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, GU5.3 and G53). Retrofit lamps have integrated control gear operated on main voltage (230 volts). GU5.3 retrofit lamps are operated on low voltage (12 volts).

  • LED classic lamps
  • LED reflector lamps (LED spots)
  • Compact fluorescent lamps

Product information conforms with the manufacturer’s declaration. Most items must be indicated according to Regulation (EC) No 244/2009 or Regulation (EU) No 1194/2012.

Technical Criteria

All LED lamps on www.topten.eu (Best Products of Europe) are characterised by the following criteria:
  • Luminous efficacy:
    • LED classic lamps up to 300 lm: min. 45 lm/W
    • LED classic lamps 300 to 470 lm: min. 50 lm/W
    • LED classic lamps above 600 lm: min. 60 lm/W
    • LED reflector lamps: min. 45 lm/W
  • Average lamp life: min. 20’000 hours
  • Switching cycles: min. 50’000
  • Colour rendering index CRI: min. 80
  • Measurement according to EN 13032 in a certified laboratory
  • The producer or vendor must have ISO certification (series 9000 and ideally 14000)

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

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

* 105 mm is the length of a typical incandescent bulb

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).

Electricity costs

According to the following assumptions:

  • Product’s lifetime: 15 years
  • Energy consumption: On for 1'000 hours per year (2.7 hours daily)
  • Tariff of electricity: 0.15 €/kWh (this should be understood as order of magnitude as there can be large differences depending on country or electrical utility)

Dimmable

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

Power

Electrical power 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).

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: Edison screw base with diameter 27 mm
  • E14: Edison screw base with diameter 14 mm
  • GU10: distance of pins 10 mm
  • GU5.3: distance of pins 5.3 mm
  • G53: distance of base prongs 53 mm

Luminous colour

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 time

Lamp life time 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.

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.

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Infoplus

Publications

Standards and labels

  • 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.

Links

  • European Comission, Eco-design of Energy-related Products (ErP)
  • Coolproducts informs about the EU ecodesign process on lamps and other products. It is a coalition of NGOs' campaign for a stronger, fast Ecodesign Directive to save the climate and money.

02/2013 Geilinger/Gasser