The global energy situation is perhaps the most important reason for the rise of LED-based lighting systems. Its low electricity consumption is one of the characteristic elements of a system that has filled the lives of human beings.
by Alex Rivera and Carlos Enrique Gómez*
Since when the first LED (Light-Emitting Diode) with commercial use was developed in the 60s, these devices ventured into our lives.
At the time they were used to retro illuminate switches or announce the state of operation (on / off) of equipment and appliances, because it could be said that due to their low luminosity they were relegated to these uses.
Over the years the use of LEDs became more common in various equipment and electronic components; TODAY LEDs are part of our daily lives as they are incorporated into various appliances and appliances ranging from giant high-tech screens, computers, infrared remote controls, cell phones and even souvenirs such as small pocket flashlights.
Energy cost: a determining factor
The question arises about what has produced this huge boom in LED lighting. The reasons are several and at the same time all very important.
The most important is its low power consumption. The costs and difficulty of generating energy demand an increasingly efficient use of it; LEDs outperform traditional lighting in that a greater portion of the energy used is converted into light and not heat as with a conventional bulb.
Another factor is the development of this product; it currently offers high luminosity when used in groups and supported by lens systems, which has contributed significantly to its use in various applications.
The applications of LEDs are increasingly expanding, especially in homes that together are the largest consumers of energy on our planet.
The low cost of production and its long duration offer a cost-benefit ratio that has served as the basis for the increasingly frequent use of this technology. The incursion of new materials, meanwhile, has allowed over the years to achieve more and more colors to close the cycle on the colors of the rainbow.
Important applications
One of the most interesting applications of LEDs is their use for light systems for nightclubs, currently they can work as an RGB system. With a suitable electronic circuit they can be connected to a DMX controller and used in combination with traditional systems which makes the transition from one system to another easier, especially when their low cost and small size have allowed to massify products that were previously exclusive for professional applications.
Another field highly benefited with this technology is architectural lighting, either in indoor or outdoor spaces this technology has allowed the development of new concepts in lighting.
LED in nightclubs
The lighting in nightclubs to this day has been dominated by lighting of discharge bulbs, which produce great luminosity; however they generate a lot of heat, are expensive and have a very limited life (2000 hours at most).
Different companies have introduced products based on RGB LED technology controlled via DMX. In reality, the discharge bulb has been replaced by rgb LED clusters, achieving an equivalent light intensity, with the advantages of LED, and in many cases saving the color wheel. Additionally, it decreases the internal temperature of the machine, which is one of the main failures in club light circuits.
Now we find Moving Heads, Scanner, Reflectors, Strober and the entire range of machines imaginable for shows. There is still a long way to go (price decrease and increase intensity) but they will surely soon be the norm.
It is not surprising that in the near future White LEDs replace traditional lighting, their main advantages are their lower energy consumption and their ability to produce color light; it is also not surprising that in combination with solar panels we manage to reduce the energy requirements of homes and industries. When this combination is achieved at low cost, it will surely be a great contribution to the preservation of our planet's environment. I hope so.
*About the authors
Alexander Rivera is a specialist in architectural and environmental acoustics. He also works in professional lighting and design of sound systems; is part of the acoustic engineering team integrated in the development of new products, and leads the service area of Central de Parlantes Ltda., in Cali, Colombia.
Carlos Enrique Gómez is an industrial engineer. He works in the area of audio and lighting of integrated acoustics. He leads the area of new product development.
