Are LEDs an efficient light source

for high mast lighting?

by Johann Schleritzko

Are LEDs an efficient light source

for high mast lighting?

Goldwyn Lighting claims, by

converting existing high
mast lighting to LED light
sources:
An energy saving of 80%
can be achieved.
Higher lighting levels are
attained.

BEKA states that LEDs are not

suited for use on high mast
lighting, since:
Their use will not result in
energy saving
To achieve the same lighting
levels, as their HPS equivalent,
capital costs would have to be
be 8-10 fold, without any energy
saving benefit.

LED system efficacy:

LED system efficacy =

LED efficacy x driver efficiency x optical efficiency x Thermal efficiency

Efficacy of light sources

Driver efficiency:

220/230 V ~

AC/DC
24/48V
Power Supply

85-90
%

Current Source

350 mA
LEDs + PCBs

90-95
%
EFFICIENCY

72-86
%

Optical efficiency:
Optical efficiency of TIR optics:
85 % - 90 %

Additional cover glass

+ ~ 8 % losses due to Fresnel reflection

Thermal efficiency:
LED efficacies are specified at a junction temperature Tj = 25 C
Realistic condition: Tj = 70 C Efficacy ~ 90 %

70

LED system efficiency:

LED system efficacy =

LED efficacy x driver efficiency x optical efficiency x thermal efficiency

120 lm/W x

90 %

= 93 lm/W available

90 %

95 %

Let us compare power:

High Mast 9*400W
HPS-T flood lights

LED (93) lm/W)

9*432W=3,888W

4,482W
(15% more)

9*55,000=495,000lm

416,882

Lumen / system efficacy

495,000/3,888=
127lm/W

93lm/W

Efficiency (PRL floodlight)

77 %

80 %

381,150lm

333,506

70 %

80 %

266,805

266,805

Luminaire power
Lumen (lamp)

Lumen floodlights
Utilization factor k (area lighting)
Lumen on the area

Let us compare power:

High Mast 9*400W

MH-T flood lights

LED (93) lm/W)

9*432W=3,888W

2,608W
(33% less)

9*32,000=288,000lm

242,550

Lumen / system efficacy

288,000/3,888=
74lm/W

93lm/W

Efficiency (PRL floodlight)

77 %

80 %

221,760lm

194,040

70 %

80 %

155,232

155,2325

Luminaire power
Lumen (lamp)

Lumen floodlights
Utilization factor k (area lighting)
Lumen on the area

Let us compare costs:

High Mast 9*400W

HPS-T flood lights

LED (93) lm/W)

9*432W=3,888W

4,482W
(15% more)

9*2600=
R23,400

R 189,000
(estimated)

Energy Costs/annum (0.5R/kW)

8,500

9,800

Saving per year

1,300

Luminaire power
Capital Cost Floodlights

Let us compare costs:

High Mast 9*400W

MH-T flood lights
Luminaire power
Capital Cost Floodlights
Energy Costs/annum (0.5R/kW)
Saving per year

LED (93) lm/W)

9*432W=3,888W

2,608W
(33% less)

9*3000=
R27,000

R 110,000
(estimated)

8,500

5,700
2,800

Verification by SABS:

Verification by SABS:

Comparison, based on Goldwyns claims:

High Mast 9*400W
HPS-T flood lights

Luminaire power
Lumen (lamp)

9*432W=3,888W

LED flood lights,

8*250W
2,000W
(50% less)

186,000

Lumen / system efficacy

9*55,000=495,000lm
495,000/3,888=
127lm/W

Efficiency (PRL floodlight)

77 %

80 %

381,150lm

70 %

148,800
80 %

266,805

199,040
(55% less)

3.17

1.35
(57% less)

Lumen floodlights
Utilization factor k (area lighting)

Lumen on the area

Actual Measurements (average)

93lm/W

1. The claims made by Goldwyn Lighting that:

80% energy saving can be achieved, and
Resulting in higher lighting levels
are incorrect.

2. The LED technology is, based on todays LED efficacy not

suited to achieve energy savings for High Mast lighting
installations.
3. We urge all serious lighting companies to refrain from
making misleading statements, which would harm the
markets long terms acceptance of LEDs.

LED Efficacy
Utilisation coefficient
HID

White LED

100 lm/W

80 lm/W

70% utilization efficiency

50% utilization efficiency

Effective:

50 lm/W

Effective:

17

56 lm/W
BEKA LED Seminar 01 June 2010

Street lighting: Let us compare power:

Street light 250W MH-T LED (93) lm/W)

(92lm/W)

285W

145W
(49% less)

23000lm

13,600lm

Lumen / system efficacy

23,000/285=
80lm/W

93lm/W

Efficiency (PRL floodlight)

77 %

80 %

17,700lm

10,900

Utilization factor k (street

lighting)

43 %

70 %

Lumen on the road

7,600

7,600

Luminaire power
Lumen (lamp)

Lumen floodlights

Conclusion:

LED technology is well suited to achieve energy and cost

savings in many applications as of today!