What is LED?
A Light-emitting diode is a semiconductor chip that directly converts electric power into light.
Why LED?
Durability. Lasts 50 times longer than regular incandescent lamp bulbs and up to 5 times longer than compact luminescent lamps. LED lamps are steady and reliable, resistant to vibration and temperature fluctuations.
Low energy costs. Uses 80% less energy than regular incandescent lamps.
Environmentally friendly. In contrast to compact luminescent lamps, LED does not emit UV or infrared rays that are hazardous to human health and environment. LED lamps are also mercury-free.
An ambitious alternative to conventional lighting
Architectural lighting solutions are growing in supply; however, many products are not functional due to their fixed colour, intensity, fireplace angle and excessive energy consumption. Semiconductor light diodes, otherwise known as LED (light emitting diode) are considered the most progressive and cost-efficient source of light. Today LED diodes that have already long been used for indication purposes have invaded the lighting industry. The interest in light diodes is growing at the same rapid pace as the possibilities of their use in lighting techniques. Having introduced some major improvements to the design of light diodes with the technical qualities of light and energy, LED is no longer exclusively used by advertising producers – they are now a useful tool for architects and interior designers opening wider application possibilities fully compatible with the unique qualities of light diodes.
Lighting of the XXI century
Today the production of light consumes about 20 percent of the total electric energy generated; the main reason for the high figures being the inefficient use of electric energy. According to specialist calculations the utility rates of regular incandescent bulbs are as little as 7 percent, and that of the highest productivity sources of light – florescent and high-pressure natrium bulbs is not more than 30 percent. Moreover, such lighting devices contain mercury –a substance whose utilisation is still a huge environmental challenge. The increase in the efficiency of light sources and the search for new light generation principles that are truly mercury-free is currently viewed as one of the most important goals for science and technology. Despite that, starting from the 1960s, lighting device technologies have developed particularly slowly and hardly any lighting devices based on new principles have been created, with the major focus being on the further continuous improvement of conventional construction light bulbs.
A new advance in the development of lighting technologies was semiconductor lighting with light diodes. A light diode is a semiconductor chip that directly transforms electric power into light. The core of the diode is a miniature semiconductor chip installed in its reflector and consisting of two layers – the first one produces the surplus of electrons (“n“ type, negative), and the second one – deficit of electrons (“p“ type, positive). The junction of the two layers is the place where a so-called active layer originates that, under voltage, generates and emits energy.
For advertising purposes LED technologies have already been in use for quite a while– for production of volumetric letters, advertising signboards, etc. It did not take long for diodes to become strong competitors to neon technologies that offered quite unstable lighting solutions with huge difficulties in obtaining any required shapes. Therefore, many advertising producers immediately turned their attention to LED technologies as offering numerous advantages. Today a highly diversified spectrum of such technological devices (red, yellow, green, blue and even the colour close to ultraviolet) has been made available, as well white light semiconductor sources. The capacity of a semiconductor light diode to convert electric energy into light exceeds 100 percent, as part of the energy required is derived from the environment. These devices are free from any hazardous substances, they last for 150,000 hours, they are break-proof, and due to the low supply voltage required are easily compatible with computerised control systems.
More extensive lighting possibilities
Today restaurants, cafés and clubs can satisfy their guests not only with excellent service, but can also use playfully moving light to add a subtle and decorative uniqueness to their atmosphere. The use of the entire spectrum of possibilities that light can offer is not limited to mass events or night clubs. The technologies are increasingly being applied in architectural exterior and interior design solutions. Other exterior or interior details largely depend on the light thrown upon them. It is one of the most important elements that help to highlight the plasterwork, relief and colour of architectural structures. The possibility to control the light adds immensely to the quality of the lighting. Many people forget that there are more lighting possibilities than simply turning on and off the switch of an expensive chandelier.
As could have been expected, improved semiconductor lighting soon became significantly cheaper, therefore it is increasingly used not only in industry, medicine, the entertainment industry, but also for lighting private residential premises. Interior designers began using light diodes just a few years ago, as the market offered devices in a range of bright colours. Each diode adds a different colour shade; therefore, it is possible to control the entire RGB colour spectrum. By integrating light diodes of different colours into a single matrix it is possible to precisely adjust the spectrum of the light radiated by all of them. The diversity of colours opens up completely new possibilities and ways of using the light. Instead of repainting an external or internal wall the room can be made a different colour by simply adjusting the light and playing with the lengths of the light waves. Furthermore, LED technologies make it easy to “draw” different figures or contours. Resistant to water, such technologies may be used in lighting both external and indoor premises.
The idea that only night clubs, cafes and other entertainment venues may be bright colours is a thing of the past in most countries of the world. Light helps to give an idea of space, form and colour, and changed by the simplest means, contributes to creating suitable working and recreation moods. And the purpose of the building does not matter in this case – the controlled lighting helps to create the atmosphere that fully suits the mood.
Low energy consumption
Currently there is no other source of light that compares to light diodes in terms of their energy efficiency. As compared to conventional lighting systems LED consumes hundreds times less electric energy therefore any investment in its acquisition will soon be repaid. As claimed by experts, the operating time of such light source is about 50,000 hours, i.e., it works nearly 50 times longer than incandescent lamp bulbs and up to 5 times longer than compact luminescent lamps. Different to luminescence or incandescent lamp bulbs, light diodes convert electric energy into light nearly without any loss of energy and so the diodes hardly heat up at all.
Light bulbs produced from light diodes, are different to regular lamp bulbs that take some time to heat up, as they can light up and turn off many thousands of times in a single second, so a pair of light diodes and photodiodes are suitable for communicating data and commands (from a mobile telephone to computer, from a TV remote control unit to the TV, etc.).
Cost-effective use of light
The source of light is a light diode kitchen. Diodes are displayed in an envelope at a distance from each other that ensures the most even distribution of light to every point. Due to their unique structure and enhanced intensity light diodes light a larger area and ensure a more even distribution of light.
In addition, a light diode does not only emit energy – it also derives some of it from the environment. When a diode is lit by light of a required colour, voltage is generated in its clips (up to 200 mV). This feature may be used to control other lamps. If the surface of a lamp is the same colour as the light emitted by the light diodes, all the light radiated by the light diodes penetrates through the surface and produces even more intensive lighting. No other source of light has this advantage as in many such sources the emitted volumes of electromagnetic energy is transformed into heat, while light diodes convert the entire energy used into light. Far fewer light diodes are needed to achieve the same effect as that produced by incandescent lamp bulbs. Light diodes of 1 watt emit 28 times more intensive illumination than regular lamp bulbs on an area of 1 m².
"Environmentally friendly" lamp
LED modules of different radii are arranged on the surface and connected with wires that make it quite easy to embed the modules in architectural elements of different sizes and forms. Most often lighting is restricted by the form of the lamp itself (the room must necessarily be well ventilated, and the body of the lamp cannot heat up), while LED heats up only minimally. This opens up new usage possibilities as the lamp may be placed in a much smaller area. This is exactly why the advantages of LED were immediately appreciated by furniture producers – in this sector diodes are successfully used in implementing the most original solutions without incurring any damage to structures.
Lamps produced using LED technologies acquire a structure entirely different from that of conventional lamps. Light diode modules are covered with glue that protects the modules from humidity and external impact, therefore they are much more reliable than neon or fluorescent bulbs. Such modules do not have any moving or glass parts therefore the construction of these modules is firm and shock-proof. As light diodes are water resistant no additional protection is required.
Due to the resistance to mechanical impact, the composition of materials used for their production and the voltage supply (12 V) as well as their resistance to power supply surges, light diodes are less dangerous from the power safety viewpoint; in addition they are safer than conventional incandescent, fluorescent, mercury or other bulbs in the case of mechanical breakages. Light diodes are produced of toxin-free materials. This creates an undoubtedly “greener” light source. Due to the durability of LED this technology is deservedly referred to as the best energy saving solution that does not require regular maintenance. Since the use of LED technologies leads to significant energy savings, as well as time and money, this mode of lighting is justifiably called the optimal current solution.
