Categories Blog

Realize Your Genius!

In recent blogs, I covered the LED; interconnect of the Chip on Board LED device within a luminaire utilizing a TE Connectivity (TE) scalable or Zhaga compliant holder; the various device-level interconnects; and control, circuit protection and power aspects of Solid State Lighting (SSL) luminaires.  Now, let’s bring it altogether for a visual illustration of an LED light source and how TE enables the proliferation of SSL applications. The LED itself is quite a demanding device and requires a number of components to achieve a luminaire.  These components form a community of interacting devices all linked together to make an LED ecosystem.  An ecosystem for an LED light source is illustrated below.

As lighting undergoes the transition to LED solutions, simplicity and compatibility between the devices of a SSL lighting system are fundamental to system performance and their ability to scale in manufacturing.  These building block devices include (from left to right in the illustration); heat sink, thermal interface material, LED, LED holder, optical interface, and secondary optic.  This forms the basis of the SSL ecosystem, which would include a driver and aesthetic packaging.

The holder (or socket) is the core for the electrical, thermal, mechanical and optical interconnection around the LED.  Design and simplicity of the interconnection is paramount, hence TE’s introduction of a vast array of SSL enabling products.  Emerging standardization and convergence of form factors, particularly in spot light and down light applications, is providing manufacturers the opportunity to employ platform based solutions.  The Zhaga consortium is providing significant influence in this standardization.

This ecosystem platform approach drives the reduction in customization of many key components within the SSL ecosystem, simplifying assembly, allowing a faster time to market with reduced investment for the luminaire manufacturers.  By providing a common interface to the LED, heat sink and secondary optics, TE is enabling this ecosystem to be broader reaching.  Products engineered to work together from the outset, creating solutions and addressing the reliability touch points, while bringing a mutual benefit for the luminaire manufacturer and the end customer. More details and video are available on www.te.com/ledholders

An ecosystem of engineered components offers greater supply chain flexibility.  With an assortment of interchangeable light LED sources and optics, OEMs can limit risk, avoid capital costs of customized components or subassemblies and perform late customization of products to respond faster to customers ever-changing needs.  Here TE’s distribution partners play a key role to provide the availability of many of the SSL ecosystem products– thus empowering customers to create their own LED modules with far greater ease and confidence.  In this respect, TE focused on aligning our product availability through the same distribution channels that provide the LED’s, optics, drivers and thermal materials.

The Intelligent Buildings division of TE Connectivity is enabling lighting applications far beyond the LED itself.  We are enabling the integration of LED’s in the luminaire via innovative socket solutions, optical interfaces and power connectivity.  We provide low power and high power DC distributions systems via our NECTOR power system and our affiliation with eMerge Alliance.  We enable communication of multiple device applications to building management systems via wired and wireless solutions.  We are bringing seamless integration of devices to unlock the full potential for lighting systems and solutions.  More details available here.

Categories Blog

Portable Generator Reviews: Best Portable Gas Generators

The Best Portable Generator for 2021 | Reviews by WirecutterPortable Generator Reviews: Best Portable Gas Generators

Three “Best” portable generators were selected for review on the ConsumerSearch (CS) website:

  1. Generac 5724.
  2. Honeywell HW2000i.
  3. Briggs & Stratton Elite 30242.

The ConsumerSearch (CS) website published mini reviews of each model, and provides links to longer CS “Our Analysis” reviews of the same portable generators.

ConsumerSearch claims “…at no point are our editors influenced by advertising or other commercial considerations.” The organization investigates and recommends a variety of products. The company, a service of About dot com, provides on-line product ratings and reviews, such as the “Best” wind power generators, “Best” car tires, and the “Best” lawn tractors.

Generac Generators: Model 5724 “Best” Portable Generator Review

The Generac 5724 (est. $450) has a Good Housekeeping Seal giving it an additional warranty for two years in addition to factory warranty coverage. The 5724 received the CS “Best” designation because “..it [is] a better bet than similar generators in this price and size class.” The model can run a refrigerator, lights, and a “couple” of lower wattage appliances during a power outage. The generator provides 3,250 watts with 3,750 surge watts.

The Northern Tool + Equipment website provides Generac 5724 owner reviews praising the model and giving it five out of five stars.

The CS “Our Analysis” longer review lists the “pros” for the 5724:

  • The model has a fuel gauge.
  • The 5724 will shutdown when low on oil.
  • The handle folds down.
  • The model has a wheel kit.
  • The 5724 comes with a Good Housekeeping Seal.
  • The Generac 5724 is CSA (Canadian Standards Association) certified.

The “Our Analysis” lists the “cons” for the 5724:

  • The model is not CARB (California Air Resource Board‘s stringent air-quality standards) compliant.
  • The model does not have a DC outlet.
  • The model makes more noise than “similarly sized generators.”

Honeywell Portable Generators with Inverter Technology

The Honeywell HW2000i (est. $500) uses inverter technology for keeping voltage from harming computers and TVs by controlling electric surges. It weighs 58 pounds, and is light enough for camping or tailgating. The model has an economy mode setting which reduces noise and saves fuel.

The HW2000i meets CARB standards, and comes with a two year warranty. Included in this model are two AC outlets and one DC outlet. If the consumer does not need to power electronics (TVs, computers, etc.), a non-inverter generator will deliver twice the power.

Briggs & Stratton Gas Generator Consumer Review

The Briggs & Stratton Elite 30242 (est. $1,000) is powerful enough to run appliances and lights up to a 2,000 sq. foot structure. The model can surge to 8,750 watts and is capable of starting heavy duty motors. The 30242 has an electric starter with four AC outlets, one 30 amp AC locking outlet, and a 30 amp extension cord with four outlets. The model weighs 200 pounds and comes with a two year warranty. A possible downside is the 30242 can burn seven gallons of gas in eight hours.

The ConsumerSearch mini reviews web page provides additional information about each of the three CS “Best” portable generators. The mini reviews page provides links to longer CS “Our Analysis” reviews of the same models, and provides additional links to outside sources reviewing the same portable generator models.