Cut Sheet

4 | Lutron Lutron | 5
Dimming fluorescent light saves energy
Fluorescent lighting uses much less power than incandescent lighting. In a typical installation, a 32 W
compact fluorescent lamp provides approximately the same light output as a 100 W incandescent lamp.
As both sources are dimmed, fluorescent lamps continue to be more energy efficient.
Measured Light
Percent of Input Power
100%
80
60
40
20
0
0
20 40
60
80
100%
Power consumed by
incandescent source
Over 60 W of power are
saved per fixture by using
fluorescent lamps
Power consumed by
fluorescent source
Lutron quality
Superior components
Lutron ballasts and drivers are manufactured to
the highest level of quality, using carefully selected
components. Maximum lifetime is achieved by
using only long-life components with significant
performance history. Increased margins are
incorporated into Lutron designs to help ensure
that components are not operated outside of their
specified limits. In many cases, Lutron works with
component suppliers to design custom parts in order
to improve overall ballast and driver reliability.
Additionally, Lutron uses metal enclosures for ballasts
and drivers allowing for optimal heat transfer to the
lighting fixture.
100% Test
Lutron tests the performance of every ballast
and driver prior to shipment. This important step
eliminates units that do not meet specifications.
100% Burn-in
Lutron “burns in” every ballast and driver prior to
shipment. Defects due to faulty components are
screened out in this process, resulting in a dramatic
reduction of early failures in the field.
Extending lifetime
All electronic ballasts and drivers use components
with a finite lifetime. A major factor for ballast and
driver lifetime is operating temperature. For every
10º C reduction in case temperature, the lifetime of
the ballast or driver will be doubled. Lutron dimming
ballasts and drivers are designed to operate at
a lower temperature, to maximize the lifetime of
the ballast or driver. The operating temperature is
influenced by the design of the ballast or driver,
and by the characteristics of the fixture in which it
is installed.
Thermal foldback
Lutron-patented “Thermal Foldback Technology” is
included in most Lutron ballast and driver models.
This feature actively monitors the ballast or driver
temperature and adjusts the output power to ensure
that the ballast or driver will meet its expected lifetime
in thermally aggressive applications.
When necessary, power delivery to the output is
automatically reduced, or “folded back,” to regulate
the ballast or driver temperature, with minimal impact
on light output. Thermal foldback is designed to
activate only if the ballast or driver is operated in
an environment that exceeds its temperature. This
technology prevents premature ballast or driver
failure due to overheating. In a properly designed
application, thermal foldback will not activate.
Time
etaReruliaF
Lutron test
and burn-in
Running ballasts or
drivers10
˚
C cooler
DOUBLES useful life
Customer receives
Lutron ballast or driver
Normal
Usage
Lutron Product Reliability Curve
Lutron product reliability curve
For every 10 ºC reduction in ballast or driver case temperature,
the ballast or driver lifetime will be doubled. Lutron dimming
ballasts and drivers are designed to maximize the lifetime of
the ballast or driver by operating at a lower temperature.
Measured Light
Percent of Input Power
100%
80
60
40
20
0
0
20 40
60
80
100%
Dimming LED light saves energy
Like traditional light sources, dimming LEDs results in dramatic energy savings. Additionally, the already long
life of LEDs can be further extended by dimming.
Power consumed
by LED source
Lutron® | Lutron® |
Understanding Lutron ballasts and drivers
Understanding Lutron ballasts and drivers