dimmable

LED Tube Retrofits: The Benefits and Types

The Benefits of LED Tube Retrofits

As the technology of LEDs and their drivers have improved, lighting manufacturers have developed LED bulbs to replace older and less-efficient lighting types, known as LED retrofits. These days, LED retrofits can be found in all types of applications, from day-to-day residential and commercial lighting, to high-intensity outdoor and industrial lighting. The latter being where the endurance and consistent brightness of LEDs are crucial for safety. In nearly every setting, LED retrofits can be seen outperforming their counterparts in key aspects such as improved light-up time and longer lifespans.

New from Lutron: The RadioRA3

Lutron Electronics’ latest innovation in lighting control systems, the RadioRA3, was just released in January 2022. The RadioRA3 is a groundbreaking advancement in system controllers, utilizing Lutron’s new all-in-one processor. Features included in the RadioRA3 package are a wide range of controls using the latest in capacitive touch technology. This newest release is just another example of how Lutron has been on the cutting-edge of whole-home lighting systems.

LED Driver Basics: Choosing the Right One for You

LED drivers act in a similar fashion to how a traditional electrical ballast works for a fluorescent lamp. LED drivers convert electrical power into the voltage and current needed for the LED system. The power sent to the LED is regulated by the driver, which increases the efficiency and overall lifetime of the LEDs.

Dimming Basics

There are various controllable lighting options that will dim your lights for ambiance or energy efficiency.  Dimming lights 20% saves approximately 20% in energy savings.   Controllable lighting solutions can be pretty simple for a single room or complex for total building lighting control.  There are several components in a controllable lighting system: a dimmable lamp, dimming ballast, dimming control including dimmer and an optional sensor.  

Most types of lighting technologies can be dimmed including incandescent, fluorescent, compact fluorescent, LED and halogen lamps.  In some cases, there are both dimmable and non-dimmable versions of a lamp.