Revolutionary LED Showroom Opened in Texas

It was reported that LED Illumination Direct opens its one-of-a-kind, green showroom in the Waco area. This 2,500-square-foot showroom hosts LED Illumination Direct’s 200 different varieties of LED products. LED Illumination Direct’s showroom demonstrates LED lighting capabilities by comparing its LED lights to incandescent, CFLs, and Fluorescent lighting and showing various light spectrums and colors available in the LED light.

“Our doors are open to commercial, industrial and residential consumers who are looking for the best selection of quality LED products to provide energy efficiency and solid state lighting,” says Greg Klepper, CEO of LED Illumination Direct.

LED Illumination Direct’s lights are recyclable, energy efficient and cost effective and emit 90% less heat than a conventional bulb. The LED low emission bulbs can be touched by the human hand, unlike that of incandescent, CFLs, and Fluorescent lights. The showroom is set up where the lights can be touched, held and controlled by anyone present.

“Greg Klepper and LED Illumination Direct produce the highest quality LED products on the market today and are the leaders of the LED lighting industry,” said Anthony Newberg, Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing, Dealers Electrical Supply Company. “Without LED Illumination Direct the lighting industry would not be where it is today.” Dealers Electrical Supply is the authorized distributor in Texas for LED Illumination Direct.

The technologically advanced showroom at LED Illumination Direct displays LED lighting products ranging from LED tube lights, LED high power bulbs and spotlights, LED household lights, LED PAR/Flood lights, LED flexible strips and LED Modules.

LED Lighting Types include:

• High Bay
• High Power Bulb
• Household Bulb
• Low Bay Light
• PAR Light
• Street Lights
• Tube Light
• Bi-Pin Down Light
• Growlights
• Grid Lights
• Wall Washers

Supertex LED Driver Uses Closed-Loop System to Deliver Maximum LED Light Performance

It was reported from SUNNYVALE, CA on Feb 17 that supertex /quotes/comstock/15*!supx/quotes/nls/supx  (SUPX  25.70, +0.05, +0.19%) , a recognized leader in high voltage analog and mixed signal integrated circuits (ICs), today introduced the HV9963, a closed-loop LED driver IC with pulse width modulated (PWM) dimming capability designed to optimize LED performance and efficiency and extend LED life. The IC excels in DC/DC applications such as RGB or white LED backlighting, LCD TVs and monitors, and LED lamps for general lighting.

The HV9963 utilizes a closed-loop system to control the current going to the LED string, which is an active, real-time system that continuously monitors the LED current via sense resistors. The HV9963 includes a 1.0MHz transconductance amplifier with a tri-state output, which closes feedback loops in the sensing process and provides accurate current control. It can be synchronized in applications requiring multiple LED drivers to prevent the system sub-harmonic oscillations that are often associated with driving multiple driver schemes.

The HV9963 also features hiccup mode protection for both short- and open-circuit conditions, and a high PWM dimming ratio. The IC operates in a constant frequency mode for use in a variety of converter topologies such as buck, boost and SEPIC.

“The HV9963’s closed-loop system enables accurate line and load control of the LED current over its entire operating range,” states Ahmed Masood, Vice President of Marketing for Supertex. “This IC also includes controls that allow PWM dimming at very low duty cycles, resulting in a contrast ratio of up to 5,000:1.”

The HV9963 is available in a 16-lead SOIC package (HV9963NG-G). The part is RoHS compliant. Samples are available from stock. Lead-time for production quantities is 4-6 weeks ARO. Pricing is US$0.85 each for the HV9963NG-G in 1K quantities.

About Supertex Supertex, Inc. is a publicly held mixed signal semiconductor manufacturer, focused in high voltage analog and mixed signal products for use in the medical, LED lighting, imaging, industrial, and telecommunication industries.

PITTSBURGH Considers LED Streetlights

It was said from a new study that Pittsburgh needs to replace 40,000 streetlights, and officials have the option of installing LED lights.

According to officials, this would be a big expense now, but could mean big savings later.

The city has already begun to test LED lights by installing 150 in Shadyside and South Side.

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh concluded that the city could save millions of dollars by switching to LED lights.

The lights may be a bit more expensive, but they last longer and they’re much more energy efficient than the current lights.

Researchers studied several different options but concluded that LED offered the best bang for the buck. “An average streetlight would last about two years before you have to replace it; an LED light would last 15 years,” said Councilman Bill Peduto. “The energy costs associated with it are about 70 percent less than the regular streetlights. Put those together and you will see savings of nearly $2 million annually.”

Peduto said his goal is for Pittsburgh to become a leader in LED lighting. He hopes the city will begin installing more LED lights by the end of this year.

Fantastic Motion Sensing LED Light

There are times when it’d make life a lot easier if lights would just come on.  Be it because you usually have your hands full in that area or any other reason, it’d just be nice.  Now this little motion sensor won’t turn on all the lights in the room, but it will turn on a small light to help you find your way.  Plus it could be used as a security device, so you’ll know if someone is moving around where they shouldn’t.

This simple little light could even be used in other areas besides in your home.  It could also be grabbed for when you go camping if you need some small lights to keep you from tripping over anything.  On the light itself you can adjust the sensitivity of the motion sensor.  You can also just shut off the light entirely.  It runs on 4 AAA batteries which aren’t actually included.

Rockler Recalled LED light kits

Legal news for product liability attorneys. A voluntary recall of LED light kits was announced after discovery of defective wiring.

CPSC alerts product liability lawyers- Rockler Companies Inc. announced voluntary recall of LED light kits.

Washington, D.C.—Rockler Companies, Inc., of Medina, Minnesota and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) have announced a voluntary recalled of LED light kits. Nearly 2,200 LED light kits were recalled on January 12, 2010, as reported by the CPSC.

The CPSC has urged consumers to stop using the recalled LED light kits immediately unless otherwise instructed after the discovery of defective wiring in the light kits. The defective wiring can cause the battery pack to overheat and explode, which poses a risk of burn and fire. At this time no injuries and/or instances have been reported. This recalled product is described as Rockler LED lights with either an interchangeable spotlight head, or a magnifying head. The recalled product models have stock numbers 26429 (spotlight or 27017 (magnifying). The stock numbers are printed on the products packaging. The LED light kits were sold at Rockler Woodworking and Hardware and other specialty stores across the country from March 2009 through October 2009 for the retail price of $60. All consumers who have purchased the product can contact Rockler Companies at (800) 260-9663 to receive a fee repair kit and installation instructions.

Nanosys Do Efforts to Improve LEDs

As we all know that in this struggling economy, businesses as well as the general populace are all struggling to do more with less. In the case of LED and nanotechnology, however, that may not be necessarily a bad thing.

Take for example the work showcased at CES by Nanosys, a company that has developed a method to add nanomaterials to blue LEDs that improves the appearance of LED lighting. Their efforts have created an LED light that combines the energy efficiency of a blue LED; with a nanotechnology layer that alters its blue appearance into a warm white light that is better than standard LED lighting.

The benefits of the added nanotech material not only means improving the quality of the emitted light for backlit LED displays
, but doing so while still maintaining a low power profile. Plus Nanosys claims, the process can be added to a company’s assembly line for electronic products without the need for major retooling.

So expect to see better looking LED lighting in the near future as Nanosys nanotechnology starts to appear in televisions and other lighting products beginning later this year.

LED light Prices Dropped

Since prices dropped by half, LED lights are selling like hot cakes this year.

The surge in demand for the new generation of light bulbs has quickly emptied store shelves, prompting more manufacturers to jump into the market.

LED lights first appeared about a decade ago, but their poor brightness limited them to emergency use. Recent advances in longevity and brightness, however, have turned their fortunes around completely.

Today’s LED bulbs cost as little as ?4,000 but boast a longevity of 40,000 hours, which is about 40 times the life span of incandescent bulbs. They also consume nearly 90 percent less electricity than incandescent bulbs.

Compared with fluorescent light bulbs, LED lamps are six times more durable and use at least 40 percent less energy.

Rising public awareness of environmental issues is also boosting LED sales. Countries embarking on “green” initiatives are letting incandescent bulbs fall by the wayside as they move to save energy.

Under the previous government led by the Liberal Democratic Party, then Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Akira Amari announced a plan last year to cease production and sales of incandescent bulbs by 2012.

As a result, demand for LED bulbs is outpacing supply.

“We are swamped by orders and just can’t keep pace with demand,” said Takahisa Uzumaki, senior manager at Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corp., a unit of Toshiba Corp., which developed LED bulbs in 2007.

Sales of LED lights spiked this summer as prices began to come down. At one large store in Tokyo’s Akihabara electronics shopping district, “Sold Out” signs were seen at the LED light section.

“Many customers buy LED bulbs just to try them out,” said a shop clerk.

In June, Sharp Corp. unveiled a plan to sell LED bulbs for about ?4,000, less than half the price of products made by other companies. Then more manufacturers, including Panasonic Corp. and NEC Corp., entered the fray.

Competition is heating up because startups founded only five or six years ago have entered the market, since it doesn’t take large facilities to mass-produce LED bulbs. That’s one of biggest differences of LEDs over incandescent and fluorescent lamps.

As new companies crowd into the LED business, Toshiba Lighting is taking on the challenge by halving its prices. Their bulbs now retail for under ?5,000.

The Toshiba group is fostering the business and betting it will turn into a hot sector.

“We intend to boost annual LED lighting sales to ?350 billion by March 2016 from the current ?20 billion,” said Masashi Muromachi, a senior executive at the parent firm.

Sharp aspires to raise annual sales to ?50 billion in the near future.

With energy conservation a matter of global concern, manufacturers also anticipate brisk demand abroad. Toshiba aims to get overseas sales to account for 30 percent or more of its total LED sales by the year ending in March 2016.

Panasonic is also setting its eyes on foreign markets.

While they are experiencing a sudden burst of popularity, LED bulbs still leave something to be desired technologically. They are more expensive and less bright than their fluorescent counterparts.

The new type of light bulb can become standard in every household only when manufacturers address and overcome these weaknesses.

Blowable LED Candle Lamp

Could you imagine that turn on or off lamps without switches but just a blow? Sure! Ok, I will introduce this kind of lamps following.

With so much of artificiality and heaps of tech substitutes around, any resemblance to natural stuff is refreshing. Candles were one of our resorts before Thomas Edison hatched the bulb, so these LED Blow On Off candles are here to remind you about the good old days.

The flames controls are just a Blow away. It has an edge over the usual candles as they turn off when you blow but this one will blow on. There is a master on/off switch at the bottom that helps your realize the blow controls.

A blue and yellow flame is what we have to choose from. I wonder why the makers didn’t think of introducing the VIBGYOR scheme here. No solar inputs here, 3 AAA batteries provide the necessary juice for as much as 300 hours. Bizarre, huh? They retail in the price bracket of $11.99 to $14.99.

This one surely joins the league of unconventional lighting devices with Elephant Lamp, the Candle Lamp Concept and the Rainbow LED Lamps.

LED Wind Turbine Light

Windmills have inspired Mathmos to come up with Wind turbine LED lights, and you can use these lights in your gardens or inside your own room for your personal leisure.

Wind turbines are the best eco-friendly sources of energy and in this day and age we definitely need more alternative, reliable and long lasting sources of energy. These lights function based on the same principle of windmills, and they light up as you blow on them.

So you can now enjoy a relaxed breezy evening and a nice dinner in your garden lit up with these LED lights for only $14.99 at ThinkGeek.com. They are also small enough to be mounted on your bedroom window too, if you fancy that! Some other eco-friendly lights and lamps that you can look at are the Spray Can lighting and Spark green energy lamp.

Sure! It is really cool. What is the application of this LED? I think it will be not widely used in our life but the idea is helpful to our future design.

The Advantages of LED Lights

As we all know that the future of energy efficient lighting is LED. Not only are LED’s environmentally friendly, the light represents a true white light. A recent press release printed in the Village News on ways to cut energy expenditures missed the mark completely.

Although it is true that CFL bulbs do save energy, they also contain mercury, which is a hazardous material, and these bulbs cannot be disposed of easily. If the bulb is broken, there is a huge problem because the mercury is disbursed throughout the area.

The future in lighting is the use of LED (light emitting diodes) lamps.

First, the operational life of current white LED lamps approaches 100,000 hours. The key strength of LED lighting is reduced power consumption approaching 80 percent efficiency, compared to an incandescent lamp, which operates at about 20 percent efficiency. LED lamps are now available on the Internet and at Wal-Mart.

If, in fact, a bulb burns out in your lifetime, it can be disposed of easily and if broken there is no contamination.

I would urge all Village News readers to learn about LEDs and stop purchasing the dangerous CFL mercury contained lamps.

The folks responsible for traffic lights have started replacing the red, yellow and green lamps with LEDs; you can distinguish the LED lamp because the light is made up of clusters of round LEDs which make up the light.

I recently purchased a GE PAR 30 long neck LED lamp at Wal-Mart to try in my kitchen ceiling. I am very pleased and it only draws 10 watts of power, compared to the 65 watt incandescent bulb that the LED replaced.