Why LED?

How do building owners, facility managers, and lighting specifiers choose lighting products? Purchase price and operating costs (energy and maintenance) are usually the top concerns but a host of other aspects may come into play, depending on the application.

Here are some unique LED characteristics:

Directional light emission – directing light where it is needed.
Size advantage – can be very compact and low-profile.
Breakage resistance – no breakable glass or filaments.
Cold temperature operation – performance improves in the cold.
Instant on – require no "warm up" time.
Rapid cycling capability – lifetime not affected by frequent switching.
Controllability – compatible with electronic controls to change light levels and color characteristics.
No IR or UV emissions - LEDs intended for lighting do not emit infrared or ultraviolet radiation.

What Makes LED's Different?

LEDs are semiconductor devices, while incandescent, fluorescent, and high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps are all based on glass enclosures containing a filament or electrodes, with fill gases and coatings of various types.

LED lighting starts with a tiny chip (most commonly about 1 mm2) comprising layers of semi-conducting material. LED packages may contain just one chip or multiple chips, mounted on heat-conducting material and usually enclosed in a lens or encapsulant. The resulting device, typically around 7 to 9 mm on a side, can produce 30 to 150 lumens each, and can be used separately or in arrays. LED devices are mounted on a circuit board and attached to a lighting fixture, architectural structure, or even a "light bulb" package.

General illumination applications that may most benefit from LED attributes include the following:

Undercabinet lighting - In-cabinet accent lighting - Adjustable task lighting - Refrigerated case lighting - Outdoor area lighting
Elevator lighting - Recessed downlights - Accent lights - Step and path lighting - Cove lighting - Spaces with occupancy sensors
Food preparation areas - Retail display cases - Art display lighting