LED Bulbs for Dummies

You want to upgrade your lighting. You've heard that LED bulbs have numerous advantages, but how do these devices work? Here's what you need to know.

What Are LED Bulbs?

LED bulbs use light-emitting diodes, or LEDs to create light. Although multiple LEDs could fit within the space of your fingernail, bulb products include them in arrangements that mimic normal light bulbs. As a result, you can plug and screw them into standard sockets or use them with devices like dimmers and timers.

How Do They Work?

LEDs are actually tiny circuit components made of semiconductors. These substances permit the flow of electricity under certain conditions. LEDs combine different types of semiconductor materials. One semiconductor has extra electrons, and the other has empty spaces where electrons would usually go. When you place an electrical field, or voltage, across the LED, the electrons move into the empty spaces. As they settle down, they release their excess energy in the form of light and heat. LEDs produce lots of light with minimal power. Bulb designs include internal power supplies that reduce the high voltages from your home or office fixtures to acceptable levels. Since LEDs also require consistent power levels, bulbs usually contain circuits that precisely regulate the voltages they use.

How Do They Compare to Traditional Alternatives?

Although LEDs produce some heat, they create considerably less than other bulbs. For instance, the filaments that you'd find in traditional incandescent bulbs work by getting so hot that they start to glow, but LEDs release light at far lower temperatures. This means they waste less energy to produce the same amount of illumination, so they're far cheaper to operate. Their reduced heat also minimizes the amount of wear and tear that they go through, so they last longer. Fluorescent bulbs may be cooler than incandescent bulbs, but to function, they require intensely high power levels to vaporize the liquid mercury that they contain. Mercury is also highly toxic, whereas any potentially hazardous elements inside LEDs are in solid form.

LED Bulb Technology Outlooks

The unique nature of LED technology makes it far more versatile than other bulbs. Modern devices can incorporate desirable features like

• Shock resistant, glass-free designs that make them better for industrial uses and busy homes,
• The ability to achieve full brightness without needing to warm up first, and
• Gradual failure that means your bulb doesn't just die in an instant.

Because LEDs operate at the same low voltages that most computers use, they can integrate into advanced control circuits powered by smart technology. For instance, some LED strips and bulbs work with smartphone voice commands. Many smart devices can be programmed for significant energy savings. Other bulbs let you choose millions of colors of illumination. Considering that you can purchase affordable LED bulbs in a huge range of styles and reduce your long-term energy expenses, it makes sense to switch even without such fancy features.