Ditching incandescent lighting? 3 Steps to choosing the roght LED solution

Converting from incandescent to an LED lighting solution? It doesn't need to be stressful. Follow these simple steps to choose the right LED light without sacrificing brightness.

Ericson 1004 LED close upThe market is moving toward LED technology and for good reason – they consume less power, are extremely durable, and have a long lamp life, among other benefits. But moving to LEDs means the old practice of looking for a 60, 75, or 100 watt rating no longer works. So what do you do? Follow these quick steps to find the right LED lighting for your application.

STEP 1: Determine your current incandescent light wattage

First, start with determining what incandescent equivalent wattage you need, the most common being the 60, 75, and 100 watt ratings.

STEP 2: Convert incandescent wattage to approximate lumen output

Next, using the chart below, determine the typical lumen output of the wattage you select.

Wait - what the heck is a lumen? Lumen is a standard measure of lighting brightness that all manufacturers use and is an effective tool for comparing lighting options.

STEP 3: Find the lamp or lighting fixture with the necessary lumen output

LED Bulb with Ratings & Incandescent Equivalencies Finally, with the necessary lumens known, we can go and select the appropriate LED bulb. Look on the packaging for ratings for the bulb.

Alternatively, you can look at the LED wattage for an approximate guess on output. Keep in mind, though, LED technology is changing all the time and different LED’s have different efficiencies, so this may not be the most effective way to choose your bulb or lighting.

Ericson manufactures safe, portable lighting for temporary maintenance projects, in outdoor, confined space entry, or hazardous locations, all using the latest LED technology.