San Francisco Public Utilities Commission staff members are proposing spending $16 million over the next two fiscal years to replace all of the energy-hungry high pressure sodium vapor bulbs in The City’s cobra-head street lights with Led systems.
Over the same period, staff proposed spending an additional $2.1 million for various streetlight improvement efforts.
The SFPUC owns and operates an estimated 17,600 street lights and a part of the project will involve identifying and counting street lights owned by other city departments, according to power official Barbara Hale.
The proposal was included in draft budget documents that have not yet been approved by commissioners.

The two-year test, which also involves the Electric Power Research Institute, will analyze Light Emitting Diode (Led) lights for energy savings and maintenance costs and serve as a research database for utilities and municipalities for evaluating LED technology for more uses.

“Led lighting is already being used in many cities around the US and the world,” said Sandy Sims, Gulf Power’s Public Affairs manager. “LEDs may represent a considerable savings over traditional forms of lighting, not just with energy purchases, but also with reduced maintenance costs.”

The DOE (Department of Energy) calls ENERGY STAR Qualified led lighting“an unprecedented opportunity to save energy and maintenance costs.” According to the agency, LEDs use at least 75 percent less energy than traditional lighting, last 3 to 5 times longer, and are very durable.

“Not only do these bulbs last longer,” said Sims, “They’re very durable — the bulbs won’t break like typical lighting can. LED is an exciting technology that has the potential to change the outdoor lighting business.”

Twenty-eight were lights installed near Gulf Power’s downtown office along 9th and 10th avenues, Salamanca, Romana and E. Colfax Street.

In addition, the light fixtures that have been installed have a feature called “Dark Sky Friendly,” meaning the light is controlled to shine down only, with very little light escaping upward. This is a very popular trend that reduces light “pollution” and beautifies the night as more and more areas install lighting.

Pensacola City Councilwoman Megan Pratt is pleased with the steps the city is taking to become more “green.”

“Not only do LED lights reduce our carbon footprint by using less electricity,” Pratt said, “ it means less money that the city needs to spend on electricity. With a $730,000 annual budget for street light electricity, installing LED lights city-wide would save significant money.”

After visiting the market and evaluating the situation, I found that some major companies have already embarked on LED home lighting R&D and market development. Most of them are optimistic in the market prospect of LED home lighting application. “Now everyone have the opportunity to enter the field, but perhaps only after 5 years, there will be no chance at all.” This is the universal mindset from the LED lighting companies at present.

Depressive domestic market

LED Lighting land-rushed on home lighting area in the year of 2008, but because of high prices and market acceptance, there are few enterprises that are specializing in the field and few options for customers. Most enterprises just demonstrated them in large-scale exhibition instead of mass production and target-oriented marketing. Based on the advantages of LED Lights, domestic enterprises has been increasing in their research and development efforts.”Right now, home lighting companies usually invest in LED R&D for future technical reserve.” Said Liu Yun, a General Manager of Tiansili Lighting Co., Ltd. So at present the vast majority of companies will not push it as the mainstream product.

Liu also noted that LED home lighting shares only a proportion of less than 5%. “So from this point, LED home lighting is still considered as high-end, while from the market point, it belongs to the low-end. Currently, we are not devote major efforts to promote LED lighting in house or residential marketing, we do it for technique storage.”

Lee Hao-Yuan, a marketing manager also pointed out that LED home lighting products still need time to be more attractive and competitive.” At present, everyone knows how prospective LED home lights will be. So many traditional lighting enterprises are using the LED source, but will not regard it as the main light source for the incredible market future.

Guo Jie Wen-chuan, director of domestic sales from Guozhi LED Lighting have different views on LED home lighting in domestic market. He believes that: With the increase of consuming capacity, there are great potential demands in China, local consumers would be more and more acknowledged with the expansion of marketing and reduction of cost. WEN Guo-Jie forecasts, LED home lighting lighting is a trend in the next 5-10 years which may become the mainstream of home lighting products.

Increasing trend of foreign sales

Compared to the depression of domestic market, foreign market acceptance of LED home lighting is totally different. Dazhi Yi said that during the last 3 years, LED Light is gradually used in household lighting, but mostly as secondary source. At present, most of the LED home lighting products are exported to overseas market. Now there are a great deal of house and residential lamps and lanterns which are applying LED as main light source. And moreover, warm white LED are the favorite option of occidental customers. “I believe the next three years, there will be great change in the LED Lighting market. Customers from Europe and the United States would gradually accept it as the main household lighting source.”

Market cultivation, the hard and long way to go

Current LED home lighting is still in the early stage of growth, although there is great potential to develop, but it still needs a lengthy period of time and requires a relatively mature market environment.

“I think that LED home lighting promotion in China is tightly related to the national policies. Same as the experience of energy-saving lamps, with the wide promotion from government, consumers will generally accept for the seek of their own benefit. Although the initial price is not attractive, from a long-term point of view, it does save money, but consumers are generally consider their short-term interests.” Said Liu Yun, Tiansili Lighting.
“I think that LED home lighting development and national policies have a certain relationship can be developed fast and slow, and the Government also has a lot to like, like the government to push energy-saving lamps. Consumers will, generally, self-interest stand point, from the interests of visible thinking. LED home lighting as the main lighting in the market more difficult, it is difficult in the consumer price acceptance. From a long-term point of view, it does save money, but consumers are generally short-term interests to consider “, TNV days Lishi Lighting Business Unit General Manager Liu that the current LED home lighting market development at an early stage of cultivation.
The other important history from energy saving-lamps, although the current LED home lighting is expensive for consumers, but with well-developed LED technology, and with the competition of more and more companies entering this field, its price will fall sharply, just as the development of energy-saving lamps. energy-saving lamps first appeared in the market at the price of 10~20 dollars, and now the prices are much lower, the public would generally accept it. “

Uniform Code Council (UCC)
The 12 digit case code derived from the last 12 digits of the 14 digit SCC code on GE’s case content label.

Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
A private organization which tests and lists electrical (and other) equipment for electrical and fire safety according to recognized UL and other standards. A UL listing is not an indication of overall performance. Lamps are not UL listed except for compact fluorescent lamp assemblies – those with screw bases and built-in ballasts.

Uniform Product Code (UPC)
The 12 digit code on the saleable unit that is used for scanning at the register.

Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation
Radiant energy in the range of about 100-380 nanometers (nm). For practical applications, the UV band is broken down further as follows:

• Ozone-producing – 180-220 nm
• Bactericidal (germicidal) – 220-300
• Erythemal (skin reddening) – 280-320
• “Black” light – 320-400

The International Commission on Illumination (CIE) defines the UV band as UV-A (315-400 nm); UV-B (280-315 nm) and UV-C (100-280 mm).

V

Valance Lighting
Lighting from light sources on a wall typically above eye level, shielded by horizontal panels. The light may be upward or downward directed.

Veiling Reflection
Effective reduction in contrast between task and its background caused by the reflection of light rays; sometimes called “reflected glare.” You might have dealt with veiling reflections when you have to tilt a shiny magazine to avoid glare so as to read it, or struggled with reading a computer monitor because of the reflection of a window or a light fixture (See GLARE ).

Viewing Angle
The off-axis angle where the display may be satisfactorily viewed (defined by lenses, obstructions, or intensity decrease).

The viewing angle referred to as the 2-half theta angle (2Q * ) indicates how focused the light is when emitted from the LED. This angle is determined by measuring the angle from direct on-axis to the angle where intensity falls to * of the on-axis intensity, and then multiplying this difference by 2.
The shape of the encapsulant dome lens controls the viewing angle of the LED. Flat LEDs without domes generally have a very wide viewing angle. The choice of viewing angle also affects the LED intensity. As the viewing angle is increased, more area is covered by light, however the on-axis intensity is reduced.

For applications where the LED will project light onto a small area, or on an object far from the emitter, a narrow viewing angle is ideal. For applications where the LED will project light onto a large area, or on an object very close to the emitter, a wide viewing angle is ideal. For instance, backlighting an indicator or switch in a cavity of less than 18mm would typically call for a surface mount LED with a 120Æ’ viewing angle. Illuminating an object of several square inches in size, that just two feet away would require a 5mm LED with a 20Æ’ or smaller viewing angle.

Oval-viewing angle LEDs are available for applications requiring illumination of areas that are not square or circular. These LEDs have a wider viewing angle in either the horizontal or vertical direction.

Visual Comfort Probability (VCP)
For a given lighting scheme, VCP is a ratio expressed as a percent of people who, when viewing from a specific location and in a specified direction, find the system acceptable in terms of glare (See GLARE ).

Visual Task
The task associated with seeing; objects and details that must be seen to perform an activity.

Volt
A measure of “electrical pressure” between two points. The higher the voltage, the more current will be pushed through a resistor connected across the points. The volt specification of an incandescent lamp is the electrical “pressure” required to drive it at its designed point. The “voltage” of a ballast (e.g. 277 V) refers to the line voltage it must be connected to.

Voltage
A measurement of the electromotive force in an electrical circuit or device expressed in volts. Voltage can be thought of as being analogous to the pressure in a waterline.

Voltage (Design)
For Automotive lamps, voltage at which the lamp is designed to provide the amperes, candlepower, and laboratory life characteristics. For Projection lamps, the voltage shown is the design voltage of the lamp, on which the life and wattage ratings are based. Lamps for which 115-120 is shown in the Volts column are designed at 118 volts. Lamps are available only in the design voltage(s) shown. When ordering lamps listed for more than one voltage, be sure to specify the voltage required. (Supply voltage variation can significantly affect lamp life.)

W

Wall Temperature (Maximum Bulb)
The maximum operating bulb wall temperature in Celsius.

Warm Up Time to 90%
The time it takes for a High Intensity Discharge lamp to reach 90% of light output after being turned on.

Warm White
Refers to a color temperature around 3000K, providing a yellowish-white light.

Watt
A unit of electrical power. Lamps are rated in watts to indicate the rate at which they consume energy (See KILOWATT HOUR ).

Wattage Indicator Reduced
Indicates that this is a reduced wattage option for lamps normally used in this application. Be sure to check wattage, lumens and life to determine which lamp is best suited to your needs.

Wavelength
The distance between two neighboring crests of a traveling wave. The wavelength of light is between 400 and 700 nanometers.

Work Plane
Plane at which work is done and at which illumination is specified and measured; unless otherwise indicated, it is assumed to be a horizontal plane 30 inches above the floor (table-top height) having the same area as the floor.

Working Distance (Typical)
The Working Distance shown is the distance from the front surface of the reflector rim to the film plane, in the optical system for which the lamp was first designed. In most cases, it provides a uniform plane of light for the intended aperture.

State and County Code (SCC)
The full 14 digit case code used on GE’s content label.

Scotopic
Vision where the rods of the retina are exclusively responsible for seeing, typically like the light levels in the countryside on a moonless, starlit night (See also PHOTOPIC , FOVEA, FOVEAL VISION MESOPIC ).

Scotopic/Photopic (S/P) Ratio
This measurement accounts for the fact that of the two light sensors in the retina, rods are more sensitive to blue light (scotopic vision) and cones to yellow light (photopic vision). The scotopic/photopic (S/P) ratio is an attempt to capture the relative strengths of these two responses. S/P is calculated as the ration of scotopic lumens to photopic lumens for the light source on an ANSI reference ballast. Cooler sources (higher color temperatures lamps) tend to have higher values of the S/P ratio compared to warm sources.

Screw-In
(See CFL ).

Seal Temperature (Maximum)
The maximum operating temperature of the seal of the lamp in Celsius.

Self-Ballasted Lamps
A discharge lamp with an integral ballasting device allowing the lamp to be directly connected to a socket providing line voltage (See CFL ).

Six Sigma

Perfected at GE and applied throughout the GE Lumination organization, Six Sigma is a quality initiative that allows us to produce and deliver high-quality LED solutions with predictable reliability.

Source Size
For Projection lamps, this is defined as the dimensions of the rectangular area, centered on the lamp axis, within which all luminous parts of the filament lie, when viewed perpendicular to the axis of the filament coil or to the plane of C-13 and C-13D filaments.

Spacing to Mounting Height Ratio
Ratio of fixture spacing (distance apart) to mounting height above the work plane; sometimes called spacing criterion. It is OK to have fixture spaced closer than the spacing criterion suggested by the manufacturer but not farther, or you will get dark spots in-between fixtures.

Specification Series (SP) Colors
Energy-efficient, all-purpose, tri- phosphor fluorescent lamp colors that provide good color rendering. The CRI for SP colors is 70 or above and varies by specific lamp type.

Specification Series Deluxe (SPX) Colors
Energy-efficient, all-purpose, tri- phosphor fluorescent lamp colors that provide better color rendering than Specification Series (SP) colors. The CRI for SPX colors is 80 or above and varies by specific lamp type. All GE CFL products use SPX phosphors.

Spectral Power Distribution (SPD)
A graph of the radiant power emitted by a light source as a function of wavelength. SPDs provide a visual profile or “finger print” of the color characteristics of the source throughout the visible part of the spectrum.

Spectrum
See SPECTRAL POWER DISTRIBUTION (SPD) .

Specular Reflection
Reflection from a smooth, shiny surface, as opposed to diffuse reflection.

Spot
A colloquial term referring to a reflector lamp with a tight beam of light, typically around 10 degrees or less. It comes from the fact that such a lamp produces a narrow spot of light as opposed to a wide flood of light.

SPXX
A Color Designation for GE Ceramic Metal Halide Lamps with superior Color Rendering ~ 90.

Starter
An electronic module or device used to assist in starting a discharge lamp, typically by providing a high-voltage surge (See IGNITOR ).

Starting Temperature (Minimum)
The minimum ambient temperature at which the lamp will start reliably.

Sunburn
Skin reddening and inflammation caused by overexposure to sources containing UV-B and/or UV-C.

System
A term referring to the lamp and ballast combination, and sometimes to the entire lighting delivery system including the fixture, the optics, the particular layout and the lighting controls.

T

T-1
An LED lamp package. Type T-1= 0.125 inch lamp diameter or a 3.18mm (Referred to as a 3mm) lamp diameter.

T-1 3/4
An LED lamp package. Type T-1 3/4= 0.2188 inch lamp diameter or a 5.56mm lamp diameter.

Task Lighting
Supplemental lighting provided to assist in performing a localized task, e.g. a table lamp for reading or an inspection lamp for fabric inspection.

TCLP Test
The Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) test, specified in the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) of 1990, is used to characterize fluorescent lamp waste as hazardous or nonhazardous waste. The TCLP test measures the ability of the mercury and/or lead in a lamp to leach from a landfill into groundwater (See ECOLUX ).

Terminal to Terminal Starting Lamp Voltage (VRMS) (Minimum or Maximum)
The minimum or maximum allowed voltage allowed into lamp from ballast under varying conditions as specified.

Tetra
Our robust and patented Tetra LED Lighting Systems enable infinite signage and architectural application possibilities indoors or out. Judged against the performance of standard neon or fluorescent lamps, GE Tetra LED solutions provide significant energy cost reductions, easier jobsite installation, less frequent maintenance and more consistent brightness.

Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)
A measure of the distortion caused by ballasts and other inductive loads of the input current on alternating current (AC) power systems caused by higher order harmonics of the fundamental frequency (60Hz in North America). THD is expressed in percent and may refer to individual electrical loads (such as ballast) or a total electrical circuit or system in a building. ANSI C82.77 recommends THD not exceed 32% for individual commercial electronic ballasts, although some electrical utilities may require lower THDs on some systems. Excessive THDs on electrical systems can cause efficiency losses as well as overheating and deterioration of system components.

Troffer
A long, recessed lighting unit, usually installed in an opening in the ceiling.

Tungsten-Halogen Lamp
(See HALOGEN LAMP ).

Quad
Generally refers to a compact fluorescent lamp containing 4 U-shaped tubes.

Quartz
A name for fused silica or melted sand from which many high-temperature containers are fashioned in the lighting industry. Quartz looks like glass but can withstand the high temperatures needed to contain high intensity arc discharges.

Quartz-Halogen Lamp
(See HALOGEN LAMPS ).

R

Radiation
A general term for the release of energy in a “wave” or “ray” form. All light is radiant energy or radiation, as is heat, UV, microwaves, radio waves, etc.

Rapid Start Circuit
A fluorescent lamp-ballast circuit that utilizes continuous cathode heating, while the system is energized, to start and maintain lamp light output at efficient levels. Rapid start ballasts may be either electromagnetic, electronic or of hybrid designs. Full-range fluorescent lamp dimming is only possible with rapid start systems (See INSTANT START ).

Rated Lamp Life
For most lamp types (LEDs not included), rated lamp life is the length of time of a statistically large sample between first use and the point when 50% of the lamps have died. It is possible to define “useful life” of a lamp based on practical considerations involving lumen depreciation and color shift (See LIFE ).

Reflectance
The ratio of light reflected from a surface to that incident upon it.

Reflector Lamp (R)
A light source with a built-in reflecting surface. Sometimes, the term is used to refer specifically to blown bulbs like the R and ER lamps; at other times, it includes all reflectorized lamps like PAR and MR.

Reverse Voltage (VR)
Voltage across the diode for a given reverse current.

Room Cavity Ratio (RCR)
A shape factor (for a room, etc.) used in lighting calculations.
RCR = 5H (L+W) / L x W, or, alternately,
RCR = (2.5) Total Wall Area / Floor Area.
Where H = height, L = length and W = width of the room.
A cubical room will have an RCR of 10; the flatter the room the lower the RCR.

RX11

GE Lumination’s standard LED Traffic Signal.

PAR Lamp
PAR is an acronym for parabolic aluminized reflector. A PAR lamp, which may utilize either an incandescent filament, a halogen filament tube or a HID arc tube, is a precision pressed-glass reflector lamp. PAR lamps rely on both the internal reflector and prisms in the lens for control of the light beam.

Peak Wavelength
The maximum wavelength of an LED.

Phosphor
An inorganic chemical compound processed into a powder and deposited on the inner glass surface of fluorescent tubes and some mercury and metal-halide lamp bulbs. Phosphors are designed to absorb short wavelength ultraviolet radiation and to transform and emit it as visible light (See FLOURESCENCE ).

Photometry
The measurement of light and related quantities.

Photopic
Vision for which the cones in the eye are responsible; typically at high brightness and in the foveal or central region (See SCOTOPIC , FOVEA, FOVEAL VISON ).

Physical Attributes
LEDs can also be created with specific physical variations to make it unique. A GE Lumination products unique physical attribute is identified in the 12th position of the part number, i.e., GERD5R015-CC.
Flange: A flange is a rim that ¼s added to the base of some LED lamps. The flange increases the diameter at the base, adding stability to the device, especially when mounted flush to a surface. The flange may also aid in fitting the LED into various secondary optic assemblies. Stand-offs: Stand-offs allow the LED to be positioned without coming in direct contact with the printed circuit board (PCB). Stand-offs are ideal for applications where multiple LEDs are required to be at identical heights above a common plane, such as a circuit board.

Plug-In
(See CFL ).

Power Factor (PF)
A measure of the phase difference between voltage and current drawn by an electrical device, such as a ballast or motor. Power factors can range from 0 to 1.0, with 1.0 being ideal. Power factor is sometimes expressed as a percent. Incandescent lamps have power factors close to 1.0 because they are simple “resistive” loads. The power factor of a fluorescent and HID lamp system is determined by the ballast used. “High” power factor usually means a rating of 0.9 or greater. Power companies may penalize users for using low power factor devices.

Preheat Circuit
A type of fluorescent lamp-ballast circuit used with the first commercial fluorescent lamp products. A push button or automatic switch is used to preheat the lamp cathodes to a glow state. Starting the lamp can then be accomplished using simple “choke” or reactor ballasts.

Pulse Start
An HID ballast with a high voltage ignitor to start the lamp.

Open Fixture Rated
Lamps that are approved for burning in open fixtures (as opposed to enclosed fixtures which have an acrylic lens or plate glass enclosure).

Operating Position or Burn Position
Mercury and High Pressure Sodium lamps may be operated in any burn position and will still maintain their rated performance specifications. Metal Halide and Low Pressure Sodium lamps, however, are optimized for performance in specific burn positions, or may be restricted to certain burn positions for safety reasons.

U = Universal burning position
HBU = Horizontal -15º to Base Up
HBD = Horizontal +15º to Base Down
HOR = Horizontal ±15º
H45 = Horizontal to -45º only
VBU = Vertical Base Up ±15º
VBD = Vertical Base Down ±15º
If no special burn position is noted, the burn position is universal.

Operating Voltage
For electrical discharge lamps, this is the voltage measured across the discharge when the lamp is operating. It is governed by the contents of the chamber and is somewhat independent of the ballast and other external factors.

In the field of “New Lighting Resources”, CII will invest in Dooda Innovation Limited whose main business is designing LED new lighting products. After reorganization, Dooda will be able to research, manufacture and sale dual-use Led lighting products applying led back light and lighting technology. Besides, CII invested in Hefei Jingda Guangdian Limited that obtained the patents for led chip production and is able to produce in a large scale.

In the field of “New Material”, CII invested in C-Micro Circuit Corporation and Zhenjiang Fujieda Copper Foil Company Limited respectively. C-Micro Circuit Corporation has the technology in manufacturing LTCC (Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic) products, such as telecommunication, the e-money and the electronic automobile, which have been widely applied to the military and civil market. Zhenjiang Fujieda Copper Foil Company Limited, as the core upstream supplier with advanced technology in the field of “New Energy Resources” and “New Lighting Resources”, is mainly engaged in producing dual-use copper foil material.

In the field of “New Energy Resource”, CII will invest in Topsun Creation Limited that researches and manufactures high capacity power storage system with the characteristics of high capacity, fully sealed and maintenance-free, which were substantially used in tanks, submarines and barracks as well as civil vehicles and construction.

Mean Lumens
The average light output of a lamp over its rated life. Based on the shape of the lumen depreciation curve, for fluorescent and metal halide lamps , mean lumens are measured at 40% of rated lamp life . For mercury , high-pressure sodium and incandescent lamps , mean lumen ratings refer to lumens at 50% of rated lamp life (See Lumen Maintenance ).

Medium Base
Usually refers to the screw base typically used in household incandescent lamps. There is also the medium bipin base commonly used in T12 and T8 fluorescent lamps.

Mercury Lamp
A high-intensity discharge light source operating at a relatively high pressure (about 1 atmosphere) and temperature in which most of the light is produced by radiation from excited mercury vapor. Phosphor coatings on some lamp types add additional light and improve color rendering.

Metal Halide Lamp
A high intensity discharge light source in which the light is produced by the radiation from mercury, plus halides of metals such as sodium, scandium, indium and dysprosium. Some lamp types may also utilize phosphor coatings. 

Mesopic
Typically referring to nighttime outdoor lighting conditions, the region between PHOTOPIC and SCOTOPIC vision (See SCOTOPIC ).

Mogul Base
A screw base used on larger lamps, e.g. many HID lamps.

Monochromatic Light
Light with only one wavelength (i.e. color) present.

Mounting Height
Distance from the bottom of the fixture to either the floor or work plane, depending on usage.

N

National Stock Number
The standardized part number used by the US Government for procurement.

Nanometer
A unit of wavelength equal to one billionth of a meter.