The efficiency of LED lighting systems is no longer in doubt. Thanks to the use of LEDs, the energy consumption for lighting is reduced by up to 10 times compared to incandescent lamps. What are the pros and cons of LED lighting fixtures.

Benefits of LED bulbs

Energy saving is the main advantage of LED lamps. By replacing incandescent lamps with LED, you can significantly save on electricity bills. But the cost of the lamps themselves is not that small. How quickly will such bulbs pay off?

The luminous efficiency of LEDs reaches 110 Lm / W and much more, while the luminous efficiency for a conventional incandescent lamp is only 15 Lm / W, for an energy-saving fluorescent lamp - 70 Lm / W, and for a medium-power metal halide lamp - a maximum of 90 Lm / W ...

In addition, LEDs have a lifespan of 100,000 hours as light sources, which is 100 times the guaranteed lifespan of an average incandescent lamp of just 1,000 hours.

The brightness of the LEDs can be easily adjusted using a driver, thanks to which LED systems are resistant to power surges.

Having bought LED bulbs, you can forget about replacing burned-out bulbs for a long time, which is especially important in case of unstable voltage or frequent power outages.

LED floodlights and lamps can be operated without problems in a fairly wide temperature range - from -60 ° C to + 60 ° C, while instantly lighting up in full force, which is impossible to achieve from fluorescent lamps.

In addition, the absence of a filament and the presence of polycarbonate glass give the LEDs vibration and shock resistance. Degrees of protection up to IP68 are generally available here.

The color temperature of LEDs can be selected from a wide range of warm yellow to cool white, from 2600K to 10000K on a scale of color temperatures. Such a wide range of available color temperatures makes LED lighting suitable for any environment: residential, office, classroom, industrial and street lighting.

LED lamps do not emit sounds at all, unlike the same fluorescent lamps, and therefore are simply irreplaceable in hospitals, educational institutions, in libraries where silence is of great importance.

LED equipment is low-voltage, that is, the risk of electric shock is minimized. Low heating prevents fire hazard.

LED home lighting deserves special attention. LED bulbs are suitable for common luminaires. With the help of LED strips, you can embody the most daring decorative solutions: luminous signs on the walls, patterns on the doors of rooms, patterns on the walls, "starry sky" on the ceiling, light zoning of space in the dwelling, lighting of steps, lighting of furniture ,.

The impact of LED lamps on human health

LEDs contain no mercury at all and can therefore be disposed of without the hassle or expense. There are no more heavy metals in their construction than in an electronic wristwatch or a cell phone. Therefore, LED lamps, unlike fluorescent lamps, are safe for both humans and the environment, they do not contain potentially hazardous substances.

Now about the light itself. LED lamps are characterized by the complete absence of ultraviolet radiation in their spectrum in the entire range of color temperatures used for lighting - from 3000K to 6500K.

This means that even when using powerful LED light sources, there is no danger of harmful UV effects on the eyes or on the skin. It is worth remembering here that not only the sun emits ultraviolet light in its spectrum, but incandescent lamps also have it.

In addition, ordinary fluorescent lamps flicker, which causes fatigue, damage to vision, as well as the human nervous system in general. High-quality LED lamps do not have this flicker. For normal operation of the LED, a stabilized electric current must flow through it, independent of fluctuations in the supply voltage, therefore a special electronic driver is built into the lamps, which generates a pulse current with the required parameters. Conscientious manufacturers put a stabilizer at the output of these converters to smooth out ripple, but the manufacturer can save money in cheap drivers. The light will flicker. This is not perceived by ordinary eyes, but prolonged work in such lighting can lead to visual impairment.

The latest research on the effects of LED light on humans has shown that the soft light of LED lamps not only serves to normalize the emotional state of people, but also helps maintain mental health by reducing stress in office work teams.

German scientists have recently discovered the rejuvenating effect of LED light on skin cells, and medical research in recent years has generally shown that LED light accelerates the regeneration of damaged tissues and even neurons, these studies are ongoing, and it is likely that medicine will soon receive another effective healing tool in its arsenal.

Cons of LED bulbs

As you can see, LED lamps are not only safe for human health, but even useful. Where does the talk about harm come from?

Well, first of all, competitors are not asleep, trying to stay in the previously conquered markets. And, secondly, not all LED lamps are of high quality.

A big plus of LED lighting is that the LED light does not flicker, but this applies only to high-end products with high-quality power supplies (drivers). Cheap LED lamps with built-in cheap drivers "blink" no worse than fluorescent ones. It makes no sense to talk about the dangers of such flickering for vision - it exists.