LED bulb vs. LED can light

[JdoubleU]

What is the best to get for a commercial building A Edison base can light with an LED bulb or a LED can light package?

 

[LarryFine]

Depends on what's in the ceiling now. If nothing, a can-less 1-piece LED light.

 

[Knuckle Dragger]

I used to prefer the Edison base can light with an LED bulb so I could change the color if needed. Now that reasoning is all but mute because there are a lot of models with multiple color setting options in the one piece fixture.

 

[hillbilly1]

The problem is led trims are like computers, they go obsolete relatively fast. Manufactures change designs every couple of years, then your stuck trying to get something to match if one fails. So there is upsides and downsides to getting the one piece.

 

[kwired]

The problem is led trims are like computers, they go obsolete relatively fast. Manufactures change designs every couple of years, then your stuck trying to get something to match if one fails. So there is upsides and downsides to getting the one piece.

That is not something limited to LED trims, all LED light sources sort of have this issue. Anything you install now seems to be obsolete in short time and if it should fail will be difficult to get identical replacement for. Not so much of a problem for single luminaire applications, but you certainly don't want to have to change all luminaires when there are many just to keep them all looking the same if one fails.

The more generic looking your luminaire is or if it at least uses common lamp styles from the past, the more likely you might be able to replace it or at least components within it if needed.

 

[PaulMmn]

If you're concerned about circuit loading, the LED can light package or the can-less LED disk will prevent someone from removing the Edison-base LED and replacing it with an incandescent.

 

[brantmacga]

It depends on how many lumens are needed and out of what size aperture. You can spec much higher output LED light engines versus an LED lamp from the same size aperture.


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[RetroFitRush2112]

An led bulb, although efficient, has the same design limitations as the incandescent bulb did... it's light mounted in a well (gives off the flashlight effect) for distribution. The higher the socket is in the well, the worse the light distribution pattern is.

A recessed retro kit, by design brings the light out of the well, and gets the lumen producing diodes down closer to the ceiling surface, which gives far better lumen distribution performance, with almost zero light loss. And in general, you can use a smaller wattage on a retrofit (Sylvania RT6 can for example) and get more light from it, than a higher wattage LED Edison based bulb screwed into the elevated socket. Kits are more expensive than lamps, but will generally last far longer and produce better lighting outcomes. Multiple manufacturers offer field adjustable lumen outputs and Kelvin color selections.... Lighting has fully evolved! Good Luck!

 

[PaulMmn]

An led bulb, although efficient, has the same design limitations as the incandescent bulb did... it's light mounted in a well (gives off the flashlight effect) for distribution. The higher the socket is in the well, the worse the light distribution pattern is.

A recessed retro kit, by design brings the light out of the well, and gets the lumen producing diodes down closer to the ceiling surface, which gives far better lumen distribution performance, with almost zero light loss. And in general, you can use a smaller wattage on a retrofit (Sylvania RT6 can for example) and get more light from it, than a higher wattage LED Edison based bulb screwed into the elevated socket. Kits are more expensive than lamps, but will generally last far longer and produce better lighting outcomes. Multiple manufacturers offer field adjustable lumen outputs and Kelvin color selections.... Lighting has fully evolved! Good Luck!

Lighting won't be fully evolved until you don't have to wire light fixtures with 120 volts! A nice 12 v DC power bus should be adequate! Viva computer wall-warts!

One reason LED fixtures seem brighter is because all of the light heads in the desired direction! An incandescent bulb is, more or less, a sphere, with light pouring out in all directions-- that's why fixtures are painted white inside-- to bounce some of that light back to where it can do some good!

 

[hillbilly1]

Lighting won't be fully evolved until you don't have to wire light fixtures with 120 volts! A nice 12 v DC power bus should be adequate! Viva computer wall-warts!

One reason LED fixtures seem brighter is because all of the light heads in the desired direction! An incandescent bulb is, more or less, a sphere, with light pouring out in all directions-- that's why fixtures are painted white inside-- to bounce some of that light back to where it can do some good!

They already do that in commercial, Comscope has the Redwood system. The LED 2x4 lay ins get fed via POE. Been out quite a while now.

 

[kwired]

An led bulb, although efficient, has the same design limitations as the incandescent bulb did... it's light mounted in a well (gives off the flashlight effect) for distribution. The higher the socket is in the well, the worse the light distribution pattern is.

A recessed retro kit, by design brings the light out of the well, and gets the lumen producing diodes down closer to the ceiling surface, which gives far better lumen distribution performance, with almost zero light loss. And in general, you can use a smaller wattage on a retrofit (Sylvania RT6 can for example) and get more light from it, than a higher wattage LED Edison based bulb screwed into the elevated socket. Kits are more expensive than lamps, but will generally last far longer and produce better lighting outcomes. Multiple manufacturers offer field adjustable lumen outputs and Kelvin color selections.... Lighting has fully evolved! Good Luck!

Some of what you said depends on design, deep well with reflector still can distribute light horizontally to some extent.

As mentioned LED's in general are more of a directional light even an A19 style LED in a keyless porcelain will not cast much if any light off the ceiling when compared to an incandescent lamp in same socket.

Then there are recessed trims that were intended to use reflector lamps vs conventional A19 style lamp, wide area reflector vs spot type reflector also made a difference.

 

[PaulMmn]

And some fixtures are intended to create a circle of light on the floor, rather than illuminate the area.

 

[Flanative]

Personally I have had great luck with all the name brand recess trims ie sylvania, lithonia over the last 5-6 years. Still same design and all color options available. I’ve only had to warranty one fixture in five years. Using the ones like Morris or natura LED is where I seem to run into changing designs and quality issues.