L.E.D.s

LED Frequently Asked Questions

---

Q. What does LED stand for?
A. LED stands for Light Emitting Diode.

Q. Is an LED a bulb?
A. LEDs do appear to be bulbs, but in fact are not. LEDs are tiny semiconductors encapsulated in plastic which protects their components and helps to focus the light.

Q. What is the difference between an incandescent bulb and LED?
A. Incandescent creates light by the use of a filament. When power is applied, the filament glows and generates heat - which in turn produces light. LEDs are just the opposite. LEDs create light through a 'cold process'. When power is applied to semiconductors (usually gallium, asenic and phosphorous), they're stimulated by the movement of electrons, which creates photons. Photons are the light that is visibly seen by humans.

Q. Why do LEDs use such little power?
A. LEDs do not use a filament where a conductor is heated and light is created. Filament based lighting consumes more power than the light produced. LEDs produce very little amounts of heat and do not use filaments making them far more efficient in consumption and output.

Q. Do LEDs produce heat?
A. LEDs produce very little heat. The heat noticed in some instances is due to on board components and other factors of the circuit. In comparison to incandescent, LEDs produce a fraction of the heat. If LEDs are hot to the touch, they are being overpowered due to improper circuitry.

Q. Are LEDs affected by extreme conditions?
A. LEDs are geared for harsh environments. LEDs function from -40F to 180F. There is no delay or required "warm up time" for LEDs to function.

Q. Do LEDs attract insects?
A. No they do not. Insects see entirely differrent spectrums of light and are attracted to ultraviolet light.
*A side note - flowers create "nectar guides", invisible to the human eye and ultraviolet light attracts insects to flowers for reproductive purposes. This is not to say that all bugs aren't attracted to LED lights, but most can't see the light that LEDs produce.

Q. How long do LEDs last?
A. LEDs are rated by manufacturers to operate under normal conditions for approximately 10 years or 100,000 hours of continuous use. As LEDs get older, they tend to dim and fade but aren't susceptible to blinking like incandescent or fluorescents.

Retrofit LEDs

Fluorescent lamps have now taken a back seat to LEDs. One 6 watt LED light bulb can potentially last up to 58,000 more hours than a 60 watt incandescent bulb, and potentially 50,000 more hours than a CFL.

The environment's need for an alternative light source stated the 'retrofit revolution'. We have several options available when you're ready to replace your existing inefficient lamps. There is no need to replace the entire light fixture. Just discard the old bulb, and replace it with the new LED.



The following links will provide all the information you need on the benefits of retrofits: