Horticulture Lighting - Brochure - GE Lighting

GE
Lighting
Lighting for growth
Lamps and lighting for horticulture

Extending daylight
Growth and development of plants
and vegetables is strongly influenced
by the quality and amount of light
they receive, and the cycle of day and
night. Artificial lighting therefore plays
a significant role in the horticultural
industry, where it enables producers to
extend and control the periods of plant
growth. GE horticultural lamps allow
growers to be less reliant on daylight
and improve their productivity.
2
PAR
Photosynthesis Active Radiation (PAR,
measured in micromole/sec) is essential
for plant growth. GE Lucalox PSL
(PhotoSynthesis Light) high pressure
sodium lamps are designed to produce the
best possible PAR performance and this
performance is covered by warranty.
Spectral range
Plants respond to light of varying colour. In
general, red light causes plants to become
tall and “leggy” while blue light, when
used alone, can cause low, stocky growth.
A proper balance of red and blue energy
produces plants that have normal growth
and shape.
Relative sensitivity
l GE lamps enable
lighting regimes that
assist the natural
cycles of plants
l GE horticultural lamps
are colour balanced
for growth and shape
1
0.5
0
PAR in relation to wavelength.
Wavelength
nm
Plants have different sensitivity to
different wavelengths.

GE lighting
for fruit and
vegetables
Growers of food plants find artificial light
just as important as it is for flowering
plants. Artificial light can improve the
yield of a crop, and its quality. As with
flowering plants, it enables growth to be
timed to meet market demands.
When an artificial lighting regime is
applied to food crops, these are some of
the benefits:
l Plants can be used over a
longer period
l In winter, fruit can be produced with
taste to match summer fruit
l Production can start earlier
l Year-round cultivation is possible
It is therefore possible for growers
to enhance product quality and take
advantage of marketing opportunities
throughout the year.
Effect on plants
UV-B
UV-A
BLUE
GREEN
RED
IR
(Far-red)
280-320 nm
Deleterious for growth.
320-400 nm
Might have additive
effect to blue radiation.
400-500 nm
Necessary for
elongation control.
500-600 nm
Less important in
photosynthesis than
red spectral range for
certain plants.
600-700 nm
Optimisation is
necessary because
unoptimised
red portion will
cause abnormal
development.
700-750 nm
Enhancement of
flowering & stem
elongation.
Research examples
Cucumber
Blue only or green only irradiation did not
cause development. Optimal growth was
found when the irradiation of the plants
contained 15-20% blue irradiation, rest of
the spectrum was balanced with green
and red irradiation.
Tomato
High productivity requires the dominance
of the 600nm-700nm red part in
irradiation spectrum. Saturation of the
crop yield was achieved with 60-65% red
irradiation, the rest of the spectrum was
balanced by blue and green irradiation.
Reference:
Prikupets & Tikhomirov, proceedings of
Int. Lighting in controlled environments
workshop, Univ of Wisconsin, Madison,
Wisconsin, 1994, p31
3

Nature’s rhythms
The relative length of day and night and the seasons is important to plants.
The number of hours of darkness in a 24-hour cycle is an important factor in
determining blossoming and growing time.
Photoperiodism
Night length triggers seed germination, tuber and bulb formation, and other
growth characteristics such as colour, enlargement of leaves and stem size and
shape. This rhythmic characteristic is called photoperiodism and is of great value
to growers.
Plants can be classified according to photoperiodicity.
l Short day (long night)
l Long day (short night)
l Indeterminate or day neutral
4
Short day
(long night)
Long day
Day neutral
The perennial Chrysanthemum and the Poinsettia, which
flower in the autumn, are examples of short-day (longnight)
plants. They fail to flower when the day length, or
period of light, is extended beyond a critical value.
Long-day plants, such as the China Aster and Tuberous
Rooted Begonia, flower only with a day length longer
than a critical value.
Day-neutral plants, such as the Rose and
Carnation are not limited by photoperiod.
Understanding these principles enables commercial growers to use artificial light
profitably, so that flowering and vegetable harvesting can be timed for markets.
Day length
Short day length
The Perennial Chrysanthemum is a short
day length plant that will not flower when
the day is long (short-night). To postpone
flowering Chrysanthemum growers, instead
of lengthening the day, interrupt the night
for about four hours. This makes the night
appear short to plants, which then continue
to grow vegetatively instead of starting
to flower.
A more economical method of postponing
flowering of chrysanthemums is to apply
cycles of light, switching light on for 10
minutes and off for 50 minutes, for four
hours during the night, instead of applying
light continuously. This is cyclic lighting. It
is an effective way of growing flowers. If
lighting levels are higher then the grower
will see better stem and flower quality and
less opportunity for disease.
Long day length
The China Aster is a typical long-day
(short-night) plant. Long-day plants can
be brought to flower ahead of the normal
time by lengthening the day. Relatively low
intensities of light are enough to induce
flowering, when applied early in the morning
or at the end of the day. A dark-period
interruption - from a few minutes to a
few hours - as with other long-day plants,
effectively induces flowering just as it
inhibits flowering of short-day plants.
Poinsettias must have complete and
continuous darkness for about 12 hours a
day in order to flower. Even 1 minute of light
in the middle of the dark period will prevent
their flowering.
Tuberous Begonias flower only when daily
dark periods are short - less than 12 hours -
but they require long dark periods for best
production of tubers. Flowering of tomatoes,
however, is not influenced by photoperiod.

Plant colour and
leaf formation
Photoperiod also influences plant
responses such as colour and
formation of the leaves.
Coleus, for example, under continuous
lighting, produces dark red leaves with
bright green edges. Less than 10 hours
of light per day results in less sturdy
plants and paler colours. The tulip bulb
is the main source of food reserve,
and the light is needed mainly to
develop the plants’ green colour. Stems
attain their greatest length if grown
under lighting.
Setting the clock
Artificial light can be used in a variety of lighting regimes.
EXTEND EXTEND
ADD
SUBSTITUTE
As an additional
daytime source of
light, boosting existing
light levels and aiding
photosynthesis.
As an extension to the
growing season through
usage during the winter
months.
As a means of
extending the growth
time per day. Lights
can be switched on
at dusk or other non
daylight hours.
As a complete natural
light substitute for total
environmental control
in growing rooms and
biological research
establishments.
5

Quality from start to finish
GE horticulture lamps have a long history of manufacture in the Budapest light source
factory in Hungary. Quality is a fundamental part of all lamp manufacture but in
particular the manufacture of horticulture lamps, where users rely on the lamp as a
critical production tool.
Automated testing process
Testing spheres
Long t erm t esting r acks
6
High quality components are used in
all aspects of manufacture to ensure
consistent lamp to lamp performance.
Arc tube production takes place
in an argon box which ensures a
clean environment so there is no
contamination and seal protection
ensures the lamps do not fail early.
At the end of the manufacturing process
every lamp is tested and samples from
every production run are placed on
long term testing racks. Light output is
measured in spheres to ensure lamps
meet specification.

Reliable performance 60
Reliability (%)
Relative PAR maintenance (%)
PSL data
Typical lamp survival
100
95
90
85
80
75
70
65
60
55
50
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Life (thousand hours)
Typical PAR maintenance
100
95
90
85
80
75
70
65
60
55
50
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Life (thousand hours)
While light quality is paramount,
reliability and performance have
also been key factors in the
development of the Lucalox PSL
lamp range.
Guaranteed
GE is constantly engaged in a global
quality process. A statistical quality
system, designated SIX SIGMA, is
applied in all areas of the company from
manufacturing through to sales.
GE offers warranties to distributors of
its GE brand 230V 250W, 400W, 600W,
and 750W and 400V 600W and 750W
Lucalox PSL (PhotoSynthesis Light) High
Pressure Sodium lamps.
The lamps comply with the IEC/EN 62035
standards, and are in accordance with the
specifications set out in the GE Consumer
& Industrial - Lighting Spectrum Lamp
catalogue, and in the “Lucalox PSL,
PhotoSynthesis Light Lamp” brochure.
The warranty comprises two parts:
l Warranty on Lamp Reliability
(Lamp Survival)
l Warranty on PAR (Photosynthesis
Active Radiation) Maintenance
Reliability (%)
Relative PAR maintenance (%)
Typical lamp survival
100
95
90
85
80
75
70
65
55
50
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Life (thousand hours)
100
95
90
85
80
75
70
65
60
55
50
PSL data
Typical PAR maintenance
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Life (thousand hours)
Robust construction, reliable starting
technology and improved lumen
maintenance ensure peace of mind
against early lamp failures and provide
the consistency demanded for perfect
growing conditions.
Packed for
convenience
Production quality is important, but GE
also ensures that lamps reach users in the
condition in which they left the factory, and
packaged for users’ convenience.
Bulk Pack
Lamps are available in a time-saving
bulk pack for easy installation on site
and transporting used lamps to recycling
centres. The sturdy recycled cardboard pack
has carrying handles, and is provided at
no extra cost. Lamps are also still available
in 12 packs for smaller installations or
replacements.
63 lamps/box
12 boxes/pallet
7

The Lucalox PhotoSynthesis Lamp
PSL technology
Superb performance and high reliability:
- GE’s advanced sodium resistant ceramic
helps eliminate early failures to give a
rated service life of 10,000 to 12,000 hours
for Lucalox PSL products.
- In order to achieve maximum
performance, GE recommends lamp
replacement when the Rated Service Life
is reached.
- The lamps use extra rugged monolithic arc
tubes equipped with GE Reliable Starting
Technology which provides continuous
high performance.
8
l Specially developed for
horticulture
l Provide an average
5% additional PAR
(Photosynthesis
Active Radiation) over
standard HPS lamps
l Stable PAR
maintenance
l 250W, 400W, 600W
and 750W
High xenon-fill gas delivers:
- Extra light and PAR
(Photosynthesis Active Radiation) output.
- More resistance to mains voltage
fluctuations.
Zirconium gettering system improves PAR
maintenance that drives constant and
uniform plant growth.
- The diameter of the frame wire in the lamp
has been minimised to reduce shading
in the installation without affecting the
robustness of the lamp.
- Monolithic arc tube construction for
durability and lumen maintenance.
Code Volts Current Power 100 hour 100 hour PAR
V A W Lumens μmole/sec
LU250W/PSL 115 2.7 250 33,000 430
LU400W/PSL 110 4.3 420 56,500 710
LU600W/PSL 115 6.0 615 90,000 1080
LU750W/PSL 115 7.4 755 112,000 1320
LU400V/600W/PSL 200 3.6 620 85,000 1120
LU400V/750W/PSL 205 4.4 765 104,000 1390
Specially developed for greenhouses,
Lucalox PSL high pressure sodium
lamps offer the benefits of stable lumen
and micromole maintenance and a
full spectrum content that promotes
photosynthesis. Photosynthesis Active
Radiation (PAR, measured in micromole/
sec) is essential for plant growth.
Lucalox is available in four wattages,
250W, 400W, 600W and 750W.
Simple light or lumen maintenance is not
enough to create plant growth. Plants
require a certain radiation level to help
with photosynthesis. The Lucalox PSL
lamp has been specially developed to
provide stable lumen maintenance and
increased PAR output.

(PSL) range
What is PAR ?
The effect of optical radiation on plants
has been studied extensively; generally,
photons emitted in the spectral region of
400nm-700nm are particularly effective.
Therefore the simple measurement
of quantity of light - Lux - is not
sufficient for the horticultural market.
Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR)
and Photosynthetic Photon Flux (PPF), are
more useful measurements. PPF is defined
as flux of the photons emitted in the 400
nm-700 nm wavelength range by the light
source. It is expressed in micromoles/
second (μmol/s), where 1 micromole
means 6x10 17 photons.
HPS - the natural choice
Different lamp types have different
spectral output characteristics as well
as different PPF/W efficiencies. The
most commonly used lamp type in the
horticultural market is High Pressure
Sodium (HPS) due to its favourable PPF/W
value, low early and mid life failure rate,
and its close to flat PAR maintenance
over it useful life. The HPS PSL range from
GE has specially optimised spectra for
greenhouse use, by enhancing the red
portion of its light output.
This means that HPS lamps designed for
the horticulture market can have lower
light level (lumen) in the visible spectral
range compared to HPS lamps designed
for street lighting. Despite a lower initial
lumen level, HPS PSL lamps, are perfectly
suited to horticulture.
PPF/W
Spectral power [W/nm]
2.0
1.6
1.2
0.8
0.4
0
7.0
6.0
5.0
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
LFL
SOX
Halogen
Incandescent
CMH
HPS
High Pressure Mercury
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800
Nominal Watts
The PSL spectrum
LU400/PSL
The spectral distribution of a typical Lucalox lamp shows that light is
emitted in the wavelengths best suited to plant growth.
380 430 480 530 580 630 680 730
Wavelength [nm]
9

230V
The new 250W addition to the range is
ideal for use in between crops or for crops
that require lower light levels.
Supply voltage
Suitable for supplies in the range 220V to
250V 50/60Hz for appropriately rated series
choke (reactor) ballasts.
Spectral power [W/nm]
The Lucalox PhotoSynthesis Lamp
250W
Code V A W 100 h 100 h
PAR
Lumens μmole/
sec
LU250W/PSL 115 2.7 250 33,000 430
Runup times
140%
120%
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
140%
120% 4.5
100% 4.0
3.5 80%
3.0 60%
2.5 40%
2.0 20%
1.50%
1.0
0.5
0.0
0%
160%
140%
120%
100%
1080%
60%
LU250PSL
0 200 400 600 800 1000
Time [s]
Spectra
LU400PSL
LU250/PSL
Power
Lamp voltage
Current
PAR
Power
Lamp voltage
Current
PAR
0 200 400 600 800 1000
Time [s]
380 430 480 530 580 630 680 730
LU600PSL
Wavelength [nm]
Power
Lamp voltage
Lamp power
Depending on system conditions, lamp
power can vary by ±2.5%.
Ballasts
It is essential to use a ballast appropriate to
the supply voltage at the luminaire.
140%
400W
120%
140%
600W
120%
80%
80%
Code
60%
40%
V A W 100 h 100 h
Power PAR
Lamp voltage
Lumens Current μmole/
Code
60%
40%
V A W 100 h 100 h
Power
PAR
Lamp voltage
Lumens Current μmole/
20%
LU400W/PSL
0%
0 200
110 4.3 420
400 600
Time [s]
PAR
56,500
800
sec
710
1000
20%
LU600W/PSL
0%
0 200
PAR
115 6.0 615 90,000
400 600 800
Time [s]
sec
1080
1000
140% 7.0
120%
6.0
100%
Spectral power [W/nm]
100%
140%
120%
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
160%
80% 5.0
60%
4.0
40%
20% 3.0
0%
2.0
1.0
0.0
140%
120%
100%
80%
60%
LU250PSL
LU400PSL
0 200 400 600 800 1000
Time [s]
LU600PSL
LU400/PSL
Power
Lamp voltage
Current
PAR
Power
Lamp voltage
Current
PAR
0 200 400 600 800 1000
Time [s]
380 430 480 530 580 630 680 730
Wavelength LU750PSL [nm]
Power
Lamp voltage
120% 10.0
9.0
100%
Spectral power [W/nm]
140%
120%
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
100%
160%
140%
120%
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
140%
8.0
80%
7.0
60%
6.0
40%
5.0
20% 4.0
3.0 0%
2.0
1.0
0.0
160%
140%
120%
100%
80%
60%
40%
LU250PSL
0 200 400 600 800 1000
Time [s]
LU400PSL
LU600PSL
0 200 400 600 800 1000
Time [s]
LU750PSL
Power
Lamp voltage
Current
PAR
Power
Lamp voltage
Current
PAR
Power
Lamp voltage
Current
PAR
0 200 400 600 800 1000
Time [s]
380 430 480 530 580 630 680 730
LU600/400PSL
Wavelength [nm]
Power
Lamp voltage
Current

140%
120%
100%
(PSL) range
40%
120% Supply voltage
Suitable for supplies in the range 390V to
80%
420V 50Hz for appropriately rated series
60%
choke (reactor) ballasts.
160%
160%
140%
140%
750W 600W 750W
140%
120%
100%
80%
Code
60%
V A W 100 h 100 h
Power
Lamp voltage
PAR
40%
Lumens Current μmole/
20%
PAR sec
LU750W/PSL 0%
115 7.4 755 112,000 1320
0 200 400 600
Time [s]
800 1000
140%
12.0
120%
100%
10.0
80%
Spectral power [W/nm]
80%
60%
20%
0%
140%
120%
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
140%
120%
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
160%
60% 8.0
40%
20% 6.0
0%
4.0 0 200 400 600 800 1000
2.0
0.0
160%
140%
120%
100%
80%
60%
0 200 400 600 800 1000
Time [s]
LU400PSL
0 200 400 600 800 1000
Time [s]
LU600PSL
LU750PSL
0 200 400 600 800 1000
Time [s]
LU600/400PSL
LU750/PSL
Time [s]
Power
Lamp voltage
Current
PAR
Power
Lamp voltage
Current
PAR
Power
Lamp voltage
Current
PAR
Power
Lamp voltage
Current
PAR
380 430 480 530 580 630 680 730
LU750/400PSL
Wavelength [nm]
Power
Lamp voltage
0 200 400 600 800 1000
Time [s]
400V
Spectral power [W/nm]
140%
120%
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
160%
140%
100%
40%
20%
0%
120%
100%
Code 80%
V A W 100 h 100 h
60%
Power
PAR
40%
Lumens Lamp voltage μmole/
Current sec
LU400V/600W/PSL 20%
200 3.6 620
PAR
85,000 1120
0%
160%
140%
120%
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
7.0
140%
120%
6.0
100%
5.0
80%
4.0 60%
40%
3.0
20%
2.0 0%
1.0
0.0
LU600PSL
0 200 400 600 800 1000
Time [s]
LU750PSL
0 200 400 600 800 1000
Time [s]
LU600/400PSL
0%
0 200 400 600 800 1000
160%
Time [s]
LU750/400PSL
LU600/400PSL
Power
Lamp voltage
Current
PAR
Power
Lamp voltage
Current
PAR
Power
Lamp voltage
Current
PAR
Power
Lamp voltage
Current
PAR
0 200 400 600 800 1000
Time [s]
380 430 480 530 580 630 680 730
Wavelength [nm]
Lamp 100% power
Depending 80% on system conditions, lamp
power 60% can vary by ±2.5%.
Ballasts
40%
It 20% is essential to use a ballast appropriate to
the 0% supply voltage at the luminaire.
120%
100%
Code 80%
60%
V A W 100 h 100 h
Power
Lamp voltage PAR
40%
20%
Lumens Current μmole/
PAR sec
LU400V/750W/PSL 0%
205 4.4 765 104,000 1390
0 200 400 600 800 1000
Spectral power [W/nm]
160%
140%
120%
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
140%
120%
160%
140%
120%
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
10.0
9.0
8.0
7.0
6.0
5.0
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
0.0
0 200 400 600 800 1000
Time [s]
LU750PSL
0 200 400 600 800 1000
Time [s]
LU600/400PSL
Time [s]
LU750/400PSL
LU750/400PSL
Power
Lamp voltage
Current
PAR
Power
Lamp voltage
Current
PAR
Power
Lamp voltage
Current
PAR
0 200 400 600 800 1000
Time [s]
380 430 480 530 580 630 680 730
Wavelength [nm]
11

Specifying Lucalox
The Lucalox range
Technical data
12
Volts Current Power 100
hour
Lamp operation
Watts 250 400 600 750
Maximum bulb temperature 400°C 400°C 410°C 410°C
Maximum cap temperature 250°C 250°C 250°C 250°C
Voltage rise
To achieve rated lamp life and optimal PAR maintenance it is
essential that luminaires are designed so that when lamps are
enclosed, lamp voltage rise does not exceed 12V
Lamp / Watts Max. Arc LCL Diameter Cap Bulb Operating Standard Bulk
length gap
Glass position product product
A B C D
code (12) code (63)
mm mm mm mm
LU250W/PSL 260 64 158 48 E40/45 Hard Universal 88665 N/A
LU400W/PSL 292 87 175 48 E40/45 Hard Universal 17106 44304
LU600W/PSL 292 125 169 48 E40/45 Hard Universal 17107 44305
LU750W/PSL 293 130 178 51 E40/45 Hard Universal 17108 44306
LU400V600W/PSL 292 124.5 169 48 E40/45 Hard Universal 43440 43439
LU400V750W/PSL 293 143 175 51 E40/45 Hard Universal 43438 43437
Cross reference
GE Philips Osram Sylvania
LU250W/PSL Plantastar Inter 250
LU400W/PSL MASTER GreenPower 400W EM 230V Plantastar 400 SHP-TS GroLux 400W
LU600W/PSL
LU750W/PSL
MASTER GreenPower 600W EM 230V Plantastar 600 SHP-TS GroLux 600W
LU400V/600W/PSL
LU400V/750W/PSL
MASTER GreenPower 600W EM 400V
MASTER GreenPower 600W EL 400V
MASTER GreenPower TD 1000W EL 400V
SHP-TS GroLux 600W-400V
Full details of the GE lamp
range can be found in
the 2010 - 2011 Spectrum
catalogue, or the GE website.
100 hour
PAR
V A W Lumens μmole/sec
LU250W/PSL 115 2.7 250 33,000 430
LU400W/PSL 110 4.3 420 56,500 710
LU600W/PSL 115 6.0 615 90,000 1080
LU750W/PSL 115 7.4 755 112,000 1320
LU400V/600W/PSL 200 3.6 620 85,000 1120
LU400V/750W/PSL 205 4.4 765 104,000 1390
Depending on system conditions, lamp power can vary by ±2.5%
www.gelighting.com/eu
and General Electric are registered trademarks
of the General Electric Company. ©2010
Picture credits: Nico Romers
GE Lighting is constantly developing and improving its products. For this reason, all product descriptions in this brochure are intended as
a general guide, and we may change specifications from time to time in the interest of product development, without prior notification or
public announcement. All descriptions in this publication present only general particulars of the goods to which they refer and shall not
form part of any contract. Data in this guide has been obtained in controlled experimental conditions. However, GE Lighting cannot accept
any liability arising from the reliance on such data to the extent permitted by law.
B
C
Horticulture leaflet – English – 2010
D
A