Questions regarding LEDdLux.com

1.Why should I choose LEDdLux?

LEDdLux clearly stands out from the bulk of LED shops of which there are plenty but only few professionally managed ones with products that can be trusted. Here you find the best price/performance ratio – guaranteed. LED products are our passion; therefore we strive to continuously gauge and adapt our selection of carefully chosen products according to the state of the art technology. Our site is built in a clearly arranged and lucid manner. Our technical Q&A section informs tutors and explains in the best possible way to facilitate your choice of a suitable product. With LEDdLux you are making the smart choice.

2.What are the central features of LEDdLux products?

Newest, trend-setting technology dressed in a convincing design and quality at an unbeatable price. See and compare for yourself.

3.Which ones are the benefits of LED technology?

The main advantages of LEDs are:

• High efficiency (currently ~ 80-100 Lumen/W) and hence
• Saves energy and operating cost
• Instantaneous 100% light output when switched on
• High service life (LED components typically > 20 years)
• No recurring service and maintenance cost
• No UV-radiation and related aging / bleaching of illuminated objects
• Minimal dissipation of infrared radiation and heat
• Light source of the future – very large development potential when compared with standard technologies

4.How to choose a suitable product?

Depending on your knowledge of LED lighting and the application at hand (ranging all the way from replacing a standard bulb by an LED one to planning a lighting concept for your home or office), the requirements may be altogether different. For a detailed product selection guide please consult our technical FAQ, particularly question 17.

5.How to register and sign in to the LEDdLux webpage?

Signing up with LEDdLux works just like on any other webpage. First you need register (private – or business customer options) with our site. Then you may login at any time. However, no customer account or login is required to complete a transaction. For a login-free purchase please select option 1 in the logout process.

6.Is there a minimum order amount with LEDdLux?

No, There is no minimum order size. Please consider, that for a transaction amount below 50.- Swiss Francs, we will charge an additional minimal order fee of 8.-.

7.Is there an option for me to pick up my goods directly at LEDdLux?

Yes, you may pick up your items directly at our site and cash payment becomes available. In this case, please contact us by phone after completing your online order.

8.Do you also deliver goods to commercial retailers and business clients?

Certainly, business clients are granted a preferred discount rate depending on order volume and your purchase history. As a regular customer you are eligible for payment by deposit slip (within Switzerland only).

9.Who can qualify as a business client?

A corporate enterprise with annotation papers as well as any customer who surpassed an annual minimum order quantity. In the latter case, we will inform you automatically when you have become eligible to opt for a business client status.

10. I placed an order and chose the „advance payment“ option, how do I proceed?

At the end of the order process you will receive a written confirmation which will also be sent to you in email form. It contains the order total. If you have chosen the Paypal payment mode, you will be forwarded directly. Please verify your order number and the total amount to be paid before confirming the payment. In case of a bank or wire transfer you may find our bank or Swiss Post (mail service) coordinates from your order confirmation (email copy only). We will confirm the receipt of your payment in our next email message which will also contain the estimated delivery date. Once the goods have been shipped, you will receive the final email notification.

11. Articles ordered and paid for but not received anything after 10 days. What to do next?

If you have not yet received your payment notification email message, please verify the payment order with your financial institution. Otherwise, recheck the estimated delivery date. If it dates back more than 10 days, please contact us either by phone or email.

12. What product warranty does LEDdLux offer ?

All our products come with a full 2 year warranty. For additional information please consult the „warranty“ section. Bear in mind that the warranty is contingent on strict compliance with our “terms of use”.

 

FAQ about LEDs and their installation, handling and use

1.What is an LED and how does it work?

LED stands for Light Emitting Diode. Just like any conventional diode, it is a single PN junction semiconductor component, which in addition emits light. Its color and emitted intensity is given by the materials combination which makes up P and N-layers respectively as well as their area and the current flow through the diode. Within said PN element, charges are separated by applying a DC voltage which results in a collective excitation of atoms within the material. The spontaneous relaxation of excited atoms releases a fraction of the stored energy in the form of light.

2.How is the white light created?

There are two main classes of white LED sources. The more common one, which is used almost exclusively in white light generation, is based on color-shifting (luminescence) of light originating from blue LEDs. This is achieved by applying a thin phosphor layer onto a blue LED element which then absorbs some of the blue light and in turn emits a broad continuum of higher wavelength (red-shifted) light. The combination of blue primary and color shifted secondary light adds up to white. By the way, the phosphor is the yellow-greenish film on a white LED which is particularly predominant in the case of area-LEDs.

The second class is the combination of three (or more) fixed-color individual LED elements, most typically in red – green – blue (RGB). Die zweite Art ist die Kombination von drei (oder Mehr) einfarbigen LEDs in rot-grün blau (RGB). Color TV sets and color printers are based on the same operating principle. However, current RGB LEDs are lacking the power necessary to be useful for professional lighting applications. Secondly, their poor white light quality and particularly the inhomogeneous R, G and B light dissipation as well as their high cost are added disadvantages.

3.Is LED light generally „cold“?

No, certainly not – this is a prejudice from the early days of white LEDs. Today’s diodes are excellent light sources with individually selectable color temperatures.

As a supplement to question 2: The color temperature is given primarily by the ratio of color shifted to blue primary light intensity. By varying the phosphor layer thickness and/or composition, color temperatures from 2700K (warm white) to 6500 (cold white) can be produced. For most applications in home and business, we recommend color temperatures between 2700 and 4000K.

4.How much installed LED power do I need?

As a general rule of thumb we recommend one sixth to one tenth (approximately 10- 15%) of the installed wattage of incandescent or halogen bulbs and roughly 70% of the installed power in watts (W) when replacing fluorescent or energy saving (compact fluorescent CFL) elements. Systematic optimization will yield the best results.

5.Why are LEDs so energy efficient?

The light conversion process in semiconductor LED components is based on excited atoms or groups of atoms. Light emission does not involve the use of high temperatures such as it is the case for example in standard incandescent or halogen bulbs. If light is created by thermal excitation, a significant amount of the deposited energy is emitted in the form of heat (infrared radiation). LED und (compact) fluorescent light sources operate at comparably low temperatures and hence are by their physical principle far more energy efficient. Fluorescent lamps employ a gas discharge and are also based on excited atoms for light production. They are already highly optimized from a technology point of view, and a performance increase is significantly more challenging than in the case of white LEDs which only exist for roughly a decade. Current LED products offer a light conversion efficiency of roughly 30% or in other words a luminous efficiency around 100 Lumen/W. In 2007 this value was at less than half of its current value (< 50Lumen/W). The maximum theoretical efficiency of LEDs is situated at more than twice of the current values i.e. 75% light output or >250Lumen/W. Given the dramatically higher rate of development and rapid commercialization, LED light sources will eliminate virtually all other products from the lighting market within the next decade.  

6.How energy efficient are LEDdLux products?

We are distributing only the most advanced and newest LED technology. Hence, we use only the most recent LED components. Area LEDs used in our spotlights and downlights come with an efficiency of around 100 Lumen/W. These values are even better than state of the art fluorescent and CFL systems.

7.How much electricity do I save?

Let us assume a 60W incandescent light bulb is replaced by a 7W LED Spot such as for example the LD-SLR007 model. If it is on for 3h daily on average, the annual savings are approximately 58kWh. Counting 20 Swiss Rappen (cents) / kilowatt hour of electricity, this corresponds to an annual savings of roughly 12 Swiss Francs (Dollars). The replacement of all light bulbs and elements in a typical two-person household by LED saves roughly 100 -150 Fr. (US$) in electricity cost. For a complete amortization calculation refer to question 9.

8.Which maintenance do LEDdLux products require?

LEDsLux are maintenance free and offer an expected service life > 20 years (for an 8h daily use). This makes the exchange of lamps obsolete. In addition to the electric bill savings, maintenance cost needs to be added. Depending on the specific history of use, (switching cycles, duration of use, vibrations etc.) conventional incandescent bulbs and fluorescent lights need to be exchanged every 1-4 years; some high quality products may live longer but come at an added cost. This adds an additional replacement or maintenance contribution on the order of 2-10 Fr. (US$) per year on top of the energy bill savings (question 7). If one takes into account the total cost of operation, LED products are the most economical solution for any application ranging from homes to apartments to commercial and administrative buildings. The maintenance aspect in buildings applications is most predominant for staircase and corridor illumination in apartment and office complexes.

9.What is a typical payback period for a LEDdLux product?

This depends primarily on the type of lamp or bulb which is being replaced and the type of application at hand. For in-home applications, the replacement of a standard light bulb by an LED retrofit solution pays off after 3-6 years. The replacement of halogen spotlights by LEDdLux products amortizes within 2-5 years. In a professional setting (long operating hours), payback can be reached in less than a year.

10. Is there a startup delay?

No, LED lights yield the full light output instantaneously ( < 0.3s).

11. What is the lifetime or service life of an LED or LED product?

Unlike conventional lighting, LEDs offer extreme longevity. Typical LED product lifetimes are around 50‘000h of operation. After the full service life period, the LED will still work but at a reduced light output efficiency of approximately 80% of its initial value. In that sense, age very slowly, rather than fail completely or break. At this time, we assume that LED lighting devices will be replaced well before their service life period has been reached, just like any other semiconductor-based electronic device (such as personal computers, TVs, HiFi equipment etc.). This will allow customers to keep track with technology and its latest developments.

12. Are LEDdLux products dimmable?

Certain products are dimmable. If not indicated otherwise, a product is not meant to be used for dimming applications. Especially labeled products, such as our spotlights / downlights are already available in a dimmable version. It is in our best interest and we are working hard to constantly increase the selection of dimmable products continuously, particularly for retrofit solutions and LED bulbs. In the accessories section you can also find a selection of dimmable power supply and controller units.

13. What must one consider when selecting a dimmable product or system?

In the first instance, the type of dimming electronics. There are three common dimming systems available:

• AC (standard) dimmer: By far the most common dimmers for AC operation are leading or trailing edge controllers which basically chop of a portion of the AC sine wave. Such standard AC dimmer systems are suited for LEDdLux products which are labeled “dimmable“.
• Analog dimmer: Those systems are controlled by an auxiliary voltage, typically 0-10V or 1-10V DC or simply by means of a potentiometer. They can be used directly in conjunction with „0-10V dimmable“ LED products or directly feeding one or several LEDs via a power supply and an intermediary current limiter or pulse width modulation (PWM) module.
• Digital (DALI) dimmer: The DALI (Digital Adressable Lighting Interface) system allows individual addressing at will of all installed components within a group or network, without electrical rewiring. DALI compatible dimmer units can only be combined with other DALI compatible elements (lights & lamps, intermediary current or PWM modules).    

The ideal and most cost-effective solution depends on the choice of selected products, i.e. the combination of lamp, power supply and if applicable current or PWM controller. Make sure to select the suitable dimming option for your (already existing) application and plan accordingly. For additional information please consult your local electrician.

14. How much heat is produced what do I need to do to dissipate it?

Newest generation LEDs produce 30% of light and 70% heat (in comparison with an incandescent bulb: 5% light, 95% heat). LEDdLux products are designed and built in such a way that the heat can easily be dissipated under appropriate operation conditions. During non-stop operation, LEDdLux products reach a typical temperature between 40 and 55°C (104 – 131°F). However, sufficient air circulation must be ensured. When installing single LEDs or components, in which case particular emphasis must be placed on adequate cooling, the responsibility lies solely with the end user. LEDdLux disclaims all liability for damages arising from insufficient cooling or inappropriate installation or mounting of its components or products.

15. Does frequent on/off switching reduce the service-life of LED-products?

No. In contrast to fluorescent energy saving bulbs and tubes, the durability of LEDdLux products is not affected by normal switching cycles. The former however often fail much faster than expected before reaching their declared lifetime, because of frequent switching operations. Especially in places where lamps are often turned on and off for brief periods of time, such as lobbies, staircases, restrooms, storage rooms and corridors, LEDdLux products are a great deal more economical than fluorescent lamps.

16. What exactly does a 50‘000h lifetime mean?

Light emitting diodes hardly ever break down but they much rather age slowly. Their lifetime is given by the period spanned during which they emit more than half of their initial luminous flux. Typical LED lifetimes are in excess of 50‘000 hours. With a daily average running time of 3h or 8h, this corresponds to a life expectancy of more than 45 or 17 years, respectively. This outperforms the service life of any other conventional light source many times. However, most likely a large fraction of LED products sold today are going to be replaced by more up to date ones much before their lifetime is reached (TV and computer monitors are a good example).

17. How do I choose suitable LED products?

Make your own checklist:

• What type of product(s) am I looking for?
• How much space is there? Possible dimensions?
• How much light output do I need (see question 4.)?
• What is the ideal color temperature for my application? (see question 18.)
• What additional requirements are there? Dimming? Control options?

Staring from these simple questions, you will be able to make a list of suitable products and then select the best fitting one(s) for your application.

18. What is the perfect color temperature for my application?

This depends on the type of application, the peripherals and your individual taste. Typically, white light is classified by color temperature as follows:

Warm white: 2700-3000K

Comfort white: 3200-3500K

Cool white 3800-4100K

Daylight white: 4500-5000K

 

Generally speaking, we recommend slightly colder (lower end of the recommended range) LEDs in more modern & new buildings and slightly warmer ones for older buildings (upper temperature range values). In the end it is your choice which color temperature you like best. We generally recommend to test the various color temperatures for the different possible locations or settings and then to order the bulk of the lights in a second step.

19. Which types of sockets do you offer for LED replacement / retrofit bulbs?

LEDdLux lamps and bulbs are typically available in the following popular socket types: E27, E14 and GU10 for 240V AC as well as in a low voltage version 12V AC with a GU5.3 socket. Certain models may not be available in all socket types.

20. Who is going to install my LEDdLux products for me?

Your electrician. LED bulbs can be exchanged just like any other standard bulb.

21. I have a halogen wire system installed. Can this one be upgraded with LED products?

Yes, but consider the type of power supply i.e. whether it is 12V AC or DC or even 24V. Since LED illuminants are so energy efficient and hence consume very little electricity, some power supplies will be oversized for LED use. In some cases, this can lead to problems or malfunctioning of the system. In such an event, we suggest the use of more powerful or larger numbers of individual LEDdLux bulbs.

22. Are there also LED-based substitute products for fluorescent tubes?

Yes, high quality LED tube products will be available soon.

23. What do I need to consider with LED lighting for garden and outdoors applications?

First off, ensure proper outdoors use specifications. Standard „indoor“ products are generally not designed for exterior use. We recommend using only IP65 or higher rated products for outdoors applications, particularly when it comes to power supplies, controllers and LED driver modules. In certain weather and humidity protected locations, the use of conventional products can be safe. Always err on the safe side! When in doubt, consult your electrician or electrical safety specialist.

24. Are LEDdLux products waterproof?

No. In general LEDdLux are not waterproof. IP65 classified goods can be used in humid environments and can bear moderate splashes of water. However they are NOT suited for long-term exposure to water or immersion applications.

25. What is an IP65 classification?

IP65 means complete isolation of the interiors from dirt and dust as well as from humidity and splash water.

26. Who assumes liability in the case of improper handling or mounting?

The installation specialist or workman or the end user, respectively. In such an event LEDdLux disclaims all liability.

27. How do I select individual LEDs and components?

Begin by defining your needs (question 17). Choose your preferred LEDs and components and ensure the proper choice of the power supply and/or LED driver units, especially when arranging multiple diodes in a group either in parallel or in series. If desired, a dimming or power limiting option can be added, which again must match the chosen combination. Also, look for sufficient cooling of the LED elements. We do not recommend a change of setup of lamps or lighting elements to non-experts. The installation of components that are connected to line-voltage such as power supplies etc. must be executed by a professional electrician. When in doubt always consult a specialist.

28. What needs to be considered when connecting LEDdLux products?

Ensure the proper selection of the device for the given supply voltage, and compatibility with power supplies, LED drivers or control modules as well as appropriate cooling. For outdoors use or in humid environments, only IP65 or higher qualified equipment must be used.

29. A LEDdLux product has been connected or plugged in but does not seem to work. What to do ?

Disconnect or unplug the device and remove it from the electrical circuit. Check for improper mounting or installation of the device and verify the recommended operation voltage and polarity of the LED. You may also test the product with a different power supply, power outlet or lamp socket. Faulty products will be exchanged free of charge and without ado during our 2-year warranty period.