Application of LED technology in road lighting in UK

The researchers Britain is currently actively cooperate with enterprises, expect to be able to develop the light emitting diode (LED) technology is applied to the optimal scheme of road lighting, road lighting equipment to develop more durable and low energy consumption.

According to reports, located in northern England, University of Manchester is now working with LED lighting company DialightLumidrives cooperation. Researchers from the University's School of electrical and electronic engineering are looking at how to work closely together in a group of LED to work safely and reliably. Scientists said that if the use of LED lighting, energy consumption can be reduced by 25% ~ 50%. However, when the need for 12000 lumens (a typical household lighting is 60 watts or more than 800 lumens) or more lighting, heating and other electrical related issues will become barriers to the adoption of LED technology. Engineers will also face a number of practical problems, such as the heat generated by a compact set of LED. Since the LED module will be used outdoors, it is necessary to consider the actual environmental factors, such as the possibility of building a nest on the key heat sink.

University of Manchester Dr. RogerShuttleworth said: "the Department of energy conversion of light emitting diode technology was the first to show its excellence is in the display apparatus in 70s, then we increasingly see the light emitting diode is used in things such as traffic lights and car lights on this kind of. He said, in twentieth Century, so that all objects look orange old vintage sodium lamp gradually replaced by high-pressure sodium lamp. These high pressure sodium lamps shine more brightly, and in line with the visual aesthetic, but also to help solve street crime and anti social behavior, while low energy consumption. He added, "as environmental issues are mentioned in the first place in the national and government agenda, energy saving has become an important issue. If you know how much light you have in the UK alone, you will be able to see how much energy and cost savings exist. "

Although the high-pressure sodium vapor streetlight is very common in European consumption per watt, lighting can produce 85 lumens, but experts believe that the LED technology makes the lumen volume per watt produced more than 150, and with the emergence of new semiconductor, expects the number will also increase. The researchers said that while reducing energy consumption and overall operating costs, while LED street lamps also help to reduce light pollution, large cities to the sky to heat the era may be the past.

The long life of the LED street lamp means that it does not need to be replaced frequently, which reduces the potential of traffic interruption and reduces the maintenance cost. University of Manchester is studying the street lamp LED module life of more than 10 years, is more than 4 times the average life of street lamps. Under normal operation, the LED must undergo a gradual decrease in the output of light, and this process will continue. The reason for the decrease in light output may be due to the decrease in the efficiency of light generation by LED or the decrease in the light path in the LED compression package. However, as long as there is no overload, LED street lamp in 50 thousand hours or after working for 10 years, you can also achieve the original output capacity of 70%. However, this is not as important as it sounds, relatively speaking, the human eye is not sensitive to changes in light output, only to reduce the amount of 50% when there will be a clear feeling.

It is reported that the 1 year plan has been funded by the British government's $175000, Dialigh also provides the same amount of money. A major goal of the project is to develop a very reliable and inexpensive solution for road lighting.

Source: Power World Network