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LEDs sometimes do not have good dimming, but this is largely determined by the dimmer and driver being used.  Retrofit LEDs are typically dimmed by a TRIAC dimmer.  When these retrofit LEDs are dimmed, low voltages do not provide enough load for the LED driver and cause the LED light to flicker.  LEDs driven by […]

Although LEDs do not create as much heat as conventional lights, for some lighting applications they may need to be cooled by passive or active cooling.  Passive cooling refers to using a finned heat exchange system made of cast or extruded metal around the LED module to act as a heat sink (heat transfer by […]

Although ambient temperature is usually not an issue for LEDs, drivers can fail early if exposed to moisture or condensation and care should be taken to ensure that the driver enclosure is properly sealed.  LEDs are also less resistant to damp than other light sources, so close attention should be paid to fixture seals and […]

Not usually.  Most LEDs require a driver, but LEDs are generally installed like any other building appliances.  For electrical safety and power requirements please consult the guidelines outlined in the United States National Electrical Code (NEC).

In most applications LEDs are driven by a DC power supply.  LEDs consume DC current to produce light; with AC current the LED will only be lit when current flow is in the proper direction.  AC applied to an LED will cause it to blink on and off, and at high frequency the LED will […]

Wiring and distances between LED drivers and fixtures do not have set requirements, but circuits are generally designed so that the voltage drop due to wiring is no more than 5% of the total circuit voltage.  As stated in Ohm’s Law (V=I*R), current conducted by a wire is proportional to the voltage drop across the […]

Copper is used for most electrical wiring because of its low cost and excellent heat transfer and conduction properties.  Traditional AC fixtures are commonly wired in parallel at 120VAC.  LED fixtures usually run on DC current; they commonly use a driver to convert 120VAC to 12VDC. LEDs can be wired in parallel or series.  When […]