Avaliação experimental de luminárias empregando LEDs orientadas à iluminação pública

Abstract

The purpose of this research is the experimental evaluation of light emitting diodes (or LEDs) when used in commercial luminaires for street lighting systems. The general aspects of Brazilian public lighting, the main components used and a discussion about the adoption of the LED technology in outdoor lighting are presented. Also, the basic concepts of classical photometry and photometry’s adaptations for low luminance levels are addressed. It takes into consideration the dynamic response of the human eye. For comparative purposes, this research also includes a review of the main white light sources used on public lighting, e.g. Metal Halide Lamp, High Pressure Mercury Vapour Lamp and, recently, the LEDs. Such research is supported by laboratory and on-site studies based on High Pressure Sodium Vapour Lamp; currently, the most used on public lighting system. Some standards regarding LEDs usage on public lighting are discussed and, based on the existing recommendations, regulated by the Brazilian standards NBR 16026 and NBR IEC 61347-2-13, pre-certification studies of commercial LED luminaires samples oriented to public lighting on the home market are performed. Other than the pre-certification studies, additional studies of LED luminaires functioning when exposed to critical conditions of temperature with the intention to evaluate the electric and photometric changes that occur in this circumstances are performed. It is introduced a luminotechnical project methodology for LED luminaires installation on public roads based on the Brazilian standards of public lighting NBR 5101 (reviewed in 2012) and the accompanying of the pilot project of public lighting using LED luminaires implanted on the ring road of the School of Engineering of the Juiz de Fora Federal University. During nine months, data of electric and photometric features were collected in order to investigate the performance of the luminaires on-site. Finally, a comparative study was done between the previous lighting system with High Pressure Sodium Vapour Lamp and the current, using LED luminaires.