Luminous Flux Depreciation Notification System for Light Fixtures Incorporating Light Emitting Diode Sources

A method for monitoring luminous flux depreciation in a light fixture, the light fixture, coupled to an electric power source, comprising a housing defining an interior space including an interior surface and a transmissive panel disposed a spaced-distance from the interior surface, with the housing including a light source coupled to the interior surface, the method comprising:

• coupling a light sensor to the interior surface a spaced distance from the light source;
• aligning the light sensor to receive light from at least the transmissive panel, the light sensor configured to measure luminous flux in the interior space;
• coupling a controller to the electric power source, the light source, and the light sensor, and
• determining in the controller if a light sensor measurement of luminous flux in the interior space is more or less than a reference value of luminous flux,
• wherein if the measurement of luminous flux is less than the reference value, the controller is configured to activate an end-of-life indicator.

A LED light fixture coupled to an electric power source comprising:

• a housing defining an interior space including an interior surface and a transmissive panel disposed a spaced-distance from the interior surface;
• a LED light source coupled to the interior surface;
• a light sensor coupled to the interior surface a spaced distance from the LED light source and aligned to receive light from at least the transmissive panel, the light sensor configured to measure luminous flux in the interior space;
• and
• a controller coupled to the electric power source, the LED light source, and the light sensor,
• wherein the controller is configured to determine if a light sensor measurement of luminous flux in the interior space is more or less than a reference value of luminous flux, and
• wherein if the measurement of luminous flux is less than the reference value, the controller is configured to activate an end-of-life indicator.