TECHNICAL BULLETIN
LED 102709

LEDs and LIGHT PRODUCTION
LEDs produce light by causing electrons to cross an electrical “gap” or junction. As electrons fall across thisjunction, they give off photons of light energy. The materials used in the chip, and the energy level of the gap, cause the light emitted to be different colors and intensities.

M.E. Premira® LEDs
With recent technological advancements, Premium Qualtiy Premira® LEDs produce more light with better color. M.E. LEDs are driven with high quality electronic circuitry that ensure the LEDs are kept in their optimum life/performance range. M.E. Premira® LEDs are available with Xtrabrite Vitalux LED chips, that produce the whitest and brightest light. Tight manufacturing controls ensure precise color with minimal variance.

Short Life LEDs
Residential-grade LEDs like the kind found sold in big-box stores tend to use low-quality LEDs.
These LEDs tend to be yellow, with poor light quality. The lamp manufacturers then overdrive these LEDs above their specifications to generate more light, but end up sacrificing life, increasing lumen depreciation and color shift. Our tests of these shortlife products have shown 30% lumen loss in as little as 6 weeks.

BEAM PATTERNS
LEDs produce a very bright pinpoint of light. LEDs then use lenses to put the light where it is needed. The way this is accomplished varies widely, with a subsequent wide range in performance.

M.E. Premira® LEDs
M.E. Premira® LEDs use high-grade Precision Optics, made from Aircraft-windshield-grade polymers. These lenses create a smooth even beam. M.E. LED Xtra-Wide Floods produce light patterns similar to incandescent reflectors. M.E. LED Flood lamps produce a beam that make them great for replacing incandescent spots or halogen wide-floods. M.E. LED Spot lamps produce a beam similar to a halogen flood lamp.

Short Life LEDs
Residential grade LEDs often use no lens to control the light (its cheaper that way). Others use lowgrade materials that can yellow over time, causing color shift. Most residential-grade LEDs produce poor beam patterns, giving the appearance of pools of light separated by shadows.

INDUSTRIAL versus RESIDENTIAL COMPONENTS

M.E. Premira® LEDs
M.E. Premira® LEDs use only the best INDUSTRIAL-GRADE components. Each component must have a minimum 15-year design life. These components stay in spec, maximizing LED life. M.E. Premira® LEDs are designed for all-day usage in commercial/industrial applications.

Short Life LEDs
Residential-grade LEDs use low-grade components that fall out of spec quickly. These units are designed for no more than 4 hours per day operation, and are not designed for commercial/industrial applications.