Marine Dictionary & Glossary of Boating Terms

LED

Similar Terms: Led,LEDs

A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor light source. LEDs are used in many types of lighting such as flood lights, trailer lights, navigation lights, interior lights etc.

LED lighting is a type of lighting that offers a number of advantages over traditional lighting options such as incandescent light bulbs and fluorescent bulbs. LED lights use a series of light-emitting diodes to produce light. Power consumption, lifespan and durability are some of the areas in which LED lighting is considerably better than other lighting options.

Power Use
When compared to other types of lighting options such as incandescent bulbs and CFL (compact fluorescent lights), LED lighting uses far less energy . Various estimates of potential energy savings range from 82% to 93%.

Longevity
LED lights are known for their extremely long lifespan. An average LED bulb can last up to 60,000 hours of use, compared with 1,500 hours of use for a 60-watt incandescent light bulb. You would have to replace a standard light bulb about 40 times to equal 60,000 hours of use.

Durability and Safety
LED light bulbs use small diodes that are more durable than traditional light bulbs. Traditional lights can crack or shatter easily when dropped or banged, but LED lights withstand impact better. Another consideration is that LED bulbs do not contain potentially harmful gases or chemicals. Incandescent bulbs may contain halogen, xenon or krypton while CFL bulbs can contain mercury, which is a neurotoxin.

Effects
One advantage of LED lights is their ability to produce directional light. Basically, wherever the light is pointed, a steady beam of direct light will lightup the area. LEDs also come in a wide range of colours including white, cyan, blue and red. The colour of the light can improve brightness or be used in certain applications (such as red & green being useful for navigation lights), or can simply have aesthetic appeal.