LED bulb

A light source that is created by a light emitting diode (LED). For decades, LEDs have been used as indicator lights on myriad products; however, starting in the 2000s, they began to replace incandescent, halogen and CFL fluorescent bulbs. LEDs draw considerably less power and are up to 80% more efficient. Although claims are made for some bulbs lasting 25 years, one should expect a long lifespan under normal usage.

Gaining Ground
As of 2020, LED bulbs are still more expensive than incandescent bulbs; however, prices are constantly decreasing. Companies continue to experiment with numerous designs. For example, when red, green and blue LEDs are combined, they produce white light. Another method uses a blue LED and yellow or red phosphors.

There Are Issues
In general, most LED bulbs are reliable and deliver excellent light, but users encounter more problems than with previous bulb technologies. LEDs emit various shades of white, and buyers must read the packaging information (see color temperature). In addition, all dimmer switches must be LED compatible, and sometimes even those do not match up with the bulbs, causing a buzz or flicker. See incandescent bulb, halogen bulb, fluorescent bulb, Acandescent bulb, OLED lighting and LED.

Incandescent vs. LED

The LED bulb on the right draws 3.5 watts but delivers the same brightness as the 45-watt bulb on the left. This LED bulb casts a very white light; however, LED bulbs run the gamut from warm yellow to white-blue (see color temperature).

All Shapes and Colors

This Philips LED bulb hardly resembles incandescent lighting, which has been used for more than a century.

LED Night Light - 23 Times Less Power

Instead of the 7 watt incandescent bulb in the typical night light, this LED uses 0.3 watts. The blue arrow points to the single LED; the red arrow shows the light sensor.

Way More Complex

The LED bulb (top left) is a replacement for the 78mm T3 halogen bulb (bottom right). Instead of a simple filament, the LED bulb contains 75 LEDs along with electronic components inside.

Not Exactly

The 16 LEDs are totally hidden inside a shell that looks exactly like an incandescent bulb.

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References in periodicals archive

LED bulbs function smoothly under low tension (voltage) and low temperatures, which enhances the safety of household electrical systems.

LED: pros and cons of cutting-edge lighting

They said the local LED bulbs industry was growing at a fast pace and even exporting products to the outside world, including some developed countries, and it needed a level-playing field by removing restrictions.

Govt committed to protect local industry: Haroon

M2 EQUITYBITES-March 31, 2017-Consumers Energy to donate up to 150,000 LED bulbs to Michigan Families through Food Banks' Feeding America West Michigan

Consumers Energy to donate up to 150,000 LED bulbs to Michigan Families through Food Banks' Feeding America West Michigan

An online survey conducted across the country said 64 per cent consumers still don't know how to get LED bulbs under the scheme.

64% consumers in dark about Ujala scheme

The good news is that when I switched over to four 100-watt replacement "soft white" LED bulbs with a clean fixture, people thought I had put back the old bulbs.

How many Jesuits does it take to change a light bulb?

So it may be fact that a 60 watt bulb would be brighter than a 30 watt bulb, an LED bulb will produce the equivalent lumens for fewer watts - so don't let this put you off if you are thinking of changing.

Is changing bulbs a bright idea? LED bulbs are expensive to buy, but are they cheaper than halogen bulbs in the long run? Electrician Andrew Ridley explains the figures

With this technology, the LED bulb will automatically switch between AC or DC power mode, enabling the bulb to stay on even when the power is disconnected, solely being controlled by the regular wall switch.

Vinverth unveils new LED lighting solution

The Clean Air Glo is a 5W LED bulb with a wick sitting on the top of the bulb's dome.

Clearing the Air

In essence, even the best control cannot make an LED bulb dim better (more smoothly, deeper, etc.) than it was designed to dim.

In hospitality retrofits, LEDs get closer to incandescents: with a billion incandescent bulbs primed for replacement in the hospitality market alone, LED dimming must satisfy a demanding demographic

"Dimmable" LED bulbs are still hit-and-miss, so I'm reserving judgment (there's a list of compatible dimmers at creebulb.com).

A dimmable LED bulb that's even more affordable