Light-Based Technologies announced the release of their first LB4™ LED Controller application, Triac Dimming for LED Fixtures. This application capitalizes on the capabilities of LBT’s proprietary linear mixing system and the biggest need in the general Solid State Lighting (SSL) market, standard wall dimming control.

Triac dimming is crucial to the adoption of SSL for one simple reason: the retrofit market. There are 110 million households in North America and triac dimmers have been the most common light controller installed for over 25 years. In addition, the early compact fluorescent light bulb could not be controlled with a standard wall dimmer slowing the adoption of energy efficient lamps. To top it all off, in order to meet strict Energy Star requirements, LED fixtures must have dimming capabilities.

The LBT solution stands out as the highest quality and most flexible solution for LED fixture manufacturers available on the market. The solution is also simple and cost-effective to implement. Design LED fixtures with the LB4™ LED Controller inside, screw the fixtures into standard housings and control brightness to your liking using an existing dimmer. You can have control characterized to mimic traditional incandescent bulbs or customize to a linear or logarithmic function if desired.

Though the retrofit market makes triac dimming important, currently there is a lack of LED control standards going forward. What will home lighting control look like in 10 or 20 years? Triac dimmers require less wiring than other protocols and have lower hardware costs than wireless solutions. In addition, consumers know how to use dimmers, installers are familiar with their requirements, and companies have invested large amounts of capital around their manufacture. Triacs will be around for years to come.

Development kits and demonstration units will be available November 2009.