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Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Basics

Learning light-emitting diode (LED) basics and how they apply to everyday items

By Jennifer Randle
If you do research on a light-emitting diode (LED), you'll discover that this tiny object is quite complex in nature. Simply put, a light emitting diode is a very small semiconductor that converts an electric current into visible light or infrared radiation. It is encased in sturdy plastic and has no loose parts or filament that can burn out.

Most people's knowledge of a light-emitting diode (LED) is limited to holiday LED displays, such as Christmas tree lights and outdoor displays, and LED signs. However, LED lights are all around us and can be found in wide range of LED products including:

1. Well-known applications, such as computers, peripherals, cell phones and digital clocks with an LED display.

2. Flashlights, including those that can recharge themselves with the turn of a crank, potentially lasting a lifetime.

3. LED signage on roadways, such as traffic signals and warning signs.

 

Find out light-emitting diode (LED) basics from a reliable source

Your best bet is to start with an encyclopedic explanation on the basics of LED lighting. From there, you can find a number of websites explaining how LEDs function in an easy-to-understand style.
Try: Two websites with excellent encyclopedic descriptions of a light emitting diode are History.com and Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia. In addition, Explainthatstuff.com explains diodes and LEDs, complete with images and other resources. Molecular Expressions also has a detailed, comprehensive look at the light-emitting diode (LED) and how it works.

Understand the benefits of using the light-emitting diode (LED)

In addition to their ability to be used in small devices because of their size, LEDs are preferred over traditional compact fluorescent or incandescent lamps for a number of factors including safety, durability, and efficiency.
Try: Learn more about the many benefits of using LED lamps at HowStuffWorks or Eartheasy. Scroll down to the bottom of the "LED Light Emitting Diode" article at the Electronics - Theory and Practice website for a list of advantages, as well as disadvantages, of using LEDs. Lastly, don't miss Light Emitting Designs' website, offering a free LED energy savings calculator and a list of LED benefits on its home page.

Discover the many uses for LEDs, including LED signs, LED displays and much more

You could probably make a long list of familiar LED products, yet this would include just a few of many devices currently utilizing LED lights, with countless more expected to come in the near future.
Try: EDInformatics.com has compiled a full list of known applications for light-emitting diodes with links to further information on each item. For a more down-to-earth discussion of LED uses, read The Washington Post Company's online article, "Today, CFLs. Tomorrow, LEDs?"

 

  • Because a light-emitting diode (LED) is much more environmentally safe and energy efficient than traditional light sources, you can often get more information regarding LEDs and their uses from "green" magazines and websites.

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