Comparing Performance: LED vs.

Fluorescent
Light Emitting Diode (LED) raw lumen output continues to improve, and has now reached a point
where replacement of fluorescent lamps is practical. However, when comparing LED to fluorescent,
considering raw lumen output is not the critical parameter; effective lumens for a given population
of fixtures over time is the most important consideration.

Calculating Effective Lumens

A popular T8 fluorescent bulb is rated at 2850 lumens, but what is the true output and where does
that light go? Effective lumens are a measure of true output to accurately compare a fluorescent
to an LED fixture. Effective lumens can be determined using the following equation:

Effective Lumens = RL * CU * BF * LLD * LDD * LBO, where,

RL = Rated Lumens
CU = Coefficient of Utilization
BF = Ballast Factor

LLD = Lamp Lumen Depreciation

LDD = Luminaire Dirt Depreciation
LBO = Lamp Burnout Factor

The coefficient of utilization is defined as the percentage of lamp lumens reaching a work plane.
Due to the cylindrical design of a fluorescent tube lamp, only ~1/3 of the light output directly
illuminates the intended surface. In a troffer, a large portion is reflected; thus the total zonal lumens
from 0 to 120 degrees averages 65 percent.

CU = 60% - 70%

T8 fluorescent troffer
0 to 120 zonal lumens
CU = 65% average

An LED is a directional light source. Most of the light is contained within a beam angle of 120
degrees, providing light where its needed. A photometric data comparison validates this effect.

CU = 83% - 89%

T8LEDTM troffer
0 to 120 zonal lumens
CU = 86% average

In a channel fixture, a small portion of the fluorescent tube light is reflected. The resulting 0 to 120
degree zonal lumens is around 50%. Again, the LED product is directional. (See reverse.)

Industrial Strength LED Lighting

Comparing Performance: LED vs. Fluorescent

CU = 47% - 53%

CU = 83% - 89%

Fluorescent channel

LED Linear

0 to 120 zonal lumens

CU = 50% average

0 to 120 zonal lumens

CU = 86% average

A typical ballast factor for fluorescent fixtures is 0.9. With LED fixtures, there is no such factor
associated with a low voltage transformer; thus, the comparative value is 1.0.
Lamp Lumen Depreciation is the most difficult comparison because the products have such
different lifetimes, lumen output curves, and failure mechanisms. Average fluorescent depreciation
is determined at 40% the rated life, or 8,000 hours. A factor of 0.9 gives the mean lumen output for T8
bulbs, and then the lamp completely dies after a 20,000 hour life expectancy. An LED does not die
catastrophically; it is simply considered to reach end of life when the total lumen output is less than
70%. However, on average, the initial lumen output is maintained above 80% up to 50,000 hours.
Therefore, LEDs are assigned an average LLD factor of 0.9 for rated life.
Luminaire Dirt Depreciation factors can be found on IESNA graphs. Even in a clean environment,
LDD is 0.9 after 12 months. LED fixtures do not rely on reflected light and the LED is pointed down, so
the comparative value is 1.0.
The Lamp Burnout factor is 1.0 minus the percentage of allowed failed lamps without replacement.
A conservative estimate for spot relamping is 0.95. LEDs do not burn out, so the corresponding factor
is always 1.0.

Quantifying the Difference

Fluorescent troffer effective lumens = RL * 0.65 * 0.9 * 0.9 * 0.9 * 0.95 = 45% rated lumens (RL)
Fluorescent channel effective lumens = RL * 0.5 * 0.9 * 0.9 * 0.9 * 0.95 = 35% rated lumens (RL)
LED fixtures effective lumens = RL* 0.86 * 1.0 * 0.9 * 1.0 * 1.0 = 77% rated lumens (RL)

Practical Application
A three lamp fluorescent troffer can be replaced by an Albeo two bar LED troffer.
A two lamp fluorescent channel can be replaced by an Albeo one bar LED linear fixture.

Conclusions
White LEDs are now bright enough to replace fluorescent bulbs.
LEDs put light where its needed, greatly increasing efficiency.
When specifying, compare effective lumens rather than raw lumens