ElectroCeramescent Lighting

A Promising New Technology—ElectroCeramescent Lighting

Solid-state ceramic light using Electro-Ceramescent lighting technology is displayed on a sign at DOE's National Energy Technology Laboratory in Morgantown, West Virginia

Most illuminated commercial signage utilize conventional technologies, such as incandescent or fluorescent lamps, for its illumination. A promising new lighting technology, called ElectroCeramescent (ECer) lamps may lead to dramatic power reduction and improved illumination. Developed by Meadow River Enterprises, Inc., in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy, the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, Marshall University, and Osram-Sylvania, ECer lighting reduces the power requirement for typical commercial signs by as much as 90 percent.

The typical efficiency of incandescent and fluorescent lights is 15 and 75 lumens per watt, respectively. While the efficiency of an ECer lamp can be as low as 4 lumens per watt, even a low efficiency ECer lamp uses dramatically less power than conventional light sources for a given task. ECer signage is equally visible at lower overall power consumption, because the source of the light is directly viewed, rather than a reflection. A 4-foot x 14-foot sign using conventional T-12 high output fluorescent lamps would require 550 watts. ECer technology reduces the power demand to less than 12.5 watts by forming letters and symbols with laser-cut ECer lamp panels, thus lighting individual characters rather than the entire sign. Unlike incandescent and fluorescent lamps, the flat and uniformly lit ECer lamp produces virtually no heat, glare, or halo even in adverse weather conditions, so little light is wasted. Reflected light configurations, widely used for illuminated signage, waste much of their energy in heat and by lighting the ground or sky—a significant source of light pollution.

The solution to light pollution lies in quality lighting systems that enhance nighttime ambiance rather than reproducing inappropriate daylight conditions. A powerful design approach is to directly light the surface of objects that need to be visible with minimal use of reflected light, and matching its spectra to human eye sensitivities. Because the required light levels (and power demands) of signage can be remarkably low, surface light sources and associated fixture design are the critical parameters. ECer lighting systems can dramatically reduce unnecessary nighttime illumination, while cutting energy consumption and improving visibility. This produces a better, more visible sign with reduced energy use.