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LED life

W

W.G.D.

Jan 1, 1970
0
Referring to my Underfloor lighting post below, another thought is a "flood"
of closely-packed LEDs behind a diffusor.

Can LEDs be thought to have a (forever) lifespan?
What causes an LED to "burn out"?
Can a lower than the LED's spec firing voltage increase life? I admit that
I do not know when an LED starts emitting light. Is it a step function?
i.e. lights up at a specific voltage, thus is not dimmable??

Some guidance/pointers appreciated.

Wayne
 
V

Victor Roberts

Jan 1, 1970
0
Referring to my Underfloor lighting post below, another thought is a "flood"
of closely-packed LEDs behind a diffusor.

Will be very inefficient compared to a discharge light
sources UNLESS you can match the color of the LEDs to the
transmission wavelength of the tile.
Can LEDs be thought to have a (forever) lifespan?

No. That is hype.
What causes an LED to "burn out"?

They usually don't burn out in the normal sense, they just
have reduced light output over time. Deprecation rates
depend upon the type of LED, the operating current and the
temperature.
Can a lower than the LED's spec firing voltage increase life?

LEDs do not have a "firing voltage." You can increase life
by reducing the operating current, but that will also reduce
light output.
I admit that
I do not know when an LED starts emitting light. Is it a step function?
i.e. lights up at a specific voltage, thus is not dimmable??

Some guidance/pointers appreciated.

You should look at some good LED data sheets. Perhaps some
from Lumileds. They show light output and forward voltage as
a function of operating current. From a practical point of
view there is no minimum current for generating light,
though there is a minimum voltage required to have current
flow.

LEDs are easily dimmed by varying the current. Unlike
discharge lamps, you can run them from a voltage source, but
they will be much easier to control if run from a current
source or at least with a current limiting resistor in
series with a voltage source.

--
Vic Roberts
http://www.RobertsResearchInc.com
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W

W.G.D.

Jan 1, 1970
0
Adam:

That is another problem: thickness of onyx tiles to support us humans. A
grid like a computer floor may do it.

Thank You for your other comments.

Wayne
 
L

LEDNeonFlex

Jan 1, 1970
0
I have seen onyx tiles with LED's built into them, a manufacture we deal
with makes them. Let me know if you would like more information.

Best Regards,

Derek

PS.. I'm new to this group, just found it tonight and happy to take
part. Not many active news groups that's aren't full of spam now. Cheers.
 
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