LED lights and Retrofit lamps challenges faced

Time：2015-12-21　Views：2501　Compile：SUNPER

Everything that is successful also has some challenges since there is nothing which is 100 percent effective. Thus, the LED lighting systems also have some challenges. Product formats is among these challenges. The advent of LEDs are retrofit lamps is good and the future of these products belongs to products such as integrated fixtures.

The main challenging thing of the retrofit products is that they do force manufacturers to work in a sandbox. The form factor of the lamp is usually restricted and thus leaves rooms for heat-sinking which is not good for the incandescent sources despite being instrumental for the LEDs. The drivers of electronics have to be embarked in the lamps and thus they must be small enough to fit in and robust enough to sustain the heat generated by the LEDs. Thermals have a limitation today although there is an ongoing progress in improving efficiency.

These limitations can be removed by use of dedicated fixtures. Thus, the heat-sink can be large as required so as to enable higher reliability and efficiency. Electronics can be separated from the light source thermally. This enables a smoother electrical driving and better components. This triggers manufacturers to imagine products with a differentiated design. 

An example is that the today’s cost of replacing a bulb in a recessed can is about three to four times cheaper compared to switching to a dedicated LED replacement can. Retrofit lamps have tried to make progress in this cost difference when it comes to the quality of light. An integrated LED fixture can be very exciting as a new acquisition. However, the story may change some years later. The fixture should be gutted in order to replace it once a component burns down.

The integrated fixtures make a lot of sense when it comes to applications especially in the professional market where you can find very compelling products. However, for the domestic users, things aren’t very clear. Among the many representatives of the industry, one of them confessed how she bought a fixture for use in the kitchen but once it broke, it was impossible to repair it due to its proprietary connectors.

Contrary to the above, retrofit lamps are easy and common to replace. The LED technology is involving at a very high rate and this gives exciting fixtures to the consumers. It also includes color changing products especially that replicate the warm dimming of the filament lamps. There is also a launch of other smart functions that will be controlled by wireless interfaces. Therefore, much more is expected both in functionalities and in the communication protocols. Thus, there will be incentives for consumers to upgrade their products regularly.

It seems that retrofit with its dedicated products will continue to coexist for a long time. The implications for the manufacturers were about the challenges in maintaining a unified technological platform. This platform should also be relevant to both formats and hence able to accommodate the limitations of retrofits. In addition, it should also benefit from the freedom of the custom products. The complexity of developing two separate and competing classes of products and formats is meant to keep users busy.

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