Not producing heat is frequently an advantage listed by LED users. That statement is only partially correct. A LED feels cool to the touch because it does not produce infrared radiation (IR) heat. Without IR, a LED can be placed in areas that other heat sources would be problematic such as illuminating food, reef tank lights, and grow lights.
Though a LED feels cool to the touch, there is unwanted heat within the device. Inefficient semiconductors generate light and heat. Sixty to 95 percent of the power output is lost as heat. What is the solution to the excess internal heat?
LED Junction Temperature Management
It is crucial to use efficient thermal management to remove heat from high-power LEDs. Without good heatsinks, the internal temperature of LED junctions rises. The increased temperature causes the LED characteristics to go from good to bad.
As junction temperature increases the lumen output and forward voltage decrease. Not only is the efficiency and brightness of a LED decreased, but the junction temperature affects the lifespan of a LED. Catastrophic failure is not the usual outcome, but it can be.
Typically, the LED lumen output decreases over time. A higher junction temperature leads to faster deterioration. For that reason, LED junction temperature must be kept low. Using more current than rated drives the temperature high enough to cause permanent damage.
Heatsinks are necessary to LED lighting because they provide a path for heat to travel from a light source to an element on the outside. Heatsinks dissipate power in three ways.
Radiation - Heat is transferred from two bodies, having different temperatures, via thermal radiation.
Convection – Heat is transferred from a solid to a fluid that is moving, usually air.
Conduction – A solid to solid heat transfer occurs.
Materials Used for LED Heatsinks
The thermal conductivity of LED heatsinks directly affects the heat dissipation efficiency. The price point of copper makes it a good choice. Aluminum is more widely used than copper. The majority of LED heatsinks are made of aluminum. Smaller LEDs can use thermoplastic heatsinks because the heat dissipation requirements are lower.
To know more about led heatsinks and heat sinks visit to website.
Though a LED feels cool to the touch, there is unwanted heat within the device. Inefficient semiconductors generate light and heat. Sixty to 95 percent of the power output is lost as heat. What is the solution to the excess internal heat?
LED Junction Temperature Management
It is crucial to use efficient thermal management to remove heat from high-power LEDs. Without good heatsinks, the internal temperature of LED junctions rises. The increased temperature causes the LED characteristics to go from good to bad.
As junction temperature increases the lumen output and forward voltage decrease. Not only is the efficiency and brightness of a LED decreased, but the junction temperature affects the lifespan of a LED. Catastrophic failure is not the usual outcome, but it can be.
Typically, the LED lumen output decreases over time. A higher junction temperature leads to faster deterioration. For that reason, LED junction temperature must be kept low. Using more current than rated drives the temperature high enough to cause permanent damage.
Heatsinks are necessary to LED lighting because they provide a path for heat to travel from a light source to an element on the outside. Heatsinks dissipate power in three ways.
Radiation - Heat is transferred from two bodies, having different temperatures, via thermal radiation.
Convection – Heat is transferred from a solid to a fluid that is moving, usually air.
Conduction – A solid to solid heat transfer occurs.
Materials Used for LED Heatsinks
The thermal conductivity of LED heatsinks directly affects the heat dissipation efficiency. The price point of copper makes it a good choice. Aluminum is more widely used than copper. The majority of LED heatsinks are made of aluminum. Smaller LEDs can use thermoplastic heatsinks because the heat dissipation requirements are lower.
To know more about led heatsinks and heat sinks visit to website.
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