At Panache Lighting, we know that a lot of business people are trying to educate themselves about LED technology.
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) when considering a transition to a energy-efficiency LED lighting solution.
Light-emitting diodes. They are compound semiconductor devices that produce visible light when an electrical current passes through them. LEDs consist of two materials; the first has a surplus of positive charge (holes), and the second has a surplus of negative charge (electrons). When one applies a forward voltage, the electrons and holes are brought together. They combine and release light energy, hence the name “light-emitting”.
In fact, it is not. LEDs do appear to be bulbs but they are actually tiny semiconductors encapsulated in plastic, which protects their components and helps focus the light.
Incandescent bulbs create light by the use of a filament. When power is applied, the filament glows and generates heat, which in turn produces light. LEDs are just the opposite. LEDs create light through a ‘cold process’. When power is applied to semiconductors (usually gallium and phosphorous), they’re stimulated by the movement of electrons, which creates photons. Photons are the light particles that are visible to humans.
No, LEDs operate using entirely different components. LEDs are diodes; they only allow power to move in one direction. The anode (+) is where the current comes in and the cathode (-) is where the current goes out, much like the positive and negative terminals of a battery. Old technology bulbs like fluorescent, incandescent, HID, etc. project light in every direction (omni-directional) as opposed to LED lights which project light in specified directions (such as 20, 50, and 120 degrees) due to their design and layout.
LEDs produce very little amounts of heat. The heat noticed in some instances is due to on board components and other factors of the circuit. In comparison to incandescent, LEDs produce a fraction of the heat. LEDs are not hot to the touch (unless they are being overpowered due to improper circuitry).
LEDs do not use a filament where a conductor is heated and light is created. Filament based lighting consumes more power than the light it produces. LEDs produce very little amounts of heat and do not use filaments, making them far more efficient in consumption and output.
Some of the electricity in an LED becomes heat rather than light. If that heat is not adequately removed, the LEDs will operate at high temperatures, thereby lowering efficiency and reliability. Srishti products offer superior thermal management capabilities.
Some of the electricity in an LED becomes heat rather than light. If that heat is not adequately removed, the LEDs will operate at high temperatures, thereby lowering efficiency and reliability. Srishti products offer superior thermal management capabilities.
LEDs are notable for being extremely long-lasting products. Many LEDs have a lifetime of up to 50,000 hours, some even longer. This is approximately 50 times longer than a typical incandescent, 20-25 times longer than a typical halogen, and 8-10 times longer than a typical CFL. If used 12 hours a day, a 50,000 hour bulb will last more than 11 years. Used 8 hours a day, it will last as long as 17 years.
The advantages are numerous. Here are just some of the benefits: LEDs use much less electricity than other bulbs, have extremely long rated lives, produce very little heat, do not emit UV or infrared, contain no mercury, are resistant to shock and vibration, can operate effectively in extremely cold and hot environments, and provide beautiful natural light.
LEDs are most well known for their extremely long life and energy efficiency. LED useful life is based on the number of operating hours until the LED is emitting 70% of its initial light output. Top quality LEDs in well-designed fixtures are expected to have a useful life of 50,000 to even 80,000 hours, significantly higher than the 1,000 hours for a typical incandescent bulb and 8,000 to 10,000 hours for a comparable fluorescent or CFL. LEDs usually don’t “burn out” like incandescent bulbs do. Instead, they get progressively dimmer over time. They also tend to use less than one-sixth as much energy as their incandescent or halogen counterparts, and 2-3 times less than most fluorescents and CFLs.
When used in a commercial application, the longer rated life of LED also translates to dramatically lower or even zero maintenance costs. The cost of a lighting solution is often thought of only in terms of bulb cost and electricity cost. While these are definitely important, they are not the entire picture: HVAC and labor costs are important considerations as well. The longer your bulbs last, the less time and money you spend paying someone to change them out. Commercial customers may also consider their enhanced durability to be a plus, especially in areas prone to vibration or other stresses. LEDs are generally dimmable, providing yet another advantage over standard fluorescents and CFLs. One last potential consideration is that LEDs do not emit any UV or IR radiation and are therefore very well suited to retail environments, galleries, and museums, where these emissions can cause damage or fading.
Environmentally, the reduction in electricity consumption translates into a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, LEDs have an advantage in that they don’t contain mercury like fluorescents do. Reducing harmful emissions (including mercury) from power generation, and eliminating the chance of it getting into the waste stream when the bulb is disposed is very good news for the environment.
LEDs are most well known for their extremely long life and energy efficiency. LED useful life is based on the number of operating hours until the LED is emitting 70% of its initial light output. Top quality LEDs in well-designed fixtures are expected to have a useful life of 50,000 to even 80,000 hours, significantly higher than the 1,000 hours for a typical incandescent bulb and 8,000 to 10,000 hours for a comparable fluorescent or CFL. LEDs usually don’t “burn out” like incandescent bulbs do. Instead, they get progressively dimmer over time. They also tend to use less than one-sixth as much energy as their incandescent or halogen counterparts, and 2-3 times less than most fluorescents and CFLs.
When used in a commercial application, the longer rated life of LED also translates to dramatically lower or even zero maintenance costs. The cost of a lighting solution is often thought of only in terms of bulb cost and electricity cost. While these are definitely important, they are not the entire picture: HVAC and labor costs are important considerations as well. The longer your bulbs last, the less time and money you spend paying someone to change them out. Commercial customers may also consider their enhanced durability to be a plus, especially in areas prone to vibration or other stresses. LEDs are generally dimmable, providing yet another advantage over standard fluorescents and CFLs. One last potential consideration is that LEDs do not emit any UV or IR radiation and are therefore very well suited to retail environments, galleries, and museums, where these emissions can cause damage or fading.
Environmentally, the reduction in electricity consumption translates into a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, LEDs have an advantage in that they don’t contain mercury like fluorescents do. Reducing harmful emissions (including mercury) from power generation, and eliminating the chance of it getting into the waste stream when the bulb is disposed is very good news for the environment.
We understand that cost is a big factor for energy managers weighing choices in lighting, but so are concerns that today’s technology will only get more efficient and less expensive over time. LEDs can operate as standalone devices, but when grouped or clustered they require additional steps to operate properly. LEDs need proper components such as a circuit board, driving components and some cases and housings to endure the elements. LED circuits can be designed rapidly, but to ensure that they operate correctly and for long periods of time, they require testing. When they are running correctly, LEDs offer up to 80% energy savings, and over time, they will end up paying for themselves.
Compared to conventional technologies, LED lighting can deliver the same amount of light using as little as 10% to 15% of the power. This huge reduction in energy consumption can enable commercial customers to realize significant savings on their energy bills.
Excluding certain LED light Lamps, none of our LED product can be plugged directly into 230VAC, doing so would certainly damage the product and potentially create a fire hazard. All LED product sold by Panache Lighting , excluding certain LED Light Lamps, must use a power supply that converts the 110-220VAC to 10-24VDC.
Yes. LEDs are very similar to consumer electronics and quality really matters. In order for an LED to function properly and provide an acceptable light output, all of the components must be built to last. It's always a good idea to buy from a manufacturer and retailer that you're confident will stand behind the product.
Myths About LEDs
In reality, LEDs are computer systems. A great deal of engineering went into these systems and once installed, customers experience lower energy bills and less maintenance.
While it's true that LEDs are more expensive than other types of lighting up front, in the long run, LEDs are much more cost-efficient. LEDs have a lifespan of 50,000 hours or longer and can last 25 times longer than an incandescent bulb while using 75% less energy.
LED lights do use power, but use only 15% of the energy a standard halogen bulb uses while providing up to 85% of the light output.
Like all artificial light sources, LEDs degrade over time. However, one of the things that makes LEDs so impressive is their incredible lifespan of 50,000 hours or longer.
In fact, LEDs last 50 times longer than a typical incandescent, 20-25 times longer than a typical halogen, and 8-10 times longer than a typical CFL.
With LEDs, each diode can be manipulated in order to match different light color temperatures. In addition, there is a broad range of fixture quality and variety that determines light strength and distribution.
Actually, they can. In the past, LEDs did not have the capability to dim but now, the majority of LEDs can be installed with the capability of dimming.
The heat emitted by LEDs is almost insignificant. Incandescent bulbs release 90% of their energy as heat and CFLs release about 80% of their energy as heat. If you were to place your hand next to an LED, you shouldn’t feel any heat.
The longer you use a current traditional system of incandescent lights, fluorescent lights, or other old technology bulbs, the more money you are currently throwing away. LED prices are currently reasonable and they end up paying for themselves through lack of maintenance and replacement issues and through their energy efficiency.