Why LED Is Best For Your Wallet
LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are made of a semiconductor material that produces light when they receive an electric current. While a conventional light bulb has a service life of 1200 hours if lit a couple of hours a day, LED lights are high-performance, lasting up to 10,000 hours (equivalent to more than a year of continuous operation).
The first time the world saw a semiconductor diode was in 1907 when the British radio communications expert Henry Joseph Round experimented with germanium crystals that led him to discover the physical effect of electroluminescence. It was not until 20 years later that Oleg Vladimirovich Losev created the first LED consisting of zinc oxide and silicon carbide. This was used for signage and on the navigation boards of cargo ships. Thanks to the scientist Shuji Nakamura, the first LEDs perfected for everyday use were released, marking the beginning of LED lighting and the beginning of the end of traditional lighting.
Lumileds sells the first white LED that came on the market in 2002 with 30 lumens and a cost of 8.50 US dollars (6.67 UK pounds) per unit.
LEDs in everyday life
LEDs are widely used in all kinds of status indicators (on/off) in traffic and emergency signaling devices. They are also used in information panels, such as the 36.6-meter high NASDAQ (in Times Square in Manhattan); but also on billboards (have you ever wondered how those beautiful signs on Broadway are always kept lit and high quality?).
LEDs have played an important role in the development of mobile technologies, as they make it possible to light up liquid crystal displays on smartphones, calculators, electronic agendas, and even bicycles.
There are also LED printers with thousands (2,500 to 10,000 parts) of light-emitting diodes mounted on a printed circuit board. They do not produce ozone (which is perfect for environmental conservation!) and the image is much clearer.
Why LEDs and not incandescent bulbs?
It has been shown that the use of LEDs in museums is less harmful to paintings than traditional light bulbs, or so Peter Bodrogi tried to demonstrate after noticing a subtle change in Van Gogh’s yellows.
LEDs are much more efficient than incandescent bulbs.They save up to 80% more than normal ones. As only a 20% of its energy generates heat, it does not overheat, which means that the possible risks of burns are considerably reduced.
Its efficiency also reduces total energy consumption, which, of course, also reduces carbon production. In addition, the LED lights have instantaneous illumination, as well as a greater variety of options for choosing the color temperature. You can choose from a wide range of colors, without even using additional filters.
There’s no doubt that LEDs have changed the way the world is viewed. New light bulbs are being developed right now, which not only light up, but can be controlled by smartphones and react to temperature to regulate their light (See our blog post on intelligent lighting systems to find out more about this technology). There are also LEDs that come with integrated horns or can change according to the musical rhythm of the environment.
There are still many surprises behind this technology. Who knows what else LEDs will offer us in the future….
Visit the rest of our blog to read more articles or for more information about our Commerical Electrical & Domestic Electrical products and services, contact us on 01202 985655.