Cartoon Network

17 December 2012

[DIY] FYI --- Lumens:

 

Just about the time we get used to one system of measures someone seems compelled to change the rules, and with the introduction of LED lighting Lumens is a value term we now need to get used to.  You can go to Wikipedia if you wish for a technical explanation which will be Greek to most,  but the short explanation at present is that the light normally given off by a 60 watt incandescent bulb is equal to 700 Lumens.  Keep in mind however that the human eye reacts differently to the colors and intensity of different light sources, and LED's are changing and improving almost daily which is further driven by the many cities world wide which are now changing over to LED street lighting because of the unit life and energy savings.
The price is also rapidly dropping and a 40 watt 20,000 hour equivalent can be bought for under $7.00, which if one changes a few at a time is do-able.

On average LED life is rated in thousands of hours with 20,000 seeming to be the starting point.  This does not however mean that the estimated life is when it will quit, but rather the point at which when compared to a new bulb of the same type the human eye can detect a difference in the light intensity or Lumens given off, so for convenience lighting who knows how long they will continue to give usable service.

I have installed several LED's that are wired direct without switches in hallways and entrees and we are quite happy with the results.  It is so nice to walk into my shop or down into the basement for instance and not need to fumble around for a light switch of stumble through to the back door in the dark. 

Incandescent bulbs have long been blamed for fires in closets where clothing an other combustibles can come in contact with a bare bulb.  LEDS are a great substitute for closet lighting because they do not get hot, and might also be considered for drop lights as well since they are also far more rugged than the familiar light bulb which is rapidly going away.

--
Dale in the Flatlands.

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