LED stands for Light Emitting Diode which is illuminated solely by the movement of electrons in a semiconductor material. Stated more simply it’s a tiny bulb that fits into an electronic circuit. For the past 40 years LEDs have been used on our everyday electronic components. Indicators, calculators, clock displays, remote controls, signs, traffic lights, flashlights, and light bulbs have all evolved using LED technology.

LEDs gained immediate popularity in the electronics industry because they could be wired directly in series with other electronic components. LEDs were originally red colored and very dim. Over the years the chemicals used to produce LEDs were modified to make them more useful.

Recently we have seen these Light Emitting Diodes all around town. That’s because these little bulbs have evolved from producing a very dim light to now being able to produce a very bight light. Grouping several of these tiny bulbs together creates an array of light similar to a typical light bulb.

In comparison to a regular light bulb LED arrays are extremely efficient, they produce little heat and depending on the type and application they can last up to 10 years.

For example United States Department of Energy states that LED traffic light systems are more visible and efficient then incandescent traffic lights.

The old incandescent traffic light bulb was135 watts with a life of 9 months – it cost about $94.60 per year to energize.

The new LED array bulbs are only 10 watts with a 7 year life expectancy – It costs about $7.10 per year to energize.

The efficiently and durability of these bulbs makes them especially useful in mobile applications like automobiles and flashlights. The creating and manufacturing of household and industrial light bulbs is underway. The DOE predicts within the next 10 years LEDs will be the primary source of light within residential homes and work places replacing incandescent and fluorescent lighting.