Offering great versatility and reliability, metal stamped components are ideal for many industrial, commercial, and residential lighting applications. In particular, these versatile components are commonly used in street and outdoor lighting.
In lighting fixtures and components, stampings are typically made from aluminum, cold rolled steel, stainless steel, copper, or brass — all of which provide the high precision and strength needed for critical lighting scenarios. The ideal material choice will depend on the specific application at hand — whether it’s indoor or outdoor, requires optimal aesthetics, needs to be able to withstand harsh environments, and so on.
Common Lighting Applications for Metal Stampings
Residential and commercial lighting products make use of a variety of metal stamped components. LED (Light-Emitting Diode) lighting, for example — increasingly popular due to its environmental friendliness, long lifespan, and great versatility and efficiency — makes use of various types of metal stampings.
The market for LED lighting in architectural, commercial, and residential applications is expected to grow nearly 15% within the next five years, reaching almost $55 billion in total global sales; in turn, the stamped parts needed for this industry will also see increased demand.
Other popular stamped lighting parts include shields, covers, reflectors, clips, and brackets, all of which can be employed for both fluorescent and LED fixtures. Wire forms, springs, and mounts are also commonly used in wall and ceiling light-hanging solutions.
Additional components, such as cover and back plates, end caps, cover clips, quick connectors, recessed lighting clips, and ring reflectors offer specialized features and benefits for diverse lighting applications.
In addition to LED lighting, these components may also be employed in a range of other applications, including automotive light bulbs, infrastructure lighting systems, industrial lighting systems, and stadium lighting.
Ensuring Safety and Quality in LED Lighting
When working with LED lighting fixtures and components, ensuring optimal safety and maintaining stringent quality assurance are imperative. In fact, manufacturers are federally required to test LED products against strict standards in order to guarantee light output does not exceed set safety levels.
The critical foundation for electrical safety in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings begins with the National Electric Code (NEC). This publication is maintained by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and is adopted statewide across 47 states using one of four dated versions of the code. Inspection to verify compliance is typically handled locally by municipalities or city governments and may rely on other inspecting bodies. Major inspecting bodies include the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTL) such as Underwriter Laboratories (UL) and Intertek (ETL).
All lamp designs must be inspected by a certified laboratory to prove compliance, so it’s critical to partner with a manufacturer who has a solid understanding of all regulations and processes. Your manufacturing partner should hold all relevant documentation and certifications in order to ensure your LED products pass inspection.
First, make sure their plant is ISO-certified. Also, keep in mind that partnering with a company specializing in safety-critical components will help ensure all processes meet stringent quality assurance standards. This will offer peace of mind, as you can be certain they are taking measures to consistently safeguard equipment, personnel, partners, and end users.
Working With Metal Stampings in LED Lighting
In the lighting industry — and in LED solutions in particular — metal stamped components offer the versatility and reliability needed to meet a wide range of industry and application needs. Whether dealing with commercial or residential lighting, stamping processes can be used to create a huge range of necessary components, parts, and accessories.
Before embarking on a new stamping project, it’s critical to consider industry and application-specific safety regulations and standards, as well as evaluate potential partners’ quality assurance programs. Doing so will help ensure optimal product longevity, performance, and safety while positioning you as a trustworthy leader in your industry.
Resources:
- https://www.esict.com/industries/lighting
- https://www.elementalled.com/low-voltage-safety-understanding-class-2-compliance/
- http://www.vision-systems.com/articles/print/volume-19/issue-8/features/test-standards-ensure-the-safety-of-led-lighting-products.html
- https://www.americanindust.com/lighting-fixture-materials/
- https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/92423-are-your-led-lights-safe
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