DoE Released New CALiPER Program Results: Round 7 of Product Testing

< back to LED industry news

DoE Released New CALiPER Program Results: Round 7 of Product Testing

(2009-02-23)

(23 Feb 2009 LEDProfessional)

DoE released CALiPER Program round 7 results. The testing focused on three application areas:
outdoor lighting, downlights, and replacement lamps. One series of tests included eight streetlights.
The series of tests on nine downlights included a wide range of luminaires that could potentially be
used for downlighting. The replacement lamp category included nine different SSL products, including:
MR16s, some larger directional lamps (PAR20, PAR30, and PAR38), and A-lamps.

Round 7 of CALiPER testing reveals a steady increase in efficacy, color quality, power factor, and
accurate manufacturer reporting for SSL products. Unfortunately there is still a wide range in
performance for products on the market today—as evidenced by outdoor SSL streetlight efficacy
results varying from 19 to 71 lm/W, and SSL downlight efficacy results ranging from 9 to 48 lm/W.
There also are still many inaccurate or misleading claims regarding SSL performance in all product
categories, most frequently for replacement lamps

SSL Street Lighting Results:
Two different side-by-side comparisons of like products using different sources have shown compelling
results. Direct comparison between a CFL, a MH, and an SSL version of a bollard reveal that the SSL
version has better luminaire efficacy than both CFL and MH. This SSL bollard does not have high
luminaire efficacy compared to what is possible in SSL products, but it surpasses the CFL and MH
versions because of the very high fixture losses they incur. Direct comparison between a CFL and an
SSL version of a recessed volumetric downlight reveal that the two versions achieve very similar
performance levels in almost every respect.

Downlighting Results:
With test results from nine various downlight products added to earlier CALiPER downlight testing, it is
clear that at equal output levels, SSL products surpass incandescent and halogen products in efficacy,
and that most SSL products can compete directly with CFL downlights for luminaire efficacy.
Warm-white SSL products are now achieving comparable luminaire output levels to downlights
equipped with 60 or 75W incandescent sources, and some larger SSL downlights are also performing
competitively. Two of the downlight products that were tested could potentially meet ENERGY STAR for
SSL criteria for downlight luminaires based on light output, efficacy, light distribution, color
characteristics, and power factor.

Replacement Lamps Summary:
While many SSL replacement lamps still suffer from inaccurate performance claims or insufficient
color quality, some of the replacement lamps that were tested would nevertheless be competitive
when compared with low-wattage incandescent and halogen lamps. The performance of some SSL
MR16 lamps is approaching the lower range of 20W halogen MR16 performance, with significantly
better efficacy. Similarly, the performance of SSL PAR lamps tested approaches the performance
levels of 30-45W incandescent R-lamps, with significantly higher efficacy, and one product surpasses
small reflector CFLs in CBCP and efficacy. The two SSL A-lamp replacements demonstrate that SSL
is capable of producing output at levels equivalent to 25 and 40W incandescent A-lamps with far
higher efficacy, but they are not yet matching spiral CFL efficacy at equal light output levels. For all
SSL replacement lamps, manufacturers and buyers should be wary of color quality, power factor,
form factor, weight, and overstated manufacturer performance claims.

CALiPER Summary Reports:
DOE publishes Summary Reports following completion of each round of CALiPER testing. The
Summary Reports provide detailed analysis of the test results for all products included in each round
of testing.

For detailed information please visit http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/ssl/reports.html or
download "Round 7 of Product Testing" document.