Magical Properties of the LED Light bar
There was a time when the power-sucking, brightly colored, mirror-reflecting strobes of the police car lights seemed to be the only way to get drivers and pedestrians to move out of harm’s way. Modern technology, however, has come up with improved devices to not only get attention, but allow people to increase the visibility of their vehicles and ensure safety in the form of the LED lightbar.
It comes as no surprise that ambulances, police cars, fire trucks, armed services, and other volunteer vehicles used as first responders are warming up to this newest technology. It is becoming extremely popular in non-emergency situations, too. Numerous distinct kinds of LED lights are available in the market suitable for use to light up dark places like areas under the cabinets, refrigerators, dark halls, etc. Due to the large number of benefits associated with using the LED lightbar, it is fast become the lighting unit of choice by many people.
One of the most attractive features of the LED lightbar that appeals to everyone is its minimal use of power. In the conventional bulb, current passes through a filament of metal, usually tungsten. The passing of current makes the filament glow. A light created using this method needs eight to ten amperes of current for producing a given amount of light. The same amount of brightness can be produced using two to three amps of current using LED bulbs. This reduction in use of power puts significantly lower load on the vehicle power source, which helps to increase efficiency and reduce fuel consumption. A LED lightbar is also well suited to be placed in the grilles of a vehicle for added lighting. This is especially useful for individuals traveling on dark roads.
Besides first responder vehicles, traffic signals are another strong market for LEDs. A red traffic light with 196 LEDs uses 10W of electricity, compared to an incandescent light bulb using 150W. Various studies estimate that the potential savings in energy range in the neighborhood of 82% to 93%. With the red signal functioning about half of the day, the total traffic signal unit will save 35% - 40%. If all of America’s roughly 260,000 signals were to be retrofitted, an estimated 2.5 billion kWh could be saved.
LEDs are able to create light using a process known as electroluminescence. In this procedure, current is passed though a semiconductor material and electrons are able to recombine in an area where they do not normally exist. The jump of electrons from their existing place to where electrons are normally not found, produces light. The energy gap between the two places determines the color of light produced.
Another advantage the LED lightbar offers when used on first responder units, is the variety of flash patterns they can be made to perform. Also, there is no cumbersome procedure of discharging the capacitor connecting the gas-filled tube, like in traditional police lights. The LED lightbar can be turned on directly to give the strobe-like effect instantaneously. Additionally, they are perfect for all weather use as they don’t have any filaments which can burnout. The newest ultra-slim LED lightbar variety is made extra thin, so they can fit below the sun visor if needed. This provides the police vehicle the added benefit of being inconspicuous when doing under-cover surveillance.
The new LED technology can be applied to other uses, like creating signs to warn motorists of road wor, or diversions. The swanky new LED lightbar can be incorporated for collective use such as displaying commands like “use left lane” or “slippery when wet”. They can also display special instructions or arrows showing directions.
Since LEDs produce no Ultraviolet radiation and no heat, they are ideally suited for use in places that are sensitive to heat, like works of art. LEDs are rugged and have a projected lifetime of 100,000 hours. This makes them ideal candidates for difficult to reach and maintain places like exit sign lighting or traffic signals. Long life, low power consumption, durability, versatility, are all the characteristics which make LEDs truly magical devices that can be employed in numerous fields.
