General Lamp/Lighting Information

Definition of LEDs
Features and Benefits of LEDs
Definition of Solid State Lighting (SSL)
Definition of "IP" Protection Degree (Waterproof Rate)
Codes Used in Ballast Descriptions


LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are solid-state semiconductors that can convert electrical energy into light.

Solid State Lighting (SSL) uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs), organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), or polymer light-emitting diodes (all "solid objects") as light sources instead of the electrical filaments, vacuum tubes, or gas tubes used in traditional lighting. Solid State Lighting also provides greater shock, vibration, and wear resistance, leading to an increase in lifespan.

Cost & Energy Efficent - Low power consumption, reduced maintenace requirements and long life make LEDs energy and cost efficient.
Low Heat Output - LEDs can convert almost all the energy used into light creating a highly efficient light source. In contrast, today's incandescent bulbs emit a lot of energy in the infrared spectrum which can't be seen. We know this wasted energy as the heat today's bulbs give off.
Long Life Time - LEDs can last up to 100,000hrs. High Power LEDs can last up to 50,000hrs. In comparison, incandescent lamps last about 1,000hrs and halogen lamps last about 2,000hrs.
Environmentally Friendly - LEDs are made from non-toxic materials and can be recycled, unlike fluorescent lamps, which contain Mercury.
Durable - LEDs do not contain loose or moving parts.


"IP" stands for "Ingress Protection". An "IP" number is used to specify the environmental protection of enclosures around electronic equipment. The IP number is composed of two numbers, the first referring to the protection against solid objects and the second against liquids. The higher the number, the better the protection.

First Number
0 No protection
1 Protected against solid objects up to 50mm³
2 Protected against solid objects up to 12mm³
3 Protected against solid objects up to 2.5mm³
4 Protected against solid objects up to 1mm³
5 Protected against dust, limited ingress (no harmful deposit)
6 Completely protected against dust

Second Number
0 No protection
1 Protection against vertically falling drops of water (e.g. condensation)
2 Protection against direct sprays of water up to 15 degrees from vertical
3 Protection against direct sprays of water up to 60 degrees from vertical
4 Protection against water sprayed from all directions - limited ingress permitted
5 Protected against low pressure jets of water from all directions - limited ingress permitted
6 Protected against low pressure jets of water, limited ingress permitted (e.g. ship deck)
7 Protected against the effect of immersion between 15cm and 1m
8 Protected against long periods of immersion under pressure



CWA Constant Wattage Autotransformer
Reactor Also Referred to As a "Lag Ballast" or "Choke Ballast"



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