Infrared LED Lights - Read This Before Purchasing!
A LED (Light Emitting Diode) is a semiconductor device that emits light when forward biased.
The process is a form of electroluminescence.
Depending on the doping material that is used during Manufacture, different wavelengths of light can be produced.
The wavelength of the emitted (or radiated) light can be in the UV (Ultraviolet), Visible Light or IR (Infrared) light Spectrum.
The Infrared Spectrum (700nm to 300um) has a longer wavelength that the visible light Spectrum (400 to 700nm), and is generally considered 'not visible' to the human eye.
By using IR LED lighting, an area can be heavily illuminated yet appear, not to be.
IR Lights are produced with effective wavelengths ranging between 830 and 950nm (nanometers).
Most of these lights will end up being used for Security applications (Home, Business and other) in night vision situations.
A CMOS Video camera (without IR blocking filter) will be utilized to resolve movement under these conditions.
These cameras are generally useable in the NIR (Near Infrared) spectrum, however, their Spectral Response drops off rapidly above 880nm.
The closer the radiated wavelength is to 700nm (the Red end of the Visible light Spectrum) the greater the CMOS Video cameras response (or sensitivity).
A CMOS Video camera being used with a 950nm IR light will be blind in total darkness, so beware! Selecting a unit with a large 'Viewing Angle' will allow a wider area to be illuminated.
Most products have a 'Viewing Angle' of 60 Degrees or less.
IR LED lights come with various quantities of LED's installed.
The more LED's that the light has, the greater the luminance intensity within the lights 'Viewing Angle'.
To increase the effective range of an IR Light, an IR Light Pulser should be used.
These units pulse the IR light at a much higher current (ten times, or more) than what would normally be produced by a conventional DC power supply.
These units are normally designed to be used with a particular light type, based on current requirements.
A poor match of IR LED Pulser and light could cause permanent damage to the IR LED's.
In summary, before purchasing an IR LED light take these points into consideration: 1.
Make sure that the Radiated wavelength is below 880nm.
2.
The greater the Viewing Angle, the better.
60 degrees is a good choice.
3.
More LED's mean more luminance within the 'Viewing Angle', not more range.
4.
If you are after longer range, utilize an IR light Pulser.
The process is a form of electroluminescence.
Depending on the doping material that is used during Manufacture, different wavelengths of light can be produced.
The wavelength of the emitted (or radiated) light can be in the UV (Ultraviolet), Visible Light or IR (Infrared) light Spectrum.
The Infrared Spectrum (700nm to 300um) has a longer wavelength that the visible light Spectrum (400 to 700nm), and is generally considered 'not visible' to the human eye.
By using IR LED lighting, an area can be heavily illuminated yet appear, not to be.
IR Lights are produced with effective wavelengths ranging between 830 and 950nm (nanometers).
Most of these lights will end up being used for Security applications (Home, Business and other) in night vision situations.
A CMOS Video camera (without IR blocking filter) will be utilized to resolve movement under these conditions.
These cameras are generally useable in the NIR (Near Infrared) spectrum, however, their Spectral Response drops off rapidly above 880nm.
The closer the radiated wavelength is to 700nm (the Red end of the Visible light Spectrum) the greater the CMOS Video cameras response (or sensitivity).
A CMOS Video camera being used with a 950nm IR light will be blind in total darkness, so beware! Selecting a unit with a large 'Viewing Angle' will allow a wider area to be illuminated.
Most products have a 'Viewing Angle' of 60 Degrees or less.
IR LED lights come with various quantities of LED's installed.
The more LED's that the light has, the greater the luminance intensity within the lights 'Viewing Angle'.
To increase the effective range of an IR Light, an IR Light Pulser should be used.
These units pulse the IR light at a much higher current (ten times, or more) than what would normally be produced by a conventional DC power supply.
These units are normally designed to be used with a particular light type, based on current requirements.
A poor match of IR LED Pulser and light could cause permanent damage to the IR LED's.
In summary, before purchasing an IR LED light take these points into consideration: 1.
Make sure that the Radiated wavelength is below 880nm.
2.
The greater the Viewing Angle, the better.
60 degrees is a good choice.
3.
More LED's mean more luminance within the 'Viewing Angle', not more range.
4.
If you are after longer range, utilize an IR light Pulser.