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The LED industry is full of misleading information. It has taken this company nearly two years of research and development to build a strong understanding of the market, its trends, shortfalls and strengths. Frequently Asked QuestionsWhy are LED's more efficient than other lighting? How good is the quality of light emitted by an LED? What types of lighting uses LED's? Do LED's contain hazardous chemicals? Do LED's flicker or emit ultra violet? Are electrical modifictions required? What is an LED?LEDs differ from traditional light sources in the way they produce light. In an incandescent lamp, a tungsten filament is heated by electric current until it glows or emits light. In a fluorescent lamp, an electric arc excites mercury atoms, which emit ultraviolet (UV) radiation. After striking the phosphor coating on the inside of glass tubes, most of the UV radiation is converted and emitted as visible light. An LED, in contrast, is a semiconductor diode. It consists of a chip of semiconducting material treated to create a structure called a p-n (positive-negative) junction. When connected to a power source, current flows from the p-side or anode to the n-side, or cathode, but not in the reverse direction. Charge-carriers (electrons and electron holes) flow into the junction from electrodes. When an electron meets a hole, it falls into a lower energy level, and releases energy in the form of a photon (light).
Why are LED's more efficient than other lighting?luminous efficacyEnergy efficiency of light sources is typically measured in lumens per watt (lm/W), meaning the amount of light produced for each watt of electricity consumed by the light source. This is known as luminous efficacy.
application efficiencyDue to the directional nature of their light emission, LEDs potentially have higher application efficiency than other light sources in certain lighting applications. Fluorescent and standard "bulb" shaped incandescent lamps emit light in all directions. Much of the light produced by the lamp is lost within the fixture, reabsorbed by the lamp, or escapes from the fixture in a direction that is not useful for the intended application. For many fixture types, including recessed down lights, troffers, and under-cabinet fixtures, it is not uncommon for 40-50% of the total light output of the lamp(s) to be lost before it exits the fixture
How good is the quality of light emitted by an LED?Energy efficiency of light sources is typically measured in lumens per watt (lm/W), meaning the amount of light produced for each watt of electricity consumed by the light source. This is known as luminous efficacy.
< back to FAQ LISTHow long do LED's last?LED's are extremely reliable by the nature of their design and the way they are constructed. Individual LED's have very high life expectancy with very low failure rates. On the down side, LED's will gradually "fade" to the point they don't collectively emit enough light to be useful, however this will generally be a minimum of 35,000 hours and up to 10,000 hours. The efficiency of the power supply is a critical part of the design of LED light fitting as total failure of the light will usually only result if the power supply fails. Fortunately, power supplies are established technology and have extremely high life expectancies. Because LED's have very long life, the formal process of measuring the life expectancy of and LED light is different from other lighting types. Other lighting types measure the point where 50% of the lamps have failed, whereas LED's measure the point where brightness has reduced to 70% of the original.
* according to lamp manufacturer What types of lighting uses LED's?Most lighting types now have an equivalent LED replacement. While many of these may not yet fully compete on brightness, the energy savings and longevity still make them a viable alternative. Given that LED's are an emerging technology and there is vast amounts being spent on R&D, LED's will continue to dramatically improve in efficiency and brightness over the next several years. It is expected that within twelve months, virtually all LED lighting types will either match or exceed other forms of lighting on lumens per watt. As LED lighting is directional light, the efficiencies delivered by LED's - given a similar lumens per watt - exceed that of other lighting.
< back to FAQ LISTDo LED's contain hazardous chemicals?LED tubes contain no hazardous chemicals. Fluorescent tubes contain Mercury and Phosphor. If a tube is broken, the potential for poisoning exists, especially if proper clean up procedures are not followed. Most Australian States now have specific legislation that governs the disposal of fluorescent tubes. This causes transport and manufacturing activities that generate addional green house gases. Because of the relatively short life of fluorescent tubes, their collective impact on the environment can be significant. Proper clean up of broken fluorescent tubes is essential. Do LED's flicker or emit ultra violet?FlickerLED's emit no flicker. The light emitted by an LED is very stable and produces no side effects The "colour" of sunlight is 5000K to 6000K. LED lights in this colour range closely resemble the visible spectrum of sunlight providing soft and natural colours that are easy on the eyes Modern fluorescent tubes emit little "visible" flicker, but as the tube and/or the ballast deteriorates, flicker can become evident. Flicker can create headaches and migraines and results in lower productivity. |
