Light Emitting Plasma (LEP) is an energy-efficient and powerful light source that uses a plasma arc instead of a filament or LEDs. LEP technology combines the advantages of high-intensity lighting (such as HMI and HID lamps) with the long life and efficiency of modern light sources .
LEP is often used in stadium lighting, street lighting, greenhouse lighting and industrial applications because of its high light output and natural color rendering.
How does LEP lighting work?
🔹 A small gas-filled sphere (without electrodes) is excited with microwaves or radio frequencies .
🔹 This causes the gas to form a plasma arc , which then emits light .
🔹 The light output is very high and can be compared to sunlight or HMI lamps .
🔹 Because there are no electrodes, LEP has a long lifespan (30,000+ hours) and less wear and tear than traditional HID lamps.
💡 LEP is not an LED – it is a gas discharge lamp that works in a similar way to HID lighting, but more efficient and without electrodes.
Advantages of Light Emitting Plasma
✅ Extremely high light output – LEP can produce up to 150 lm/W , compared to 80-100 lm/W with HID lamps .
✅ Long Lifespan – Up to 30,000+ hours , much longer than traditional HID lights.
✅ Natural color temperature (5000-6000K, CRI > 90) – Suitable for greenhouse lighting and outdoor lighting .
✅ High efficiency – Less energy loss due to heat than traditional gas discharge lamps.
✅ Broad Spectrum Lighting – Can produce UV light, useful for plant growth and special applications.
Comparison: LEP vs. other light sources
| Characteristic | LEP (Light Emitting Plasma) | HID (High Intensity Discharge) | LED (Light Emitting Diode) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light output | Very high (up to 150 lm/W) | Average (80-100 lm/W) | High (100-200 lm/W) |
| Color rendering index (CRI) | CRI 90-95 | CRI 70-85 | CRI 80-95 |
| Lifespan | 30,000+ hours | 10,000-20,000 hours | 25,000-50,000 hours |
| Energy efficiency | Good | Reasonable | Excellent |
| Heat production | High | High | Low |
| Dimmability | Limited | Limited | Excellent |
Applications of Light Emitting Plasma
🌱 Greenhouse and plant lighting – Broad spectrum and UV component promote plant growth.
🏟 Stadium lighting – Very high light intensity and color fidelity.
🚦 Street lighting & parking lots – High light output with lower energy consumption.
🏭 Industrial lighting – Suitable for large workshops and warehouses.
🎬 Film and TV productions – Alternative to HMI lighting with a longer lifespan.
Disadvantages of LEP lighting
❌ More expensive to purchase than HID and LEDs .
❌ Heat production is high , requiring cooling in some applications.
❌ Limited dimmability – Unlike LEDs, LEP lamps cannot be easily dimmed.
❌ Not yet as widespread as LEDs , which limits the choice of luminaires and applications.
Conclusion: When do you choose LEP lighting?
🔹 LEP is ideal for applications where high light output and long life are crucial.
🔹 Suitable for greenhouses, street lighting, stadiums and industrial applications .
🔹While LED technology is developing rapidly , LEP remains a powerful option for specific high-output situations .