All "WHITE" on the night?

Colour Point Consistency & The Binning Process

The colour rendering issue can be resolved by extending the CRI test. Conventional testing (of fluorescent sources and other discharge lamps) uses an 8-colour point reference system to assess colour accuracy. This has been shown to be unreliable for LEDs, which need a 9-point - or possibly even a 15-point system of measurement.
Colour Point Consistency needs to be tightened. This is all about reducing the acceptable tolerances in colour deviation between chips. The MacAdam Ellipse and SDCM (Standard Deviation of Colour Matching) that are used in these kinds of assessments - suffice to say that elements within the LED industry are calling for a maximum of 2-3 SDCM/MacAdam steps, which is described as 'hardly any colour difference visible'

NOTE: Only 1 SDCM/MacAdam step means that there is no colour difference between chips. Greater than 4 SDCM/MacAdam steps is defined as there being a 'colour difference visible'.

What is the Binning Process?

•An additional consideration is that the process for producing LEDs cannot accurately reproduce them with identical colour appearances, especially for white LEDs.

•To overcome this a process called binning is used, in which the LEDs are sorted into groups of similar colour appearance.

•The level of precision required depends upon the application. Basically, the shorter the throw of the light before illuminating a surface or where numerous light sources are in the field of view, the more critical the binning.

•Hence, for an application such as wall washing, it’s essential for all the LEDs to match closely to give a consistent appearance.

•However, if floodlighting a statue with one or two projectors from an adjacent building the binning process is less important, as individual differences would be less obvious

Binning practices need to be standardised across the industry, especially as we are seeing a burgeoning replacement lamp sector and we can easily imagine LED lamps from one source being installed alongside another. 

various sources contribution to information.

New emergency lighting standard

The British Standards Institution (BSI) has revised its emergency lighting standard to ensure the safety of building occupants in the event of a sudden loss of normal lighting or fire.

BS 5266-1- Emergency lighting – Part 1: Code of practice for the emergency escape lighting of premises considers the provision of emergency lighting in all types of non-domestic premises – including both new and existing installations.

The revised standard is designed to give confidence to owners of premises, landlords and employers that they are meeting their legal requirements regarding emergency lighting. It also addresses the needs of lighting engineers and electrical contractors whose duty is to protect building occupants from the hazards identified by risk assessments.

Designed by industry for industry, BS 5266-1 incorporates the requirements from a diverse committee including local authorities, trade bodies and professionals from safety, fire and property arenas.
The standard has been rewritten to embrace the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) which brings all non-domestic premises within the scope of fire safety law. It also places responsibility for emergency lighting on the person who controls the premises.

BSI aims to promote wider understanding of the different types of emergency lighting systems which may be employed, and to give guidance on their correct application within the premises. As well as ensuring safe unobstructed means of escape from the premises at all times, BS 5266-1 specifies the need to make possible the immediate location and operation of fire alarm call points and fire-fighting equipment.

“Building owners, landlords and employers all have a duty of care to building occupants,” said Dan Palmer, Head of Market Development at BSI. “Failure to take appropriate measures to ensure a safe escape in the event of lighting failure can result in fines and prosecution. BSI’s newly revised standard for emergency lighting will help responsible parties mitigate this risk and provide greater assurance over the well being of building occupants.”

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