DOE Report Releases Two New CALiPER Benchmark Reports

The results of both reports show a frustrating picture for LED replacements. Most manufacturers claim much too high values for their products. Very often the LED lamps to replace incandescent lamps produce only 10-60% of their claimed light output, while carrying claims such as “equivalent to a 25-W lamp” or “replaces a 40-W lamp” or “90% more efficient than a 60-W lamp.” MR16 LED replacement lamps were compared to 20W halogen lamps. Wide variations were observed in tested performance. Even the best performing LED replacement lamp doesn't reach the light output of the least efficient halogen lamp. DoE stated: For cases in which lower light levels are desirable, LED MR16 lamps may provide a more efficacious alternative to halogen lamps.

To help users better compare LED products with conventional lighting technologies, DOE conducts CALiPER testing of traditional (non-LED) lamps and fixtures. Benchmark Reports provide detailed analysis of test results for both traditional and LED products for a given application, comparing a range of standard lighting measures (e.g., power usage, light output and distribution, efficacy, correlated color temperature, color rendering index). Potential performance and application issues indicated by CALiPER testing results also are examined.

• Performance of Incandescent A-Type and Decorative Lamps and LED Replacements (PDF 583 KB)
  Report includes test results and analysis for common omni-directional incandescent lamps (A-type and small decorative, candelabra-type lamps) and their commercially available LED replacements. (24 pages, November 2008)
• Performance of Halogen Incandescent MR16 Lamps and LED Replacements (PDF 415 KB)
  Report includes test results and analysis for halogen MR16 lamps and their commercially available LED replacements. (23 pages, November 2008)

Additional LED reports are available for download at www.netl.doe.gov/ssl.