A Light Emitting Diode (LED) is one of the latest inventions and is extensively used these days. From your cell phone to the large advertising display boards, the wide range of applications of these magical light bulbs can be witnessed almost everywhere. Today their popularity and applications are increasing rapidly due to some remarkable properties they have. Specifically, LEDs are very small in size and consume very little power.
LED (Light Emitting Diode) is basically a small light emitting device that comes under “active” semiconductor electronic components. It’s quite comparable to the normal general purpose diode, with the only big difference being its capability to emit light in different colors. The two terminals (anode and cathode) of a LED when connected to a voltage source in the correct polarity, may produce lights of different colors, as per the semiconductor substance used inside it.
Advantages:
- Very low voltage and current are enough to drive the LED.
- Total power output will be less than 150 milliwatts.
- The response time is very less – only about 10 nanoseconds.
- The device does not need any heating and warm up time.
- Miniature in size and hence lightweight.
- Have a rugged construction and hence can withstand shock and vibrations.
- An LED has a lifespan of more than 20 years.