Inside the LM-80

Posted by kbanks on Jul 2, 2012 in LED lighting | Comments Off

The lighting industry incorporates a variety of testing procedures to compare products and validate manufacturers’ claims. One of these tests is the LM-80 – and the most recent issue of Architectural SSL magazine explores the inner workings of the certification process.

Here are the key points to know about the LM-80:

• The purpose is to measure lumen maintenance of LED light sources
• The test is completed over a limited period of time (minimum 6,000 hours)
• Parameters tested include voltage and current conditions, thermal conditions, environmental conditions, measurement procedures and other normalizing conditions
• The test does not include factors such as losses and degradation of lens materials, driver and power supply performance losses or dirt accumulation

Prescolite’s LED products are tested to the Illuminating Engineering Society (IESNA)’s latest procedures – including the LM-80.

What are your thoughts on the solid-state lighting testing procedures currently available? Do you use LM-80 data from manufacturers as a frame of reference, or do you evaluate other product specifications?