A simplified technique of lighting performance evaluation applied to led-based modern luminaires

This paper presents the practical implementation details of a simplified and low cost technique useful to provide elements that sustain, with solid scientific data, the comparison between conventional small size, low wattage lamps (or luminaires) and LED-based modern counterparts. A case study is also included, which consists of the comparison of a high-power LED linear luminaire, constituted of four LEDs of 3 W in series, with a conventional 15 W fluorescent bulb, which is fed by an electronic ballast. The LED luminaire implementation is also described in the text, along with some details of the power driver design. Experimental results, assembling electrical and luminous parameter information (illuminance), are also given, revealing that the simple LED arrangement could easily overcome the performance of the fluorescent bulb.