LEDs - Circuit Board Indicators, Arrays, Light Bars, Bar Graphs

LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are highly efficient, durable and economical light sources used in both industrial and consumer applications ranging from controlling circuit boards to providing information displays. The basic form of an LED is a two-terminal device that emits light when a current passes through it. A "forward voltage" must be applied in order to achieve this current. The emitted light can vary in wavelength, strength, or color depending on the type of material the LED is made of.

The most significant application of LEDs is in circuit board indicators, arrays, light bars, and bar graphs. LEDs are used in circuit board indicators for a variety of reasons, including providing a more accurate indication of the state of a circuit, extending the life of the circuit, and reducing the amount of power required to run a circuit. LEDs in an array of lights can be used to form a single unit of display, such as a clock or an indicator light. Bar graphs are formed from clusters of LEDs arranged in a vertical row and used to provide graphical representation of data.

LEDs can also be used for industrial applications that require a combination of durability and visibility. For example, LED indicators can be seen in manufacturing environments, such as forklifts, where they are used to indicate the proper functioning of a machine or equipment.

The working principle of LEDs depends on the mechanism known as electroluminescence. When a voltage is applied to a LED, electrons in the semiconductor material are forced away from the anode and toward the cathode. The electrons move through a thin layer of the semiconductor, called an active layer, and electron-hole pairs are created. As these pairs recombine, energy is released in the form of visible light.

The color of the LED is determined by the composition of the semiconductor material and the amount of energy released. The most common types of LEDs are blue, green, and red. The current through a LED can be controlled by varying the forward voltage, effectively changing the intensity of the light produced.

LEDs offer numerous advantages over traditional lighting sources. LEDs require less power, are longer-lasting, and offer higher reliability than other types of illumination. Furthermore, LEDs are available in different sizes and shapes, making them ideal for a wide variety of lighting applications.