Selection Criteria Lamps

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Methodology

Scope

Topten.eu presents the most energy efficient retrofit lamps. 'Retrofit' means that the lamps directly replace incandescent lamps and halogen lamps. Product lists are structured by lamp base (E27, E14, GU10 and GU5.3). Retrofit lamps have integrated control gear operated on main voltage (230 volts). GU5.3 retrofit lamps are operated on low voltage (12 volts).

  • Compact fluorescent lamps
  • LED classic lamps
  • LED reflector lamps

Product information conforms with the manufacturer’s declaration. Most items must be indicated according to Regulation (EC) No 244/2009. Product information and requirements for reflector lamps are not regulated.

Technial Criteria

All compact fluorescent lamps under www.topten.eu (Best Products of Europe) are characterised by the following criteria:

  • Luminous efficacy:
    • Energy-label A
    • Sticks E27/E14 and Bulbs E27 minimum 50 lm/W, if length > 105 mm*
    • Sticks E27/E14 and Bulbs E27 minimum 34 lm/W, if length < 105 mm*
    • Bulbs E14 and Candles E27/E14 minimum 40 lm/W
  • Average lamp life: minimum 12’000 hours
  • Switching cycles: minimum 50’000
  • Start-up-time (60%): maximum 60 seconds

* 105 mm is the length of a typical incandescent bulb

All LED lamps under www.topten.eu (Best Products of Europe) are characterised by the following criteria:
  • Luminous efficacy:
    • LED classic lamps up to 300 lm: minimum 45 lm/W
    • LED classic lamps above 300 lm: minimum 50 lm/W
    • LED classic lamps above 600 lm: minimum 60 lm/W
    • LED reflector lamps: minimum 40 lm/W
  • Lamp life: minimum 20’000 hours
  • Switching cycles: minimum 50’000
  • Colour temperature: maximum 3000 K
  • Colour rendering index: minimum CRI = 80
  • Measurement according to EN 13032 in a certified laboratory
  • The producer or vendor must have ISO certification (series 9000 and ideally 14000)

Order of presentation

Products are ranked according to their luminous efficacy. The order of presentation can be changed by clicking the tables’ headings.

 

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Glossary

Brand and Model

Brand with link to website. When there are multiple models, they are listed in a separate row (e.g. dimmable or not, various wattages, various radiation angles).

Dimmable

Note that not all lamps can be dimmed. Unfortunately, dimmable retrofit lamps are not always compatible with all types of dimmers.

Wattage

Electrical power consumption in watts (W).

Luminous flux

The luminous flux is measured in lumens (lm) and indicates the radiated power emitted by a lamp.

Luminous efficacy

Energy efficiency of lamps is expressed by the luminous efficacy in lumens per watt (lm/W).

Length and Diameter

Dimensions of the lamp in millimeters (mm). Note that the dimensions of retrofit lamps can be larger than corresponding incandescent or halogen lamps. They may not fit in all installations / luminaires.

Energy label

According to EU Directive 92/75/EEC, household lamps operated on main voltage (incandescent lamps and fluorescent lamps with integrated control gear) and household fluorescent lamps (including single and double-ended lamps without integrated control gear) must be marked on their packaging with an energy label indicating their energy efficiency. 
The light sources are classified in energy efficiency classes A (very efficient) to G (inefficient).

Lamp base

  • E27: screwable thread (Edison) with diameter 27 mm
  • E14: screwable thread (Edison) with diameter 14 mm
  • GU10: Bayonet-Base, distance of pins: 10 mm
  • GU5.3: Bayonet-Base, distance of pins: 53 mm

Colour temperature

The light colour appearance of a lamp can be defined in terms of its colour temperature in degrees Kelvin (K). There are three main colour groups: warm whites < 3300 K; neutral whites 3300 K - 5000 K and daylight whites > 5000 K.
Example warm white fluorescent lamps: Code 827 (the last two digits are the first two digits of the colour temperature).

Lamp life

Lamp lifetime in hours (h). For domestic lighting 1'000 hours is considered one year of usage.

Switching cycles

Switching cycles indicate the number of times the lamp can be switched on and off before failure. According to Regulation (EC) No 244/2009, page L 76/11, a switching cycle consist of a period comprising 1 minute on and 3 minutes off.
For comparison's sake, the same periods of 1 minute on and 3 minutes off are assumed for inefficient models. Halogen lamps are sometimes tested with periods of 1 second on and 1 second off resulting in higher switching cycles.

Available in countries

Depending on brand: in specialised trade stores, in supermarkets and internet-shops; see also web pages of manufacturers.

 

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Infoplus

Publications

Standards and labels

  • EN 13032: Light and lighting - Measurement and presentation of photometric data of lamps and luminaires.
  • EN 50285: Energy efficiency of electric lamps for household use - Measurement methods.
  • EN 60969: Self-ballasted lamps for general lighting services - Performance requirements.
  • COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 245/2009 of 18 March 2009 implementing Directive 2005/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to ecodesign requirements for fluorescent lamps without integrated ballast, for high intensity discharge lamps, and for ballasts and luminaires able to operate such lamps, and repealing Directive 2000/55/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council.
  • COMMISSION DIRECTIVE 98/11/EC of 27 January 1998 implementing Council Directive 92/75/EEC with regard to energy labelling of household lamps.
  • Directive 2002/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 January 2003 on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment.

 

05/2012 Geilinger/Gasser