Fundamentals and FAQs of LEDs

What Are LEDs?

LED stands for Light Emitting Diode. LEDs are an energy-efficient lighting solution, available for residential, commercial, industrial, and vehicle lighting. LED lights produce the same amount of illumination as incandescent, fluorescent, and other traditional lighting types, but use significantly less power.

How Do LEDs Work?

Unlike traditional lighting that uses a filament, LEDs are made from a semiconductor with two regions used to produce light. When voltage is applied in the proper direction, the electrons flow between these regions, and the electrons and electron holes recombine. The current will move through the junction, and the electrons and holes recombine. After this occurs, the energy will be released in photons.

What Does L70 Mean?

L70 refers to the rated lifetime of an LED before it emits 70% of its initial light output. This is how to know when to replace the LEDs.

What Are the Types of LED Lights?

There are many types of LED lights available for different applications, including residential, commercial, industrial, landscape, and vehicle lights. Common residential fixtures include recessed downlights, under-cabinet lights, track lights, E26/E27 light bulbs, and shop and garage lights. Commercial and industrial fixtures include high bays, panel lights, troffer lights, strip light fixtures, parking lot lights, wall packs, and flood lights. Landscape lights include spot lights, flood lights, deck and step lights, path lights, in-ground well lights, and landscape light kits. Vehicle lights include vehicle bulbs, off-road lights, interior and utility lights, accent lights, and strobe, warning, and hazard lights.

Are LED Lights Dimmable?

Certain LED lights are dimmable. Always check the specifications of your product before purchasing if you want a dimmable light. Install lights with compatible dimmers. Various types of dimmers are available, including TRIAC, PWM, and 0-10V dimming. Dimming your lights increases customization, allows you to adjust based on the available natural light, and increases energy efficiency.

How Are LEDs Different From Traditional Lighting?

LEDs differ from traditional lighting in their benefits and how they operate.

• LEDs have longer lifespans than other lighting
• Reduced costs over time through lower energy bills and less maintenance and replacements.
• Feature little to no infrared radiation (IR) and ultraviolet (UV).
• Don't feature harmful gases, toxins, or mercury.
• Built with durable construction.

What Are LED Strip Lights?

LED strip lights are an innovative, customizable style of lighting solution. These lights feature an adhesive backing that makes them easy to install. These lights can be cut and connected to fit specific installation areas. Strip lights are available in white, single RGB, RGBW, RGB+CCT, and tunable CCT. These lights can be installed above cabinets, under cabinets, as toe-kick lighting, cove lighting, and task lighting.

What Is Correlated Color Temperature?

Correlated color temperature (CCT) is the shade of white produced by the bulb or fixture. The most commonly used CCTs for our lights range from cool white (5000K plus) to ultra warm white (2500K or less). Cool CCTs emit a blue-toned, bright light. Natural CCTs (4000K to 4500K) produce a light similar to daylight. Warm CCT (2700K to 3500K) emits a yellow, orange-ish light, with ultra-warm providing an orange light resembling candlelight. Selectable CCT is available for certain fixtures. This allows you to change between CCT values before installing the fixture. If you use tunable CCT fixtures or bulbs, you can change between CCTs after the fixture is installed using a controller, switch, remote, smartphone, etc.

For recommendations on what CCT to use in residential, commercial, or industrial spaces, read our blog, Light Bulb Color Temperature: How to Light a Room.

What is CRI?

Color Rendering Index (CRI) measures how accurately a light depicts colors. This is measured on a scale up to 100, with 100 being how the object appears in sunlight. Most lights have a CRI between 70 and 100. A CRI of 70-79 has poor color rendering, 80-89 has good color rendering, and 90+ lights have great color rendering. We have LEDs with ultra-high 95+ CRIs, including downlights, strip lights, and light bulbs.

What Is an LED Driver?

LED driver, another word for a power supply, typically refers to a constant-current power supply. These drivers use fluctuations in voltage to maintain a consistent electric current flow. Constant current drivers are often used in retrofit kits, industrial lights, and LED integrated fixtures. Emergency backup drivers are also available, which provide at least 90 minutes of backup power in a power outage. We have backup drivers for high bays, troffers, panel lights, commercial downlights, and more.

How Do I Know Which Power Supply I Need for My Lights?

We carry various types of power supplies besides the constant current drivers mentioned above. Constant voltage power supplies use fluctuations in current to maintain a steady voltage. These power supplies are most frequently used with strip lights. Another popular type of power supply is low-voltage transformers, which shift high-voltage alternating current into low-voltage alternating current for low-voltage lights. Transformers are most often used for landscape lighting.

Once you know the type of power supply you will need, you then need to determine the necessary wattage. The wattage of your power supply should be 20% greater than the wattage of the lights.

What Causes LED Lights to Fail?

There are a couple of different reasons your LED lights may be failing. It could be an effect of the environment. If the light is installed in an area it's not equipped for, temperature-wise, such as causing overheating, or in a wet or outdoor environment. Install your lights in an area with sufficient airflow and ensure you use lights with the necessary IP rating. IP ratings give two numbers, the first indicating intrusion protection from dust and debris, and the second indicating the moisture protection from water. The higher the numbers, the greater the protection.Lights could also fail if they're installed with incompatible power supplies, controllers, or dimmer switches. Always verify you are selecting power supplies with the appropriate voltage and wattage. Other factors that could cause LED failure are using poor-quality lights or power supplies, bad connections, or electrical surges.