Republication of Postings from the U.S. Department of Energy
(DOE) Solid-State Lighting Program by Jim Brodrick, U.S.
Department of Energy This week, the U.S. Department of Energy’s
(DOE) CALiPER program released an exploratory study on the
problems and benefits likely to be encountered as LED products
intended to replace linear fluorescent lamps and luminaires
become increasingly popular. Linear fluorescent lamps –
specifically, T8s and T5s – are the most-common light sources in
our country’s classrooms and offices and are used in a wide
range of fixtures, including recessed 2’x 4’s, 2’x 2’s, and 1’x
4’s as well as linear pendants (both indirect and
direct/indirect), chalkboard/whiteboard lights, and linear
wallwashers. But a growing number of LED products are being
offered as energy-efficient alternatives – including T8 LED
replacement lamps, integral LED luminaires (2’ x 4’ or 2’ x 2’),
and kits to upgrade fluorescent troffers to an LED option. For
the CALiPER study, DOE brought together 18 lighting design