Jargon Busting
Whether a car, a bespoke suit or even a pair of shoes, sometimes you only have to glance at an item to see the quality; this is true of the Light Projects LEDStar XL, so with that in mind, we are going to hop, skip, and jump over the glaringly obvious attributes of at-a-glance quality, clean design, carefully selected colour choices and the plethora of accessories and get straight to the detail.
This concise product description instantly tells us everything we need to know.
In technical terms, one lumen represents the quantity of visible light that is detectable to the human eye at a distance of one foot.
To better explain, using a more familiar benchmark, an old standard 60-watt incandescent bulb (which measures power rather than light) typically illuminates at around 800 lumens — starkly demonstrating the advancements in lighting technology and showcasing how this newer, more efficient alternative can generate significantly higher lumens (light) while consuming less power in watts. Which, of course, neatly translates to effectiveness and savings.
Sounds good, but what does it mean? For the Caribbean region, it means a lot, as our climate is notably unforgiving. Ingress Protection (IP) is a standard classification system used to specify the degree of protection provided against dust, solid objects, water, and moisture intrusion.
The first number, (6), indicates the level of protection against solid objects such as dust and debris. A rating of 6 signifies complete protection against dust, meaning the fixture is dust-tight and offers the highest level of protection.
The second number, (7) shows the protection against water and moisture. A rating of 7 indicates that the fixture is protected against immersion in water up to 1 meter in depth for a limited duration (usually up to 30 minutes) and can withstand temporary submersion without sustaining damage.
An IP67-rated lighting fixture would be highly suitable for use in a Caribbean coastal climate where it may be exposed to high levels of moisture, salt spray, excessive dust and other environmental factors, in real terms, it means that you are less likely to have to replace the LED in a hurry.
Small letters for such a big topic. CIBSE TM66 or, more specifically, TM66 Circular Economy Assessment Method (CEAM)-Make is an algorithm that looks at various aspects of design and manufacture to, in turn, provide a numeric assessment of a product's economic sustainability and compliance with circular economy principles.
The new algorithm results from a cross-industry collaboration and a willingness to provide practical guidance and tools to help develop a circular, sustainable approach to lighting and building services. Although still in beta stage, through 'CEAM-Make', a complex subject can be translated into a comprehensible star rating, giving manufacturers and specifiers targeted, useable and independent metrics to compare products and strive for the best-suited product. The hope is that specifiers will purposefully choose products designed to be reusable and upgraded rather than simply disposable.
These figures represent the colour temperature options;
2200K: This is in the ultra-warm or very warm category. Light sources with a colour temperature around 2200K emit a warm, amber glow similar to candlelight or the warm glow of an incandescent bulb. These temperatures create a cosy and intimate atmosphere.
2700K: Considered warm white, light with a colour temperature of 2700K has a soft, yellowish hue. It's commonly used in residential settings, particularly living rooms, bedrooms, and dining areas, to create a comfortable and inviting ambience.
3000K: Falling within the warm white range, light at 3000K is slightly cooler than 2700K but still emits a warm, yellowish-white light. It's often used in residential and hospitality settings for general lighting purposes.
4000K: Classified as cool white or neutral white, light with a colour temperature of 4000K has a bright, white hue with a slight blue undertone. It's often used in commercial and task-oriented environments like offices, retail spaces, and kitchens, where higher levels of brightness and clarity are required.
Colour temperature values help consumers choose lighting that suits their preferences, primarily atmosphere and functionality. Warmer temperatures tend to create a relaxed ambience, while cooler temperatures provide a more focused environment. What this tells us is that the LEDStar XL can pretty much do it all.
We understand the convenience and initial cost savings of purchasing bulk items retail. However, it's important to consider the long-term implications. Often, these products are designed with planned obsolescence in mind, leading to frequent replacements and additional expenses. The acid test is to challenge the seller to explain the specifications and why a particular product is superior for a given task. If they falter in explaining the technical details, it's worth reconsidering your options.
The LEDStar XL was an ideal product to showcase the importance of these details, and we have no hesitation in suggesting it. It is highly customisable due to its wealth of accessories for surface, ground spike, tree and sign mounting, internal louvres for added control glare and further options for flexible conduit to reduce wildlife cable damage or plug-in cable for wiring flexibility. It is climate-appropriate, suitable for indoor and outdoor use, and ideal for large areas & high-intensity detail lighting in gardens, landscapes or architectural features.
Working with Lightstar means having pre-and-post project support, specialist advice, preferred pricing, logistics, and installation support. All at no cost. We have 100% confidence in every product we suggest; in many cases, we don't just know the senior executives but also the designers, who we can contact directly for customisation or installation advice.