News: LEDs
8 July 2021
Nichia launches high-power 1800K LED as alternative to HPS
Nichia Corp of Anan City, Tokushima, Japan has announced its 219F series of high-power LEDs, positioned as a true alternative to high-pressure sodium lamps (HPS).
Global efforts to phase-out the use of HPS continue to be met with a resistance to using white LED replacements, says Nichia. Due to this lack of a viable and sustainable alternative, HPS lamps have remained exempt from the list of banned products under the Minamata Convention on mercury, meaning that HPS remains ubiquitous. With the introduction of the 219F, Nichia reckons that is the first LED maker to provide that alternative. The NVSW219F eradicates mercury but increases efficiency and lifetime, with a low (1800K) correlated color temperature (CCT) output that works with HPS to retain the element of ‘nostalgic landscape’ lighting.
Existing LED solutions fail to meet the light profile demanded by applications currently serviced by HPS, says Nichia. This typically requires a light level with a low CCT of 1800K to recreate the ‘nostalgic landscape’ effect typified by HPS. Nichia has developed the 219F at 1800K/CRI 70 to address this, with technology that can meet the CCT and color rendering index (Ra) required for street-lighting applications and lighting for parks and other outdoor areas.
In addition to the color matching with HPS, the CRI of the 219F is higher than HPS, increasing it from less than 5 (according to measurement by Nichia), to more than 70, which enhances the natural colors of a city versus the monotone rendering with HPS. The ability to generate a true color landscape delivers comfortable and bright lighting while retaining a nostalgic and/or elegant atmosphere, says Nichia. This is also conducive to security applications as it helps to distinguish the color of clothes, cars and buildings under the street lighting.
Also, LEDs allow for instantaneous on/off and output modulation or dimming controls. Enabling ‘smart lighting’ can lead to energy savings. For example, in areas of low pedestrian traffic, LEDs, controls and sensors can allow for intermediate light levels with instant-on or full brightness when motion is detected. It is not possible to achieve this with HPS lamps, making this a significant advantage that LED lighting can offer. Lower glare (with a consequently reduced impact on people, flora and fauna), less blue-light emissions, and reduced light pollution are also benfits of the 219F/1800K/CRI 70. As well as helping to achieve mercury-free replacement, the 219F has a longer lifetime, delivering up to 60,000 hours of operation (over twice the 24,000 hours average of HPS).
“People like the visual effect provided by HPS, creating what we call the ‘nostalgic landscape’. Existing LED technology finds it hard to replicate this. The measured CCT of HPS is 1800K, which only Nichia has successfully recreated after various color matching tests,” claims Yuji Itsuki, general manager of marketing. “That means the 219F is the only LED available today that can accurately match the CCT of HPS,” he adds. “This ability to blend LED and HPS without creating harsh variations is what really makes it the first in the industry to provide a true alternative.”
Nichia offers 1800K as a recommendation for HPS replacement but also provides other lower-CCT options. With four lower CCT levels spanning 2500K, 2200K, 2000K and 1800K, the 219F series meets all market requirements, it is reckoned. To recreate the nostalgic landscape effect created by HPS, customers can select the 1800K model. Customers prioritizing power efficiency can select the 2500K model. To meet the guidelines of the Design Lights Consortium (DLC), customers can select the 2200K model. If customers prioritize HPS catalogue value, they can select 2000K.
Nichia says that the 219F series will be available in September.
