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Technology Fact Sheets

This page contains links to fact sheets describing solid-state lighting, its characteristics, applications, and issues relating to its successful introduction into the marketplace. The following documents are available as Adobe Acrobat PDFs. Download Adobe Reader.

Technology Fact Sheets

LED Basics

  • Comparing White Light LEDs to Conventional Light Sources (PDF 500 KB)
    Compares current LED products to conventional lighting on the basics: energy efficiency, life, lumen depreciation, light output/distribution, and color quality (4 pages, October 2008)

  • Color Quality of White LEDs (PDF 226 KB)
    Review of basics regarding light and color; summary of the most important color issues related to white light LEDs, including recent advances (2 pages, January 2008)

  • Thermal Management of White LEDs (PDF 683 KB)
    Review of the role of heat in LED performance, and methods for managing heat in LED system design (2 pages, June 2009)

  • Energy Efficiency of White LEDs (PDF 728 KB)
    Overview of lighting energy efficiency in general, and the rapidly evolving status of white LEDs (2 pages, June 2009)

  • Lifetime of White LEDs (PDF 368 KB)
    Overview of lumen depreciation, measurement of LED useful life, and features to look for in evaluating LED products (2 pages, June 2009)

  • LED Basics (PDF 191 KB)
    What retailers, energy efficiency advocates, and consumers need to know to make informed buying decisions (2 pages, November 2009)

LED Application Series

  • LED Application Series: Light at Night and Human Health (PDF 348 KB)
    Discussion of potential health implications of light at night (LAN) exposure and how it may affect lighting practice and design (2 pages, January 2010)

  • LED Application Series: LED Replacements for Incandescent Omnidirectional Lamps (PDF 585 KB)
    Overview of white-light LED replacement lamps, and how they compare to traditional incandescent omnidirectional lamps (4 pages, October 2009)

  • LED Application Series: Recessed Downlights (PDF 273 KB)
    Comparison of the energy and lighting performance of downlights using different light sources (2 pages, January 2008)

  • LED Application Series: Portable Desk/Task Lighting (PDF 227 KB)
    Description of LED desk/task lighting application and comparison with fixtures using traditional light sources (2 pages, February 2008)

  • LED Application Series: Kitchen Undercabinet Lighting (PDF 215 KB)
    Overview of the advantages and disadvantages of using LEDs in undercabinet lighting products (2 pages, February 2008)

  • LED Application Series: Outdoor Area Lighting (PDF 628 KB)
    Review of the concerns and potential for LED luminaires in outdoor area lighting applications (6 pages, June 2008)

  • LED Application Series: Using LEDs to Their Best Advantage (PDF 376 KB)
    Exploration of the unique attributes of LEDs, which may make them the right choice for some applications (4 pages, January 2008)

  • LED Application Series: Dimming LEDs (PDF 224 KB)
    Overview of dimming technology and the prospects for dimming LEDs in residential applications (2 pages, February 2008)

LED Measurement Series

  • LED Measurement Series: Color Rendering Index and LEDs (PDF 245 KB)
    Discussion of the use of the color rendering index with LEDs, while a revised color quality metric is being developed (2 pages, January 2008)

  • LED Measurement Series: Solid-State Lighting Standards (PDF 221 KB)
    Review of the key performance and safety standards applicable to LED-based lighting products (2 pages, September 2009)

  • LED Measurement Series: Luminaire Efficacy (PDF 189 KB)
    Overview of luminaire efficacy and the technical reasons for its applicability to LED-based lighting fixtures (2 pages, September 2009)

  • LED Measurement Series: LED Luminaire Reliability (PDF 604 KB)
    Outline of the issues concerning long-term performance and reliability of LED luminaires, and suggestions for interpreting LED product life claims (4 pages, October 2009)

  • LED Measurement Series: Understanding Photometric Reports for SSL Products (PDF 265 KB) 
    Overview and discussion of typical elements in IES LM-79 photometric reports for LED luminaires and LED integral replacement lamps (4 pages, June 2009)