LED Lights vs Induction Lights

Led Lights Compared to Induction Lights

Are you wondering what the difference is between LED & Induction lights for your lighting installation? The truth is that there is a huge variety of lighting options in the market, and so it can be quite confusing to settle on any particular one. 

There seems to be an endless list of things you need to compare when choosing lights, including the price, lumen, energy efficiency, watts, and a plethora of other aspects. 

Well, don’t worry, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’re going to simplify the particular process of choosing between LEDs and induction lights so you can make better choices. 

What are the applications of both LED and Induction Lights?

LED and induction lights are both low maintenance and long lasting, and so they are the most common choices for difficult to access lighting areas, both indoors and outdoors. They are often used in street lights, pole lights, wallpacks, parking ramps, and tunnels. Generally speaking, they are used in places where changing a light bulb frequently is inconvenient. Sure, other lights might offer good quality light, but none of them can hold a candle (or a bulb) to these two when it comes to longevity.

Overview of LEDs

Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights don’t use gas like fluorescent lights or filaments like incandescent. Instead, they produce light by having electrons flow through a semiconducting material with both positively and negatively charged parts. When the semiconductor is struck by electrons, the electrons flow through ‘holes’ in the material from the negatively charged layer to the positively charged one. As they go through the positively charged holes, light is created and the LED is illuminated.

Overview of induction lights

Induction lights are slightly similar to fluorescent in that they both use an electromagnetic field and a gas. The induction light uses the electromagnetic field to excite mercury particles suspended in a chemically inert gas. While fluorescent use metal prongs, which may become stripped or break, induction bulbs use an electromagnet which lies outside of the bulb. This also prevents the issue of leaks, which is rather common to fluorescent. 

Comparison of the LED Lights and Induction Lights

Energy Efficiency

Induction bulbs can produce up to 90 lumens per watt while LEDs can do up to 120 lumens per watt, and are improving over time with better design.

Durability

Both induction lights and LEDs are heavy duty, with no filament or electrode. They are also both resistant to vibrations and shocks.

Life

Both are capable of lasting up to 100,000 hours of continuous use.

Lumen depreciation

Induction lights have depreciation of 35% over the rated life while LEDs have a 30% depreciation over the rated life.

Low temperature tolerance

Induction lights can tolerate temperatures as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit, though they may need warm up time at low temperatures. LEDs can tolerate low temperatures down to -30 degrees Fahrenheit, though they come instantly on.

Performance

Both turn on instantly with no glare or flickering.

Color temperatures

Both include multiple options, with color temperatures from 2700 Kelvin to 6500 Kelvin.

Dimmability

Inductions lights are not dimmable unless fitted with special ballast. Most LEDs are dimmable.

Warranty

Induction lights typically come with a warranty of between 3 and 5 years while LEDs come with a warranty of 5 years.

Cost

Both have a moderate upfront cost.

Verdict on LED Lights and Induction Lights

As you can see, both are comparable in quite a few areas. A good place to start when comparing the two is in the expected application. Do you want focused or diffused light? LEDs are better at this than induction lights. Induction lights are great at widespread light. 

Induction lights also have more overall lumens, with some of them going up to 36,000 lumens. LEDs typically find it hard to go over 20,000 lumens. Even so, LEDs have better lumen efficiency than induction lights and are improving over time.

The lumen depreciation rate is also different between the two. Induction lights lose 65% of their lumens by the time they’ve clocked 60,000 hours. LEDs don’t get to 70% loss until 100,000 hours. 

Environmental considerations may also be important. Induction lights contain mercury, which is toxic, and their UV light may damage or fade certain materials. LEDs are safer and easier to dispose of. 

Ultimately, all of these considerations will give you a good idea which type of light is best for you. At the end of the day, it all depends on your goals and priorities. Whichever you choose, however, make sure to get a qualified electrician to do the installation for you. 

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