LED Lights V Fluorescent Bulbs

Two of the most common lightings in the world are fluorescent lamps and LED bulbs. How do the 2 measure up against each other? We investigate:

Fluorescent lamps

Fluorescent lamps are low-pressure gas discharge lamps that produce visible light using fluorescence. They were developed to replace the old incandescent bulbs but in like manner, they are being phased out by the LEDs.

Pros

  1. They have good energy-efficiency (better than incandescent bulbs).
  2. They are long-lasting (~10,000 hours).
  3. They are very effective for lighting up large areas.

Cons

  1. The tube contains trace amounts of toxic mercury.
  2. Constant switching on and off reduces a fluorescent tube’s lifespan.

LED lights

A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor material (typically silicon or selenium) that emits visible light when electric current flows through it.

Pros

  1. The quality of the light emitted is very high.
  2. They are more energy-efficient than fluorescent lamps.
  3. They have a longer lifespan than any other lighting source (between 50,000 to 100,000 hours).
  4. They are small in size, require minimal accessories, and emit light through 180 degrees (more efficient than the fluorescent lamps’ 360-degree lighting).
  5. LED lights can be designed to generate the full spectrum of visible light colors.

Cons

  1. They are more expensive than other lighting sources. However, they remain highly affordable.

The technology behind LEDs makes them multifunctional and they are used in many more lighting solutions e.g. customized fixtures, white light & IR illuminators, and video surveillance lighting systems.

If you are in the market for infrared or white light illuminators for your CCTV cameras or license plate capture systems, please visit Iluminar Inc. or gives us a call at +1-281-438-3500.

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