What is a LEC grow light? — 2019 Updated

Light emitting ceramic (LEC) halide lights are used in indoor gardening applications to provide a wider spectrum of light than is possible with conventional fluorescent bulbs. They also reduce energy costs at the same time.

Also called ceramic metal halide (CMH grow lights) lights, light emitting ceramic halide bulbs provide a full spectrum of light for plants, resulting in healthier, stronger growth. While results do vary from gardener to gardener, all have noted improved yields from indoor gardening. Square-wave technology used in these lights also ensures that plants receive more light overall throughout their lifespan than with conventional lighting options.

They also reduce electricity consumption, helping indoor growers use less energy, reduce utility bills, and be a bit “greener”. One drawback with their use is that CMH grow lights emit significant heat, which means that growers will need to invest in a cooling system (reflector cooling, for instance), which can increase set-up costs.

Ceramic metal halide lights produce UV-B rays, like the sun. This may be contributing to increased trichome development and smell in cannabis buds grown under LECs. However, UV-B rays get blocked by glass, so there needs to be a clear path between the plant and the light for this to be effective.

LECs produce a natural spectrum of light that lets you see your plants in full color. Unlike grow lights which produce purple (LED grow lights) or yellow (HPS grow lights) light, the light from an LEC typically won’t distort the color of your plants. Not only is it just plain nice to be able to really see your garden in all its vibrancy, having natural colored light also makes it a lot easier to diagnose problems which can sometimes go unnoticed under unnatural colored grow lights. An LEC is also much less suspicious looking if light accidentally spills out a window. If given a choice for bulb color, I recommend getting “4200K” color bulbs as they give great results and let your see your plants the best.

THE ADVANTAGES OF LEC
For starters, the colour of light produced by this latest development is far more natural. The outcome is, it becomes much easier to see the natural colour of your cannabis throughout its lifecycle. This may not sound important, but it can be vital for reviewing how your plant’s growth is progressing and if there are any issues that can be recognised quickly by changes in colour. As a point of reference, HPS lights give off a very yellow light, while LEDs typically produce a purple hue.

The light spectrum given off by LEC fixtures also provides another point of difference. LEC lights give off UV-B rays, something that, according to anecdotal accounts, improves the trichome production of cannabis during the flowering stage. The result is a perceived increase in yields, however, the verdict on how much it improves yield is still widely speculated. Two more distinct advantages are the life expectancy of LEC lights and their plug-and-play nature. They include built-in ballasts, so setup is very simple. Some manufacturers also claim that LEC bulbs will last up to two years, which is significantly longer than any other options (besides LED).

Summary

Growers have their preference when it comes to grow lights based on their experience and applications. The two major lighting systems being used today are LED and LEC-CMH. You should considering making the switch from HPS/MH to ceramic metal halide grow lights since it is the best option for High Intensity lighting systems based on the options of our customers. Compared to regular MH bulbs, LEC lights give off a more natural color, produce more light per watt, and last longer. Recently, we’ve noticed this style of grow light is becoming increasingly popular for indoor marijuana growers where legal.