The LED is a semiconductor device that emits light in a narrow spectrum when electricity is allowed to flow in a forward direction (anode (p) to cathode (n) referred to as a p-n junction)
The wavelength and therefore the colour that is emitted is dependent on which material is used to coat the p-n junction. LEDs are more efficient than both incandescent and fluorescent light sources and use approximately 10% of the energy of an incandescent and 25% of the energy consumed by a fluorescent fitting.
There is a minimal amount of heat produced by LEDs as the energy is converted to light efficiently. Typically an LED light source will last approximately 50,000 hours when used in normal operation. LEDs are solid state devices that are not sensitive to vibration like conventional lighting methods. LEDs provide numerous colour options and colour control unlike conventional and fluorescent sources. |
