Induction Lamps

While Induction Lamp technology has matured in the last few years, it is often overlooked or underutilized in lighting applications since none of the major manufacturers promote Induction lamps in any significant way. LED lighting seems to get the most “buzz” in the market as LEDs are promoted as the best alternative to conventional lighting due to their longevity. Induction lamps have a life-span of 80,000 to 100,000 hours (depending on type and model), which is essentially the same as LED lamp life-spans. The major difference between the technologies is in conversion efficiency (energy utilization) and costs.

Induction Lighting Technology

1. Most presently available commercial LED lighting fixtures have conversion efficiencies in the 35 to 55 Lumens/Watt (L/W) range. LED elements with a conversion efficiency of 70 L/W are available, but still quite expensive. There are reports of LEDs with conversion efficiencies of up to 100 L/W operating in research labs, but they are not yet commercially available. Induction lamps have a conversion efficiency ranging from 65 L/W in low wattage (8 ~ 20 W internal inductor types) to 82 L/W in the high wattage (250 ~ 400 W external inductor models) range. On-going research will see some small improvements in these numbers. When considering commercial/industrial lighting and using a 200 W fixture as an example, the induction lamp version will produce 16,000 Lumens while an LED version would only produce 11,000 Lumens (about 31% less light) with the same energy input.Since the most powerful single element LEDs available at this time are in the 20 ~ 25W range, to make a 200W fixture, an array of LED elements must be used. This adds to the expense of the fixture since the cost of these more powerful LEDs is presently quite high and they require custom heat-sinks for thermal management. Since Induction lamps use well established and mature glass moulding and coating technology with electronic ballasts (similar to fluorescent lamp technology), manufacturing costs are lower and yields higher than LEDs at this time. Typically an induction lamps fixture will cost 50% to 75% less than a similar output LED based fixture. This cost gap will be erased over time as LED production ramps up since sold-state devices are more amenable to cost reduction through mass manufacturing techniques.The one area in which LED Technology offers a significant advantage over induction lamps is ruggedness. Since the LEDs are solid-state devices, they are more resistant to vibration and impact compared to the induction lamps which are made of glass. LED lamps are therefore more suitable for applications where there is high vibration such as in transportation and industrial machinery applications.
   1. Nikola Tesla invented induction lighting in 1891. It is a proven, refined lighting technology, established as highly energy efficient.LED is still under much technical revision and unproven in high power lighting applications.
   2. Induction lighting is a cost effective solution as a new purchase or as a retrofit,with a 1 to 2 year ROI when considering energy and maintenance costs (without energy rebates or tax incentives).
      LED is energy efficient….. but with a 4 to 5 year ROI (currently costs nearly twice as much as Ind.).
   3. Induction Lighting is designed for area lightingand does not need to be specially designed for that
      LED is designed for directed/spot lighting. LED has to be “domed”, needing many LEDs to create the effect of area lighting. This factor is expensive and more vulnerable to premature technical failures.
   4. Induction Lighting has a rated life of 80,000 – 100,000 hours.
      LED has a rated life of 30,000 – 50,000 hours.
   5. Induction is warranted for 5 years.
      LED has a shorter warranty of 1 to 3 years.
   6. Induction lighting can maintain output from – 50C to + 100C degrees.
      LED has a seriously reduced output (lumen depreciation) above 25C degrees. Most lights are that hot in an enclosed fixture with just spring/summer ambient temperature. (See the CREE article on temperature).
   7. An induction, 200 watt bulb is rated at 33,320 “visible” lumens.
      A LED, 200 watt bulb is rated at 17,520 “visible” lumens, a 15,800 Visible Lumens difference.

   Induction Lighting is a better choice for any area, lighting application.

   Marketing Strategies:

   1)       Setting-up of the Territory Office and adequately trained sales force knowledgeable of the Products.

   2)       Develop promotional materials for the Products appropriate for use in the Territory, including modification of the Company’s promotional materials, subject to the Supplier’s advance approval of such materials.

   3)       Participate in the Trade Shows and the Exhibitions in the Territory, where such participations will promote the Products.

   4)       Advertising and publicity through the Printing and Visual Media.

   5)       Securing of Recommendation / Approval for the Products, from the Local Authorities.

    

   Target Customers:

   • Schools
   • Labour Accommodations
   • Warehouses
   • Hotels
   • Hospitals
   • Residences
   • Showrooms
   • Temporary Facilities

    

   Prospective Clients (UAE):

   • Abudhabi Municipality
   • Crown Plaza Hotel

    

   Net Profit:

   Minimum 35%

    

   SPECIFICATIONS	INDUCTION LIGHTING	LED
   Watts – Electrical Usage	100w	100w
   Lumens – Light Output	8,500 lumens	6,000 lumens
   Visual Lumens	16,660 Visual Lumens (S/P Ratio 1.96)	8,760 Visual Lumens (S/P Ratio 1.46)
   Efficiency	85 Im/watt	60 Im/watt
   Rated Lamp Life	100,000 hours	50,000 hours
   Applications	Unlimited	Limited
   Light Distribution	IES Class I-V	Spot
   Heat Issues	Maintains output from -50 to 100C	Drastically reduced output above 25C