed backlight application prices. The company has therefore temporarily ceased OEM for backlight applications due to low profitability, leading to a drop in operation revenue for the year. October consolidated revenue reached NT $207 million, a yearly decrease of 63.24 percent. Consolidated revenue for the first 10 months of 2013 was NT $2.77 billion, a yearly decrease of 53.24 percent.

China Electric’s lighting brand TOA is a conventional lighting leader in Taiwan.

Intematix Introduces Remote Phosphor Product for 150W LED Retrofit Lamps

Intematix Corp, a leading innovator of patented phosphor solutions for high-quality LED lighting, today announced the volume shipments of their remote phosphor component that enables 150W equivalent LED retrofit lamps. This production release adds to the product family already enabling 40W, 60W, 75W and 100W bulb replacements all using a similar omnidirectional form factor.

As global government regulations phase out incandescent lamps, these remote phosphor components streamline access to high quality, efficient lighting in these popular lumen output ranges for use in residential and commercial applications. In addition, this innovative form factor delivers an incandescent-like 325 degree light distribution pattern in contrast to many LED replacement bulbs on the market.

“By applying this remote phosphor technology to the high end of the light bulb output range, we show 38% higher lumen output than bulbs available today,” said Julian Carey, Senior Director of Strategic Marketing at Intematix. “We are already seeing newly available, 2200-plus lumen LED light bulbs worldwide using this technology.”

Remote phosphor is a lighting system architecture where a separate phosphor component is powered by blue LEDs. LED light bulbs use this architecture and the increased light extraction it enables to reduce LED component count and costs. Lighting uniformity and consistency are also improved and supply chains are simplified. Intematix has launched this specific ChromaLit® Contour product with a light bulb reference design that includes the following features:

• Three-way switching mode up to 2200 lumens
• 2700K, 3000K & 5000K color temperature options
• Standard color rendering options of 80 and 90CRI
• 30 watts power consumption
• 325 degree, omni-directional light meeting ENERGY STAR® requirements
• Up to 25,000 hour lifetime
• 150W equivalent LED light bulbs utilizing Intematix’s patented ChromaLit remote phosphor are now available at major US retail outlets. 

Japanese LED Market Size Doubles

Over the past few years, Japan has seen an upsurge in energy conservation awareness. In the wake of the Tohoku earthquake in 2011, the government has even proposed plans for a “low-carbon society”. LED products have since experienced rapid popularization becoming the poster child for energy saving products. A recent survey shows the Japanese LED market size will undergo explosive growth in 2012 of 195 percent to $420.4 billion Japanese yen (US $4.2 billion),as reported by Liberty Times.

The LED market experience exponential growth last year according to Yano Research’s “2013 LED Lighting Market Research Findings” as published in a Japanese media source. The market this year continues to have high energy saving demands. Driven by LED market’s rapid growth, it is forecasted that the market scale for general lighting products will increase.

High popularization for energy saving efficiency

The main selling point of LEDs is that they save around 40 percent more electricity than florescent bulbs with a lifespan of more than 40,000 hours, which comes to over 10 years. In highly energy conscience Japan, popularization of LEDs began much earlier  than other countries with various related merchandise available on the shelves of home appliance hypermarkets.

The Chinese LED lighting market in comparison has only just begun popularization this year. Chinese LED lighting demands could increase in 2015 to $100 billion yen  according to forecasts by market research companies. Japanese manufacturers hope to take advantage of the opportunity and snare a large chunk of the Chinese market.

Competition is becoming fiercer with the increasing number of companies  entering LED lighting. Companies are straining to accelerate development of product distinction from their competitors to keep the market from transforming into pure price competition. LED lamps are no longer just lighting fixtures, but value added interior decoration pieces with aesthetic design and functional value. 

Japanese LED manufacture Koizumi has recently released the industry’s first lighting simulation app called Virtual Lighting Design where users can pick from various locations (bedroom, entrance hall, and hallway), room size, material for flooring and walls, and more to test LED lighting luminosity before deciding to purchase products.

The LED lighting market is expected to continually expand, but whether companies will be able to release products with features aside from energy-efficient and long-life products will become an important condition for companies vying for market share.

Guangdong Still Under LED Industry Oversupply Pressure

China’s National Development and Reform Commission and others announced the country’s latest strategic new industry development report at the China Hi-tech Fair on Nov. 16, 2013. Most industries remain small in Guangdong Province’s eight strategic new industries, according to the province’s latest strategic new industry report.

Strategic new industry sizes in Guangdong Province remained small, due to difficulties in expanding the domestic market and other factors. Different levels of oversupply issues have surfaced in the LED and photovoltaic industry. In addition, innovative technologies are mostly still at the stage of tracking and imitation, and lacks core technologies developed in-house. Take the Guangdong Province for example, on the surface it is a livid and rising industry, but in reality the industry’s future is in the hands of large companies, such as Google and Qualcomm that have control over operation system and core chip technologies.

Shenzhen strategic new industry is also facing lack of core technology. In addition, the city’s report also admitted nurturing a market is a long and tedious road, and tension in the industry’s developable space is also affecting potential development. 

PIDA’s Unveils Top 10 LED Lighting Manufacturers List

Photonics Industry and Technology Development Association (PIDA) compiled a list of the top 10 global LED lighting manufactures, according to Economic Daily News, with international heavy weights Philips, Osram, and Panasonic among the top three. No Taiwanese manufacturers made the list. Taiwanese lighting brands currently include China Electric, Everlight, Delta, Tatung, Adata, Tsannkuen, and Leotek.

PIDA top 10 global LED lighting manufacturers in order are Philips, Osram, Panasonic, Toshiba, Cree, ENDO, Zumtobel, Koizumi, Iris Ohyama, and Sharp. Global LED lighting output value reached NT $11.5 billion (US $390 million) with a penetration rate of 11 percent

PIDA looks optimistically on business opportunities in the start of 2014, when Europe and North America markets begin to replace most commonly used 40-60W incandescent bulbs in households. Global LED market penetration rates were pushed up by U.S. companies that have slowly switched from conventional lighting to LED, such as GE, and by domestic Chinese manufacturers and OEMs that are global powerhouses for lighting manufacturing. Taiwanese manufacturers are all rushing to grasp this business opportunity whether it is through their own brands or as OEMs. 

Sony Announces Latest OLED Displays

Sony has come out with new professional OLED-based computer monitors. The new models (PVM-A250, 25" and PVM-A170, 17") are approximately 40% thinner in depth and 40% lighter in weight compared to previous Sony models. The newly designed monitors were the result of Sony completely re-engineering them. Sony reportedly made numerous changes from the chassis to the OLED panel module's structure to the signal processing board, material and parts. The monitors have also reduced power consumption by 9% compared to previous versions of its high-end Trimaster El OLED monitors.

"Higher resolution content creation – 4K and beyond – requires monitors with larger screen sizes for accurate color evaluation on site," said Daniel Dubreuil, senior product marketing manager, professional monitors, Sony Europe."But bigger monitors are harder to carry and take up more space. These new models have the screen size needed for critical evaluation, with a thinner and lighter design that’s perfect for live broadcast and outdoor shooting. They even have a handle for easy carrying."

The monitors improvements include an I/P conversion system that delivers automatically optimized signal processing according to input signals, with low latency (less than 0.5 field). The new monitors will be available in January, 2014. Retail prices for the 17" and 25" OLED monitors will be well over $4 thousand and $6 thousand respectively. So don't plan on having that monitor added to your gaming system unless you have lots of money to spend.

Samsung to Switch Flash LED Package Specs to 2016

Smartphones are driving up demands for flash LED. Aside from Philips Lumileds, Cree, Osram and other leading global manufacturers in the flash market, Taiwanese and Korean manufacturers are also entering the market. Samsung plans to switchits flash LED package specs from 4139 to 2016. Following various manufacturers  production launch, industry insiders estimate larger price cuts for flash LEDs in 1Q14.

For flash LEDs to emit light, it requires high currents in a very short period of time.    In smartphone applications, the size of the flash LED must also accommodate available space. Following smartphone camera specs upgrades; flash LED brightness has also increased, going from 75 lm to 500 lm. The industry believes that the main 2016 specs for flash LEDs will be extended into 2014, and overall brightness and current voltage will also continue its upward climb.

The global flash LED market is still largely led by Philips Lumileds, Cree, and Osram. Following smartphone flash LED upgrade to dual-flash, the industry anticipates continued growth for flash LED. Taiwanese manufacturers including chip manufacturer Genesis Photonics, package manufacturers Everlight and LiteOn Technology are all aiming to enter into the flash LED supply chain. Everlight has already snatched a hefty market share since its product entry into  China’s smartphone supply chain. Samsung, which previously used in-house package specs, is also taking into consideration its export market, and planning a major shift into the2016 LED market.

As far as flash LED specs are concerned, 2016 is the main spec used in smartphone flash applications. Previously, Samsung mostly used 4139 LED combined with LED package components, optical reflectors, and second optic lens. In smartphone applications, 4139 LED requires more space due to its larger size compared to 2016. Therefore, aside from Samsung smartphones applications 4139 is rarely used in smartphones. 

Samsung is planning to expand flash LED exports, and hopes to switch to 2016 specs, according to LEDinside understanding. With more  manufacturers entering the flash LED market, industry insiders believe that the current price for a single flash LED unit will continue to drop from US $0.25. It is projected flash LED prices slides will escalate in 1Q14.

Dialog Semiconductor Introduces New SmarteXite Technology Platform for Intelligent LED Lighting

SmarteXite enables solutions for digital dimming, wireless control and sensor control while supporting unprecedented time to market, optimised LED bulb quality and production yields

Dialog Semiconductor plc, a provider of integrated power management, AC/DC, solid state lighting and short-range wireless technologies, today announced its smarteXiteTM platform, enabling a new generation of highly flexible, programmable LED driver ICs for smart lighting applications. SmarteXite, based on fully configurable logic, is the first LED driver technology to directly and easily support wireless connectivity, light sensor control and allow easy integration into lighting control systems.

The first device from the smarteXite family, the iW6401, supports multiple dimming interfaces, including digital dimming via a simple main on/off switch, the new Ledotron(TM) digital dimming protocol and toggle-switch based dimming. All dimming-curves can be memory-configured to enable a highly optimised end-user lighting experience. The integrated digital loadline transmission (DLT) receiver in the iW6401 supports the Ledotron IEC 62756-1 dimming protocol, making it the world's first single-chip plug-and-play Ledotron solution.

Using a standard I2C digital interface, the iW6401 can serve as a powerful frontend for wireless communication modules like low-energy Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or ZigBee. Additionally, intelligent sensor devices enabling color- or proximity-sensing can be directly connected. When such a peripheral device is used, the integrated power management unit in the iW6401 provides a stable power source, reducing the external component count and cost.

Combining Dialog's strengths in configurable power management with state-of-the-art digital signal processing design, the iW6401 is the world's first programmable AC/DC retrofit LED lamp driver IC, which allows engineers to design and configure the bulb design via software with an optimised bill of material (BOM) versus a time intensive iterative hardware design process. This greatly reduces the time to market and allows a smarteXite-based design to support many different global configurations and lighting requirements.

'Solid state lighting components and manufacturing costs have fallen to a level enabling LED bulbs to be sold in retail stores for under 10 dollars; this price point drives consumers to adopt the technology and retrofit their homes,' said Mark Tyndall, VP Corporate Development & Strategy and GM Power Conversion Business Group at Dialog Semiconductor. 'Market analyst firm McKinsey predicts a 57 percent compounded annual growth rate for LED bulbs units to be sold between 2012 and 2016, with more than 2.6 billion units to be sold in 2016.'
SmarteXite supports final stage digital calibration on the production line where the bulb manufacturers can reconfigure the illumination calibration settings like brightness and colour via the A/C mains terminals. This allows lower tolerance LEDs to be used with less binning or waste of LED's. Additionally, using this final stage calibration feature, the adjustment of the LED currents can be done even in the installed state, making the smarteXite platform also ideal for Zhaga compliant power supplies. The iW6401 can be configured to actively manage the lamp temperature using either an on-chip or off-chip temperature sensor together with configurable state temperature control.

LEDs are especially suitable to be dimmed in a wide range. Unlike CFLs and other discharge lamps, LEDs can be set to almost zero current by applying digital control principles. With smarteXite, intelligent control algorithms can be employed and configured to provide a wide dimming range. Additionally, the smarteXite platform offers a range of protection and supervision functions, which can be customised for the different lamp requirements.

Opel Monza Concept Car Introduces 3D LED Panel Projection Technology

Opel Monza concept car. (LEDinside/Opel)

Efficiency and connectivity are two main focal points that will define development of the next generation of automobiles. The celebrated Opel Monza Concept, which premiered at this year’s Frankfurt International Motor Show, is a visionary and pioneer in both areas, offering a fascinating preview of the future of vehicle development. With its captivating exterior styling and innovative modular powertrain system design, the Monza Concept embodies stylish and ultra-modern efficiency on four wheels, taking this even further in the interior. There Opel’s youngest concept car impresses with unique projection technology and versatile connectivity possibilities that seem like a quantum leap for drivers today but will soon be a normal part of everyday life.

“The Opel Monza Concept breaks the conventions of automobile design, particularly in the interior,” said Opel CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann. “With trailblazing LED projection technology, we create a completely new infotainment world with a unique sense of space. This comes with connectivity possibilities between drivers and their family, friends and acquaintances, and even with the entire internet community that have been unimaginable to date.”

Information in 3D: LED projectors create a multi-media display

A spectacular view when opening: The expansive doors provide maximum functionality and offer an unobstructed view of the spacious, open passenger cabin. (LEDinside/ Opel)

Once behind the wheel, the Monza Concept whisks you away into a completely new and unique world of instruments and infotainment with its ultra-modern LED projection technology.

Drivers no longer find the conventional individual, separate monitors that display different information; instead, they face a wide, sculpted multi-function panel that sweeps from door to door, and is used as a single projection surface. Information and decorative elements are displayed on the surface, which the driver can customize according to his needs, taste or mood.

The wide multi-functional panel that uses 3D LED projections.  (LEDinside/ Opel)

Doors open with a mere sweep of a hand: Just place your hand over the diverse design shades of blue that make up the gradated LED design line and the expansive doors of the Opel Monza Concept open and close like condor wings.

Close up of the blue LED display design in the Opel Monza Concept. (LEDinside/ Opel)

The LED projectors create a continuous, adaptable multi-functional display – a world premiere in an automobile. Already established in the events arena, Opel designers were the first to come up with the idea of implementing this technology in a passenger car. The 3D graphics are impressive, and reflect all important functions from precise vehicle and driver information to internet and communication options as well as decorative elements. So the Monza Concept offers a trendsetting multi-function design: it elicits pure emotion while offering superb functionality. Both the area displaying information and the background can be individually configured according to personal information needs and preferences; operation of the different menus and displays is via voice control and steering wheel controls..

Efficiency and clarity are also priorities here: when it came to how the displays present information, Opel engineers focused on the best and most personal way to make relevant data available to the driver. The approach was “simplifying the multitude” and so details on the car, the navigation and the smartphone settings and connection only appear when necessary or desired. So drivers can use a wide range of information without being overwhelmed by text or images. This also makes the Monza Concept a model of future HMI (Human-Machine-Interface) systems, as its interior design is based on latest research findings in this field.