Induction, the flawed source.

Not too long ago induction lighting systems were being promoted as the future of sustainable lighting, capable of saving the planet all on their own weren't they. Why is it today then that most lighting specialists and fixture manufacturers have turned their back on it, leaving it in the dubious hands of the so called "energy management" companies. The why is simple, it was a deeply flawed technology right from the start.

Let's look at the reasoning behind that.

1. The overly bulky arc tube made controlling the lumen output all but impossible giving us just a big blob of light coming out of the fitting.

2. It was marketed as a "new" technology so the lamps were expensive yet they still use a 20 year ballast design copied from Osram or Philips. These ballasts have a very high failure rate compared to today's technology.

3. Lamps are sold with 100,000hrs or more life yet the ballasts rarely last 50,000hrs.

4. Lumens per watt levels are still at around 80 whereas other sources far exceed that now.

5. Radio interference has been known to affect the ballast operation. These systems also produce ElectroMagnetic emissions themselves, in the same way that cell phones or wireless routers do. While the jury is out on the impact these emissions have on human health, a large quantity of these luminaires in one enclosed space could be cause for concern.

6. Induction lamps are susceptible to impact or vibration, greatly limiting their useful applications. Being glass tube lamps with mercury content, this needs to be looked at carefully for any application.

I hope these points help to throw some light on the reasons why the lighting industry as a whole has all but rejected induction lighting as a responsible alternative to metal halide and backed LED technology as the choice to take.

By Jon Lewis