The Latest US "Energy Star" Conference LED Requirements

On October 22-24, 2012, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) held an Energy Star partner meeting in St. Paul, Minnesota. The following are the main points discussed at the meeting:

1. New requirements for dimmable compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and LED lamps

The conference focused on the use of dimmers on fluorescent and LED lights. The EPA encourages consumers to use compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and LED lamps to achieve energy savings, but when connected to dimmers, their performance is often not ideal. Some dimmers, when used with CFLs and LED bulbs, have flicker, noise, and limited dimmable range. As a result, consumers were disappointed and switched to using incandescent light bulbs.

To this end, the EPA is establishing a working group to establish the basic requirements of the Energy Star for all dimmable lamps/bulbs. The requirements will include the following aspects:

The flash dimming level noise level test method is based on the recommendations of NEMA and LRC (Lighting Research Center). The EPA is also considering recommending the addition of dimmers for dimmable compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and LED bulbs in building regulations.

2, lighting product certification update

At the same time, there are some new standards for lighting product certifications that are ready to be introduced, including:

LM-84: Measure the maintenance of lumens and chromaticity of LED lamps, drive assemblies and luminaires LM-85: Measure high power LED lamps and photometry TM-26: Estimate the lifetime of LED lamps TM-28: According to LM-84 data estimate LED long-term brightness maintenance