Definition of LED Lights

From LED TVs to LED light bulbs, there has been much coverage in the press about the practical use of LED lights. LED stands for Light-Emitting Diode. These inexpensive, highly efficient components are now being used in a wide array of electronics, and for more than just blinking.

Benefits

LEDs can last for over 50,000 hours of useful time, making them an ideal source of light. Many of the LEDs put into operation in the 1970s are still in operation today.

Benefits

LEDs use very little power and are inexpensive, so they can be added to electronics without raising the power requirements or price of those electronics.

Misconceptions

LED lights aren't just red or blue. Advances in materials science have allowed for the creation of LED lights of just about any color. A combination of several LEDs can create pretty much any color LED.

Size

LED lights can be very small--less than 2 mm--so they can be added to almost any electronics project.

Identification

People often identify LEDs by their distinctive bell-shaped covers, but an LED light can be created in almost any shape.

Fun Fact

Your TV remote control uses an LED light to control your TV. The light emitted by these LEDs is in the infrared range, which humans cannot see.