LED Learning Page
Intro
Some favorable traits of LED’s are:
-Size and form
-Dimming and control capability
-Resistance to mechanical failure
-Extended lifetime
-Rapid on/off cycling capability
-Instantly uses full light output
-Directional light emission
-Color tuning
Types
LED’S: Semiconductor devices that emit light through electroluminescence
Incandescents: heated filament that emits light
Fluorescents: gas discharge that excites phosphors in the lamp
High Intensity Discharge (HID): utilizes electric arc discharge.
-The three mentioned above,(except LED) are considered traditional lamps, due to the glass housing containing essential gases or coatings, whether it be a bulb, spiral, tube, etc. LED lamps start with a small chip, also known as a “die”. These “die” or “diodes” are traditionally found in electronic devices such as t.v. remotes, operating system panels, aircraft pilot buttons, and LED wall panels. As the LED’s vary in size, the next larger products are LED packages which are combined usually containing one or more diodes that are mounted on heat conducting material and is then enclosed by a lens or housing. From a single LED diode to a package of one or more, these then get inserted on a circuit board and are incorporated into your everyday light fixture or traditionally looking light bulb.
Benefits
–Directional light emission: better accuracy in controlling the direction of light. Rather than dispersing spherically, LED’s disperse directionally, giving more potency of light in the intended direction.
–Size and Form: With its directional light emission, LED’s make for the perfect low profile and compact lighting systems. Both aesthetic and functional, LED’s offer eye pleasing function, while also doing its job in light emission output. LED’s are also available in your most common household and industry standard sockets and housings, making for a easy and quick transition from outdated lighting to new LED’s.
Breakage Resistance: LED’s have an advantage over standard incandescents and high intensity discharge(HID) lamps due to the fact that they are very durable against breakage and vibration. This is because LED’s do not have filaments or glass enclosures and are ideal when working in moving machinery, vandalism prone areas, or high hazard areas such as playgrounds, food prep areas, assisted living facilities,hospitals, and elementary schools.
–Instantly ON: In contrast to traditional lighting, LED’s turn on instantly to full light emission output. In most other lamps, full light output ranges in different warm-up times ranging from a few minutes all they way to 20 minutes for full light emission to occur. For example, standard compact fluorescents (CFL’s) can take up to 3 min for full light output, while high intensity discharge (HID) lamps range from several minutes for metal halides and up to10 min or more for high pressure sodium (HPS). Clearly, LED’s are ideal for time conscious situations. Such examples are used in emergency lighting, vehicle brake lighting, or high security scenarios.
–Temperature and Rapid Cycling: LED’s can withstand high frequency on-off cycling without diminishing the overall lifespan of the lamp. Compared to other lights, LED’S are favorable over such lamps like fluorescents, in which fluorescents slowly lose their lifetime span as the on-off cycling is increased. Another beneficial factor of LED’s are their capability to withstand cold temperatures. These capabilities are ideal in such applications like walk-in freezers, refrigerators, cold storage facilities, and many other outdoor applications.
–Color output : One of the most significant advantages of LED lamps are the ability to produce every color spectrum by combining different diodes in a single product. LED’s can be combined and adjusted to create varying types of warm and cool light while also producing varying color combinations. These color applications are great for aesthetic values in offices, hotels, restaurants, and homes, while containing some of the best dimming capabilities and light emission lifespans.
–Finance & Quality: Such things as operating costs, purchase price, longevity,energy efficiency, and other variables come into play depending on the importance of the application. We consistently work with our manufacturers to ensure quality and clearly identifiable product versions. LED Lighting Facts Labels allow the consumer or customer to review and authenticate accuracy and performance of a listed LED product. Be assured when buying LED products from R&R Lighting Co. you’ll be buying top quality LED’s that are Energy Star approved and have been tested LM80, LM79 (USA standard both tested and certified) from top selling manufacturers.