Table of Contents
Introduction
LED; the light emitting diode, have made their impact as one of today’s modern lighting and utilization in electronics. They come in many forms and are small but powerful enough for all kinds of stuff, such as home lighting and large commercial uses. In this guide, we will cover the top 5 types of Light-emitting diodes, what the characteristics are of each one and where they are best used. Learn what’s the difference between these Light-emitting diode types and how to choose better for your Project if you are updating home lighting or creating a great electronic display.
Standard Indicator LEDs
Most basic type of Light-emitting diode is the standard indicator light emitting diode, which is used for simple indicator in electronics. The Light-emitting diodes are usually available in red, green, yellow and blue and usually bought in remote controls, old computers, and televisions. These are the same type of LEDs designed to put out low intensity light, which makes them perfect for uses where as little light as possible is required, like indicators for electrical appliances.
These indicator Light-emitting diodes are simple to describe, a semiconductor material that gives off light when current passes through it. They are not as bright as others, but due to their minimum energy consumption and long life, they are a good choice for jobs which need element without high power demands requiring continuous operation.
2. High-Power Light-emitting diodes
LEDs designed for high power applications need intense and bright light. For example, these Light-emitting diodes are used in flashlights, street lights and automotive headlights etc. Because of their high brightness, they are also used in architectural lighting in order to provide vivid effects during the day, for buildings and public spaces.
Remember, though: if you’re going to use high power diode emitting light, you’ll need proper heat management because they’re going to make more heat. This is usually why they are put on heat sinks to prevent over heating and maintaining optimal performance. High power Light-emitting diodes possess high efficiency and brightness and they have become a popular choice as outdoor lighting and industrial light sources due to their high reliability and powerful illumination requirements.
RGB LEDs
RGB LEDs (Red, Green, Blue) are single colored Light-emitting diodes which can be made to emit a wide spectrum of colors by controlling the intensity of each of the three color lights. Decorative lighting, smart lighting solutions, and entertainment systems are all using RGB Light-emitting diodes. With RGB Light-emitting diodes you can make dynamic lighting effects change color with mood, music, and remote control settings.
The extraction of RF from the analog signal can be fabricated with RGB LEDs, where each diode can be independently controlled, resulting in millions of color combinations. Indeed, some RGB Light-emitting diode systems even include software control, which can be used to synchronize the lights with audio or video content, making them excellent for interactive use. RGB Light-emitting diodes are extremely flexible when it comes to developing and are used often for gaming, stage lighting, and ambient lighting in homes and events.
Surface Mounted Diode Light-emitting diodes (SMD LEDs)
Compact size and high efficiency are the two major characteristic of SMD LEDs or Surface Mounted Diode Light-emitting diodes. As they are mounted directly onto circuit boards, they are perfect for applications where space is limited, including smartphones, televisions and slim lighting panels. However, SMD Light-emitting diodes come in all manner of shapes and sizes — and they are just as capable of producing high intensity light as they are of smallness.
SMDLight-emitting diodes are also energy efficient and long-lasting as the devices are compact. A common usage is Light-emitting diode strips are used in decorative and accent lighting. Manufacturers have been able to create thinner, more efficient lighting products thanks to SMD Light-emitting diode technology and their popularity in both commercial and residential lighting projects is testament to that.
COB LEDs (Chip on Board Light-emitting diodes)
Another newer form of LED is known as COB LEDs, Chip on Board Light-emitting diodes where several Light-emitting diode chips are mounted onto a single board. Using this design helps with a more uniform output of the light by getting rid of shadows and making the light a little bit more natural. Applications including floodlights and downlights use COB Light-emitting diodes because a large amount of light is needed.
Efficiency is one of the biggest advantages of COB Light-emitting diodes. COB light-emitting diode manufactures can cluster multiple chips together to produce more light for less energy, thus making them highly efficient. In addition, they provide a uniform light output that is appropriate for use in situations where lighting has to be constant such as retail or exhibition lighting. Moreover, COB Light-emitting diodes usually need fewer components and thus generate less system weight and volume of lighting fixtures.
Advantages of LED Technology
But the main reasons Light-emitting diode’s are such a popular choice are not only due to their versatility, but they have so many advantages compared to traditional lighting. Here are a few key benefits:
- Energy Efficiency: Use of LEDs means less energy is used up compared to incandescent or fluorescent lights and therefore costs less to run.
- Longevity: Light-emitting diodes have lifespans that can extend to 50,000 hours, making them considerably more significantly longer than any other format.
- Eco-Friendly: Light-emitting diodes are free from toxic chemicals such as Mercury, and environmentally kind of choice.
- Low Heat Emission: Since, LEDs produce little heat, Light-emitting diodes are thus safer for enclosed spaces as compared to tubes and bulbs.
- Compact Size: There are different sizes of Light-emitting diodes available which suit for small and large scale applications.
Conclusion
Today, with Light-emitting diodes in the range of every imaginable size, shape and power, there’s an Light-emitting diode out there to light an indicator light, or a high power light source, or decorative lighting. There’s an Light-emitting diode for every project out there, of any type from the common old SMD Light-emitting diodes, up to the high power, or RGB Light-emitting diode’s, up to the COB Light-emitting diode’s. Light-emitting diodes bring many advantages over traditional lighting methods, including energy efficiency, longevity, flexibility of use, and of course, ease of use.
The types – and therefore applications – of Light-emitting diodes are expected to grow and become more varied as types of led lights technology improves. Whether you’re a hobbyist working on small project or a professional designing lighting for large installation, Light-emitting diodes offer the reliability, efficiency and flexibility to deliver outstanding lighting solutions.
