Reliable Measurement of LED Luminaires

The Ophir FluxGage FG600/100LM-HR, the newest member of the FluxGage family of compact measurement systems for LED luminaires, features an integrated high-resolution CCD spectrometer that delivers fast photometric measurement of LED luminaires with low total flux. Measurements include total luminous flux (down to 20 lm), spectrum and color parameters (CCT, CRI, TM-30-15), and flicker. Total luminous flux of colored LED light sources can be accurately measured, as well. The FG600/100LM-HR is designed for use in applications where low total luminous flux measurements are needed, such as automotive, traffic lighting, life sciences, and medical.

The FluxGage FG600/100LM-HR performs photometric measurements in 2π (two pi) geometry. This allows for quick and accurate quality control of light of the complete, assembled LED systems and LED modules with lens arrays, both during development and directly at the end-of-line in luminaire production.

All FluxGage systems are based on a unique patent-pending technology that uses solar panels as light detectors. The panels are arranged on the inside walls of the measurement cavity and are covered with a special black plastic layer with hundreds of transparent pinholes, creating the effect of many tiny radiometers. This design significantly reduces the reflectance of the solar panels, creating a measurement system resembling a goniophotometer in a dark room. Unlike an integrating sphere, the FluxGage system is insensitive to reflections going back and forth between the measurement device and the luminaire under test.

The FluxGage system incorporates a spectrometer for measuring spectral flux and other color parameters (CCT: correlated color temperature, CRI: color rendering index, TM-30-15: fidelity and gamut index, Duv, and chromaticity). A fast photodiode sensor is used for measuring flicker.

Integrated application software simplifies set up and operation; all of the photometric data of the light source is displayed. The FG600/100LM-HR connects to a PC via a USB cable. The Ophir FGC100, a NIST-traceable, broadband LED calibration standard, is used for periodic calibration of the FluxGage system.