LED Technology
LEDs (light emitting diodes) are solid-state lighting devices that produce light when
a forward voltage is applied. An LED consists of a semiconductor diode packaged in a
clear epoxy or silicon gel. The diode contains two slightly different materials: a
P-type semiconductor and an N-type semiconductor. The P-type semiconductor has “holes”
created by a lack of electrons, producing a positive charge. Conversely, the N-type
material has an excess of electrons, resulting in a negative charge. The P- and N-type
semiconductors are placed in direct contact in the diode and the region where they meet
is referred to as the PN junction.
When an electric current passes through the device,
electrons flow toward the P region and holes flow toward the N region. Near the PN
junction, electrons and holes combine and the electrons shed the extra energy they
acquired from the electric current. This energy is released in the form of a photon,
the basic unit of light. In this way, an LED emits visible light.
The energy of the photons corresponds to the color of the light emitted. In the visible
light spectrum, blue and purple light results from the greatest energy emission whereas
yellow and red light is a result of the lowest energy emission. By utilizing materials
with different band gaps, engineers can alter energy emission and thus the color of light
produced by an LED.
High Lighting Efficiency
LED lighting efficiency has greatly advanced through technology innovation over the last
several decades. Efficiency of Incandescent and halogen tungsten lamps are 12-24 lumens
per watt, fluorescent lamps are 50-70 lumen per watt and sodium lamps are 90-140 lumen
per watt. The result of this is poor efficiency as most of power consumption is a result
of the heat generated by these styles of lamps. LED lighting efficiency will reach upwards
of 200 lumens per watt while maintaining 90% efficiency. This will be achieved while
delivering benefits such as excellent color rendering index, narrow light spectrum,
and no UV emission resulting in no need for filtration.
Low Power Consumption
Achieving the same light output, the power consumption of LED is only 1/8 of that for
the incandescent lamp, and 1/2 of that for the fluorescent lamp.
Long Life
Using electronic light field emission based lighting has many disadvantages. Such as
the filament is apt to become hot, the heat will be in aggradation and the light will
attenuate. This is not an efficient light source. If these lamps had to pass today’s
certifications, they would fail. Seesmart LED based lighting solutions utilize small
volume, lightweight, epoxy packaged to withstand high strength mechanical shock and
vibration. The average lifetime is 50k hours. The lifetime of LED based lighting can
be 10 years or more based on hours of daily operation. Utilizing Seesmart LED solutions
result in greatly reduced maintenance costs, capital intensive inventory of lamps and
ballasts, increases productivity and effectiveness of current staff and brings the
opportunity for utility-based incentives.
High Reliablity & Safety
LED products offer advantages such as low heat emission, no heat radiation,
low temperature light source, much cooler to the touch, lighting color and angle can
be controlled accurately, lighting color is less intensive and damaging to the eye,
does not cause headaches, and no mercury, sodium or other hazardous substances used.
The integrated microprocessor can control the light intensity, adjust the lighting
mode and realize the combination of light and art in a finished product.
Emvironmentally Friendly
LED lighting is a solid-state product. This offers such features as vibration resistance,
hi shock value, durability and enables the use of recyclable materials due to its
production of convective heat versus radiant heat. This results in fewer lamps in
landfills, as they will not break, shatter and the long lifespan of the finished product.
The light is also much easier controlled and will not cause light pollution like other
light sources. It is very well controlled and can be re-claimed and placed where needed.
The light source is small in size and can be combined for high power applications when needed.
It is simple to be developed into portable, thin and short compact lighting products.
Indeed the energy savings is a major contribution in the implementation of LED, however
the environmental impact of using this light source is exponential. The use of recyclable
materials in our finished products, the cradle to cradle lifecycle, No hazardous gases or
filaments, long life span, efficient power supply integration, low heat radiation,
significant reduction in carbon footprint for every LED implemented and when integrated
with smart controls, the energy savings becomes even better. Although it is more expensive
than the traditional light sources, the energy saving for one year can offset the cost of
LED light source and create a short Return on Investment (ROI). Add link to ROI calc tool
when integrated in blog, make web based version just for kill the watts (use kill the
watts template for graphic)
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