LED chip, lamp and lighting fixture maker Cree Inc of Durham, NC, USA has introduced a 102 lumen-per-watt linear LED upgrade kit to replace fluorescent lamps. The new UR Series LED Upgrade Kit is easy to install, saves over 50% in energy, provides better light, and lasts up to twice as long as the standard 32W fluorescent lamps it replaces, Cree reckons, delivering payback in less than two years (calculated against a fluorescent three-lamp fixture - with lamp and ballast equal to 88 system watts - and based on typical commercial usage of 12 hours per day and $0.11 per kWh electric costs).
The upgrade kit is designed to fit into existing T8/T12 linear fluorescent fixtures, allowing end-users to easily upgrade to LED. The UR Series covers both 2-feet and 4-feet lengths in various lamp configurations. Due to its unique magnet design, quick connect technology and form-fitted driver, it can be installed more quickly than competitive retrofit LED tubes and complex LED conversion kits, Cree claims. Designed to be compatible with existing fluorescent fixtures, the UR Series LED lightbars and driver can fit into almost any linear fluorescent luminaire without the need to reuse existing sockets and ballasts.
“The UR Series is an ideal solution for applications where building owners prefer to retain existing lighting fixtures, including hospitals where retrofit construction can negatively impact the environment,” said Greg Merritt, vice president, lighting at Cree.
The LED lightbar and driver combination makes the UR Series a versatile upgrade option for many different fluorescent lamp and length configurations, says Cree. The new kits deliver 4500 lumens for a 2x4 fixture and 3600 lumens for a 2x2 fixture. Designed to last 50,000 hours and featuring a 7-year warranty, the UR Series suits users wanting to accommodate current energy-efficiency legislation while receiving a fast payback and return on investment, reckons Cree.
