LED downlight

01

Size the light output, colour and beam

An ENERGY STAR certified light fixture listing for the ETi ALCD-6-9CP5-MV-D 6-inch recessed downlight gives a total light output of 820 lumens at 10.0 W input, efficacy 82.0 lm/W, CRI 90, power factor 0.99 and selectable colour temperatures of 2700, 3000, 3500, 4000 and 5000 K. [1]

Super Bright LEDs lists its 6-inch commercial recessed downlight with field-selectable wattage of 15, 18, 22, 26 or 30 W giving 1,500, 1,800, 2,200, 2,600 or 3,000 lm at 100 lm/W, selectable CCT of 2700–5000 K, CRI 90+, a 90° beam and equivalence to 120 W and 200 W incandescent lamps. [2]

Editorial calculation: 820 lm ÷ 10 W = 82 lm/W, matching the listing; 3,000 lm ÷ 30 W = 100 lm/W; a 6-inch can is about 152 mm and Super Bright's ⌀8.3 in trim is about 211 mm. [1] [2]

Give the supplier the ceiling type and cut-out, aperture size, lumens or wattage, CCT and CRI, beam angle and glare limits, insulation contact (IC) and location rating, supply voltage, dimming type, emergency backup, quantity and certifications required.

02

Check installation ratings, power and life

The ENERGY STAR listing records a Type IC can rating, indoor and outdoor use, wet-location rating, 0–10 V dimming, white-light tuning and a 50,000-hour light source life, certified for the United States and Canada. [1]

Super Bright LEDs lists its downlight as IC rated for direct contact with insulation, IP54 and suitable for dry, damp and wet locations, operating at 120–277 V AC with 0–10 V or TRIAC dimming, power factor ≥0.9, current of 135–270 mA at 120 V AC and 60–115 mA at 277 V AC across the wattage settings, ambient −20 to 45 °C, rated L70 life of 50,000 hours, aluminium housing with polycarbonate lens and steel clips, ⌀8.3 × 4.3 in, ETL and FCC listed. [2]

Editorial calculation: 270 mA × 120 V = 32.4 VA for the 30 W setting, consistent with power factor ≥0.9; −20 to 45 °C is −4 to 113 °F. [2]

For residential projects in California, the Energy Code's Joint Appendix JA8.4 sets the tests a light source must pass to count as high luminous efficacy: efficacy of at least 45 lm/W or the applicable state or federal appliance standard, whichever is higher, at full output; power factor of 0.90 or more at full output; start time no greater than 0.5 s; CRI of 90 or higher with R9 of 50 or higher (LED lamps covered by Title 20 follow Title 20's CRI rules); the capability to provide a nominal CCT of 4000 K or less; dimming down to 10% light output; reduced flicker operation, defined as percent amplitude modulation below 30% at frequencies under 200 Hz; and no audible noise above 24 dBA at 1 m, with flicker and noise also tested at 20% light output. [3]

Editorial check against the two listed products: 82 lm/W and 100 lm/W both exceed the 45 lm/W floor; power factors of 0.99 and ≥0.9 meet the 0.90 minimum; CRI 90 and 90+ meet the CRI line, but neither listing reviewed here states R9, flicker, start time or audible noise, so ask the supplier for JA8 test results or listing if the project needs them. [3] [1] [2]

03

Choose housing, ingress protection, dimming and fire rating

A downlight maker's option list shows which choices have to be fixed in the order beyond lumens and colour. RC Lighting's commercial downlight page lists ADC12 die-cast aluminium housings, CCT of 2700 K, 3000 K, 4000 K or 5000 K, CRI 90 for single-CCT versions and CRI 97 for its dim-to-warm version, IP44, IP54 or IP65 protection, 100 lm/W efficacy, an external driver it describes as flicker-free, and non-dimming, TRIAC, 0–10 V or DALI dimming. It states a 5-year warranty. [4]

Its fire-rated downlight page describes the construction: a metal box behind the LED, with heat-dissipation holes and intumescent pads that swell in a fire to block the holes. It states that fire-rated downlights are tested and certified to ratings of 30, 60, 90 or 120 minutes, and that they need space around them to dissipate heat rather than direct contact with insulation, with loft-lid covers giving at least 3 inches of clearance. [5]

Editorial note: a fire rating of this kind belongs to the ceiling system in which it was tested; ask for the test report naming the ceiling build-up, and check whether the same product also carries the IC (insulation contact) rating listed for the ENERGY STAR and Super Bright examples above, because RC Lighting's page says its fire-rated units need clearance from insulation. [5] [1] [2]

Editorial check: the 100 lm/W stated by RC Lighting matches Super Bright's 100 lm/W and exceeds JA8.4's 45 lm/W floor; its CRI 90 and 97 meet the JA8.4 CRI line, but R9, flicker percentage and start time are not given on the page, so ask for those test results if the project falls under JA8. [4] [2] [3]

04

Compare what suppliers offer

The suppliers linked to this page list LED downlights; their cards link to the pages reviewed.

Ask any supplier for the photometric file, measured lumens and efficacy, CCT and CRI test data, beam and glare (UGR) values, cut-out and housing dimensions, IC and wet-location certification, driver and dimming compatibility, power factor, rated life basis, operating temperature and warranty.

05

Trace what each part does

This is a functional reference built from the sources cited; it is not one maker's specification.

06

Fill the specification fields with values for your order

An LED downlight quotation needs values for your ceiling. The table explains each field, gives published values where a reviewed source states them, and says what to obtain from the supplier.

07

Send the ceiling, light and rating data together

Paste it into your enquiry below or into an email to a maker, then replace every bracket.

Ceiling: [type; cut-out; depth]
Light: [lumens or W; beam]
Colour: [CCT; CRI]
Ratings: [IC; damp or wet; IP]
Power: [voltage; dimming]
Certificates: [ENERGY STAR; ETL/UL; CE]
Quantity: [pieces]

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