iGuzzini begins exterior LED testing

Italian lighting supplier iGuzzini is to conduct a test installation of exterior LEDs in order to settle questions over the performance of the lighting technology in Middle Eastern conditions.

In an interview with Commercial Outdoor Design, iGuzzini business development director Richard Holmes said that the test installation would help provide more information on the longevity of LEDs and would play a key part in determining whether the firm would specify LEDs for external applications in the future.

“Although LEDs are a fantastic light source, there is no historical evidence that proves they will last outside,” he explained. “[Manufacturers] can only do a guess or a simulation of the performance at these temperatures.”

At the test installation, located on the roof of the iGuzzini offices at Dubai Airport freezone, the LEDs will be subjected to dust, salinity within the air and direct sunlight for six months.

Holmes said that certain LEDs were considered suitable for the region, but that a lot was dependent on the installation. “With LEDs, there are three things that are key – the regulation of voltage, the heat build up and the control system.”

iGuzzini will continue to specify LEDs, but only for interior applications should the products fail to perform adequately outdoors. “The underlying fact is that LEDs are one of the future light sources for the industry - whether that’s for external lighting in this country or internal use,” said Holmes.

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