Technical Application Knowledge: From practice, for practice
Crops ideally have their own preferred combination of light intensity and spectra, which can vary during the day and throughout their growing lifecycle.
Spectra are obtained through the combination of different horticultural LED types, and their definition is affected by the crop type, whether the LED lighting system is the only source of light or a supplemental one (in combination with sunlight), and operational cost optimization requirements.
Light intensity is also influenced by the above factors, as well as by growing room requirements (i.e., distance from the crop and lighting distribution) and by the time of day, especially in supplemental lighting applications where sunlight radiation depends on the time of day and weather conditions.
For these reasons, a luminaire solution that meets such requirements while remaining cost-effective must be:
- optimized in all aspects, especially those related to power conversion and control (LED drivers) and light generation (LED boards)
- flexible in terms of lighting control to adapt to different operating conditions while remaining as efficient as possible across a wide operating window
Inventronics can support horticultural lighting system manufacturers in many ways, helping them identify the most efficient solution for each application.
The single-channel (fixed spectra) LED board solution Planta Seed Linear by Inventronics can satisfy highly demanding customers with both off-the-shelf and fully customized solutions.
Planta Seed Linear boards are ideally suited for linear luminaires used in top lighting, interlighting, and vertical farming operations. They are available in two standard recipes for sole-source lighting (with and without Far Red shares) and are compatible with SELV and non-isolated applications.
Different standard combinations are available:
- Planta Seed PL-LIN-RW 280×20 LV/HV
- Planta Seed PL-LIN-RWFR 280×20 LV/HV
- Planta Seed PL-LIN-RW 560×20 LV
- Planta Seed PL-LIN-RW 560×20 HV
- Planta Seed PL-LIN-RWFR 560×20 LV
- Planta Seed PL-LIN-RWFR 560×20 HV
In addition to standard off-the-shelf horticultural linear boards, Inventronics can offer fully customized boards designed according to customer requirements in terms of spectra and light intensity. These solutions are fully adjustable in form factor (design-in for OEM luminaires), with LED chip selection and configuration fully matched with driver selection to optimize the lifetime and efficiency of both the LED boards and the driver operating window.
To get more details about this service, please contact us via our support channel by emailing: support@inventronicsglobal.com
The horticultural system solution is completed by an LED driver solution characterized by cost efficiency, light intensity dimming capabilities, and very high power-to-light conversion efficiency to reduce operational costs. It is also easy to integrate into luminaires and adaptable to different power supply and control systems.
The NEL-XXXS LED driver family, available in 400W and 600W models, achieves these targets through a non-isolated design characterized by an extended operating window and dimming capabilities via isolated interfaces including 0-10V, 10V PWM, resistor, and 3-Timer-Mode. The 12Vdc, 250mA auxiliary ports allow the integration of sensors and other control or supervision solutions into the driver without additional power converters. Its compact metal frame increases product efficiency and improves overall thermal management, facilitating integration into the luminaire frame. Finally, the low inrush current, surge protection (DM 4kV, CM 6kV), and compatibility with EU and Americas single-phase and three-phase power systems make integration of the LED driver and luminaire into the growing area power supply system easier. This driver is compatible with Planta Seed solutions and can also support fully customized LED module solutions.