![\"LED](\"http:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/LED-Lamps.jpg\" "\\"A")
<\/a>A substantial part of the LED lighting market comprises retrofit lamps.<\/p><\/div>\n
Another development is the introduction of new technologies aimed at making LED lamps perform at the same levels as traditional lamps. The colour temperature of halogen lamps, for example, is reduced when dimming. This is sometimes used to create a warm, cosy atmosphere. Several manufacturers have LED lamps available which mimic this behaviour (e.g. the Philips Dimtone).<\/p>\n
Candle lamps are used for decoration and the sparkling effect they create in chandeliers, for instance, is important. Most LED candles cannot match the effect of incandescent lamps, creating an obstacle to the use of LED candles. Philips\u2019 recently-introduced Diamond Spark LED candle can, however, generate the same sparkling effect as incandescent lamps.<\/p>\n
Another LED development is the addition of functionality to these lamps. As LEDs are digital technology, other digital technologies can be integrated with them. An example is the integration of movement sensors, which is now being done with LED tubes.<\/p>\n
Another example is the Philips Hue lamp, a colour-changing LED bulb which can be be controlled via smartphone or tablet.<\/p>\n
<\/a>The Philips Hue is a colour-changing LED bulb which can be be controlled via smartphone or tablet<\/p><\/div>\n
More players<\/h3>\n
Well-known Asian electronics companies, companies from other industries and hundreds, if not thousands of manufacturers from the Far East are joining established traditional lamp suppliers in this race.<\/p>\n
With all these players vying for business, many are tempted to ignore the rules of the game by exaggerating the specifications of their product or by forcing LEDs into applications not suited to them. As a consequence, some end-users become disillusioned with LED technology and this slows down the conversion from traditional lamps.<\/p>\n
Suppliers who did not adhere to the rules of the game were abetted by the fact that there were no rules for a long time in the absence of standards for LED lamps. Standards such as IEC 52560 were introduced only recently, and local standards are also on the cards.<\/p>\n
Compatibility issues<\/h3>\n
These contenders faced some technical obstacles soon after the race started. Issues such as transformer and dimmer compatibility arose. LED lamps (12 V) have integrated circuits and these electronics must be compatible with the existing electronic transformer. Sometimes, \u201celectronics don\u2019t not work with electronics\u201d. LED lamp suppliers have responded by adapting the internal LED driver. The Transformax intelligent circuit used by Philips makes its 12 V lamps compatible with 99% of electronic transformers.<\/p>\n
Another compatibility issue, between the LED circuits in both 230 and 12 V LED lamps and existing dimmers for incandescent and halogen lamps, is rather complex and dimmers specifically compatible with LED lamps have become available only recently. It is important to use dimmers recommended by the LED lamp supplier only.<\/p>\n
Risk<\/h3>\n
The race is becoming increasingly risky. The very short development cycles do not allow suppliers to conduct the same extensive lifetime testing as that done with traditional lamps, so design flaws will become visible in the field only. This poses a huge risk for suppliers due to the growing volumes. At the same time, growing competition and price erosion force suppliers to look at material costs and product specifications carefully.<\/p>\n
Finally, the race is shifting. In the early days, the GU10\/GU5.3 sockets for halogen downlights were the main goal. Now that a substantial number of those sockets have been occupied, the race is shifting to the E27\/B22 and G12 sockets, so the talk now is of bulbs and tubes. Those are the most relevant categories for Africa and are currently the main \u201cprize\u201d for LED lamp suppliers.<\/p>\n
Conclusion<\/h3>\n
In summary, the race for the socket is fast-paced and very dynamic, offering increasing benefits for end-users and business opportunities for players in the lighting market.<\/p>\n
Source: EngineerIT<\/a><\/em><\/p>\nMore on LED lights<\/h3>\n