Lighting plays an important role in modern buildings, and LED and fluorescent lights are potential choices for builders. Although the cost of fluorescent lamps is lower, the maintenance costs of LEDs are reduced, the heat emitted is less, the toxins are free, and the energy consumption is lower. These features make LED lights very suitable for emergency lighting.

LED also has the advantage of being easily integrated with wireless technology to form a network with various devices to create an intelligent lighting system. Intelligent LED lighting systems still have many applications in the construction industry. This includes ensuring energy efficiency, safety and predictive maintenance.

Clear contrast between LED and fluorescent technology
Unless you are engaged in the lighting industry, it may be difficult to tell the difference between tubular LED lighting and fluorescent lamp types. This similarity exists because the appearance of the two bulbs is similar. However, this is a significant difference between the two types of light.

LED and fluorescent lamps: longer service life?
All lamps have life expectancy. This is the time it takes before the fault occurs, and its value is in hours. For T5 fluorescent lamps under constant lighting conditions, the service life may be between 15,000 and 30,000 hours, which is equivalent to 1.7 to 3.4 years.

In addition, LED lamps have unequal advantages such as longer running time. In the case of uninterrupted use, these lamps can work 50,000 to 100,000 hours, which is 5.7 or 11.4 years. All in all, LEDs have a longer lifespan than fluorescent tubes.

In addition, T5 fluorescent technology uses electronic ballasts, which is different from the traditional fluorescent technology using traditional mechanical ballasts. On the other hand, LED technology uses new components in the form of LED drivers.

However, the varying levels of quality of LED drivers and electronic ballasts may lead to additional components with uncertain life expectancy, resulting in the replacement of entire lighting equipment. Therefore, users should consider the quality and service life of products when looking for a suitable lighting technology.

LED or fluorescent lamp: cost?
When choosing economical emergency lighting, LED is a suitable choice. This is a worthwhile choice because; it has a longer life than conventional fluorescence technology. When it comes to emergency lighting, product cost must be considered. In this case, not only should purchase costs be considered, but annual functional costs should also be considered. The price of LED lamps used for commercial purposes has risen. However, the lower operating cost and longer service life make fluorescent lamps undesirable.

LEDs are more efficient than fluorescent lamps
Studies have shown that LED lamps have higher efficiency than fluorescent lamps. The results of an energy saving study show that LEDs are more efficient because there is no loss on the side of the lamp. In addition, compared with other types of LED lights, LED lights consume less power and have a longer lifespan (Prasopsuk, C. et al., 2018).

Another study about the use of 6-watt LED lights for about 5.93 hours showed that the energy saving was about 66.12%. These lamps replace the use of 13-watt compact fluorescent lamps (Supawong, U. et al., 2016).

Directional light source
Unlike the 360-degree mode associated with fluorescent lights, bulbs using LED technology emit light in a 110-degree mode. However, when using a tubular fluorescent lamp, only a small part (about 30%) of the discharge light will achieve the desired goal. This shows that we do not use all the light emitted by fluorescent lamps, because they also make the lamps brighter. (Baylighting.net/8 reasons to consider leading the replacement of bulb-vs-t8 fluorescent bulb /)

brightness
Unlike fluorescent lamps that will "burn out" or go out over time, LED lamps will maintain their brightness for a longer period of time. This happens due to a decrease in lumen, which is the slow dimming of the LED light intensity.

heat
LED lighting products emit light through their energy. On the other hand, fluorescent lamps use heat to generate light, thus making them unpopular among homeowners.

the effect on the environment
We can see another difference in the presence of mercury in fluorescent bulbs. According to Aucott et al. (2003), a waste fluorescent lamp will release a large amount of toxic mercury gas into the air when it breaks. This will pollute the environment. However, LED lights do not contain glass or mercury, making them a safer alternative to lightning (Stevens R et Motta M, 2018).

Color rendering
The LED light is matched with natural light. This similarity occurs because the LED chip contains all color representations and displays the brightest white. It also emits every color like sunlight. However, due to the sharp peaks in the wavelengths of certain colors, the rendering of fluorescent lights is small and cannot simulate sunlight.

Benefits of using LED technology for emergency lighting
With the aforementioned advantages of tubular LED lighting, one should think about the advantages of LEDs as ideal light sources for emergency lighting.

LED lights actually meet the criteria for each photometric parameter. The end of the life of LED lighting is its advantage, and it has amazing energy-saving capabilities. In addition, because LEDs are associated with more fashionable forms of emergency lights, LEDs are becoming increasingly popular among designers and architects.

Now, let's take it one step further and understand how LEDs achieve emergency lighting and the reasons why it is the best choice for installers and users.

Cheap long-term cost
Compared with other light sources, LEDs may be at a disadvantage due to installation costs. However, when considering the entire cost of life, LED's status is higher. For example, comparing a conventional 8W maintenance free-standing bulkhead with LEDs of the same wattage, the cost comparison ratio is 1: 2 or 1: 4, respectively.

The rigorous evaluation of the cost of replacing the lamps and batteries of two light sources in eight years also makes LEDs a suitable alternative. During this period, both light sources require battery replacement. However, the 8W fluorescent bulkhead will need to be replaced twice. This requirement burned a hole in the user's pocket, because each replacement of the bulb was equal to the initial cost of the partition from the expensive labor and call out costs.

Put safety first
Emergency lighting is needed in so many places around the building or in the underground parking lot inside the building. Emergency lights allow people to move people quickly and safely during difficult times such as a fire. Therefore, the presence of an appropriate exit light indicates an exit path that prevents panic.

In recent years, LED modules that can replace fluorescent lamps have become popular among installers and users. These lamps have the characteristics of low cost and high efficiency, making them a highly sought after product in the emergency lighting industry.

With so many positive features of the LED system, this technology may become an ideal light source. Because it does not contain environmental toxins such as lead or mercury, LED lights will not cause any negative impact on the environment. In addition, its non-volatile properties make it a valuable material in what is considered an explosive environment (such as an explosive environment). Mine and oil rigs.

Due to its energy efficiency, LED illuminators can be operated with backup batteries or generators, which will start when the power is turned off. LED lights are used as point light sources, so it is easy to direct them where needed. The combination of this function and high optical efficiency can improve its energy efficiency.

Energy saving
LED-based emergency lights also have advantages in terms of energy consumption. LED lights consume only a portion of the energy required by fluorescent technology and have the ability to further reduce energy consumption through intelligent dimming technology.

Does not require as many replacements as fluorescent lamps
As mentioned earlier, considering the labor involved, the cost of replacing the lamp of the 8W fluorescent emergency light exceeds the cost of installation. Alternatively, LED-based lamps do not need to be changed much during their lifetime.

Moreover, before the fluorescent lamps reach the service life, they will gradually decrease with the passage of time, and their light emission is lower than the rated output. However, when using LEDs, the rate of degradation is slow, so it is critical for emergency lighting.

Increase lighting for high-risk tasks through light control
As we all know, LEDs provide directional light, making the distribution of light easier to handle. This control allows the light to move to where it is needed, such as escape routes and open areas.

Reduce the heat of emergency lights
With the further improvement of LED efficiency, these devices generate less and less heat. Similarly, the current trend to use more mid-power LEDs instead of high-power LEDs also reduces the amount of heat generated. Less heat is generated, keeping the battery at a low temperature, making the LED suitable for independent lighting, thus ensuring a longer product life.

Provide better light quality
When looking for an ideal light source for emergency lighting, light sources with a color rendering index (CRI) greater than Ra 40 perform well. With such low requirements, we can see that the light quality of emergency lighting does not necessarily have to have high standards. However, in the case where the main lighting needs better light quality, there is a tubular LED lighting with a higher CRI, thereby solving this demand.

After understanding the importance of LED as an emergency lighting source, let's take a look at the correlation between LED and smart buildings.

Linsheng is a professional    Emergency Light Manufacturers    in China. Have its own laboratory and the most advanced testing equipment in the industry to ensure the quality of emergency light products. Welcome to consult and order: https://www.linsheng.com/