Landscape and Irrigation is read by decision makers throughout the landscape and irrigation markets — including contractors, landscape architects, professional grounds managers, and irrigation and water mgmt companies and reaches the entire spetrum.
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/43789
enough to illuminate the task, but narrow enough that it does not trespass into non-task areas such as a garden. With any LED light- ing, seek a warm white glow that mimics incandescent, and has a color temperature of 2700-3500K (measured in Kelvin degrees.) A high CRI rating indicates the accuracy of colors under that light — which is important when trying to decide if a steak is too pink or overcooked. LED linear lighting is generations removed from its ancestor, the half-inch-diameter tubular incandescent rope light. LED linear lighting comes in different shapes, lengths and colors; and it's not just accent lighting — it is bright enough to consider as task light- ing. If you are looking for task lighting in an unsheltered area that takes a weather-beating, look for encapsulated LED tape light that is IP68 rated. IP means Ingress Protection, and the numbers indi- cate how impervious a fixture is to dust and water. Fully encapsu- lated in a PVC jacket, this multipurpose tape light is both flexible and weatherproof. It can even put out as many as 45 lumens per watt — enough light for your client to see what he or she is doing on a counter area. And these products can also be dimmed when using the correct components. In addition to its task light possibilities, the applications of IP68 rated linear LED lighting are endless in an outdoor setting. Its slim profile and flexibility make it easy to run under kitchen counter areas, deck railings, benches, steps, soffits, capstones and more. LEDs have a much longer life than incandescent lights, so don't hesitate to use them in hard-to-reach areas where it may have been a hassle to change light bulbs previously. Many LED linear lighting products are low-voltage (12 or 24 volts), which makes them safer than line voltage (120 volt) options when used in out- door kitchens in damp environments. Installation is easy because the LED linear lighting can be cut to length on site, and mounted to surfaces using aluminum or plastic track or clips. Sometimes, however, you just need general lighting in a kitchen area. Abandon flood lights and glaring PAR lamps. Opt for dimmable LED recessed cans in a patio ceiling or in soffits. Some homes have 4-inch or 6-inch recessed cans installed in patio areas. Retrofitting existing recessed can housings with LED down lights or installing LED down lights during new construction is energy smart without sacrificing light intensity or light quality, and they don't have glare. Put them on a dimmer so that they can be ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| LED FAQ By Ken Hendry LED lighting is revolutionizing the landscape lighting industry. But there are many options on the market, and, as a result, many differences. Some questions to ask when specifying LED are as follows: 1) What voltage does the LED op- erate at? While some fixtures must have 12 volts and can tolerate no more, the better LED fixtures will oper- ate between 9 and 15 volts while hav- ing no change to the output of light. In other words it will put out the same wattage at 9 volts as it will at 15 volts. 2) How long will the LED chip last? The better chips will have a lifetime of 40,000 hours. Look for an LED fixture that has a warranty for that same pe- riod of time — about 15 years. 3) Is the fixture fitted with an LED chip or is it a replacement LED bulb? LED bulbs don't have the same lifes- pan as LED chips. For a more reliable fixture, make sure it is one with the LED built into the fixture. 4) What energy savings are possi- ble? LED fixtures will save up to 75 percent on energy consumption. Al- though the fixtures are more expen- sive, the energy savings, combined www.landscapeirrigation.com with the need for smaller transform- ers and wire size, will pay for the sys- tem in a few years. 5) Does the fixture require a driver? LED drivers convert the 12- volt AC current to a DC current that the LED needs to provide optimal performance. Most fixtures will have this driver built in and no other re- quirements are needed. Some, how- ever, do not have this driver on board and a separate driver needs to be wired in between the transformer and the fixture. So, although LED has definite ad- vantages over incandescent, you have to be aware of the differences that are out there. LED chips react to the ele- ments much different than incandes- cent. So choose a manufacturer that has made the commitment to transi- tion from incandescent to LED, has a warranty to back it up, and puts out a fixture with that same soft white light we are used to seeing. Ken Hendry is a principal of Hendry & Associates, a Manufacturer Rep com- pany in the Green Industry. Hendry has more than 25 years experience in the landscape lighting industry and often gives seminars on landscape lighting. For dates of these seminars, contact Hendry at 770-924-1630. LI Landscape and Irrigation 9 Photo courtesy of Hendry & Associates