Unless you have a degree in luminaire design, it's difficult to understand the integrity of SSL products.  Because of the fundamentals we design into every product, it's in our best interest to insure our customers understand what separates a robust product from something less.  To simplify this, consider the three primary design elements common and critical to all SSL products; thermal management, light distribution, and efficiency.  Though they are common to all, how they are addressed varies widely. 

Thermal Management

The longevity of an SSL product is a function of how cool the LED's are maintained during operation.  The "junction" is the point of highest heat inside the LED and the lower the "junction temperature" the longer the LED will last.  A luminaire's ability to draw heat away from the junction is called "thermal management" and is defined by "thermal resistance".  While the subject of thermodynamics is complex, there are three fundamental principles that pertain to SSL luminaires; conduction, convection, and radiation. 

Conduction is the direct transfer of heat to adjacent materials.  It is aided by mass and the thermal conductivity of that mass.  The mass and thermal conductivity of the pathways determine the ability to move heat.  If you look at a Cireon product, you will see substantial mass in the thermal pathways.  Die castings, because of their porosity and high surface irregularity, are poor thermal conductors and can't compare to the integrity and surface finish of the extrusions used in our products.   We also use "thermally conductive pads" between the LED and the heat sink to fill in the minute surface irregularities and thermally adjoin the LED to the heat sink. 

Convection is the transfer of heat to a nearby gas (or fluid) in motion.  For the SSL luminaire, this means there should be a large surface area of heat sink exposed to the air and a substantial airflow (plenum).  With generous LED spacing and the unique geometry of our heat sink, Cireon products provide 13.5in² per LED of convection surface area, well more than any competitive product.  Additionally, the side vents of the heat sink draw fresh air in and through the tall cooling fins.  Consider heat sink geometry and air flow when selecting an SSL luminaire. 

Radiation is the transfer of heat through empty space.  It is a small contributor to thermal management in SSL luminaires but, like convection, is enhanced by the surface area of the heat sink. For more specific information regarding our thermal management, visit our "Downloads" page and click on "Thermal Management". 

Light Distribution

The "directional" nature of the LED is unique among all commercial lighting sources.  An "optic" can and should be used to properly distribute light and to minimize glare. 

Every LED has a specific energy pattern all it's own.  One may distribute its energy widely with a higher central energy and the next more uniformly but narrower.  Many manufacturers will use "off-the-shelf" optics as a quick solution to avoid the development cycle despite the specific output pattern of the LED being such a big factor in the final product.  Our optics designs use proprietary reflectors and lenses to take the specific energy pattern of the Philips Lumimileds Rebel LED and relocate the energy as needed to achieve the uniformity and soft edges for which we're known.

Also, our reflectors provide a shield from direct sight of the LED from common viewing angles and, when combined with the distribution characteristics of the lens, provides superior glare reduction. 

Efficiency

Like our optics, we've also developed a proprietary light engine; the combination of the power supply board with the LED board.  Also like optics, there are many off-the-shelf products available.  Most are developed to universally accept all input voltages.  While that is a benefit to the manufacturer and distributor, for not having to stock multiple engines, it is not a benefit to you, the customer.  One size fits none.

The Cireon light engine was developed specifically for the electrical characteristics and a 24 count quantity of the Philps Lumileds Rebel LED.  As opposed top one engine that accommodates all input voltages, our engine selections are narrower in input voltage but provide on average about a 10% improvement in electrical efficiency. 

When combined with our unbeatable thermal resistance and optic performance, the net result is the most efficient lighting product anywhere.