LED
noun
Definition of LED
Light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor device that converts electrical energy into visible or invisible rays. These devices are used in electronic devices that emit light including:
- Displays e.g. smartphone and TV backlighting
- Light bulbs and lamps
- Automotive lights
LED lighting is different from other light sources, such as incandescent lamps, in that it converts electrical energy directly into light. In contrast, incandescent light bulbs first convert electrical energy to heat, which is then converted into light energy.
This means that LEDs give off very little heat and hence consume less power than incandescent and compressed fluorescent (CFL) light bulbs.
LED lighting is also very efficient as it emits light in one specific direction, reducing the need for reflectors that trap light. With other types of lighting, light must be reflected in the desired direction, which means more than half of the light might not leave the fixture.
In short, your incandescent bulb will be producing a higher light output than what you actually get to use, which again wastes power.
Since LEDs directly convert the current passed through them to light, the brightness can be controlled by the amount of current flowing. Changing the current, therefore, allows LED lights to be dimmable.
What’s more, LED lights last longer than other light sources. The average rated life of an LED light product is 30,000–50,000 hours.
This is at least 30 times longer than incandescent lamps, which last 1,000 hours, and four times the lifetime of CFLs, which last 8,000 hours.
Example of LED in a Sentence
"Apex Lighting is an LED lighting store where you will find the largest collection of LED lights and accessories for your boat, yacht, and boat dock."
Related Terms for LED