5 Factors to Consider in Choosing a LED Bulb.

5 Factors to consider in choosing a LED Bulb.

The aim of this article is to present a kind of guide of factors to consider in choosing an LED bulb that meets the needs of each. The LED revolution has qualified the lighting market and while previously only needed to know the power of the bulbs to choose the best option; today we know factors such as temperature, light output or power factor among others. Let's see one by one some of the most important criteria to keep in mind:

Power (W): The scale that we all know is still a factor to consider. This is to say we Watts (W) consumed by each device.

The Power Factor (PF): The PF is perhaps the least factor is taken into account and that affects the quality or consumption of a bulb or another. This refers to energy use a bulb makes electricity that arrives is measured on a scale from 0 to 1, meaning the% of energy into light. And a bulb with 0.7 turns indicates that 70% of the light power and has a loss of 30%. A greater PF, increased energy and monetary savings but also higher purchase price. Normally LED bulbs often have a higher PF 0.8, and this is perhaps the secret of his savings.

The luminous flux (Lm): Measured in lumens, this factor represents the amount of light that throws a device. There is a direct relation to the scale of power incandescent bulbs, and their most common range is usually from 450 Lm (40W approximately) 1,600 Lm (100W), but should not be confused. Since a quality bulb can produce more light (Lm) with less power (W), improving quality and saving our enlightenment.

The temperature (° K): This factor indicates the color of the light emitted from the bulb. Depending on the temperature, talk of a white yellow light (2.700ºK) or (6.000ºK). The temperatures used in lighting are usually the 2700ºK in homes, offices and 3000ºK to 4000ºK for storage. The bulbs with temperature 6500 ° K are those that show a comparable light of day light and usually common in hospitals or large factories. There is a table that you can ask when buying a device for detailed color that will provide the bulb in question.

Color temperature

The color index (CRI or Ra): The percentage CRI indicates the quality and reliability of the light emitted by the bulb compared to natural light. This indicated on a scale from 0 to 100, where 100 is light and natural color. For example, a CRI of 90 or 100 ensures excellent results, respecting the brilliance and luster of natural colors. Many users have problems detecting this scale because the references of products number usually appears with three figures. For example 827: Keep in mind that this code 8 refers to CRI (in this case 80) and the last two to temperature, adding 00. In our example would 2700ºK

Apart from these more technical criteria, it is also advisable to consider the energy label (A, A ++ ...) in terms of environmental friendliness, and the opening angle (NO) with respect to decorative criteria. Taking all of these objective factors into account, we find that LED lighting is one of the most successful measures to lower the rate of light that only raises and closing doors alternatives, something that readers of this blog know too well.