What does LED stand for?
LED is short for Light Emitting Diode. Without going into the technicalities, a diode is a semiconductor device which allows electrical current to flow in one direction. In the case of LEDs, when an electrical current is passed through the diode, photons are released – in other words, light. The process is known as electroluminescence.
Can LEDs be used as a replacement for traditional interior lighting?
Because they tend to provide a directional beam, LEDs are not generally used for interior applications, except for accent and feature lighting, and to illuminate steps, under kitchen cupboards, etc. They are however, very widely used in exterior lighting applications. Also, some people prefer the richer, yellower color produced by other lamps.
What advantages do LEDs have over normal incandescent lights?
There are some major plus points to using LEDs, perhaps the most important is economy. They consume about 10% of the power of a regular bulb, and as they last considerably longer – about 100,000 hours for a good quality lamp (around 100 times as long as an incandescent bulb) – they don’t need replacing for a very long time. However, it should be noted that it is normal for their light output to decrease slightly with age. Other advantages include their ruggedness – they are pretty much indestructible in normal usage – and the fact that they don’t produce any heat; this makes them significantly safer, as they are less of a fire hazard than regular lights.
LEDs are available in a variety of colors, so are great for creative lighting applications. Their low power consumption means that they can easily be powered with rechargeable batteries and solar cells.
Are there any disadvantages?
No lighting system is perfect, and LEDs are no exception. The main issue is that they don’t produce as much illumination as other lights. Most LED lights rely on an array of bulbs, each producing a small amount of light. Also, they are currently more expensive when compared to conventional lighting. Another problem which won’t affect many people is that they are very sensitive to excess heat, regular high temperatures will reduce the lifespan of the bulb and cause it to emit less light.