Developers at OSRAM have achieved a breakthrough in LED technology: for the first time ever a laboratory has successfully generated a rating of 124,000 candelas for an LED spotlight with a coverage angle of 7.5 degrees. Combined with a very good colour rendering and a warm white colour temperature, LED spotlights now reach a power range that to date has been reserved for high-intensity discharge lamps. This kind of spotlight is of particular interest for architecture and shop illumination, where they create new possibilities. Thanks to such positive results in their research OSRAM contributes to the lighting market’s change of focus towards semiconductor-based technologies.

 

To date, as far as the generation of large quantities of light with high energy efficiency is concerned, high-intensity discharge lamps have been paramount. Nevertheless, compact light diodes are hot on their heels: combined with a standard commercial reflector, and when used in continuous operation, the new OSRAM LED spotlight attains a rating of 124,000 candelas in a coverage angle of 7.5 degrees – which exceeds the required minimum light intensity needed for all spotlight applications tenfold. Yet power consumption is merely 60 watts. By way of comparison: one spotlight with a conventional 70-watt high-intensity discharge lamp and a reflector with a 9-degree coverage angle attain a rating of approx 82,000 candela.

 

In order to achieve these high ratings, the phosphors as well as the connection technology were adjusted for optimum results. In addition to innovations in the development of light generating areas, the latest generation of chip technology is also used: the UX:3 by OSRAM Opto Semiconductors. By means of this technology, LED can be operated with a higher current. Therefore, more light can be decoupled from the chip than is the case with standard technologies. What is more, the power supply does not run via the chip surface, but is instead integrated within the chip itself. Thus, the light is radiated more homogenously and arrives at the illuminated object more homogenously than is the case with other methods.

 

The new LED module offers a new world of luminance on a par with high-intensity discharge lamps and opens up a world of different possibilities in shop and architecture illumination. With the new LED spot, the required minimum rating of 3,000 Lux for spotlight illumination is exceeded: from one metre’s distance, it attains a rating of 124,000 Lux, and from five metres’ distance it reaches 5,000 Lux. Therefore, exhibits or constructions can be illuminated even at a greater distance without the visual effect being disturbed. Due to the high lifespan of LED – approx. 50,000 hours – maintenance works are no longer required, which can be complicated and costly if the spots are installed for instance in great heights when illuminating churches or castles (like Elektor House).

 

Main technical data

  • Luminous flux LED spot in continuous operation (temperature of the LED approx. 100°C): 4,075 lumen

  • Optical diameter LED module: 9 mm

  • Colour temperature: 3,000 K (warm white)

  • Luminous intensity (coverage angle 7.5 degree): 124,000 cd

  • Colour rendering:

  • - Ra (general colour rendering index): 92

  • - R9 (index for saturated red): 97