International Conference ILUMINAT 2009

OPORTUNITIES TO REDUCE CONSUMPTION OF

ELECTRICITY IN LIGHTING SYSTEMS

1 2 1
POP Gabriel Vasile , CHINDRI Mircea , GECAN C!lin-Octavian
1 2
Ph.D. student, Professor, Technical University of Cluj–Napoca

ABSTRACT

The present paper’s goal is to underline possibilities to reduce electricity consumption in lighting
systems. Energy saving has a positive contribution to both environment (by reducing CO2 emissions)
and society.
Research guidelines will be presented to fulfill the increase of the lighting network
performances like: increasing energy efficiency in existing systems (fluorescent tubes, electronic
ballasts use), usage of presence sensors and voltage control devices, natural lighting and possibilities
of achieving new lamps which have improved features and lower power consumption (LED, Krypton
lamps, metal halides lamps).

1 INTRODUCTION

Artificial lighting is one of the basic components in achieving normal living conditions (study, work,
entertainment) when the natural lighting does not provide the necessary level of illumination. Choosing
the necessary level of illumination and the lighting quality presents a great influence in the daily
activities.
Almost 10% of the total electrical power is used by lighting systems. Even if lighting systems
are responsible for a small part of energy consumption, concentration around them is justified by:
great influence on the level of civilization of society;
important percent of the energy bill of households and tertiary.
According to studies, electric lighting is a consumer of electrical power with reduced efficiency.
The most efficient light source currently generate 200 lm/W compared to 682 lm/W, value that would
yell for full conversion of electricity into light.
Performance analysis of electric light sources, that are currently marketed, show that the new
generation of products provide, for the same illumination, energy savings of 10 - 35%.
On the other hand, as particular issue for Romania, the household lighting is represented in
nearly all cases by incandescent light sources. If evolved countries have over 80% of the luminous flux
obtained by appropriate sources, based on discharge in metallic vapor and gas, in Romania less than
10% of necessary light flux is obtained by fluorescent sources [7].

2 DIRECTIONS TO INCREASE THE PERFORMANCE IN LIGHTING SYSTEMS

The main directions of research for increasing performance in electric lighting installations are set out
below:

2.1 Increase of energy efficiency in usage of lamps [1, 5, 7]

2.1.1 Usage of compact fluorescent lamps
If incandescent lamps convert 90-95% of electricity in heat and only 5-10% of electricity in light,
compact fluorescent lamps use 80% less electricity achieving the same features lighting - Table 1
(calculations performed estimating a cost of 0.07 EURO/kWh).
Compact fluorescent lamps combine high luminous efficacy and colorimetric characteristics
with a low power consumption and high life expectancy (an average 8000 hours versus 1000 hours for
incandescent lamps). Compact fluorescent lamps have rated power values between 9 - 23 W, with a
luminous efficiency between 45 - 85 lm/W. Adjustment (decrease) of light flow is possible till 50% of
the nominal luminous flux is reached.

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Table 1 Incandescent and compact fluorescent lamp comparison

Incandescent Compact
lamp fluorescent lamp
Power [W] 60 11
Lifetime [hours] 1.000 8.000
The cost of electricity for 8000 hours 34,3 6,3
of operation, [EURO]
Economy: 28 EURO

Lamps are made in various designs, shown in Figure 1:

Figure 1 Compact fluorescent lamps types [1]

2.1.2 Usage of electronic ballasts

Fluorescent lamps operate on the principle of the arc discharge in mercury vapor and inert gases at
low pressure. A novel alternative is the implementation of the new generation of T5 fluorescent lamps.
They are highly efficient both in terms of consumption and the lifetime.
Using electronic ballast (Figure 2) with fluorescent lamp type T5, energy losses are reduced
(power factor is at least 0.94) and lifetime will be increased (over 15,000 hours). The costs of power
consumption will be reduced by 64%.

Figure 2 Electronic ballast [5]

This solution gives a continuous stable light, with no flicker and silent in operation. As
construction solutions, T5 fluorescent lamps have different rated powers: 14 W, 28 W and 35 W.
A comparison study between T8 fluorescent lamps and T5 fluorescent lamps with electronic
ballast is presented in Table 2:

Table 2 T8 and T5 lamps comparison

T5 – 28 W T8 – 36 W T5 – 35 W T8 – 58 W
Voltage supply [V] 230 230 230 230
Active power [W] 32.8 43.1 40 78
Apparent power [VA] 34.4 89 43 129.1
Power factor 0.95 0.48 0.95 0.57
Energy [kWh/an] 289 377 351 649

It is noted that the performances reached by using T5 lamps with electronic ballast are net
superior against the case of T8 fluorescent lamps.

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2.2 Reducing energy consumption through usage of sensors and voltage control devices [1, 2, 5]
2.2.1. Using motion sensors
Outdoor lighting installations, with high installed power, have a significant consumption of the total
electrical power destined for lighting. Building economical lightning systems requires usage of lamps
equipped with motion sensors (shown in Figure 3).

Figure 3 Lamp with sensors [5]

Motion sensors ensure that the lamp works only when is dark and when the sensor detects
movement within its range. Through an integrated switch movement in the dark will lead starting of the
lamp.
These lamps work with infrared sensors. They record sudden temperature oscillations (in the
surveyed zone) and then send a signal to start the lamp.
In comparison with the permanently active systems, using lamps equipped with motion
sensors have as result the saving of a considerable amount of power. Some lamps have sensors with
a circular surveying capacity of 360° through “multi-system lens”. By moving the lens, the surveillance
area narrows or widens.
Economic lamps with technology based on motion sensors are characterized by:
ideal for long lighting time in the outside area;
starting and stopping automatically at sunset/sunrise;
low energy consumption (energy saving up to 80%).

2.2.2. Automatic control of lighting levels

One of the advantages for using voltage control devices is to extend the operation time of lighting
sources. Experimental researches shown that a reduction of only 5% from the supply voltage caused
doubling the lifetime of the lamps (classical incandescent or halogen lamps), supplied at 230 V or at
very low voltage.
Another important advantage is saving of power. Light perception by the human eye is not
carried out in linear mode; hence reduction of at least 10% of the light flow will be observed and
realized. Reduction in the level of luminous flux represents energy saving of almost 10%. For a 50%
decrease in the lamp’s level flow will provide energy saving of about 40%.
It is noted that not all light sources are adjustable. Today’s practical solutions are presented in
Table 3.

Table 3 Types of adjustable light source

LAMP TYPE
Classical incandescent lamp
Incandescent with halogen lamps 230 V
Incandescent with halogen lamps at very low
voltage, with ferro-magnetic transformer
Incandescent with halogen lamps at very
low voltage, with electronic transformer
Fluorescent lamps with conventional ballast
Fluorescent lamps (tube and compact) with
electronic ballast
Compact fluorescent lamp socket E27
ADJUSTABLE VOLTAGE CONTROL DEVICE TYPE
Yes Any type
Yes Any type
Yes Device with upward change of phase
(thyristor / triac)
Yes Device with downward change of phase
(the transistor)
Yes, for certain types of ballast, within Device with upward change of phase
certain limits (up to 50%) (thyristor / triac)
Yes, depending on the type of ballast, within Device with upward or downward change
certain limits (up to 50%) of phase (thyristor / triac)
Yes, within certain limits (up to 50%) Device with upward or downward change
of phase (thyristor/triac)

2.3 Strategies for natural lighting [3]

Natural lighting systems can supplement or replace electric lighting. This solution will not provide direct
electrical power savings, but them usage lowers the electrical light sources consumption.

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One of the solutions for caption of natural light is the light tube. This is a secondary light
source that transmits flux from the primary source (environment/Sun) in the habitat, to a specific
objective or to certain areas (Figure 4).

Figure 4 Natural light systems [5]

Light tube transmits radiation through the phenomenon of total internal reflection. The material
inside has a reflection of 0.98, and internal reflection occurs in the structure of 0.5 mm thickness of the
optical film, made of transparent acrylic or polycarbonate.
There are light tubes specially designed for roofs, known as solar tubes. These systems
maximize energy use by reflecting and concentrating sunlight and even diffuse light of the sky through
a tube of aluminum high-reflecting mirror.
The top of the tube is closed with a dome of transparent polycarbonate. Focused light is then
reflected by a mirror to the vertical pipe, as close as possible to the central axis. Bottom, located at the
ceiling, is closed with a polycarbonate dome transparent, which diffuse uniform light into the interior.
When the light passes through the tube, losses occur because of: tube absorption, by
reflecting the way, the light is referred back to the source and absorption by the mirror located at the
end of the tube.
Using natural light in buildings is benefic for the comfort of occupants. An important role can
be observed by the minimization of the power consumed for lighting systems.

2.4 Lamps with improved features [4, 5, 6]

2.4.1 LED
LED (Light Emitting Diode) is a semiconductor that converts electricity into photons, and then in light.
The conversion is cold, which attracts an extremely high efficiency compared to ordinary light sources.
Light is basically generated inside a semiconductor crystal, which is passed by an electric current. The
crystal consists of a semiconductor junction of aluminum, indium, gallium and phosphorus. It can
produce up to four basic colors like Red, Yellow, Green, Blue, with shades around them and White
(Figure 5).

Figure 5 Constructive variants of LED [5]

Studies have shown that a regular bulb uses only 10% of electricity, while 90% of energy is
wasted through heat. This gives the name of “incandescent light source”. Probability of failure of
incandescent source is around 50% only after 2000 hours of operation. This and the extremely high
fragility (body glass and thin filament) make LED technology to provide clearly a novel solution.
Among the advantages of light sources based on LED are noted as follows:
small dimensions;

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energy consumption may reach only 10% of the usual incandescent sources;
very resistant to weathering and chemical agents;
do not generate heat, essential in the air-conditioning systems;
duration of operation extremely long (at least 10 years) which is not associated with failure,
but with light attenuation performance;
offers a wide range of colors, is essential for display panel;
light is concentrated on a specific direction that can eliminate the use of reflectors or other
optical systems;
large application areas such as medicine and biotechnology.
LED lamps will find great utility for mobile devices, such as car headlights or flashlights. They
are used in urban life for outdoor lighting, traffic signs or traffic lights. On the other hand, LED lamps
have found various uses in electronic, using the screen with LED lighting.
Due to their low consumption, LED lamps began to be increasingly used in housing, both in
directional spot lights and ambient lighting or in night-time.
LED technology is at its beginning and in short time, more and more systems will use this type
of lamps. In addition, new types of lighting systems based on LED are at various stages of
development. Some examples would be polymers LED's or OLED with sites that will lead to flexible
lighting systems, and ultra mobile.

2.4.2 Krypton lamps

The Krypton lamp is an incandescent lamp (balloon type E) filled with Krypton, with considerable
improved luminous flux. The life of lamp is larger and has higher energy efficiency than incandescent
lamp.
Krypton gas allows a higher filament temperature of combustion, providing white light with
high brightness versus ordinary incandescent lamps.

2.4.3 Metal halide lamps

The metal halide lamps are part of discharge lamps at high pressure gas, being a compact and
efficient source. Like most vapor discharge at high pressure gas lamps, metal halide work under high
pressure and temperature conditions, which include special lighting fixtures for a safe opperation.
Them relatively small size, allows good optical control and successful usage in applications that
requires light flow concentration. Being a discharge lamp, this too is connected to the grid via ballast.
Generally, is used the same type of ballast like the mercury discharge lamps at high pressure.
One of the disadvantages of this source is long restart time. When the power source is off the
pressure of the discharge tube is too large to allow instant restart at 0.5-5 kV.
Ignition is possible again, after 5-10 minutes, depending on the cooling source efficiency. This
is an important issue for applications where long restart time may cause a production stops or security
issues. There are metal halide lamps with instant ignition by using ballast with high voltage operation (30
kV) that will ignite the lamp.
Metal halide sources were initially preferred to the mercury vapor in applications where natural
light is needed (sources of mercury vapor generating a blue light). However, today slight differences
can be yelled between different types of discharge lamps. By the introduction of gas mixtures are now
available for these lamps, color temperature between 3000 and 20,000 K.

3 CONCLUSIONS

Considerable electrical and light-technical advantages for lighting systems using lamps based on
electrical discharges can not be valued sufficiently if no measures are taken to limit them operating
inconvenient. Hence, the main negative aspects are:
the need for ballast to limit the intensity of electric current discharge;
long time to release (4-5 minutes) and revival (6-7 minutes) for metal discharge lamps in high
vapor pressure;
emergence stroboscopic effect;
reactive energy consumption using inductive ballast;
lamps are harmonic source because of the nonlinear of the electric arc discharge.
Current lamps still have high power consumption versus modern lighting solutions. One
measure that can be taken is the replacement of the lamps with low energy efficiency with others that

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have superior qualities in means of energy consumption, or their endowment with equipments
designed to reduce electricity consumption.
A second solution would be efficient use of natural light that will provide electrical energy
savings.
The concern for the environment demands rational usage of global energy sources. This way,
saving 1 kWh will reduce both CO2 emissions by up to 1 kg and methane up to 0.011g.

REFERENCES

1. Pop, F., Chindri , M., “Ghidul Centrului de Ingineria Iluminatului. Vol. 1: Luminotehnica : surse
electrice de lumina” Cluj-Napoca 2000
2. Micu P-P, Reglarea nivelului fluxului luminos al l!mpilor – de ce? i … cum?, Ingineria Iluminatului
8-2001
3. "icleanu, C., Bianchi, C., Eficien#a sistemelor de iluminat cu tuburi de lumin!, Universitatea Tehnica
de Construc#ii Bucure ti Facultatea de Instala#ii, Catedra de Luminotehnic! i Instala#ii Electrice
4. Matei, S., Impactul tehnologiei LED precum i implementarea acestei tehnologii in România,
Peninsula Technikon, Facultatea de Inginerie Electric!, Cape Town, Africa de Sud
5. http://www.globalmarket.com/category-/Lighting.html
6. http://www.lightingdesign.ro/articol.php?id=7
7. Gadola, $t., .a., Eficien a energetic! în iluminat, Energobit, Cluj-Napoca, 2005.

Technical University of Cluj – Napoca

15 C. Daicoviciu St., 400020, Cluj – Napoca
Gabriel.POP@eps.utcluj.ro
Mircea.CHINDRIS@eps.utcluj.ro
Calin.GECAN@eps.utcluj.ro

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