Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

To: discostu
I work in the computer industry

Me too. I design electronic devices, and write the software that goes into them. I must consider operating currents and resultant temperature rises for all of the components used in the designs.

I have a shop in my basement that had 12 8ft long fluorescent light fixtures. They were always a bit noisy, but made light for 21 years before they started to bite the dust. I replaced them all with LED versions. Those are quiet, make a lot of very nice light. I like them. Two have failed only one year after installation.

The LEDs used used as indicator lamps in equipment draw around 10 milliamps with 2.1 volts across the junction. That is about 21 milli-watts. That will stay really cool and last virtually forever. The LEDs used in lighting are operated around 3000 milli-amps, which is about 6.3 watts. (Not milli-watts) That causes a significant temperature rise at the junction. Heat must be conducted away from the device as quickly as possible because something that small will suffer rapid gain to very high temperatures. The diode crystal can melt or the chemical composition of the junction will change at high temperatures.

Most consumer products are designed at the lowest engineering standards that will meet the need. The idea is reduce production costs in order to maximize the sales margin. This done simply by compromising the amount or quality of materials used. My observations tell me that they skimp on the size of the aluminum heat sinks on which the LED dies (crystals) are mounted.

51 posted on 06/10/2023 12:50:38 PM PDT by GingisK
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 48 | View Replies ]


To: GingisK

And yet NONE of mine have EVER needed replacing. Even the one that eats Tucson sun all day.

It’s not your bulbs, it’s what you’re putting them in. And really, if it’s melting your bulbs it’s gonna burn your house down. Save your own life, fix your lights.


52 posted on 06/10/2023 12:54:15 PM PDT by discostu (like a dog being shown a card trick)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 51 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson