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Why use LEDs as your light source? Here are some of the key benefits.
Robust & Shock ResistantLEDs are solid state devices which have no filaments or glass tubes to break.
Long LifeDepending on the type, typical life for an LED can be 50,000 hours (5 years+) to 100,000 hours
(11 years+) continuous operation.
Energy Efficient
LED’s do not waste energy as a filament does which has to be first heated until white hot to emit
light.
Low Voltage
LEDs can operate from as little as 5 volts but can easily be configured to work from a wide range
of voltages to suit specific designs or available power supplies.
No Colour Fade
An LED is designed to emit a specific wavelength of light. This is defined in the LEDmanufacturing process, they do not rely on coloured filters or gels to produce a specific colour
which could fade over time.
Fit and ForgetLED’s are low maintenance devices and require no servicing during their life.
Simple InstallationLED’s don’t require any special driver circuits, starters, chokes or inverters to operate. They are
fully dimmable and can be controlled with simple electronics.
Wide Range of Colours
The basic LED colours are Red, Green, Blue, Yellow, Orange and White. Within each colour we
can offer a range of shades.
Slimline Design
LEDs are physically smaller than many traditional light sources and allow unobtrusive slimline
designs to be made.
Sealed Units
LEDs do not need to be changed as with fluorescent or filament bulbs so there is no need for a bulb holder / fitting or the need to make the enclosure accessible for changing the bulb. This
simplifies product design as the unit can simply be potted in a clear resin to seal the unit. This
also makes the unit tamperproof and more vandal resistant.
There are four common LED types.
The first and most common is the pinned LED. Most popular being 5mm round
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types. They are constructed from a metal leadframe onto which the light emitting die is placed a
body is then moulded around the leadframe forming the completed LED.
There are many variations to choose from for example Diffused which gives a wide angle of
light or waterclear which gives a more directional beam. They are good general purpose LED’s
suitable for a wide range of applications, easy to use and simple to assemble.
The second type is the Surface mount LED. These generally have the smallest body
a die chip can be mounted into. They need to be fitted onto a PCB which can either be rigid or flexible. They offer wide view angles of light and are ideal where space
is at a premium.
The third is the Power LED these are high light output LEDs. They will be
mounted on some form of heat conductive material which is needed to draw heat
away from the LED die. These are the brightest LED’s manufactured and use large
die chips or multiple chips placed in a tight cluster to achieve the brightness.
Thought needs to be given when mounting as generally some form of additional heatsink is needto avoid overheating. The power supply driving the LED also needs to be carefully controlled toavoid damage. Applications include direct illumination, and anywhere a very intense lightsource
is needed.
The fourth type called C.O.B (Chip on Board) uses the LED die bonded directly to
a PCB or substrate. It eliminates the need for an LED body or leadframe to
soldered to. Once bonded the die is covered in a clear protective resin which setshard and protects the die from damage. It is very low cost in high volume
applications and allows very small and intricate layouts to be produced.
Powered LEDs
Very high light output LEDs which are designed for illumination applications. They are available
in a full range of colours and with different domed lenses attached which change the view angleto create either intense beams of light or wider flood effects.
The power LED can operate from low voltage DC supplies or we can supply suitable driver
modules which operate direct from the AC mains giving a safe easy to use low voltage output toconnect the LED to. All you have to do is wire the LED’s together, or OMC can supply units
prewired ready for installation. Dimmable versions are also available.
