Features of Cold Cathode Light Systems
Cold cathode lighting refers to a continuous line of light without the gaps and shadows as seen in common light sources like light emitting diodes (LEDs) or fluorescent fixtures. Cold cathode lighting provides what is commonly referred to as “shadowless illumination.” Flexibility is another one of the many features of cold cathode, which can be bent and formed to nearly any shape imaginable. Cold cathode lamps are specially designed using various patterns and dimensions.
Cold cathode lighting systems are dimmable, with extraordinary dimming range. The ability to modify the lighting system to deliver just the right amount of light in certain situations or settings is especially useful in homes, businesses, and schools. Controlling the level of lighting through dimming is effective at eliminating energy waste while providing an ideal visual environment.
While warm whites are typically used for cold cathode lighting, the lamps are available in a wide variety of styles, shapes, and colors. With a high light output and a typical lamp life of 50,000 hours, cold cathode lamps are extremely useful for lighting hard to reach areas. Also, there is no loss of lamp life each time the lamp is turned on (unlike fluorescent lighting), which adds to the energy efficiency benefits of cold cathode lighting. In other words, the longevity of one of these lights is not reduced by the repeated action of turning the light off and on.
With regards to the assembly of cold cathode lighting, very few parts are required, and installation is a snap. Cold cathode lamps are listed with the Underwriters Laboratories (UL), which is the trusted source throughout the world for product compliance.
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The Future of Cold Cathode Light Systems
The low maintenance costs, reduced energy consumption, and fewer replacements make cold cathode lighting an appealing alternative for energy conscious home-owners and business owners. In addition to the cost and energy savings, there is the element of visual appeal that attracts consumers as well. With high brightness, small, lightweight sizes, various shapes and color output, the consumer can get creative with home or business lighting solutions.
For architectural and design purposes, cold cathode lights are the ultimate option. The lighting tubes are flexible and can be shaped to adhere to any exterior or interior design. Plus, using as little as 7.5 watts of electricity per foot, cold cathode lighting is extremely efficient.
While cold cathode lighting is certainly not new, it is only recently that it has been utilized to replace incandescent or regular fluorescent lighting in everyday applications. Many consumers are unaware of cold cathode lighting and the significant benefits it provides.
Long-term reliability, exquisite beauty, endless design options, low heat/high light output and simplicity are just a few of the reasons why cold cathode lighting is on its way to becoming the most prevalent lighting system for homes and businesses throughout the world. Venues such as big department stores, night clubs, hospitals, art museums, amusement parks and more are all starting to take advantage of both the creative and functional uses of cold cathode lighting.
For more information about cathode lighting or to request a customized quote, contact the professionals at LA Neon and Cathode by calling 310.392.1743 today.
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A Beautifully Warm, No-Maintenance Light Source
Energy-efficient, beautifully warm, low-maintenance and entirely dimmable, and ideal for both residential and commercial usage businesses – these are just a few of the phrases that can be used to describe cold cathode lighting. Cold Cathode Lamps are a major breakthrough in lamp efficiency and long lamp life. Cold cathode lighting is comprised of tubular lights that work by passing electric currents through a gas or vapor, much like neon lighting, but with many more advantages. Cathode lighting is a continuous line of light with no hot spots or light gaps.
Cold cathode lighting provides high reliability, extremely low maintenance, and low-energy consumption features – characteristics that cannot be attributed to incandescent or regular fluorescent lighting. Long life and reliability make cold cathode lighting ideal for both commercial and residential usage.
Ideal in situations where shaped, long life linear light sources are required, cold cathode lighting provides significant costs savings relating to lamp replacement costs, as the cold cathode lamps last nearly five times as long as fluorescent lamps.
The typical lamp life for cold cathode lighting is 50,000+ hours, more than ten times the amount of an incandescent lamp. Regarding energy usage, cathode lighting produces equal light for less than 60% of the power exhausted by incandescent lighting. Only 35% of the energy expended in providing light is lost to heat for cold cathode lighting, as opposed to the 95% heat loss that is typical with incandescent lights.
The maintenance requirements are very low considering the need to replace the lamps is an average of every ten to twenty years, and reliability is very high. Cold cathode produces a beautifully warm ambient light that is completely dimmable.
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Artistry of Light
A lighting designer considers the three aspects of architectural lighting and addresses each in great detail. In regards to functionality, a designer would assess the need for the project to be visible by night and day, measure the impact of daylight on the project, and also consider any safety issues, such as glare, color confusion, etc. In terms of visual appeal, the lighting designer will make an effort to raise the attractiveness of the design. This may mean he or she subtly blends the lighting into the background of a space, or decides to make the lighting stand out in some prominent way obvious manner. While doing this, the designer considers what kind of emotions the lighting is intended to call to mind in the observer.
Prior to the 1960s, many architects did not consider the illumination concept important enough to incorporate into their designs. But with the development of the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) in 1969, this changed for the better. Architects adopted a new attitude towards lighting design and thus began including the concept of illumination in all subsequent designs.
Considering the fact that cold cathode lighting has a long life span, requires minimal maintenance, and provides a wide range of color choices, cold cathode lighting is optimal for architectural lighting, and cold cathode lighting cuts energy usage by 40 percent as compared with halogen lighting, and lasts up to three times longer.
Today, many successful businesses utilize highly visible neon lighting, whether through architectural lighting design, or simply in the form of a neon business sign. Neon is known for capturing attention, and is easily viewed at night, as well as in bright ambient light and daylight.
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The Future of Neon
Because of its low maintenance, high-energy efficiency, and ability to contour into hundreds of shapes and colors, neon lighting is on the rise. Until just recently, neon lighting was somewhat limited to partial areas, such as lighting streets, signs or important buildings. However, neon lighting now dominates the overall image of the modern urban environment.
Neon cold cathode tubes have a virtually unlimited lifetime, are dimmable and operate at a cool room temperature. In comparison to fluorescent lighting, neon lighting only requires one quarter of the wattage in order to provide the same amount of lumens. Among the dozens of other lighting sources such as fluorescent lamps, metal halide lamps, halogen lamps, etc, neon lighting has its own distinctive attraction. Combined with high technology and quality architecture, neon lights are sure to appeal to all, and can be effectively used for most any lighting application.
While neon lighting used to be flat, brash, and sorely lacking in creativity, a whole new world in architectural design has recently opened up, thanks to neon lighting’s energy efficiency and functionality. The popular use of neon lighting continues to evolve, taking on a three-dimensional quality through the use of creative designs that emphasize an aesthetic effect.
Let the lighting design professionals at LA Neon and Cathode customize your neon cathode lighting for your home, business, or project. To request a quote for your architectural lighting design, call 310.392.1743 today.
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