Advances in technology, greater environmental stewardship, and a concern over an alarmingly high replacement rate of traditional bulbs has laid the groundwork for better lighting options. LED assemblies have steadily become the go-to alternative lighting source to help streamline green initiatives across industries that have become ubiquitous in today’s much more environmentally-conscious world.
LEDs work on a simple premise: they emit light when electric current flows through them. They use a semiconductor material that combines with particles in the current being passed through it to emit light. Its color and brightness depends on what kind of semiconductor material is present. This is different when compared to other types of lighting. Incandescent bulbs heat a filament to create their familiar glow. Fluorescent bulbs work by current exciting gas vapor within the bulb. Short-wave UV light is produced, which is then turned into visible light by the fluorescent coating on the inside of the bulb.
LED technology has prompted a number of industries such as consumer electronics and public works to transition to their exclusive use due to their efficiency & long life. In fact, their list of advantages is impressive. For example, LEDS:
Lower utility costs over time, coupled with less expense in replacement materials and product costs, add up to a significant amount of savings. What’s more, said savings could go from being an operating cost to a capital expenditure, thereby investing back into the company.
Critics of LED assemblies in commercial/industrial settings often note a perceived physical sensitivity of LED assemblies as a whole. But there is a need for context. While LEDs & their assemblies can showcase some fragility to construct & integrate, any & all internal electronic components pose similar risks. And with respect to an evolution of operating standards, stringent is not the correct term. Higher standards in the construction of LED assemblies are indicative of the high standards that should be met, or exceeded, in all facets of commercial/industrial operations.
There is one area in which LED assemblies are often pushed to their limit — thermal management. Heat dissipation is a major concern when working with LEDs. While they prove to have tremendous energy efficiency that saves money, they can still put off a lot of heat. Attention in designing optimal LED assemblies starts with proper spacing & arrangement of LEDs on PCBs, type of LED module, and heat sink consideration.
Probably the most surprising thing about LED assemblies is they can vary quite a bit from each other. Everything from size to whether the end user is trying to determine indication vs illumination make each LED assembly, by default, a customized item. That said, there are instances when thorough customization is required.
It’s here that it becomes crucial to work with an electronics manufacturer/supplier who knows their way around the technology. LoDan Electronics, Inc. in Chicago has been a reliable electronics partner since 1967. Our design and engineering team will work with you to come up with the right solution for your next project. Bring 2D renderings & specifications to life, all while being mindful of your operating budget, as well as changes in technology in the future.
Learn how the LoDan difference can take your LED assemblies to the next level today.