A new LED step lighting product touts “game-changing innovation” that prevents water seepage, which is the number one cause of light failure.

Amerlux, a design-and-manufacture lighting company, announced the launch of the weather-proof Passo LED step light this week, saying it boasts an independently sealed LED optical chamber that eliminates water infiltration. Water can cause headaches for lighting designers, landscape architects and energy service companies who recommend step lights. Water infiltration can also cause trouble for end users, such as facility managers and city managers who are responsible for addressing the on-going, maintenance issues and safety problems associated with subpar fixtures. The luminaire is typically used for steps, staircases and in walls to light walkways and add aesthetics to building facades.

Passo’s engineering increases its return on investment in two ways. First, its advanced LED core uses significantly less energy than traditional fluorescent lamps. Secondly, its sealed optical chamber eliminates the high cost of labor associated with burnt-out, water-infiltrated light sources common to even the priciest competitors.

LED lighting has become one of the most popular ways to improve energy efficiency. All LEDs are not the same, however, and smart energy managers do a lot of due diligence to make sure that they buy and install those that won’t prematurely fail – or even create dangerous situations.