Lifetime White Leds Aug16 r1 2
Lifetime White Leds Aug16 r1 2
Lifetime White Leds Aug16 r1 2
Lumen Depreciation
All electric light sources experience a decrease in the amount of light they emit over time, a process known as lumen depreciation. Incandescent filaments evaporate over time and the tungsten particles collect on the bulb wall. This typically results in 10-15% depreciation compared to initial lumen output over the 1,000 hour life of an incandescent lamp. In fluorescent lamps, photochemical degradation of the phosphor coating and accumulation of light-absorbing deposits cause lumen depreciation. Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) generally lose no more than 20% of initial lumens over their 10,000 hour life. High-quality linear fluorescent lamps (T8 and T5) using rare earth phosphors will lose only about 5% of initial lumens at 20,000 hours of operation.
Typical Lumen Maintenance Values for Various Light Sources
100% 100W Incandescent 50W Tungsten Halogen 400W Metal Halide 42W CFL 32W T8 Fluorescent 5-mm LED 60% 50% 0
Source:
OSTAR Lighting
Terms
Lumen depreciation - the decrease in lumen output that occurs as a lamp is operated. Rated lamp life the life value assigned to a particular type lamp. This is commonly a statistically determined estimate of average or median operational life. For certain lamp types other criteria than failure to light can be used; for example, the life can be based on the average time until the lamp type produces a given fraction of initial luminous flux. Life performance curve a curve that presents the variation of a particular characteristic of a light source (such as luminous flux, intensity, etc.) throughout the life of the source. Also called lumen maintenance curve.
Source: Rea 2000.
High-Power LED
5000
15000
20000
Adapted from Bullough, JD. 2003. Lighting Answers: LED Lighting Systems. Troy, NY. National Lighting Product Information Program, Lighting Research Center, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
The primary cause of LED lumen depreciation is heat generated at the LED junction. LEDs do not emit heat as infrared radiation (IR), so the heat must be removed from the device by conduction or convection. Without adequate heat sinking or ventilation, the device temperature will rise, resulting in lower light output. While the effects of short-term exposure to high temperatures can be reversed, continuous high temperature operation will cause permanent reduction in light output. LEDs continue to operate even after their light output has decreased to very low levels. This becomes the important factor in determining the effective useful life of the LED.
Checklist
What features should you look for in evaluating the projected lifetime of LED products?
publish thermal design guidance? Does the lamp design have any special features for heat sinking/ thermal management? Does the fixture manufacturer have test data supporting life claims? What life rating methodology was used? What warranty is offered by the manufacturer? Bringing you a prosperous future where energy is clean, reliable, and affordable
recommends defining useful life as the point at which light output has declined to 70% of initial lumens (abbreviated as L70) for general lighting and 50% (L50) for LEDs used for decorative purposes. For some applications, a level higher than 70% may be required.
LED Lifetime Characteristics How do the lifetime projections for todays white LEDs compare to traditional light sources?
Range of Typical Rated Life (hours)*
(varies by specific lamp type)
Light Source
Incandescent
3,000-4,000
750-2,000
35,000-50,000
Electrical and thermal design of the LED system or fixture determine how long LEDs will last and how much light they will provide. Driving the LED at higher than rated current will increase relative light output but decrease useful life. Operating the LED at higher than design temperature will also decrease useful life significantly. Most manufacturers of high-power white LEDs estimate a lifetime of around 30,000 hours to the 70% lumen maintenance level, assuming operation at 350 milliamps (mA) constant current and maintaining junction temperature at no higher than 90C. However, LED durability continues to improve, allowing for higher drive currents and higher operating temperatures. Specific manufacturer data should be consulted because some LEDs available today are rated for 50,000 hours at 1000 mA with junction temperature up to 120C.2
2