LED Lighting Guide
What is LED Lighting?
Light emitting diode (LED) is a semi-conductor device that emits visible light when an electric current passes through it. It produces light when particles that carry current combines together in the semiconductor material. These solid state devices generate light within a solid semiconductor. LED lighting is the latest and the most efficient lighting technology. LED lights are super energy efficient using approximately 85% less energy than incandescent and halogen lighting. In addition to that, this form of lighting has much longer lifespan than other types of lighting.
Advantages of LEDs
> Long life
One of the main benefits of using LED lighting is its outstanding operational time frame. The lights can last for a period of up to 11 years if used continuously or 22 years of 50% of operation. This means that if you leave them on for 8 hours a day, then it will take you 20 years before you make replacement. Unlike normal incandescent, LEDs don’t burn out and stop working, instead they emit lower output that enables them to operate for a long period of time.
> Energy friendly
Are you looking for durable but energy efficient form of illumination? If yes then LEDs maybe suitable for you. Studies have shown that LED light uses 25%-80% less energy when compared to normal incandescent light bulbs. Meaning you can reduce energy costs by 50%. Only 20% of energy is converted into light in normal incandescent bulbs. This means that 80% of energy is lost in form of heat. For instance, if you use incandescent bulb and your end of month bill turns to be $100, it means that $80 has been used to heat the room as opposed to lighting the house. However, that is not the case with LED’s because it saves almost 85% of energy. Durability is an added bonus and more economical especially when used in large infrastructural projects such as in airports or railway.
> Environmental friendly
Incandescent bulbs are not ecofriendly because they contain materials such as mercury that are dangerous to the environment. Mercury is non bio degradable and when released to the environment, they don’t decompose. LED lights contain materials that are 100% reusable. Using LED lighting will help reduce carbon emissions by up to 30%. Its long lifespan also plays a big role in keeping the environment clean.
> They are safer
If you have small kids or pets in your house, you will spend most time worrying about their safety if your house if full of traditional bulbs. This is because these bulbs can get very hot endangering the life of small helpless children and pet in the house. They emit very low heat meaning that it does not pose safety dangers as it is normally the case with incandescent bulbs.
> Design flexibility
They are available in many different designs meaning that in addition to producing quality light, they also help to complement the overall look of your house. LEDs can be molded it not any shape to allow you create the right illumination for the space that you want it to light.
> Does not emit UV
Another great benefit of UV lighting is that it does not emit UV light. This means that you can use LED light to brighten items that are sensitive to UV rays or heat. That is why it has become very popular in art galleries and archaeological sites because it does not emit UV rays.
Types of LED lights
Miniature LEDs
This is one of the most commonly used applications. They are mostly used in mobile phones, Tvs and many other digital devices. They are available on the market on a predefined shape and size. This helps to ensure that they are compatible with different circuit boards. They come in ready to fit mode meaning that they will start working immediately when mounted on a circuit board. They don’t require any form of support such as additional cooling system like heat sink.
Application specific LED
Application specific is a special type of Led that is customized to fulfill the individual needs of a customer. They are mostly used in public displays, digital billboards among many other types of big displays. Most of them come with bi color or tri color combination.
LED spots
LED spot is good for people who are looking for quality bright light that is long-lasting. They can be very useful for people who own big showrooms because it will help customers spot out their products.
High power LED
This light uses sophisticated semiconductor technology that enables them to produce high output. They are capable of producing light output with high luminous intensity. Which are available in different sizes and shapes.
Led candle bulb
Perfect for people who love deem and warm light of a candle. They are mostly used for decorative purposes in places such as garden, celling or on big chandelier. They are available in wide range of colors as well as shapes.
LED G bulbs
This is best suited for people who do not like LED candle bulb. They are mostly used in ceiling fans, lanterns, bathroom strip lighting as well as chandeliers. They are dimmable, factor that helps them to lower energy consumption.
LED tubes
Slimmer and shorter than normal regular tubes, also very easy to install and are energy efficient. They are widely used in big conferences, offices as well as homes. They are environmental friendly and have much longer lifespan than normal fluorescent tube lights.
R7s LED lamps
This type of LED lamp is linear in shape and it is widely used as outdoor flood lights, landscape light, security light, decorative light as well as for indoor flood. They come in many different shapes and sizes.
Light Comparison
Incandescent
It is one of the oldest form of lighting and the least efficient. Just the like the heater, electric current usually pass through a thin filament wire heating the filament until it glows. As the filament glows, heat radiates outwards and only a small portion is converted to light, the rest is converted to heat which burns the bulb tungsten until the filament breaks. Incandescent light produce a considerable among of infrared and UV light that can be damaging to artwork and fabrics. They are also designed to last for only 1200 hour. They are relatively cheap but consume so much energy and create a warm yellow light.
Halogen
This type of lighting is similar to incandescent but with only minor differences. Just like incandescent bulbs, halogen contain tungsten filament the difference being that in halogen, a small amount of halogen usually mix with tungsten vapor then deposit back to the filament instead of doing so inside the bulb. This process helps to extend the lifespan of the bulb. In addition to that, it also allows the bulb to work at a much higher temperature when compared to incandescent bulbs. That is why is uses a quartz envelop that is able to handle high temperature better than glass. Available in many different shapes and commonly used as floodlight or spotlight. They produce a considerable amount of UV and infrared radiation that can damage artwork and fabrics.
Light emitting diodes
It is the most energy efficient lighting on the market today. A semiconductor that contain electrons are used to create LED. They are also much cooler that halogen and incandescent bulbs which is a factor that increases their longevity. It also enables them to function in low temperatures. LED produces little to no UV or infrared radiation meaning that it does not damage artwork and fabrics. They are also very durable and can last 45 times longer that incandescent bulbs and 13 time longer than halogen bulbs. It consumes almost 80% less power than incandescent bulbs. They don’t contain toxins, harmful gases as well as mercury.
Will LED’s Fit Your Current Plugs
This is a very common question asked by many people. The answer to this question is YES. These lights will fit your current fittings. You don’t have to buy a completely new setting in order to replace your old halogen or incandescent light bulbs. LEDs are made to replace existing light bulbs naturally. However, it is also very important to note that you may be forced to do some minor adjustments in order to integrate the new system.
LED Transformers
LED light bulbs can be powered either from a 12 DC volt or through transformer which turns main electricity (240V) to 12V. Transformers used in halogen spot lights can also be used with LED’s. 12V spotlights are increasing becoming popular. Wide selection of LED enabled transformers have come to the market. Although these transformers are more expensive when compared to standard transformers, they ensure the bulbs are well protected. There are two types of transformers available. They include constant voltage and constant current. Constant voltage will give an output of exactly 12Dc. On the other hand, constant current delivers fixed current.
Installation
If you’ve decided to install LED lighting, then you have made a wise decision. However, the mistake that most people make is conducting LED by themselves. When considering to install LED in your office, experts recommend that you hire the services of a qualified electrician. As professional in this field, a qualified electrician will help you select the right type LED lighting to install in your house. If you are not expert in this field, you may end up making a wrong choice. However, if you choose the services of an electrician, he will guide you to help make the best decision that suits your individual lighting needs. If you are in South East Queensland VIP Electrician Brisbane provides sales and installation of LED’s.
LED Lighting Costs
The amount that it will cost you will depend and what you are intending to do. The good news is that installing LEDs is increasingly affordable. They are also very durable and emit quality light that will satisfy your daily needs. To get a real picture of installation costs LED lighting, we are going to compare 5W LED spotlight vs a 50W halogen. The projected lifespan of LED light in hours is 24,000 while that of halogen is 2,000. Cost per bulb is $5.00 LED and $150. Kwh of electricity used over 2400 hours for LED will be 120 while that of halogen is 1200. Cost of electricity $o.15/kwh is 1800 for LED and 180 for halogen. The number of bulbs needed to last for 2400 hours is 1 for LED and 12 for halogen. Bulb expense is $5.00 for LED and $18.00 for halogen. When you do calculation to get the total running cost, you will find that LED costs $23.00 while halogen will cost $198.00. This clearly shows that when you replace your halogen bulb with LED equivalent, then you are going to save approximately $175 over its lifetime.
Conclusion
If you are looking for an energy efficient and cost effective solution, then LED lighting is the right choice for you.
Published By Jeremy Knowles from VIP Electician Brisbane. If you found this article useful please follow us on Google+.
