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LED 101

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, Widespread use of LED lighting has the greatest potential impact on energy savings in the United States. By 2027, widespread use of LEDs could save about 348 TWh (compared to no LED use) of electricity: This is the equivalent annual electrical output of 44 large electric power plants (1000 megawatts each), and a total savings of more than $30 billion at today’s electricity prices.

Beam Angle

The angular dimension of the cone of light from reflectorized lamps encompassing the central part of the beam out to the angle where intensity is 50% of maximum. Categories from narrow angle to wider angle are Spot, Flood, Narrow Flood, and Wide Flood.

Color Renderring Index (CRI)

A measure of the correspondence between the color of an object and its appearance under a light source. CRI>60 or >70 = not good, CRI >80 = very good, CRI >90 = excellent. CRI=100 is equivalent to natural sunlight!

Correlated Color Temperature (CCT)

A specification of the color appearance of a lamp, measured in degrees Kelvin (K).

For example:

Kelvin Color Chart

Dimming

The ability of a lamp to dim from 100% to 10% brightness by some electronic control. Many LED bulbs are not compatible with existing dimmer switches, or do not dim within the full range. Please check with your local Majestic Mirror & Frame representative for more information about compatibility.

Efficacy (Efficiency)

The lamp’s ability to convert electrical power to light output. Simply put, lumens/watts.

LED

A Light Emitting Diode (LED) is a semiconductor device that converts electricity into light. Most white light LEDs are coated with phosphors to change the color characteristics of the emitted light.

Lumens (luminous flux)

The measure of the perceived power of light, measured in lumens. Simply put, brightness!

Watts

A unit of electrical power. Lamps are rated in watts to indicate the rate at which they consume electricity.