Meanwell’s New Power Supplies for LED Lighting

Here we are again, giving you another dose of LED lighting news. This week, Meanwell, a power solution provider, has enhanced the power of their LED power supply products to 90 W with the introduction of the LPF-90(D) series. This series is ideal for various LED applications, such as outdoor/indoor LED lighting, commercial lighting, wash-wall lighting, LED stage and theatre lighting, and LED decorative lighting.

The LPF-90 series is equipped with built-in active power factor correction and a host of useful functions. With additional, three-in-one dimming features, the LPF-90D series trumps the competition by having a 1 to 10 V d.c. PWM signal or variable resistance to provide amazing brightness reduction and significant energy savings.

Additional features of the power supply series include an important IP67 protection. The supplies are covered in a durable plastic case with 94V-0 fire prevention level. Even the supply’s internal shock absorption is high: they can last through 5 G vibrations. With up to a 91% efficiency rate, the new power supplies can also withstand -40°C and +70°C temperatures, making it safe for all types of weather.

Moreover, the products are contained in double isolated, cable-style input/output connections, which makes it highly safe for regular use. The LPF-90D features extra wires to provide the perfect dimming controls.

Questions or comments about this product? Share them below! We are glad to hear from you!

PRIMA LIGHTING’S 14th ANNIVERSARY CATALOG RELEASED!

Highlights include NEW Mini-LED Wall Washer
NEW Super Thin LED Recessed / Puck Light

The wait is finally over! PRIMA Lighting’s 14^th Anniversary Catalog is now available!

This completely re-designed catalog includes multiple installation photos from our recent and past projects. Fine quality images and high definition 3D rendering present you the best of each fixture. It also features our new System Compatibility Indicators, distinctive icons that will help you identify the various elements of each fixture:

Our new catalog focuses on our latest products and innovations. You’ll be excited to know a wide variety of new extensions from our current product families have recently joined the line-up: new Italian glass, LED Recessed Lighting, bendable line voltage track… everything was uniquely designed and built to the “PRIMA” standard.

Mini-LED Wall Washer

The combination of ultra-low consumption and high-output LED modular units are now available on PRIMA’s Mini-LED Wall Washer. This amazing product is ideal for PRIMA’s Minirail track system, a sleek and low-profile track system perfect under kitchen cabinets, bookshelves, and jewelry display cases.

The Mini-LED Wall Washer is available in both adjustable and fixed styles. They come in 24 or 48 LED, fully dimmable when combined with PRIMA dimmable transformer and low-voltage magnetic dimmer.

Super Thin LED Recessed / Puck Light

1.46-inch diameter, 0.63-inch thickness, the new SUPER THIN LED Recessed/Puck Lighting highlights the best of PRIMA’s amazing collection of LED fixtures. Fits under most cabinet fixtures, this versatile lighting system is offered in both recessed and puck styles. With only 1.2W of power consumption, it is truly a brilliant innovation!

VantagePoint Predicts LED Lighting Prices Will ‘Plummet’ By 2015

As more and more demand for green technology rises and the number of competitors increase, VantagePoint Capital Partners, investors in Silicon Valley, expect the price of LEDs to drop by 2015. In fact, VantagePoint’s CEO, Alan Salzman, predicts that prices may fall 90% within three years.

Since the incandescent light bulbs are being phased out, it leaves much room for LEDs to gain hold of the 40 billion dollar global lighting market. Today, Europe has begun phasing out incandescent bulbs and with the recent energy efficiency policy in the U.S., 100-watt bulbs will soon be obsolete in 2012.

However, since the phasing out has just begun in our part of the globe, there hasn’t been much LEDs on the shelves for sale yet. But, Salzman expects that once incandescents are eliminated, more and more startups will develop low-cost LEDs for the general public.

Eager to improve the environment and take a piece of the growing green industry, VantagePoint has invested approximately $750 million in 32 clean technology companies, which include top LED manufacturers.

Wondering why LEDs are so important to the environment? Well, basically, an average LED bulb will save U.S. consumers as much as $7 a year in energy costs compared with incandescent bulbs, and they’ll last for about 30 years, according to Salzman.

For more info, contact us at 1-562-407-3079 or visit http://www.primalighting.com.

LEDs vs. CFLs

LED lighting is even more efficient than CFLs. In fact, a single $40 bulb can last up to 23 years. They also light up instantly and contain no mercury or lead. The current selling price of LED light bulbs are $20, but we’re sure to see this price drop soon.

One of the first retailers to wipe out incandescents before the Energy Independence and Security Act’s timeline, is IKEA, which pulled the plug on standard light bulbs last month. IKEA made the announcement late Spring that starting August 2010, they will begin phasing out incandescents from their stock.

“IKEA is committed to integrating sustainable practices into our range and business practices. As the largest home furnishings store, we are constantly looking at ways to help support our customers with every day environmentally responsible solutions that will improve their lives. Eliminating incandescents is just one simple way for IKEA customers to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gases,” stated Mike Ward, US IKEA President.

What do you think of IKEA’s big move? Do you agree or disagree?

For more information on LEDs, talk to us at Prima Lighting. You may contact us @ (562) 407-3079 or visit www.primalighting.com. For more news and updates, become our fan on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

Say Goodbye to Incandescent Light Bulbs

Beginning next year, the government will start phasing out incandescent light bulbs, much to the dismay of users and probably, Thomas Edison. This plan is part of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which was created “to move the United States toward greater energy independence and security, to increase the production of clean renewable fuels” and  “to protect consumers.”

Most people are still unaware of this law that aims to raise efficiency standards for light bulbs. And, old energy-inefficient incandescents just don’t make the cut. Those that are aware of the law are stocking up on as many light bulbs they can for future use. Some are hoping that they can even sell incandescents if they become pricey novelty items later on.

So, what is the timeline to this phase-out? At the beginning of 2012, 100-watt incandescent bulbs will be eliminated. The next year, 75-watt bulbs will follow. And in 2014, it’s so long to the 40-watt bulb.

Currently, the only other alternative in the market that is more efficient and inexpensive are CFLs (Compact Florescent Lamps). One CFL can burn for 7 years, or 8,000 hours, at a total cost of about $25. They last 10 times longer than standard bulbs. To get the equivalent in incandescents, you’ll have to buy eight bulbs and spend $96. So, by using CFLs, you save about $70. CFLs also use about one-fourth the energy as incandescents and produce 90 percent less as well as more light per watt.

However, a lot of people aren’t fans of CFLs because they need time to warm up, and when you break them, there’s mercury to clean up.

So, what’s next? Well, there’s good news to this phase-out. LEDs (Light-Emitting Diodes) are being researched at companies like Sylvania. LEDs are just now coming on the market for home use, but we predict that the Energy Independence and Security Act will make LEDs more available in the market, thus lowering their prices.

What do you think of this new legislation to wipe out standard light bulbs? Are you ready to say goodbye to incandescents? Share your thoughts and opinions below.

For more information on LED light bulbs and lighting systems, talk to your friendly customer service representatives at Prima Lighting. We carry a wide range of styles and colors that will suit any home or business. Contact us @ (562) 407-3079 or visit www.primalighting.com. You can also become our fan on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

2011 Gets Brighter and Brighter!

What a better way to start the new year than redecorating your living or work space with our sophisticated lighting systems! Prima Lighting has an extensive selection of designs to choose from. And, with our newest collection for the 2011 Season, there’s even more ways to add style and innovative lighting to your home or business!

Our collection includes new LED recess lighting designs that come in all shapes and sizes, including 3”, 4”, 5” and 6”. You can pair them with our various selection of trims, with styles ranging from techno to miniature die cast to glam. We even have a unique, square wall recess light that stands out from the standard round recess lighting systems.

We make it easy for you to keep your design flexible, with interchangeable glass pendants that have a wide range of styles to choose from, so there is one for every mood and taste. There are pendants that stand out on their own, becoming the focal point and conversation piece of any space. There are also pendants that have simple designs with a touch of elegance that will easily blend within the room.

One of our newest glass pendants is the Sahara Sunset Tiramisu, a contemporary design with delicious auburn hues in a whimsical swirl pattern. It’s sure to create a warm, inviting atmosphere in any space. Plus, we offer a wide range of lighting systems you can pair it with, making it not only stylish, but practical as well.

Want to see more? Check out our full collection of products on our website: www.primalighting.com and tell us what you think of our versatile designs by leaving your comments below.

Rubicon Technology’s Latest Innovation Leads the Way for LED Industry

Rubicon Technology, a leader in producing sapphire substrates and products in the LED, RFIC (Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit), Semiconductor, and Optical industries, announced their latest innovation today: 12-inch polished wafers. These wafers are the largest high-quality, sapphire wafers ready for production of LEDs (light emitting diodes). Currently, Rubicon offers a wide range of exceptional sapphire substrates including two-, three- and four-inch core, and six-, eight- and 12-inch wafers.

As the demand for LED products rises, Rubicon Technology presents their newest innovation that will effectively deliver sapphire substrates to support the needs of consumer electronics and general lighting industries. Products in these industries include light bulbs, large displays, street lights, HDTVs, laptops and mobile phones leverage LEDs. Rubicon remains as the only vertically integrated producer of premium, large diameter sapphire wafers in high volumes, which makes it the most sought-after supply company for LED manufacturers around the globe.

With its advanced research and state-of-the-art technologies, Rubicon is helping to lead the way forward in the LED industry. “Rubicon has built a world renowned R&D and engineering team that is making great strides in the development of high quality large diameter sapphire including the first 12-inch wafer,” commented Raja Parvez, Rubicon President and CEO. “It takes unique technology with advanced processes to make high quality, large diameter sapphire at scale. Rubicon’s ability to affordably produce larger wafers, free of defects is key to helping industries that make and use LEDs scale to the volumes necessary to support the growth needed in the general lighting and consumer electronics.”

What do you think of Rubicon’s latest innovation and what it will do for the LED industry? Share your thoughts below.

About Rubicon Technology (RBCN): Rubicon Technology, Inc. is an advanced electronic materials provider that is engaged in developing, manufacturing and selling monocrystalline sapphire and other crystalline products for light-emitting diodes (LEDs), radio frequency integrated circuits (RFICs), blue laser diodes, optoelectronics and other optical applications. The Company applies its proprietary crystal growth technology to produce very high-quality sapphire in a form that allows for volume production of various sizes and orientations of substrates and windows. Rubicon is a vertically-integrated manufacturer with capabilities in crystal growth, high precision core drilling, wafer slicing, surface lapping, large-diameter polishing and wafer cleaning processes, which the Company employs to convert the bulk crystal into products with the quality and precision specified by its customers. The Company is actively developing larger diameter products to support next-generation LED, RFIC and optical window applications. (Source: BusinessWire)

For more information on Sapphire Wafers and LEDs, contact us at (562) 407-3079 or visit www.primalighting.com to check out our newest collection of affordable, high quality products. You can also become our fan on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

Welcome to Prima Lighting’s Newsletter!

Welcome to our newsletter. Here, you’ll find the latest news in the LED, lighting, and interior design industries as well as tips and tricks on designing your living or work spaces, top lighting system trends, and valuable resources for affordable lighting. If you enjoy reading our articles, we invite you to add us to your RSS feed. Also, feel free to leave us a comment or two and let us know your thoughts and opinions about the issues we address here.

About Prima Lighting: Prima Lighting is the premiere manufacturer of Low Voltage & LED lighting systems for commercial, residential, retail and restaurant applications. Prima’s extensive product line includes bendable rail/track system, tensioned cable system, Energy Saving LED fixtures, decorative hand-blown glass pendants and monopoint light fixtures, as well as miniature recessed lighting systems.

Our mission is to deliver quality products of unique design with customer service that never fails to satisfy. While there are many similar products being offered in the lighting market, our goal is to continuously deliver the Best Value to our customers.

Your 100% satisfaction is always our number one priority!

For more information, contact us @ (562) 407-3079 or visit www.primalighting.com. You can also connect with us on Prima Lighting’s Facebook Page and Prima Lighting’s Twitter Feed.