KTL Technologies, LED and Emergency Luminaires, Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

We hope these questions and answers help you, but if you don't find the answer you're looking for, please contact us.

Are LEDs as efficient as people make out?

Today’s white HB-LEDs are achieving around 120 Lumens/watt and are expected to well exceed this by the end of 2009. The older LEDs were only outputting about a quarter of that. (An incandescent bulb radiates about 12-15 Lumens/watt and a GOOD compact fluorescent up to 60L/w). There are many cheap LEDs available, but NO cheap good quality LEDs.

KTL have a direct relationship with the world-leading supplier of LED chips and as a result are very fast in maintaining state of the art product. Lab testing is now producing 150L/w almost three times better than compact fluorescents.

Refer to the report paper from 6th International Conference on Energy-Efficient Lighting for further reading on the future of LEDs and note that we are well ahead of his projections!

Do LEDs remain cool and emit no heat?

This is a myth perpetrated by constant repetition. All light sources get hot and LEDs are no exception, but they do get less hot per Lumen than any domestic light source. KTL’s research has been in how to control this heat to ensure max output of light balanced against reliability.

Is it true that LEDs have no ultra-violet radiation?

LEDs have a very narrow spectrum of light and KTL’s white and coloured LED units have no ultra-violet or infra-red emission.

What stops LEDs being used everywhere instead of halogens and compact fluorescents?

Simply cost at the moment. LEDs are best used as task lighting; where UV is important to be avoided; where miniaturisation is needed, or special affects are required. This will change within 5 years. CFLs (compact fluorescents) are simply a toxic stop-gap solution.

Are LEDs able to be dimmed?

Yes, but not through normal transformers. KTL manufacture dimmers and control gear (DALI based) as required. Phase dimmable units (dimmable from standard 230V dimmer) are made by KTL but these are not inexpensive.

What colours are LEDs available in?

The short answer is any. There are warm and cool whites as LED chips varying between 3,500K and 8,000K. KTL also have fully controllable RGB units which can be programmed to any colour and are changeable by remote TV type handpiece. Red, Green, Amber and Blue are also standard colours.

What is the difference between edgelighting and direct illumination?

KTL manufacture both. The Macron and A-TEN units have exposed LEDs which shine directly at a required surface – these are efficient but can give rise to glare if used in the wrong place. The Platen unit uses LEDs shining into the edge of etched acrylic panels and radiating downward to give a glare- and shadow-free light source. This is particularly useful for task lighting above a workspace, dining table etc.

What makes your Exit sign unit different from other Exit lights?

Well to start with, full conformity with the NZ Building Code. Refer to NZBC F8 and its AS1 – there are no alternatives and no verification methods for any options. We think this a good enough reason in its own right BUT it is also the most visible, the most energy efficient and uses the most sustainable products in manufacture (it would be nice to avoid batteries but at least we avoid lead and cadmium based ones!).

Do you have a monitored system available?

Yes, this is available for our X2 series of emergency luminaries and signs.
We also have self-testing X2 units which monitor their battery and lamp conditions and report by flashing LEDs.

What are the advantage (and disadvantages) of monitoring emergency lighting systems?

Obviously this is a scale situation to a degree, although we think that self-testing is probably the best economic option. For large institutional complexes where there is a building control system in place, monitoring may be the best option. This applies particularly if you are using DALI controls which easily interface and are not specific to a certain manufacturer.

What is DALI?

Put simply, DALI (digital addressable lighting interface) is a two-way communication system that brings digital technology to lighting. An international standard for communication, DALI defines the commands that fittings need to recognize in order to be considered DALI addressable. The system allows individual units to “talk” to the user ... and allows the user to “talk” back via DALI controllers, SMS transmission, IP communication to computers equipped with appropriate software, or building management systems (BMS).

How do your products go on the ‘cradle to grave’ energy assessments?

The LEDs, micro-processors and other electronic components themselves are very low in material (which is non-toxic), and if used correctly they have a very long lifespan. They are not recyclable, but KTL do have a WEEE based disposable process.

In the emergency lights there are batteries which need replacing (under the regulations) every five years. Aluminium used is from recycled cans and can be re-used in alloy castings. Acrylics are obviously oil-based and we are concentrating hard on reducing their volume per unit, however it does have a very long lifetime and can be re-cycled and re-constituted as a lower grade plastic.

How toxic are these LED products?

You could try eating them but they would be on the crunchy side. There are no toxic gasses, no lead or heavy metals but there are microscopic amounts of phosphor in white LEDs (more in warm white than cool.)

Why have you changed your groovy website?

People got tired waiting for all the sexy effects and no-one read the erudite quotations.

Where can I buy your products?

Most wholesalers in NZ either stock or on sell them, or use our products page and contact us directly.

Are your units made in NZ?

They are designed and manufactured in NZ at our factory, obviously using some imported components.

What is Greenbuild? – is it the same as the Green Building Council?

See www.greenbuild.co.nz, but no it is not the same company.

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