Yanyang of mainland China offers LED bulbs in globe and candle designs.

Advancements in LED and other electronic technologies have opened the door for LED bulbs to become viable alternatives in applications currently dominated by incandescent, fluorescent, compact fluorescent and halogen lamps. These developments, combined with diode costs falling in the past 12 months, are encouraging suppliers in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan to expand their lineups.

Several makers that are specializing in models for automotive lamps, flashlights and premiums are venturing into the commercial and residential lighting segments. These companies are optimistic that demand from the two sectors will take off in coming years as various countries implement regulations and programs promoting the use of more energy-efficient products.

An inherent advantage of LED bulbs that will boost their popularity is the ability to consume 80 to 90 percent less power than incandescent lamps. In addition, the illumination they provide is generally directional, resulting in less wasted light. They can also be integrated easily with lighting control systems.

In the mainland, domestic market acceptance is expected to increase as economic growth continues there. With disposable incomes rising, LED bulbs are becoming more affordable, especially to young consumers that are already familiar with the technology.

In anticipation of the strong demand, even suppliers offering conventional light sources are expanding into LED-based units. Yanyang (Librite) Electronics Lighting Mfg Co. Ltd, for example, is offering these types of bulbs after specializing in fluorescent and compact fluorescent lamps for several years.

Many of the LED bulbs being released for the commercial and residential markets are mainly for decorative purposes.

Utilizing the design flexibility offered by the small size and durability of LEDs, makers are developing models that can be integrated in floors, walls and other architectural elements. This is a key consideration in the retail and hospitality industries, where lighting is often used to create moods or scenes that will highlight a product or enhance the customer's experience.

With this in mind, suppliers usually create LED bulbs in a variety of hues. Several units can be dimmed or programmed to shift from one color to another at a slow or fast pace.

Models typically come with screw-type, candelabra and bayonet bases to fit sockets designed for incandescent, compact fluorescent and halogen lamps. Globe, candle and reflector types are the most common, but T5, T6 and T8 designs similar to linear fluorescents are also available.

In Hong Kong, Goodway Electrical Enterprise Ltd offers its GL series with the capability to provide red, green, blue, amber, white and ultrabright light. The products can also change colors gradually from red all the wayto white.

Equipped with four LEDs, the models are designed for recessed fixtures that will be used in homes, offices or department stores. Versions with B22, E14 and E27 bases are available.

Housed in glass and stainless steel, the units have an IP65 rating and last an average of 20,000 hours. In addition, they have overcurrent protection and radio interference suppression.

LED reflector bulbs are also part of Goodway's selection. These are fitted with one LED each on a GU5.3 or GU10 base.

Wiselite International (H.K.) Ltd offers models that can emit yellow, red, green, blue, amber, orange and white light. Through the use of glass covers the same hues as those of the diodes, the company enables the products to generate a more solid color.

Some units can flash blue, green, yellow, red and white. Dimming capability is also an option.

The bulbs come with B22 or E27 bases and service lives of up to 30,000 hours. Designs can be customized on request.

Wiselite also produces a series of LED reflector bulbs that can be used to replace MR-16, GU10 and JCD halogen lamps. Available in white, cool white, blue, green, amber and red, these come in 1 and 3W versions with die-cast aluminum reflectors, optical lenses and optimized thermal heat sinks. Their beam angles measure 20 or 30 degrees.

At Elite Enterprises (HK) Co. Ltd, reflector models are available in white, warm white, green, blue, amber, red and red-orange versions. Units have E27, GU10 or MR-16 bases and rated power of between 1 and 3W.

Green Source Electronics Ltd produces models that can emit white, yellow, green, blue, red or a mixture of colors. Containing five to 14 LEDs, these range from 2 to 3W in rated power.

The company's selection also includes T8 designs that can be fitted with up to 120 LEDs. The models come in frosted or transparent PC tubes.

In the mainland, Sunsparkle (China) Co. Ltd offers designs that can generate white, warm white, blue, green, yellow and red light. Some units are capable of changing colors.

The products are equipped with B22, E14 or E27 bases. They have an IP54 rating and can last approximately 50,000 hours.

Hanking Lighting Fty equips its RL002 model with up to five LEDs that emit red, yellow, amber, white, green or blue light. The product comes with a B22 or E27 base and meets IP44 requirements.

Globe designs from Yanyang provide red, yellow, blue, green and white light. A gradual or instant color-changing function is optional.

Units in the KLDC-27 series of Taiwan's Kun Lih Enterprise Co. Ltd, meanwhile, can emit the standard white and yellow light, as well as more theatrical colors such as purple and pink.

Super Star Technology Co. Ltd, another Taiwan-based supplier, offers models that can flash white, green, red and blue. The units can be remotely controlled up to a distance of 25 meters.

LED reflector bulbs from Taiwan's Huntington Technology Inc. canproduce blue, green, white and warm white colors. These are designed for indoor commercial lighting, but they can also be used in reading and garden lamps.
Upcoming trends

	LED bulb model SBT-2100 from Super Star of Taiwan has a color-changing feature.

Product development efforts through 2007 will revolve around the creation of more designs for decorative lighting.

Green Source in Hong Kong, for example, will focus on enabling the LED drivers of its bulbs to handle additional colors. The units currently being used by the company can accommodate three to five hues.

Some companies will be expanding their selections to include LED bulbs for task and ambient illumination. Through the use of more LEDs, these units will be capable of at least 30 lumens.

Among the suppliers moving in this direction is Taiwan's Chi Ming Electronics Corp., which will be adding more units for nightlamps and general lighting.

At present, the first category consists of 12, 24, 30, 110 and 220V models that can produce 0.8 to 2.5 lumens. Designs for general lighting have a voltage of 120V and luminous flux ranging from 3.5 to 25 lumens.

Mainland-based Ningbo Hongjin Optoelectronic Co. Ltd is working on LED bulbs that will be capable of generating more than 30 lumens.