LIGHT EMITTING DIODES.pptVIP

The Basics of LEDs WHAT IS AN LED? An LED is a tiny semiconductor diode device that converts electrical energy directly into a discrete color of light The diode is made from different materials and substrates Compounds produce unique colors Gallium Nitride = blues greens Aluminum Indium Gallium Phosphide = reds yellows LEDs are made in chip ‘fabs’, just like microprocessors LED EVOLUTION The LED was invented in 1962, emitting a dim glow of red light Additional colors emerged (such as green and amber) and light output improved LEDs were used in watches, calculators, electronics, traffic lights, and exit signs High-brightness LEDs emerged in the 1990’s The long awaited blue LED in the mid-1990s White light from LEDs in late 1990’s White light via RGB LEDs White light via blue + phosphors ENERGY CONSERVATION THE COST OF LIGHT Cost of Light Incorporates: Lifetime Source efficiency Energy cost Replacement cost Labor cost THE LED ADVANTAGE Ultra long source life Low maintenance Eliminates the cost of replacement lamps, gels, filters Reduced labor and maintenance fees over the life of the product Low power consumption Extremely low power draw means lower operating costs: direct and indirect No UV radiation, No IR Illuminate fabrics and precious art Very little noise No buzzing, humming Inherently digital device The basis for opening up entirely new possibilities… LED SOURCE LIFE Lifetime Definition Traditional lighting: Mean Time to Failure “Mean time” does not address the end of life output levels Fluorescent 25% down by end of life Incandescent 15-20% down by end of life RGB LEDs: Rated to 50% lumen depreciation White LEDs: Rated to 70% lumen depreciation Not industry standard yet, but close IESNA LM-79, LM-80 procedures MYTH #1: LED’s last forever…100,000 hours is an eternity!!! TRUTH #1: LED’s last a long time, but they slowly fade away. LED lifetime depends on the quality of the fixture design, how hard it is driven, and in what ambient temperature it operates i