Xicato, a leading developer of LED modules, announced that is has expanded its Artist Series® portfolio of LED modules, adding a 2000-lumen module to give interior designers and lighting professionals the option to offer high-quality light in general lighting applications. Installations with higher ceilings, i.e., greater than 10 feet (3 meters), and fewer light points can now accommodate a better grade of lighting than is possible with fluorescent or ceramic metal halide (CMH) sources.

As these latter light sources have been increasingly used in commercial and residential settings to save energy and reduce costs, there has been an associated loss of comfort and natural feel to the light they produce. Xicato has utilized the science of color and light, phosphors and solid-state technology to create its Artist Series and bring back the natural lighting that people prefer.

"Between the drive to create more efficient light sources and the regulatory controls that are removing some sources from the market, we've seen a gradual acceptance in homes and professional environments for light that simply doesn't have the richness or sparkle that was historically a hallmark of halogen light," said Joanna Brace, Executive Vice President of Marketing for Xicato. "The first experience you have when entering any space – whether a restaurant, a shop, a hotel or your home is how the light makes you feel. Achieving color rendering greater than 95 and quality of light that makes us feel good and makes objects and colors 'look right' is achievable with a light source that is more efficient than halogen or CFL and lasts longer than fluorescent and CMH. Sacrificing quality of light for efficiency shouldn't be the choice."

Lighting from Xicato's Artist Series LED modules. (LEDinside/Xicato)

The light from Xicato's Artist Series LED modules is virtually indistinguishable from halogen, is more energy efficient, and delivers color consistency and longevity that greatly exceeds what's possible with halogen lamps. The color rendering index (CRI) is the most often used measure of light quality and the Artist Series has a CRI ≥ 95 as measured against all 15 official reference colors. Fluorescent and CMH color rendering is typically based on only eight of the 15 CRI reference colors. The Artist Series virtual match to halogen across all 15 color points is one of the many reasons the light feels more natural.

Xicato believes that the expectation for quality light should extend to ambient lighting, in addition to accent and spot lighting, and has filled its Artist Series range with flux levels between 700 and 3000 lumens. Compromising good light to achieve efficiency is no longer necessary, and end-users should no longer need to make the tradeoff.

Initially, Xicato's Artist Series was a favorite of museum curators around the world for whom the nature of light is critical to the success of the display. Use of the Artist Series has expanded to the retail, hospitality and healthcare segments as higher efficiency and flux options became available. In retail and hospitality settings, customer experience and comfort is essential to business growth and success, and in each, it is now possible to illuminate larger spaces with more natural light that makes color look right and brings energy to the environment.

Xicato's Artist Series is complemented by its Standard Series and Vibrant Series, each providing light that enables lighting designers, interior designers and others to achieve the desired emotional impact for their environments. Current datasheets and product information are available directly from Xicato.

Artist Series light is virtually indistinguishable from halogen-based light and gives Artist Series light an even richer feel compared to other sources.

Vibrant Series light brings out vivid, saturated colors and the details of texture for compelling and eye-catching visuals that capture and hold consumers' attention.

Standard Series light provides light that is functional and superior to ceramic metal halide and fluorescent lamps.