There are millions of general service fluorescent tube lights in the market place today, until recently these were considered the most energy efficient lighting solution available. The downside to this for of lighting is that each tube contains a small amount of mercury vapour, a toxic heavy metal. This can provide not just a health risk when the tubes are broken, but can also accumulate in landfills before entering the water table or causing further pollution.

Fluorescent lamps use electricity to excite mercury vapour inside the glass tube and always require a ballast to regulate the flow of power through the lamp. A starter is in the circuit to heat the contact ends of the tube that ionizes the mercury vapour creating UV light. The inside of the tube is coated with a phosphor material that glows when exposed to the UV light produced by the mercury inside the fluorescent tube.

Recent developments in SMD (Surface Mount Diode) LED technology have now meant that LED tube lamp are now a reality. LEDs are a more efficient form of lighting product consisting of small chips of conductive material that release light when a current is applied to them. They contain no filaments and can produce up to 25 times more light per watt than conventional light bulbs.

LEDs require far less energy in their manufacture than fluorescent tubes, and only 3% of the energy they will consume over their life expectancy is consumed in their manufacture, and they are also produced from non toxic materials. The tubes are made from polycarbonate, a material that is more robust and durable than glass, so accidents will not require special cleanup procedures.

While LED technology is more expensive than existing fluorescents at face value, they will last up to 10 times as long, while consuming 65% less energy. In most general purpose lighting applications they additional cost of the LED technology will more than pay for itself within the first 18 months.

Recently, LED technology improved quickly. LED (light-emitting-diode) is a semiconductor diode that emits light. It contains solid state technology made in Silicon Valley using similar technologies that are used in the latest microprocessors. It\’s considered as an energy saving and eco-friendly light source.

At present LED tube is accepted in more and more countries.

What are advantages of LED tubes?

1. Energy Saving

In December 2009, efficiency of LED tubes can be 90-100lm/w (transparent cover). It\’s about 2 times to efficiency fluorescent tube. In 2010, efficiency can be 120lm/w.

2. Eco-friendly

LED does not contain lead or mercury. It\’s eco-friendly. Now, eco-friendly products are popular in most of countries. LED tube is one of them. So, it will be more and more popular.

3. Longer Lifespan

Lifespan of LED is over 50,000 hours. It\’s 5 times longer than lifespan of fluorescent tube.

4. Colors Choice

Colors of LED can be white, red, blue, green, yellow and so on. If we choose right wavelength, they can be used for plant grow.

5. Dimmable

LEDs which are easier to be dimmable and LED tube lamps are able to do this.

The only problem is price. As the cost of LED is high, price is over 5 times higher than fluorescent tube. However, LED is a semiconductor diode. Price will be down every year like computers.

Therefore, in the near future, the prices will be much reduced. Efficiency will be over 120lm/w. We believe many countries in Europe and North America can accept it.

For more information on Ai LED Tube Lamps, pls visit LED tube lamps.

For more information on Ai LED Tube Lamps, pls go to http://www.ai-m.net/LED%20Light.pdf and http://www.ai-ledlight.com/

Author Bio: For more information on Ai LED Tube Lamps, pls visit LED tube lamps.

Category: Home Management
Keywords: Ai LED tube lamps, LED tube lamps, LED tube lamp