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!

New Hyper-Efficient Bulb May Be Too Costly

Cree has recently released their new hyper-efficient bulb in the stores and while, we’re super excited about a new LED light out in the market, it may be too expensive for consumers to buy.

But, wait, let’s talk about why it could be worth the extra dollars. The Cree bulb only uses one-tenth of the electricity a 75-watt incandescent bulb absorbs. Additionally, the bulb produces 152 lumens per watt versus incandescents, which only produce 14.6 lumens per watt (‘lumen’ is a measurement of the visible light emitted by a bulb). In total, the Cree bulb produces a whopping 1,300 lumens, certainly exceeding the innovation goals  of the U.S. Department’s L Prize Competition.

With these great statistics, the Cree bulb can actually reduce energy usage in the United States by 16.5 percent, as the company claims. However, this claim may be difficult to prove considering the bulbs are a bit too costly for the consumer market. On average, LED lighting costs $18 per kilolumen produced, while incandescent bulbs were around $2.20 per kilolumen. LEDs are expected to lower in price, but this may not happen until a few years later, when demand for LEDs will increase since the Energy Act of 2007 will eliminate incandescent light bulbs from the market.

So, for LED manufacturers, there will surely be a bright light at the end of the tunnel.

Excited about Cree’s hyper-efficient bulb? Share your thoughts below.

House Plans to Overturn Bulb Ban

While the bulb ban has excited many environmentalists and LED lighting enthusiasts, many are not so happy about it. And, it’s just not consumers stuck on the traditional incandescent light bulbs that don’t favor the change. Apparently, the U.S. House of Representatives are not entirely crazy about the energy saving plan. The House is voting to end the rules on President Bush’s Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The Act set efficiency standards for light bulbs at 45 lm/W or more, which essentially eliminates use of conventional incandescent light bulbs. According to the ban, the only incandescent light bulbs that could be used are halogen-based incandescents.

The House Republicans insist that U.S. consumers should have the option to buy any type of bulb they want, especially the incandescent light bulb, which is both reliable and inexpensive.

To thwart the energy efficiency standards of the ban, Representative Joe Barton (R-Texas) introduced the Better Use of Light Act (BULB) Act on July 6. The BULB Act cancels Subtitle B of Title III of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which declares the performance standards for light bulbs.

Barton argues that the government is out of bounds with the 2007 Ban: “The unanticipated consequence of the ’07 act — Washington-mandated layoffs in the middle of a desperate recession — is one of many examples of what happens when politicians and activists think they know better than consumers and workers.”

How about you? What do you think? Well, if you’re rooting for the energy efficient ban, you don’t have to throw in the towel yet. The BULB Act will still need two-thirds majority to pass. On the other side of all this are the Democrats on the Energy and Commerce Committee, who are pushing to oppose the bill.

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