Integrated System Technologies Ltd, a UK designer / manufacturer of LED systems and the industry leading iDrive range of LED drivers, has launched the first high-powered LED downlighter range that is capable of replacing CFL fixtures. The patented DL-0x0 LED downlighters are available in cool 5500K CCT and neutral 4100K CCT colour temperature options. This range of fixtures offers outstanding performance and a direct alternative to a twin 26 watt compact fluorescent downlighter.

The light engine lamp lumens for the DL-090 was independently measured at 1060 lumens and the DL-080 at 963 lumens. These figures have been calculated after the light engine had been running for 1 hour and measured in an integrating sphere. The LOR (Light Output Ratio) for the system is 0.89 which far exceeds any traditional lighting product on the market. The power consumed by each downlighter is around 20 circuit watts which means the DL-080 downlighter exceeds 40 lumens per watt system efficiency and the DL-090 exceeds 45 lumens per watt system efficiency and is suitable for Part L applications. For the highest output options, the average Lux levels for the DL-080 are 2170 at 1m, 545 at 2m and 242 at 3m. The highest option DL-090 is providing 2270 x at 1m, 567 x at 2m and 252 x at 3m. There are three cover options which include the standard diffuser, drop and an option without diffuser. In addition, gold and chrome bezel finishes can be ordered instead of the standard white finish.

The DL-0x0 range has been developed to offer a true alterative to a twin 26 watt CFL downlighter. As a starting point, IST purchased and tested independently a twin 26 watt CFL downlighter at the Photonics Cluster (UK). It was found that the CFL consumed around 68 watts of input power. The lamp lumens were rated at 3600 which mean this product could be sold as a Part L compliant fixture however when tested in an integrating sphere, it only emitted 1750 lumens. This meant the true LOR was 0.49. In addition, IST found that the LUX levels were 2000 at 1m, 500 and 2m and 200 at 3m. These figures were used to produce an LED downlighter equivalent.

Reliability is guaranteed as IST are offering a 5 year warranty making the new DL-0x0 range extremely attractive to high-end developers, high profile public buildings and exclusive hotels. For applications where lighting is used for approximately 12 hours per day, the return on investment is estimated at 2-2.75 years. For applications with 24 hours operation, the return on investment is estimated at 1-2 years. The variables are dependant upon the volume of downlighters per application.

IST is already working on the next version with a planned release date of Q4 2008. IST will offer a variable colour temperature version downlighter which incorporates their Globally GRANTED Pulse Amplitude Modulation Colour mixing and Illumination Control System for Light Emitters (see http://www.istl.com/technologies.php) patents. This means that in the same fixture, IST plan to supply a product which can be varied in colour temperature yet still maintain a high lumen per watt system efficiency irrespective of ambient temperature. IST also plans to offer mains dimming, high CRI, IP addressable, emergency lighting, light and motion detection features. In addition, greater sized aperture downlighters are also in development.

Director, Matt Fitzpatrick states, ‘I believe our product and future variants are the first LED downlighters to be suitable for true white light applications from both a technical and commercial stand point. There are many reasons why typical LED downlighters are not suitable in white light applications and we have addressed them with this range of fixtures.’

‘The DL-090 downlighter exceeds Part L guidelines with light outputs in excess of 45 lumens per watt system efficiency. The downlighters appear and perform as a CFL but at significantly less power consumption. What I felt was paramount for this product to be adopted by the lighting community is that we supplied data in the same format as a compact fluorescent. This meant, before I agreed for the product to be launched, we had all the photometric and polar diagrams for each option along with TM14, IES and EuLumdat files for clients who use lighting design software.’

‘I truly believe this LED lighting product will be one of the first to be truly accepted by the lighting industry and we will start to see a significant shift towards our solution. With the focus on businesses to reduce their carbon footprint along with the pressures on the economy, our fixture offers companies the opportunity to reduce their energy consumption significantly. When you consider our product consumes around 40 watts less in energy when compared to its CFL equivalent, it is easy to see why our solution will make a massive impact on the energy costs in any business.’

Email: matt@istl.com