Why we say YES to LEDS and NO to CFLS

Why we say YES to LEDS and NO to CFLS…just a simple clarification

It is said that LEDS are the new generation of lighting. LEDs are small, very efficient solid bulbs. New LED bulbs are grouped in clusters with diffuser lenses which have broadened the applications for LED use in the home. LED technology is advancing rapidly, with many new bulb styles available. Initially more expensive than CFLs, LEDs bring more value since they last longer. Also, the price of LED bulbs is going down each year as the manufacturing technology continues to improve.

A significant feature of LEDs is that the light is directional, as opposed to incandescent bulbs which spread the light more spherically. This is an advantage with recessed lighting or under-cabinet lighting, but it is a disadvantage for table lamps. New LED bulb designs address the directional limitation by using diffuser lenses and reflectors to disperse the light more like an incandescent bulb. But many do not like enter into the industry due to the high bargaining power of suppliers where they dominate with the high manufacturing cost of LEDS. But due to the latest technology it is said that day by day new models are produced and this has brought down the price of a tiny LED bulb down and eventually the entire manufacturing cost of a bulb that is made with a cluster of LEDS.

With all these features in mind it is pretty obvious that LEDS can provide you with a better lighting effect than CFLS do. Just to verify the point to our assenters more let’s distinguish the features between an LED and a CFL.

·         Long-lasting - LED bulbs last up to 10 times as long as compact fluorescents, and far longer than typical incandescent. So why ponder about the tiny discount we acquire buying a CFL over an LED.

·         Durable - since LEDs do not have a filament, they are not damaged under circumstances when a regular incandescent bulb would be broken. Because they are solid, LED bulbs hold up well to jarring and bumping.

·         Cool - these bulbs do not cause heat build-up. Common incandescent bulbs get hot and contribute to heat build-up in a room. LEDs prevent this heat build-up, thereby helping to reduce air conditioning costs in the home. New LED bulbs are available in 'cool' white light, which is ideal for task lighting, and 'warm' light commonly used for accent or small area lighting.

·         Mercury-free - no mercury is used in the manufacturing of LEDs. Mercury is a toxic metal associated with contamination of water, fish, and food supplies, and can lead to adverse health effects. A CFL bulb generally contains an average of 5 mg of mercury. You may be thinking that we are exaggerating, but just imagine; it is not a mere amount, but a hazardous amount of a toxic chemical that can evolve the whole eco system upside down, so why be responsible for a crime?

For further knowledge;

The mercury in compact fluorescent bulbs poses no threat while in the bulb, but if you break one:
- open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more
- use a wet rag to clean it up and put all of the pieces, and the rag, into a plastic bag
- place all materials in a second sealed plastic bag
- Wash your hands afterward.

·         More efficient - LED light bulbs use only 2-17 watts of electricity (1/3rd to 1/30th of Incandescent or CFL). LED bulbs used in fixtures inside the home save electricity, remain cool and save money on replacement costs since LED bulbs last so long. Small LED flashlight bulbs will extend battery life 10 to 15 times longer than with incandescent bulbs.

·         Cost-effective - although LEDs are initially expensive, the cost is recouped over time. LED bulb use was first adopted commercially, where maintenance and replacement costs are expensive. But the cost of new LED bulbs has gone down considerably in the last few years, continuing to go down. Today, there are many new LED light bulbs for use at domestic environment, and the cost is becoming less of an issue.

Incandescent Watts	CFL Watts	LED Watts	Lumens (Brightness)
40  60  75 - 100 100 150	8 - 12 13 - 18 18 - 22 23 -30 30 - 55	6 - 9 8 - 12.5 13+ 16 - 20 25 - 28	400 - 500 650 - 900 1100 - 1750 1800+ 2780

The above chart will give you a better understanding about the cost efficiency as well.

So with all these information, dear viewers there is no doubt in choosing an LED over a CFL. So why still say NO just because of its comparatively high price vis a vis a CFL.

Please be in touch with us for latest news of the next generation of LIGHTING……. 

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An Invention that Changed the Mankind

An Invention that Changed  the Mankind

            We all are a part of an electrified world. Light bulb, particularly, profoundly revolutionized human existence. It not just helped in illuminating nights but also made human existence hospitable for an array of human activities. History of electric light, which adds to our daily convenience, bears testimony of many scientists, physicist’s efforts. But have we ever thought about how that the bulb developed up to today by time to time. Most of people know that it’s invented by Thomas Edison. But we have to know that they have done hundreds of experiments & try to achieve this objective. As we know Edison invented it, but there were few people who have took a step forward in this field before him. James Lindsay, Frederick Moleyns, Heinrich Göbel, Humphrey Davy and Warren Rue and are few of them.

            It was as early as 1809 when the foundation of the concept of light bulb was formulated. The history of light bulb is listed below in a brief yet concrete manner to truly explain the evolution of a mere idea to a common light bulb being use today.

            In 1809 and English chemist Sir Humphrey Davy made the invention of the electric luminosity. It was a simple experiment, which constituted a battery connected by the aid of two wires with a charcoal strip at the wire ends. This in history was the first glowing lamp. This method was overshadowed in 1820 when a scientist by the name of Warren De la made a lamp design making use of platinum coil in an evacuated tube and passing electrical energy through it. In 1835 James Bowman Lindsay presented a prototype light bulb, which was perhaps lost in the invention of the first electrical incandescent arc lamp, which made use of charcoal filament. The credit of this evolution goes to Edward Shepard who made the invention in 1850.

            1854 was the time when perhaps the true form of the light bulb was introduce in the world by a German watchmakers Henricg Globel. By using his innovative imagination he made use of bamboo strand inside a flute bulb. This concept was further modified in 1875 when Herman Sprengel originated mercury vacuum pump for a convenient light tuber. The time span from 1878 to 1880 saw many remarkable discoveries such as the use of long lasting electric light bulb in 1878 by Sir Joseph Wilson while at the same time Edison was working on constant betterment of light bulb and came up with a bamboo derived filament in 1880 which lasted for an incredible 1200 hours.

            A remarkable evolution took place in early 1906 when the general electrical company became the first company to officially patent a technique of making tungsten strand for light bulbs. The history of light bulb was on a roll their own many companies came in and scientist continues to embark on new techniques for constant improvements. In 1921 the first frosted light bulbs were introduced. In 1991 Philips invented light bulb lasting more than 60,000 hours.

            Now bulbs have come a long way and scientists are working to offer power saving, efficient and environment savvy bulbs. CFLS and LED bulbs are replacing the incandescent bulbs. Though a little costlier, they are environment friendly and power saving. Incandescent bulbs can be reasonably characterized just as heater that produces lights. As the typical incandescent offers only 3-5% light of the total energy it takes up. Remaining energy is wasted as heat. CFLs on the other side employ 75% lesser energy in the comparison and lasts 10 times longer. Useful long life and efficiency is adding to the popularity of CFLs.

            LED is also used by a lot of people and is more energy efficient than CFLs too. Standard LED offers around 35 lumens of light per watt as compared to around 12 lumen offered by an incandescent bulb. LED bulbs are getting developed and soon they would offer 131 lumens every watt. LEDs are used at a lot of places. These are used in trail lights of trucks and cars, watch dials, digital clocks, traffic signals, Christmas lights. Long life and durability has made it popular these days. It has become an ideal lighting for homes. One can find a range of LED bulbs in the market.

            From simple light bulbs to CFLs and LEDs, bulbs have covered a long way. Hardly did we know that small thing like bulb can literally illuminate our lives.

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Why choose LeeF ?

Why choose LeeF ?

Prime focus on Quality

We provide you with solutions only if we are convinced on them ourselves. We ensure with experts that our products are of optimum quality achievable.

Engineers are us  

Engineering influences all processes and smart engineering application is a key to any successful organization. It gives us the unique opportunity to serve you. Yet engineering is not our business, it’s our passion. All our engineers are at LeeF to pursue their ambition to improve Sri Lankan engineering.

We cater for your need

Engineering solutions are not generic. They differ depending on the scenario. Therefore we provide solutions not specific products. We believe in fulfilling your need fully, without arising a new set of needs as a result of a solution.

We believe in strong relationships

Handling new technology is tricky, especially when technology is a secondary driving force to your household or your organization. We know that and we do not take you on the ride. We give you the whole picture, both pros and cons of a solution.

We believe in integrity and honesty in our core. We want to build the trust to ensure our association will last for years where you would be constantly updated with relevant new technologies.

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Managing Directors Message

Managing Directors Message

Foreseeing the Future

LeeF’s value not just lies in its core of technology. As an innovation inspired company, I firmly believe that we are a competitive force for change. We initiate into big growth themes, ones that are critical to the national development and to the improvement for quality of life. We consider “growth” as a process led through innovation, customer centricity and integration of technology and design.

Our Company is led by the precepts that we must lead by being listeners and thinkers. Our members constantly occupy in realizing dreams, manipulating technology, revolutionizing the common thinking and redefining the rules of the game. They have all individually established themselves by deconstructing the established norms, by innovating beyond the conventional and by believing in the principle that Sri Lanka can be world-class.

I, as the Chief Executive Officer, am a believer in the power of technology, feasibility and long-term thinking. It is vision and the penchant for greatness that drove me to such bold initiation and Lead you to this path hidden from the general cycle of life. In life I have constantly gone against the grain and the conventional wisdom in pursuit of what I believe. Mine were not all successes but the failures lent to me greater wisdom and experience and the knowledge that from every failure I could recuperate a new beginning. Our brainchild LeeF is one such beginning.

Now is the time for us to serve Sri Lanka

As novices to corporate world we need to seize the opportunities and push the boundaries in realizing our vision. The potential is there, it is how we tap the opportunities to release that latent potential which will determine our pace of business success.

As citizens of Sri Lanka we need to think beyond our individual confines and objectives, collectively we must map an ambitious path for progress while driving Sri Lankan engineering from the forefront. It is most unrealistic and unlikely the journey will be unchallenged and unhindered, however, the visions we all collectively built were not mere words and an open mind, a realistic approach and optimism will, I believe will take us there.

Our expectations for LeeF are many. We envision it to be the future sustainable energy central player of Sri Lanka and one of the key catalysts in infusing a craving for novelty and consciousness for sustainability. Tough minded optimism and lifelong commitment to push the limits will drive our desire to create a giant that will chart a new course for Sri Lanka.

To my sincere shareholders and stakeholders, I call on all of you, to join hands with me on this journey. The future we foresee starts here. The passion for our profession will drive us there. The dreams we share will shape the course. The debt to our country we will repay.

P.D.R. Akalanka

Managing Director

31^st March 2012

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