An LED is what's called a "solid-state lighting" technology, or SSL. Basically, instead of emitting light from a vacuum (as in an incandescent bulb) or a gas (as in a CFL), an SSL emits light from a piece of solid matter. In the case of a LED, that piece of matter is a semiconductor.
LED Basics
LED is for Light Emitting Diode. The main part is a semiconductor which can convert electricity to light source directly. The semiconductor (also the LED chip or diode) is placed on a wired holder which is enclosed in transparent plastic case, (i.e. lens) while connected with electronic poles.
Simply stated, an LED produces light when electrons move around within its semiconductor structure.
The difference of the LED lighting and traditional lighting
Incandescent bulbs create light by passing electricity through a metal filament until it becomes so hot that it glows. Incandescent bulbs release 90% of their energy as heat.
In a CFL, an electric current is driven through a tube containing gases. This reaction produces ultraviolet light that gets transformed into visible light by the fluorescent coating on the inside of the tube. A CFL releases about 80% of its energy as heat.
LED lighting products use light emitting diodes to produce light very efficiently. The movement of electrons through a semiconductor material illuminates the tiny light sources--LEDs. A small amount of heat is released backwards, into a heat sink; LEDs are cooler compare to Incandescent bulbs and CFL.
Simply stated, an LED produces light when electrons move around within its semiconductor structure.
The difference of the LED lighting and traditional lighting
Incandescent bulbs create light by passing electricity through a metal filament until it becomes so hot that it glows. Incandescent bulbs release 90% of their energy as heat.
In a CFL, an electric current is driven through a tube containing gases. This reaction produces ultraviolet light that gets transformed into visible light by the fluorescent coating on the inside of the tube. A CFL releases about 80% of its energy as heat.
LED lighting products use light emitting diodes to produce light very efficiently. The movement of electrons through a semiconductor material illuminates the tiny light sources--LEDs. A small amount of heat is released backwards, into a heat sink; LEDs are cooler compare to Incandescent bulbs and CFL.
LED Light
This is the structure of a typical integral LED lamp. It contains the driver circuit, LED cluster, and a case that provides both mechanical protection and heat sinking for the driver and LED.
As LEDs are very small (smaller than 2 mm²) they are easily populated onto printed circuit boards.
LEDs , being solid state components, are enclosed in lens and outer case. They are difficult to damage with external shock.
LED driver converts power supply to LED standard power. Heat sink is often made of aluminum alloy which releases the little heat generated from the driver and LEDs.
As LEDs are very small (smaller than 2 mm²) they are easily populated onto printed circuit boards.
LEDs , being solid state components, are enclosed in lens and outer case. They are difficult to damage with external shock.
LED driver converts power supply to LED standard power. Heat sink is often made of aluminum alloy which releases the little heat generated from the driver and LEDs.
LED Light Advantages
- Longevity: The light emitting element is a small semiconductor chip rather than a filament. This greatly extends LED light's life. It is estimated 35,000 to 50,000 hours of useful life, though time to complete failure may be longer.
1,000-2,000 hours 8,000-15,000 hours 30,000-50,000 hours
- Efficiency: Diodes emit little heat and run at very low amperes. It emits more light per watt and efficiency is not affected by shape and size, unlike fluorescent light bulbs or tubes
Incandescent Bulb Compact Fluorescent Light LED light
- Color: LEDs can emit light of an intended color without using any color filter as traditional lighting methods need. This is more efficient.
- On-off Time: LEDs light up very quickly. A typical red indicator LED will achieve full brightness in under a microsecond.
- Cycling: LEDs are ideal for uses subject to frequent on-off cycling, unlike fluorescent lamps that fail faster when cycled often.
- Cool Light: In contrast to most light sources, LEDs radiate very little heat in the form of IR that can cause damage to sensitive objects or fabrics. Wasted energy is dispersed as heat through the base of the LED.
- Slow Failure: LEDs mostly fail by dimming over time, rather than the abrupt failure of incandescent bulbs
- Shock Resistance: LEDs, being solid state components, are difficult to damage with external shock, unlike fluorescent and incandescent bulbs which are fragile
- Focus: The solid package of the LED can be designed to focus its light. Incandescent and fluorescent sources often require an external reflector to collect light and direct it in a usable manner
- Environmentally Friendly: No mercury, sodium(Na) hazardous substance. Lower electricity consumption causes less amount of CO2 emission. One 40-watt incandescent bulb will cause 196 pounds (89 kg) of CO2 emission per year. The 13-watt LED equivalent will only cause 63 pounds (29 kg) of CO2 over the same time span
- Economically sustainable: LED Light is a cost-effective option in a long term for lighting a home or office space because of their very long lifetime. It is a replacement for conventional lighting system.
