With the new lighting options coming on to the market due to the new laws from the Energy Independence and Security Act (E.I.S.A) there are some new terms associated to some different lighting types. With LEDs being one of the slickest lighting options available right now, the terminology and testing associated with them can be a little foggy. Some terms that are now floating around are LM79 and LM80 when we are talking about LEDs.

These are tests to help you figure out if you are making the right choice by going with an LED. The LM79 is designed to help consumers know what they are buying when they make the decision to go with an LED over other energy efficient options. LM79 measures total luminous flux, luminous intensity distribution, electrical power, efficacy (lumens per watt delivered), and color characteristics (chromaticity, CCT, and CRI).

LM80 is there to help ensure that when a person chooses to purchase an LED that they are getting the most out of their new bulb. One interesting thing about LEDs is that they do not “burn out” the way traditional incandescent light bulbs do because they do not have a filament to burn out. With LEDs the light quality just depreciates to the point where the bulb is no longer usable. LM80 is the approved method for measuring lumen depreciation of LEDs. Simply put, LM80 helps to validate that the bulb will have a usable amount of light for as long as it says it will.

Make sure when you decide to take the leap into LEDs to do your homework, most manufactures will have their LED LM79 and LM80 available for you to view.