Osram presents its first Zhaga-certified light engine

Prevaled Core Z2 is the first Osram LED standard illuminant

With Prevaled Core Z2, Osram offers its first Zhaga-certified LED light engine. It is ideally suited for spot- and downlight applications in addition to being up to 10 times more efficient than incandescent lamps. Zhaga is a consortium that defines manufacturer-independent interfaces for LED modules and the corresponding control gears, the so-called LED light engines. In the world of digital light, these interface specifications are the equivalent to sockets and bulb holders used today. In so doing, for the first time ever, there now is a standard lamp that is aligned to the properties of LED technology. To put it in other words, one could call it the light bulb for the digital world of light.

The optimal illuminant for digital lighting age is found in the so-called LED modules - these contain, apart from numerous LED, electronic and mechanical components. However, all traditional sockets for light sources – be it E27 or the plug-in base G9 – have one thing in common: they are not optimally suited for LED technology. This is because, when viewed in contrast to incandescent lamps, LED radiates most of its warmth off to the rear, explaining why it needs a temperature-reducing heatsink there. The Zhaga consortium offers the solution here.

Presently, 180 companies worldwide have joined forces in the Zhaga consortium. This was done with the purpose of defining specifications for these LED modules. In the course hereof, mechanical, thermal, photometric and electrical interfaces are taken into account. With these definitions, the Zhaga-certified light engines are the equivalent to standardised illuminants such as light bulbs or fluorescent lamps in the traditional world of light. The interface specifications ensure long‑term planning security for the customer.

The Prevaled Core Z2 is the first Osram product that has been certified in accordance with Zhaga specifications. The LED light engine replaces high pressure discharge lamps with 20W or 35W, energy‑saving lamps with up to 2x42W and halogen lamps, each with up to 100W of power consumption. With up to 108 lm/W, the light yield is approximately 10 times as high as that of incandescent lamps. The Prevaled Core Z2 outshines its preceding model by 70 percent. Apart from its efficiency, an additional novelty of the Prevaled Core Z2 is the so-called “Chip-on-Board-Technology”: There are no longer individual LEDs assembled to the board, but rather a uniform surface of LED chips. This succeeds in attaining a particularly homogenous light, as one does no longer perceive the light of every LED chip individually.

The Prevaled Core Z2 complies with the specifications as prescribed in Zhaga Book 3 “Spot LED Light Engine with Separate Electronic Control Gear” and is particularly well-suited for down- and spotlights. At the light+building 2012, Osram presents the product families Prevaled Linear Slim and Prevaled Compact, which were also developed according to the Zhaga specifications and are especially suited for office applications, industrial and exterior lighting.