Retrofit Competence
23.01.2017 | Products
The retrofitting of LED lighting applications into existing lighting systems in both the commercial and consumer spaces is a huge market, with many drivers behind it. Whether it is cost (both short term and long term, including durability and low maintenance) or energy efficiency and government regulations and recommendations, traditional lighting is quickly losing market demand to LED. Recent innovations in component and luminaire design have given way to huge choice and flexibility for manufacturers, opening up the market in terms of applications. However, retrofitting these innovations to existing infrastructures, fixtures and fittings can place limitations on design. This is particularly important when one considers the key trends that are emerging and becoming a part of the overall fabric of our working and personal lives, such as smart homes, smart offices and the Internet of Things. Smart lighting, for example, combines the latest LED technology with other innovations in colour-changing properties, intelligent sensors, infrared, Bluetooth and internet connectivity/data capture. These advances are important, and while only in their infancy, will only reach full potential if customers can use them with their existing systems. While retrofitting is a transitional move, and enables flexibility for the end user who does not want to rip and replace, it can prove challenging for manufacturers working with smart lighting. Manufacturers do not want to compromise on design, choice of component and light properties such as Color Rendering Index (CRI), efficacy or the life of the LED – they want to be able to meet market demand and ensure the luminaire meets the requirements of the application. But how can this be achieved?
OSRAM Opto Semiconductors is the one of the few vendors whose portfolio covers all options for SSL lighting so that clients and partners can choose the components best suited for their specific requirements – from low to ultra high power, light quality gradations or cost options – purely LED or retrofit. There are a number of options available on the market to meet requirements where mass market assembly of the luminaire and components is under a cost pressure. Highly flexible production platforms, such as QFN from OSRAM Opto Semiconductors in the manufacture of the DURIS® S family, can be adapted universally, offering cost effective options for distribution to the mass market. Luminaire makers must also consider the availability of cost sensitive case and packaging technologies, such as those available with the DURIS® S 8 and S 10, which make them the perfect solution when building lamps for consumer applications. Finally, all in-house, end-to-end LED component development (from phosphor mixes and chip manufacture to the casing) ensures that manufacturers can agilely react to changing market conditions and customer demand as the R&D team works closely together with their partners and develops new solutions based on the market needs.
The OSRAM DURIS® S and DURIS® E lines of LED components are the natural partner for retrofit applications. While DURIS® S is best for more advanced applications, such as coloured lighting, single light source (e.g. directional lighting) and low-cost linear lighting, the DURIS® E family is particularly well suited to more homogenous uses, since it offers low- to mid-power options for cost conscious applications (e.g. consumer, or office lighting).
Factoring in client feedback and market demands, OSRAM Opto Semiconductors performs its Research and Development in-house. Along with its extensive expertise in various challenging and niche market applications for retrofit LED solutions, this enables OSRAM to innovate along every step of the way. For both retrofit and LEDfit solutions, partners and clients are provided with the biggest range of options and flexibility in choice on the market.
