When it comes to lighting, nothing beats LED lights. Not only are they efficient and cost-effective in the long run, but these types of bulbs are actually safer to use than the standard lighting we’re used to. Because of these factors (and a plethora of others), LED lighting has taken over as the choice method in most offices, homes, and industrial centers.
In this article, we’ll cover:
- How LED lights work
- The major advantages they provide
- The differences between conventional LED lighting and LED tube lighting
- The role of LED retrofitting
Here is everything that you need to know about LED Tube lighting!
How Do LED Tube Lights Work?
LED Tube lights provide light when a current runs through the wiring. This will occur when specific semiconductor materials are used to create PN diodes (also known as two-electrode semiconductor devices.) These semiconductor materials are labeled on either side with a positive and negative charge. The N side of the semiconductor will inject electrons into the positive side while the positive side injects holes into the negative side. After this process occurs on each side, the majority charge type (P) reacts with the minority charge side (N), producing light in the process of taking the energy from the electrical current running through the light.
In general, lighting in LED tube lights work exactly like the much more common mercury-tube fluorescents. The only difference is the source of stimulating light energy. In the case of LEDs, this stimulating energy results from an LED rather than a discharge in mercury vapor.
What Are the Major Advantages of LED Lights?
Over the past few years, the usage statistics of LED-type bulbs have skyrocketed, and it's no secret why! Here are the biggest benefits LEDs provide:
- Safe Construction: All LED-type lights are constructed using non-toxic materials and no glass. This means that if a bulb breaks, glass won’t go flying everywhere, and no toxic elements will be released into the environment.
- Consistent Light Source: One of the biggest advantages that these lights provide is a consistent light source. Unlike CFL lights and other more common fluorescents, LED lights don’t flicker, buzz, or have any other undesirable side effects. When you use LEDs, you’re getting all of the light and none of the annoying quirks common with other lights.
- Fully Controllable: LED bulb circuits are made with a dimmable function and some can even change their color. This results in an efficient bulb that can serve mood lighting purposes as well as professional lighting tasks.
- Long Lifespan: The greatest benefit of LEDs is their amazingly long lifespan. On average, you can expect an LED lightbulb to last at least ten times longer than the average fluorescent bulb. And, in colder environments, this figure can be doubled.
What Is the Difference Between Conventional Fluorescent Tube Lighting and LED Tube Lighting?
When it comes to the differences between conventional fluorescent tube lighting and LED tube lighting, there are two things to look out for. The first is the structural differences and the second is the benefits of each type of lighting. In general, the most notable differences between the two are as follows:
- LED Replacement Bulbs Are More Efficient: The efficiency of an LED light depends fully on the specifications of the manufacturer and the ambient temperature. LED bulbs are around 50 percent more efficient. This translates directly to tangible savings you’ll see in your electricity bill.
- LED Tube Lights Provide a Directional Light Source: Unlike fluorescent tube lighting which wastes half the light it produces, LED lighting directs all the light downwards. Because of this, the lighting provided is much more intense, consistent, and controllable.
- Light vs. Heat: One of the biggest problems with fluorescent lights is that they get extremely hot when in use. Not only does this mean that the bulb is losing power in the form of heat, but it also means that the bulb can pose a danger to anyone around it. LED lights, by contrast, transfer approximately 20 percent of their energy as heat. This means they are a lot safer to use in any environment because they don’t heat up.
- LEDs Perform Until the End of Their Life: Unlike Fluorescent lighting, LED lights will perform almost invariably until the very last day. By the time fluorescent lights reach the end of their life, they’re often operating at a fraction of their capacity. The same cannot be said about LEDs; because they are made with circuitry, they have a much longer lifespan than other types of lightbulbs.
- LEDs Do Not Affect Temperature: LED lights are the perfect bulb for any temperature-sensitive environment. Because LEDs don’t release a lot of heat, they can be counted on to output low heat and high-intensity light in areas such as freezers, laboratories, and rooms. When you use LEDs, you can work in comfort without worrying that they’ll get too hot.
LED Retrofitting
One of the best aspects of LED tube lighting is that they are easily retrofitted into the pre-existing lighting sockets. This means that you will not have to change out any light sockets or wiring. Not only will the cost of these lights be lowered by the lessened implementation costs, but they will also provide a much better-quality light at a lowered cost.
We hope that you have learned everything you need to know about LED tube lights. When you want to get some of these lights to use, it’s important to first know about their benefits. Then, you can understand why replacing preexisting fluorescent lighting with safer, brighter, and more efficient LED lighting is so important. If you are looking to purchase commercial LED tube lighting, consider stopping by the Eco LED Mart. We have an amazing selection of all things LED for both commercial and residential use.
