Investigation of the spectral properties of LED-based MR16s for general illumination

The spectral properties of commercially available LED-based and halogen MR16s were investigated. The measurements taken include TLF (Total Luminous Flux), CCT (Correlated Color Temperature), CRI (Color Rendering Index), angular variation of CCT, and luminous efficacy. The halogen MR16s were used as a baseline for comparison with LED-based MR16s. It is shown at this time that LED-based MR16s are not suitable as a direct replacement for existing alternatives due to high initial cost, low power efficiency, poor CRIs, and undesirable CCTs.