Street lights light up our streets just like room lights illuminate our interior spaces in our homes, offices, and buildings. High Powered Sodium lights used to be the good standard for street lights but not anymore. LED technology seems to be taking over due to its high efficiency and durability. In this article, we will bring to your notice all you need to know about LED-powered street lights and their various features.

1. What are LED street lights?
2. Advantages of LED street lights
3. LED Street light vs. High-Pressure Sodium 
4. How efficient is LED compared to Halogen Street lights?
5. How to repair your LED light?
6. Frequently Asked Questions 
7. Conclusion

 

What are LED street lights?

A LED street light is a public lighting fixture that uses a light-emitting diode for illumination. This integrated lighting system is considered to be integrated because the fixture and the luminaires are one and the same. What this means is that there are no separate parts.

They come in different designs, both in high-power and know-power fixtures. As for their shapes, manufacturers design them based on several factors, some of which have heat sinks. The heat sink in LED lights is similar to the heat sinks in other electronic devices. The purpose of the heat sink is to cool the panels so as to prevent the system from overheating.

As for the lifespan, a LED street light lasts as long as its original design specification allows it. The moment its brightness decreases below 30%, the system is considered to be at the tail end of its life cycle.

Solar LED Street Light

Solar-powered LED street lights are the main thing in big and growing cities all over the world today. These lights are powered by solar energy and do not release CO2 emissions. Due to its clean nature, energy conservators gave labeled it the gold standard of street lighting.

A Solar-powered LED light is divided into two different operational phases.

Daytime – During the day, the solar panel, which is located at the top of the system and directory facing the sun, transforms the energy of the sun into electricity that charges the inbuilt battery.

Night – At night, with the Sundown, the already charged battery provides energy to the LED lamp to illuminate surrounding areas. This is why LED lights can light up our streets without any connection to an external power source.

 

Advantages of LED street lights

Many town administrators and planners advocate for the mass usage of LED lights for the following reasons.

• • • Energy Saving System – LEDs consume less power than other traditional lighting systems like HPS or halogen systems. Some experts claim that LED consumes only half of the power these other systems consume, with most of the power converted into light while the others may lose as much as 95% of power as heat.
    • Longer Operational Life – The average LED light will last for as long as 10 years – 15 years, which is up to 4 times the shelf life of HPS. For a better understanding of its longevity, LED light has an average lighting hours capacity of 50,000 hours before they burn out. They are also less expensive to maintain.
    • Accurate color rendering – LED is also able to reproduce different colors more accurately than other systems. Improved color projection makes it easier for viewers to identify different colors and to recognize objects in the dark.
    • Quick turn on – LED can reach complete illumination and run at full capacity a lot faster than fluorescent and incandescent lights.
    • Fast restart – LED does not have any issue when it comes to fast restarts should there be a power failure or fluctuation.
    • Non-Toxic – This system is also non-toxic since it does not contain or emit toxic gases from decomposed Mercury or Lead.
    • Low insect invasion – Insects are attracted to any type of light, including LEDs. However, they find LED to be less attractive than other light forms.
    • Glare Reduction – LED street lights are designed to direct light-rays downwards and away from the eyes of motorists and pedestrians. This reduces light glares and protects the eyes.
    • Works in low temperature – Even when the temperature is low such as, during winter, LEDs still work efficiently. They are not impeded by changes in temperature.

     

    LED Street light vs. High-Pressure Sodium

    

    High-pressure sodium lights are widely used for street lighting, but where do they stand when compared to LEDs.  In the table below, we do a like-for-like comparison of both lighting technology to help us ascertain, which is better of the two.

     

    Feature	HPS	LED
    Startup	Takes about 15-20 minutes to warm up and to light up at full capacity	Reaches full capacity in less than 2 minutes
    Lifespan	16,000 hours	50,000 hours
    Light direction	Omni-direction focus leads to 15% light wastage	Covers a 180-degree space to get full illumination and no light losses
    Color Temperature	Low and warm color spectrum with restricted yellow light. It may not work well for many applications	Work well for all applications and available in several color temperature ranges
    Color Rendering Index	Very low CRI of around 25	Full range CRI above 70
    Efficiency	Maintain very strong luminescence	High luminescence
    Shock Resistance	Relatively fragile. Easily damaged by physical shocks	Solid and durable and do not get damaged due to physical shocks

     

    As you can see in the table above, LEDs have several distinct advantages over HPS systems. HPS is still highly recommended because they work well in high and low-temperature environments, and they are also affordable. But in terms of durability and effectiveness, LED remains number one.
    
    The only complaint one may have is down to its high price compared to HPS. However, if you make the investment now, you stand to enjoy the LED street light for many years before you need to get a new one. To crown it all up, LEDs do not consume too much power. HPS is good, but the LED is much better.

     

    How efficient is LED compared to Halogen Street lights?

    
    Halogen lights are similar to incandescent lights, albeit with small differences. Though they have tungsten filaments, there is a mixture of minimal halogen gas with the tungsten vapor, which is deposited back into the filament. Although halogens are better and last longer than incandescent bulbs, they are no match for LEDs.

    LEDs, on the other hand, are energy efficient and last longer than halogens. They are also very flexible lighting options that can be used to not only light up our streets but also to light up landscapes, industrial and commercial areas where you have considerable human traffic at night.Find below a comparison table for Halogen and LEDs.
    
     

    Halogen	LED
    Come in different shapes	Comes in different shapes
    Produce infrared & Ultraviolet radiation, which is harmful to fabrics	Produces very little to no infrared and ultraviolet radiation
    Requires warm temperature to perform efficiently	Works well in both cold and warm temperatures
    Sensitive to the skin	Poses to risk to the skin
    Maximum lifespan of 3600 hours	Maximum lifespan of 50,000 hours
    Fragile quartz envelope and filament	Made of highly durable and rugged materials
    Consumes significant power	Consumes 80% less power than halogen
    Bulbs cost less	LED bulbs cost more than halogen bulbs

    How to repair your LED light?

    
    First and foremost, it is not every time your light needs replacement when it refuses to come on. There are simple and quick steps you can take on your own to remedy the situation. The first thing you need to do is to troubleshoot for problem causes.

    Here are the steps to take.

    • Examine your electric connections: Your LED light may be flickering because it is not properly connected to the power source. If you notice that the light flickers anytime you turn on another appliance, that is enough indication for you to know that voltage fluctuation is to blame. If you resolve the fluctuation load problem, your lighting system will no longer flicker.
    • Troubleshoot for Watt surges: Watt surges may be another problem. Some high watt appliances draw a lot of power in order to function. An increase in wattage may also cause your light to flash or flicker because more current is passing through the electric channels than it needs.

    Furthermore, such watt surges can also drain the LED light of current, which will, in turn, lead to a drop in your home’s voltage. To resolve this problem, consider getting a separate electric circuit for appliances that draw so much power when turned on.

    • Tighten electric connections: Check for loose wires and connections in the circuit. Before you start your check, disconnect the light from the power circuit. Tighten the bulbs properly. If you notice any wires out of place, make sure they are properly fastened. Don’t also forget to check the fixture too.
    • Remove dust and debris: After tightening the connections, the same issue persists; consider cleaning the circuit to rid it of dust and debris. You can do so using compressed air to blow it out of the fixture.

    
    NB: The tips listed above are simple steps you can take to get your LED street light working again. If none of the above works, you will need the export help of an electrician to examine and fix whatever problem the LED light may have. Avoid doing more than the above if you are not a trained electrician to avoid the risk of electric shock or ruining the light.

     

    Frequently Asked Questions

    

     

    What kind of harm can LED street lights cause?

    Health experts have warned of the risks involved in the use of LED lights. This has to do with the blue light projected by LEDs. The human eye may not be able to see blue light rays well enough, but they are present, and they weaken the retina. Blue light is also responsible for disturbing our circadian rhythm, thereby making it difficult for us to sleep when we should.

    Do LED Street Lights kill trees?

    This is an argument that has been out in the mainstream for a long time. According to many experts, though LEDs may serve their purpose, they also endanger trees and other plant species. This is because they rob them of sleep at night when they should be sleeping.

    Trees sleep just like humans do, but if a LED street light is positioned close to a tree or set of trees, the illumination will disrupt their sleep patterns and keep them awake all night. Scientists warn that this is bad for plants.

    Are LED street lights safe?

    Besides the risks caused by blue light emissions, LED street lights are adjudged to be safe and cause humans and animals no danger. The good thing about them is that they are designed to control short-wavelength rays, which may be quite harmful. LED lights are safe.

    What is the safe distance for LED street lights?

    As a general safety rule, LED street lights should be placed at least 30fts away from human interaction.

    How much wattage do LED street Lights use?

    Most LEDs used in our streets use wattage ranging from between 60 watts – 400 watts.

    What is the temperature of LED Street Lights?

    LED is measured in Kelvins. A cool color temperature is mostly 4000 Kelvins and above, while a warm color temperature is 3000 Kelvins and below.

    LED Street Light Colors

    LED street lights come in different colors depending on their designs. Street corners with limited spaces tend to be fitted with bright colored street lamps. Furthermore, some town planners may choose to use a combination of two or more colors to create artistic brilliance. The beautiful thing about illumination is that you can use your lamps to serve two purposes. For illumination and beautification. Some common LED street light colors are

    • Yellow
    • Orange
    • Amber
    • Red

    How do LED Street lights work?

    Most LED street lights are solar-powered. Solar lights work in conjunction with LED lamps. The lamps possess a special compound that releases light whenever the bulbs come into contact with the electric current provided by the inbuilt battery. Due to the durable nature of most of the batteries, they can power up the LED bulbs for several hours before they lose current and require charging.

     LED street lights Lumens

    LED is measured in terms of Lumens. When it comes to LED lights, measuring their brightness is important, so while other traditional lights are measured in terms of watts, LEDs are measured based on their Lumens power. The higher the Lumens capacity, the brighter the light. The brightness to Lumens ratio is 70%, which is equivalent to about 6500-8000 Lumens.

    What is the Color Temperature for LED Street Lights?

    Color temperature ranges between 4000 Kelvins – 3000 Kelvins, with the higher Kelvin ratio translating to cool temperature and the lower ratio for warm temperature.

    How long do LED street lights last?

    LED street lights are noted for their longevity. They have a projected lifespan of between 10-15 years, which is more than three times the lifespan of high-powered sodium.

    Why do LED Street Lights flicker?

    If a LED street light is flickering, there are certain factors responsible for that. Two common factors are as follows.

    1. If the voltage is transmitting fluctuating loads, it will affect the light bulb just like it does for other electrical appliances.
    2. If there is a watt surge.

    How to repair a LED street light

    If your LED street light is not working, then something is wrong with it. If it doesn’t come on at all, you will need the services of a trained electrician to get it fixed. In the case where you still have a standing warranty agreement with the manufacturer, you also have the option of returning it for a new replacement.

    However, if your warranty has expired or you notice that the light flashes or flickers intermittently, there are steps you can take to remedy the situation. Here are tips you can use to repair your street light.

    Causes of LED light flickering or flashes

    • Voltage fluctuations caused by power consumption by other electrical appliances using the same power source
    • Watt surges caused by other electrical appliances
    • Loose connection between the LED light and the power source
    • Dimmer switches contained in some LED bulbs can cause the flickering because switches decrease voltage to recreate a dimming effect

    LED Street Light Brands

    Top LED light brands are sought after by the buying public because they produce dependable and durable products that represent value for money. Due to the high number of substandard products out there, it is imperative that you only go for good brands, so you don’t end up spending extra money on repairs or even in the seeking of replacements.

    Some popular brands that have been able to distinguish themselves in the market include:

    • Phillips
    • Cree
    • Havells
    • Crompton
    • Osram
    • Opple
    • Syska
    • Wipro

     

    There are several other good brands, but these brands listed above have distinguished themselves when it comes to LED street light technology. Don’t forget to read the terms and conditions of any product before you purchase it.

    Where to buy LED street light

    You can buy your LED street lights in person or online. In shops and malls around where you live, you will definitely find lighting fixtures up for sale. But you also have the option of buying one online.

    The good thing about buying your lights online is that

    1. You have an abundance of options to choose from
    2. The opportunity to compare price and quality
    3. You can read reviews posted by previous buyers, which can serve as a buying guide
    4. Buying online is stress-free as the product will be delivered to your doorstep.

    Some of the major platforms where you can buy your LED street lights include

    • Amazon
    • Alibaba
    • eBay
    • Home Depot

    
    You may also choose to buy directly from the manufacturer if you wish to place an order for a bulk purchase. Bulk purchases drive down the price per unit, and by extension, you get to save money in the process.

     

    Conclusion

    There are different lighting systems, but none comes close to the efficiency of LED street lights. High-powered sodium systems are effective. So are Halogen lights, but both pale in comparison to LEDs. LED street lights last longer and are made of durable materials that can withstand the rigors of weather elements. They are also able to provide more brightness for less power.

    If you want to buy a LED street light for your neighborhood, make sure you only go for the best LEDs there are. Buying the products of major brands will save you the stress and money you will require to seek replacements in the not too distant future.