Converting to smart LED technology offers enormous savings potential. Many companies have therefore already converted a large number of their light sources to LED where this is easily possible. Since February 2023, there has also been a ban on the marketing of compact fluorescent lamps and ring lights in the EU, and from August 2023, this will also apply to certain fluorescent tubes. It makes sense for companies to prepare and convert in good time now to avoid running into a supply bottleneck. Another sticking point: the luminous efficacy of conventional tubes cannot be transferred 1:1 to that of the LED version, as their beam angle is not identical.

The Conrad team therefore recommends application-specific lighting planning to ensure the same lighting level after replacing the tubes. It is supported in this by the manufacturer Ledvance, which not only offers a wide range of LED luminaires and the appropriate technology for smart lighting management, but also provides an information brochure on converting fluorescent tubes to LED tubes for free download via the Conrad Sourcing Platform. There you will also find detailed information on alternative lighting solutions for industrial contexts, open-plan offices, parking garages, schools and training rooms.

Consumption measurement made easy

Efficiency plays a major role in optimizing energy use and power consumption. Many companies are therefore focusing on modernizing their production facilities or changing their manufacturing processes. At the same time, however, appropriate maintenance of the systems must also be ensured. Precise energy measurements and the correct evaluation of the measured consumption data for machines and systems are the prerequisites for energy optimization. Chauvin Arnoux provides support here with a comprehensive range of training courses in workshop format. With its PEL series of energy and power recorders, the manufacturer also offers an affordable and easy-to-use measuring device for measurements required for the ISO 50001 standard, which is also available via the Conrad Sourcing Platform.

Voltcraft has developed two new energy cost meters to measure electrical consumption quickly and easily. Simply plugged in, they can be used to display and evaluate all relevant factors such as active power, reactive power, apparent power and phase shift. The Voltcraft SEM5000 does not require any access to the company's own IT network and therefore enables energy consumption and_{CO2 emissions} to be measured easily and securely, as well as the associated cost forecasts. Recorded performance data is transferred to a PC for further processing using an SD card, making it completely independent of company networks or mobile devices. In addition, electricity tariffs can be set for two billing periods. The SEM6000, on the other hand, has a Bluetooth interface: it can be controlled via iOS or Android app and enables the measurement and display of power consumption and power factor to three decimal places. A particularly practical feature of both devices is that the LED ring changes color depending on the measured power.

This article appeared in issue 6/23