LED MR16 Lamp

The MR16 is a standard format for halogen light sources. The term MR16 stands for ‘multifaceted reflector’ and 16 eights of an inch diameter. The mirror reflector in the MR16 allows the light to be directed from the small halogen filament in a highly focused beam with little spill light. MR16 lamps are typically used in applications where the light needs to be directed. This laboratory evaluation project will assess the energy and demand savings of a variety of LED MR16 lamps as well as monitor over time life by measuring degradation at regular intervals.

The objective of this project is to assess the status of the technology and measure the potential incremental energy savings and demand reductions over halogen MR16 lighting systems. Photometric tests conducted at the Southern California Lighting Technology Center (SCLTC) demonstrate the differences and similarities of the halogen and LED MR16 systems. Short-term burn-in tests assess potential immediate defects and failure mechanisms. The MR16 is a standard format for halogen light sources and are typically used in applications where the light needs to be directed from a small source. LED MR16 systems are designed to replace standard halogen MR16 systems. Although LED MR16 systems still carry the MR16 name, they do not have multifaceted reflectors like their halogen counterpart due to Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) already having highly directional light Advances in LED technology have made them brighter and more efficient, thereby expanding the application of LED to other markets. The operation of the LED MR16 is the same as that of the halogen MR16 from the perspective of the end-user. All testing was conducted at the SCLTC in Irwindale, California. This lighting test center collaborates with lighting manufacturers, designers and researchers to conduct technology assessments, demonstrations, development, outreach and educational activities. The test center allows for a controlled laboratory environment to measure the performance of the MR16 lamps. The measurements taken in the laboratory verified the energy and demand reduction and compared other lighting characteristics of the LED and halogen MR16s. Additionally, tests were conducted to qualify performance. The qualitative tests were designed to determine how the LED MR16 lamps would perform compared to their halogen counterparts. The lumen output of LED MR16 lamps range from a low 29 lumens to 246 lumens, which is equivalent to a 20W halogen. On average, most products experience a drop in lumens during the initial 25 minutes of operation. LED products in the test sample did not have similar lumen output as the higher wattage halogen products. However, there were a few LED products that were comparable to the 20W halogen MR16 and many LED products that appear to be able to replace the 10W halogen MR16. Many manufacturers’ rated lumen output versus measured values showed discrepancies. Most of these discrepancies were over-claims by manufacturers, and some were underclaims. However, a few manufacturers had claims that aligned with measured values.