How to calculate the light flux of an LED lamp. What is written on the package

1. The luminous flux, measured in lumens.This characteristic indicates the amount of light emitted by the lamp. It is used mainly to evaluate and compare the brightness of different light sources, for example, incandescent and LED lamps. Below is an approximate luminous flux for incandescent lamps of different power:

Commonly used bulbs disappear from the market of the European Union. Such a system is usually placed in the lamp body so that it is invisible to the user. It usually contains a rectifier and a smoothing capacitor. The capacitor is charged in each half-wave to a peak voltage, but the current depends on the degree to which the capacitor is discharged by the load. As a result, the phase difference reduces the power factor below unity.

The rectifier stage supplies the light source control circuit. Both circuits operate at a higher frequency than the network, and also affect the power factor value. Power factor correction codes are applied to individual lamps with a power of more than 25 W. Power consumed by a single LED is only 3 watts, and fluorescent - about 7 watts, but who uses only one light bulb in the chandelier?

2. The angle of the light flux (or the scattering angle, or the angle of divergence of the beam or the like)This is a flat angle defining the boundaries of the useful angle of light emission. Outside this angle, the ratio of the lamp's power to the maximum light intensity is less than 10% (GOST R 55392-2012).

LED lamps are available with different types of diffuser, which allows you to choose lamps depending on the need: either for more directional accent lighting or for more diffused light. It depends on the scattering angle which maximum area the lamp will illuminate (the larger the angle, the greater the area), and what maximum illumination can be obtained (the greater the angle, the higher the illumination at the same power).

One can imagine what will happen when all the bulbs are listed in the European Union. None of the energy-saving lamps available today is equipped with a power factor correction system. It should be expected that this control will soon be corrected.

Correction of the power factor of a fluorescent control system

The equal-power factor of the active power factor is to obtain the smallest phase shift between the current and voltage and the smallest harmonic content. Correction is performed by charging the capacitor to a voltage above the peak voltage, so that the energy stored in the capacitor is sufficient to provide linear power consumption from the network through non-linear loads.

3. Color temperature (color of glow), K.The color temperature value (correlated color temperature) indicates how the white color is perceived: warm (reddish), neutral or cold (bluish). The permissible deviations in accordance with the color temperature are indicated in the table:

There are many integrated circuits on the market, but they can be divided into two groups. The first solution is designed for high loads, working in continuous mode. The second includes systems designed to work with loads of up to 30 watts and operate in discontinuous conductivity mode.

The low-frequency equalizer transformer usually achieves an efficiency of over 90% and produces a power factor greater than 0. A slightly higher power value can be achieved with the toroidal transformer. At a voltage input of just a few volts, there is more peak voltage across the capacitor, smoothing the rectifier, so that the electronic ballast that feeds the lamp can remain unchanged.

Color temperature also affects the emotional impact of space and can greatly alter the appearance of objects exhibited in stores, galleries and museums. Correct choice of color temperature allows selecting a light source appropriate to the situation, can positively influence the behavior of the buyer and increase labor productivity in the workplace.

After correcting the power factor, a high DC voltage must be converted to a lower stabilized voltage and even better for a stabilized current. For technical reasons, the power factor correction and voltage conversion can not be performed with only one transformer.

The output voltage in this case would change abruptly at a frequency of 100 Hz, and the power factor would reach no more than 0. Galvanic separation and high processing efficiency are also required. With these requirements, the easiest solution is to use one more equalizer to ensure an accurate voltage or current stabilization.



4. Color rendering index,Ra is indicated either on the package of lamps or in the accompanying documentation for the lamps. Reflects the ability of a light source to correctly convey the colors of various objects in comparison with an ideal light source. This parameter is a quantitative indicator of the quality of reproduction of color shades on a scale from 0 to 100. By definition, the index of color reproduction of sunlight or illumination by incandescent lamps is 100. For LED lamps, the color rendering index usually has values ​​of at least 70. For household use, it is recommended to use lamps with an index color rendition of 80 and above.

For galvanic separation, a barrier inverter can be used. The problem of reactive power consumption was once used by large consumers, feeding on high and medium voltage networks. Currently, the widespread use of modern electricity meters allows you to measure the reactive power of small consumers working on low-voltage networks. The amount of fees charged for the extra-contractual reactive power can reach 30% of your electricity bills.

Reactive power in modern lighting

Reactive power also affects the power supply, which leads to overheating due to a significant increase in the current flowing in it, and then irritates the receivers to activate protection and turn off the receivers. Reactive power is common in modern electrical appliances. The power supply class is based on electronic components. A cheap and poor power source, without filters and security systems, is dangerous for the LED itself. It not only does not protect against excessive voltage or current, but in itself is a source of interference to the power line.

5. Power.  The characteristic "power" means "active power". Active power is that part of the consumed electrical energy that makes useful work (heating, energy, glow, etc.). With respect to incandescent lamps, the active power is the total power consumption of the lamp. But, since in the electric circuit of the driver (LED control device) of the LED lamp there are reactive components: capacitors, inductors, transformers, etc., the electrical circuit also has reactive power.

Most modern electrical appliances consume both active power and unwanted reactive power consumed by the device "for own use". This leads to an increase in power from the network, which significantly increases the cost of lighting. Reactive power also causes network interference, which leads to incorrect operation of the devices connected to it.

He tells us about the level of passive power consumed by the device. The higher the device, the higher its class. The ideal is φ = 1, but this is only a theory. In practice, the best devices reach levels around 0. The lower the class, the more it produces. Installed in a good power source, the components used to compensate for unwanted reactive power increase the total cost and increase the cost. An example of a good power source for a 12 W power supply is comparable to two matches.

Reactive power characterizes reactive energy, i.e. energy that does not expend irretrievably, but only temporarily stored in a magnetic (inductance coils) or in an electric field (capacitors). To distinguish it from active power, reactive power is measured not by watts, but by volt-amperes reactive (var or var).

Reactive power does not perform any useful work, but causes additional heating of the wires (since more current is consumed) and additionally loads the electrical network.

As a result, more and more passive electricity tariffs appear in payment documents from energy suppliers. When the electricity supplier is replaced, the installation of passive measuring and billing systems is already installed. It is very important that the heads of buildings, having decided to exchange light for "driving", take into account the energy quality of the lamps purchased. There are situations when, after replacing the existing incandescent lighting system, electricity bills do not decrease or even increase.

Goryński M. "Energy-saving automated energy management systems in residential buildings" Lublin Technological University. Saving is a very fashionable word lately. Everyone is trying to save, because no one else will complain about a couple of gold in his pocket. In short, can you save by paying more?

6. Power factor, (it is not always indicated)  Is a quantity that shows how much of the total power is occupied by the active (ie, the power that is spent for useful work).

The power factor has a value from 1 (active power is equal to full) to 0 (the total power is equal to the reactive power).

Just the last question seems paradoxical. Simply put, it's a diode that looks like a light bulb, but not a light bulb. The first such lamps appeared in Poland almost 10 years ago and, to put it mildly, were not the cheapest. They cost more than 100 zlotys for the item, and even worse, despite the manufacturers' assurances, they did not guarantee high quality. This did not change the basic fact. Most of them are made in China.

To answer this question, let's assume that to illuminate our apartment we need ten bulbs.

  • The cost of one traditional 60W lamp is about 5 zł.
  • For 10 pieces we will pay about 250 zł.
As you can easily calculate, the difference is very high, which can and should even raise our doubts. Let's see how the operating costs look.

And the active power (in the case of LED lamps, CFL, etc.) is calculated by the formula:

Where U is the mains voltage, I is the current consumed by the lamp, PF is the power factor.

Household consumers of electricity in Russia pay only for active power consumption, and industrial ones taking into account the power factor.

To begin with, all the bulbs burn for 5 hours a day, and the price for 1 kWh is 35 cents. A typical light bulb consumes 60 watts per hour. This means that ten traditional light bulbs will consume daily electricity for 1 zloty and 5 thunderstorms.

This means that ten LED lamps will consume electricity every day at 14 cents. We see here a big difference, this time in favor of LEDs. The comparison looks even more interesting if we consider the entire year of use. Each year we save 332 zł. As you can see, buying LEDs in comparison with traditional light bulbs will turn us around after about six months of use.

However, with the increase in the number of household appliances having a low power factor, the load on the electrical networks is growing. Therefore, the Government of the Russian Federation of July 20, 2011 No. 602 was required to establish the minimum permissible requirements for the power factor:

a)in relation to LED lamps of non-directional light (retrofits), modules of LED sources in a lighting device with a power from 5 W to 25 W - not less than 0.7;

Also remember that the more expensive electricity will be in the future, the more savings. Why then does the whole world not collect masses of LEDs, where possible? One of them is the so-called. the color of light measured in Kelvin. This means that the LEDs produce a much colder light than a traditional light bulb. Many people make this a problem, especially in the evenings, because they feel in the morgue or in the operating room.

However, because of their high price, they do not work well in places that are rarely lit, because the less often we use the LED, the longer it will cost to buy. The same is true when we need strong light. The equivalent of a 100-volt lamp costs about 100 zł, so in this case we will wait much longer to return the invested money.

b)  in relation to LED lamps of non-directional light (retrofits), modules of LED sources as part of a lighting device with a power of more than 25 W - not less than 0.85.

By the way, these norms are not always respected (especially if we talk about manufacturers from China).

6. The coefficient of light pulsation, Kp in percent. The coefficient of pulsation is a measure of the brightness variation of the illumination of a certain working surface in a short period of time. This is an indicator of the "quality" of the lighting, which is especially closely watched in the countries of the former USSR (in the European standards, almost nothing is mentioned about the pulsations of illumination).

Reduced energy consumption compared to traditional incandescent lamps Durability Less heat generation. High purchase cost Light color - most diodes "produce" cold light Very uneven quality. It is important to prioritize the location of the fixtures so that you can best choose the types of lighting. As for the cold color, you probably get used to it, especially when it turns out that our electricity bill is several tens of percent lower.

Estimated delivery time is 6-8 weeks. Available tariff plan: up to 6 months for payment without interest. Avoid exposure to extreme hot or cold temperatures for extended periods of time, especially when the hoop is in a folded position. Use only the coil to move and keep it in the open and connected position when you store or do not use it to maintain a better shape. Do not attempt to wrap the hoop so that it rejoins and closes in a collapsed position. This can lead to deformation of internal components and cause damage to the hoop. Be careful when winding the hoop and attaching straps or ties, the burnt tube is not covered by the warranty. Watch our video on how to properly wrap the hoop. If you plan to take your hoop to a place where sand, dust or moisture can get caught, find the time to put some tape over the holes to hold it at the top of the form! Try to avoid repetitive strikes on hard surfaces, such as asphalt or concrete. Please do not disassemble the hoop and do not attempt to repair it yourself. This can lead to deformation or cracking. . This depends on the size of the hoop and the diameter of the pipe.

The human eye feels light pulsations, the frequency of which does not exceed several tens of Hertz. On this assumption, the reproduction of video images in cinema and television is constructed - there the frame rate is 25 Hz, 50 Hz and more, which is perceived by the human eye as a complete, smooth image. The fact is that the human brain stops having time to fully process part of the information that comes to it from the organs of vision, which changes with a frequency higher than several tens of Hertz.

Is the size for phoenix-hoops an outer diameter or an internal diameter?

Approximately 200 are initially loaded onto the hoop. You can, of course, remove any of them or add more of your own! All our hoops are measured by external diameter. The smaller the hoop, the easier and faster it is, which means more complicated work on your core. If you are small, you can start with a smaller hoop, and if you have curves, a larger size can always be best suited for you.

We also suggest changing the size of the hoop for a reasonable fee if you ever need to adjust it. Our other post answered the question. If you want to have a custom size, including 27, 29, 30, 32 and 34, you can choose this option when placing an order for an additional fee. Because of this new method, we had to make some complicated decisions regarding the number of sizes and type of tubing. We did not have a lot of hacking cases with our hoops.

Therefore, if the ripple frequency is lower 50 Hz, then a person can notice it to describe the change in illumination, etc. If pulsations are unpleasant for a person, then he accordingly tries to limit his eye contact with the source of pulsations.

However, medical research has shown that the organs of vision and the human brain continue to perceive and react to changes in perceived visual information up to a frequency of 300 Hz. Such changes in the information perceived by the eyesight bodies have no longer a visual impact. And then the light controls the hormonal background of the person, which affects circadian (diurnal) rhythms, emotional sphere, working capacity and many other aspects of life.

In Russia, the following regulatory acts have been adopted, which establish requirements for the level of pulsation of illumination:

AT SanPiN 2.2.2 / 2.4.1340-03"Hygienic requirements for personal electronic computers and work organization" indicates that the coefficient of light pulsations when operating on a PC should not exceed 5%.

In GOST R 54945-2012 "Buildings and structures. Methods for measuring the coefficient of pulsation of illumination ". It directly states that "the ripple coefficient of lightness takes into account the pulsation of the light flux to 300 Hz. The ripple frequency above 300 Hz does not affect the overall and visual performance. "

The coefficient of light pulsation is not always indicated on the packaging and in the accompanying documentation of lamps and lamps, in addition, there are often cases when the manufacturer indicates low pulsations of illumination, but this is not true.

7. Normalized lamp life (rated lamp life): According to GOST R 54815-2011 "LED lamps with built-in control device for general lighting for voltages above 50 V. Operating requirements" is the time during which the lamp provides more than 50% (or alternatively 70%) of the nominal light flux. At the same time, the manufacturer must indicate the L50 saving factor (the light decay is not more than 50% of the claimed light output) or L70 (the light flux decrease is not more than 30% of the declared value), together with the failure rate for the lifetime declared by the manufacturer. In fact, the packages indicate the service life of the LEDs according to the European standard IESNA LM-80-2008, which does not take into account the operating conditions of the lamp, the quality of the driver and "thermal management", and therefore has little to do with the real life of the LED lamp.

8. Lamp base.  The name and type of the most common lamp caps:



On this all, the article and so it turned out quite voluminous, if there are questions or wishes to paint something in more detail, write in the comments.

The article used materials from sources:

  1. B.Yu. Eisenberg - "Reference book on lighting equipment", 3rd edition, 2006.
  2. L.P. Varfolomeev - Elementary Lighting Engineering, 2013.
  3. J. Weinert, reference book "LED lighting", PHilips, 2010.
  4. GOST R 55392-2012 "Lighting devices and complexes. Terms and Definitions ", Standartinform, 2014.
  5. GOST R 54815-2011. "Lamps LED with built-in control device for general lighting for voltages above 50V. Operational requirements », Standartinform, 2012.
  6. SanPiN 2.2.2 / 2.4.1340-03 "Hygienic requirements for personal electronic computers and work organization".
  7. GOST R 54945-2012. "Buildings and constructions. Methods for measuring the brightness ripple coefficient ", StandardInform, 2012.

What is the power factor and what does it depend on, what should be the optimal power factor, one of the important indicators of energy efficiency of LEDs. Read more in the article.

With the advent of LED lighting there was a special opportunity - to use less electricity without disrupting the quality of the light produced. This feature is achieved due to the technical characteristics of LED lamps, namely the power factor of LED lamps.

An important indicator of energy efficiency of LEDs

LEDs today are in great demand because of their energy efficiency, unlike other types of lighting equipment. An important physical quantity that characterizes the indicator of LED efficiency is power and its coefficient, their parameters can be learned from the packaging of products. Here it is worth noting the fact that similar in parameters LEDs have different quality and technical features. This is easily explained by the difference between the technology of LED production and the requirements imposed on them. Therefore, in order to make the right choice and purchase the device with the declared characteristics, it is necessary to find a trusted supplier having relevant.

As already mentioned, a significant parameter of the LED lamp is the power factor, which characterizes its efficiency.

What is the power factor and what does it depend on?

The power factor is a physical parameter, determined by the ratio of active to full power.

Active power is a component of the spent energy, which is spent on useful work, in this case, the development of lighting. The rest of the energy is spent on reactive power, which is idle and does not perform any useful work. Reactive power usually turns into heat and is lost, sometimes this figure reaches 80-95% of the power consumed by the luminaire. As can be seen from the formula, the total power is the sum of its active and reactive component.

In simple words, the power factor is a dimensionless quantity that determines the quantitative ratio of spent electricity, which performs useful work to full capacity.

Power factor used to be called cosine "FI", when there was no such thing as LED impulse lighting. The higher the cos φ, the lower the loss of electricity and the higher energy-saving properties of the equipment. The power factor shows the distortion of the sinusoidal voltage or the phase current shift. This parameter is expressed by a relative value, and is in the range from 0 to 1. Coefficient "1" is the ideal value of the parameter.

The power factor is needed to ensure that the energy-efficient lighting device does not pay for irrationally used electricity.

To date, there is a huge selection of lighting equipment with its advantages and disadvantages, policy and technical parameters.

What should be the optimal power factor?

Power factor value High Good Satisfactory Low The bad
cos φ 0,95..1 0,8..0,95 0,65..0,8 0,5..0,65 0..0,5

As mentioned above, the higher the value of the coefficient, the more efficiently the luminaire functions. For example, the cosine φ for LRL lamps with an uncompensated type ballast is only 0.5, with a compensated throttle of 0.85. This suggests that from 15 to 50% of electricity used by LRL lamps is wasted.

The highest power factor is LED lighting. According to the requirements of the Ukrainian standard, LED lighting fixtures with cos φ 0,9 ... 1 should be used for lighting.

The use of lighting devices with a high power factor allows you to:

  • economically and rationally use electricity;
  • reduce the load on the electrical network;
  • to increase the quality of light.

Can I do something to increase the power factor?

If the value of cos φ deviates from the accepted norms, it is possible to correct it and bring the power factor into compliance with the standards. The power factor correction is designed for uniform consumption of phase power and elimination of voltage drops. Correction is carried out by installing additional devices - a reactive element or a throttle.

In order for LED lamps to comply with accepted standards, their production should be handled by professionals, taking into account all the nuances that, to varying degrees, can affect the quality of the finished product. If some elements of lighting equipment do not meet the established technical standards or devices will be used for other purposes, all the advantages of LED products can be reduced to none. Another element of the LED lamp, which can affect the efficiency of modern products, is the power source (driver). From its parameters will depend on the technical characteristics of the lamp, including the power factor.

The relatively high price of LEDs is completely offset by the fast payback period for installing LED lighting. The figures speak for themselves:

  • the power factor, which determines the quality of the LED, is close to unity;
  • standard operating life of more than 90,000 hours, depending on;
  • color rendering index Ra = 85%;
  • the payback period of the LED lighting installation is from one to two years.


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