top of page

⭐ High System Efficacy by Design

Image by Rostislav Uzunov
Image by Andrea Ferrario

The luminous efficacy of a LED luminaire is one of the most important performance indicators for any lighting project. It is defined as the ratio between the total luminous output (lumens) and the total electrical power consumed (watts). While LEDs themselves often show excellent chip-level efficacy, the system efficacy of the complete luminaire can differ significantly depending on how the LED module is designed.

 

Most manufacturers focus on the nominal efficacy of the LED package, but this value alone is misleading. True performance is determined by the entire system, including the LED module, PCB material, thermal path, optical interface, and driver losses. System efficacy (lm/W at the luminaire level) is what determines energy consumption, lifetime, heat generation, and EU energy class compliance.

 

At Lumdesign, we engineer LED modules specifically to achieve the highest possible system efficacy, not just LED-level efficacy. In many applications, our custom LED engines reach 150 lm/W or more, whereas conventional module designs often struggle to exceed 100 lm/W due to suboptimal electrical and thermal design choices.

🔍 Why System Efficacy Matters More Than LED Efficacy

Luminaire efficacy accounts for every element that affects the total usable light output:

 

  • LED package efficiency

  • Electrical losses in the PCB traces and interconnects

  • Driver efficiency and driver electronics losses

  • Optical losses from lenses, reflectors, or diffusers

  • Thermal losses, because hotter LEDs produce fewer lumens

  • Current and voltage selection, which strongly affects LED efficacy

 

 

Because system efficacy directly impacts energy consumption, cooling requirements, and long-term operating cost, it is the correct metric for any professional lighting project.

 

Even a 20–30% improvement in system efficacy can dramatically reduce lifecycle cost, or allow a luminaire to qualify for a higher EU energy class, such as A, B, or C under current European regulations.

⚡ How We Engineer High-Efficacy LED Modules

01

Selecting the Optimal LED Type and Bin

We work closely with world-leading LED manufacturers and have access to advanced tools and binning data. This allows us to select LEDs with the highest usable efficacy at the operating conditions that the project requires.

03

Minimizing Losses in the PCB and Interconnects

We evaluate track width, copper thickness, thermal conductivity, and voltage drop to reduce electrical waste.

In long linear modules or strips, PCB voltage loss alone can reduce efficacy by 20–40% if not engineered properly.

05

Optical System Efficiency

Where lenses or diffusers are used, we select components that minimize optical losses while achieving the required beam shape and uniformity.

02

Optimizing Electrical Parameters (Current & Voltage)

Lower currents typically increase LED efficacy but reduce luminous flux. Higher currents increase flux but reduce lm/W and accelerate aging.

We find the ideal operating point to meet system-level performance, not just parameters from a datasheet.

04

Thermal Optimization for Maximum Lumen Output

Every degree increase in LED temperature reduces luminous flux and accelerates degradation.

We design thermal paths that enable LEDs to operate closer to their optimal temperature range, preserving both efficacy and lifetime.

06

Driver Efficiency

Since luminaire efficacy includes driver losses, we ensure high-efficiency driver selection or custom design (often 90–95% efficiency depending on output).

_edited.jpg

LED Modules For
The Green Future

The EU energy label has been one of Europe’s most influential tools for guiding consumers toward energy-efficient products for more than 25 years. Recognized by over 93% of consumers, it directly affects purchasing decisions and drives manufacturers to innovate in efficiency. For lighting, the label plays an even more critical role because energy consumption and luminous efficacy are directly tied to both operational cost and environmental impact.

led lamps and fixtures eu energy class.jpg

High-Efficiency Class A–C Lighting for a Greener Future 

A luminaire with a higher energy class (A–C) consumes far less electricity for the same light output, reducing energy bills, lowering total cost of ownership, and speeding up payback times. In large installations, this can translate into savings of tens of thousands of euros per year. Choosing higher efficiency also supports a greener future by cutting energy use and reducing carbon emissions.

🏆 Your Benefits: More Light, Less Power, Lower Cost

Through careful component selection, optimized electrical and thermal design, and system-level engineering, our custom LED modules deliver:

​

  • Higher luminous output for the same power

  • Lower energy consumption

  • Reduced cooling requirements

  •  Longer LED lifetime

  •  Lower long-term operating cost

  • Improved EU energy class rating

 

This is one of the major reasons our customers choose us for professional LED module development.

​

bottom of page