What is LED technology? LED (Light-emitting diode) — a technology that allows one to obtain radiation of visible light waves at the site where the cathode comes into contact with the semiconductor that is connected to the anode (the electrons are interfering with the emission of photons while passing through the semiconductor to the cathode).LED technology has several indisputable advantages in comparison with other sources of light:
· Capacity of tolerating comparatively heavy conditions of use (vibration, slight hits, contact with water, low temperatures, pressure).
· Low electricity consumption (Approximately 7-10 times less than in the case of standard incandescent light bulbs) and a high level of unit efficiency.
· Practically does not contain any compounds that are hazardous to health and the environment (in contrast to luminescent lamps and CCFL, which contain mercury).
· durability (service life is 70-80 times longer than that of regular incandescent lamps, up to 80,000 hours and up to 2 times longer than that of cold cathode lamps).
85% Economy
LED-lamps payoff comparatively fast, since electricity bills are reduced considerably. (Electricity consumption decreases by 75-85% in comparison with incandescent light bulbs, and by 40% in comparison with luminescent lamp; the average pay-off period constitutes 1.5 years).
Service life exceeds 10 years
You can forget about changing light bulbs, since the service life of LED-lamps is not less than 10 years (more than 40,000 service hours). In the case of using these lamps you will not only save electricity, you will also save on the costs of the regular replacement of burned out lamps.
Not hazardous to humans and the environment
 LED - lamps do not contain hazardous mercury, therefore the disposal of lamps after the expiry of their service life is very simple.
The lamp does not heat up and consumes a minimum amount of electricity; furthermore, it is insensitive to fluctuations in temperature of the surrounding environment.
Higher efficiency of lighting, higher durability and longer service life can be mentioned among the principal advantages of light emitting diodes. Furthermore, some people perceive the light spectrum of luminescent lamps as disturbing.

Myths about LED lamps Contemporary consumers are keeping up with the times and taking an interest in new technologies and products on the lighting market. Among the popular benefits of civilisation – energy-efficient light emitting diode lamps or so called LED-light sources, which are replacing the incandescent lamps in residential and administrative buildings everywhere. We do not stop repeating our argument on the advantages of LED-bulbs in comparison with the obsolete "Ilyich lamps": they permit the consumption of electricity to be cut by 85%, have a long service life and are less affected by voltage surges. However, consumers frequently counter the aforementioned positive characteristics by arguing that there are negatives: light emitting diodes emit "cold" light, their power is low, which affects brightness, they are incompatible with regular sockets and are expensive. Let us check whether these negative characteristics actually exist, or if they are just myths.

Myth No. 1. LED-bulbs emit only cold light
Not everyone pays attention to the colour temperature of the light emitting diode lamp, which is measured in Kelvins (K), upon the purchase of the lamp. LED-sources emit both cold (4500-6000 К), as well as warm (2200-3000 К) and even neutral (3000-4500 К) light. Conscientious manufacturers always indicate this information on the package. Thus, in comparison with incandescent light bulbs, light emitting diodes have one more advantage – they help ensure light for any type of need or premises. Cold – for offices, neutral – for hospitals, warm – for residential apartments.

Myth No. 2. The power of LED-bulbs is low and therefore not bright
It is luminous flux, not power, that must be evaluated while selecting a light emitting diode lamp. It is measured in lumens (Lm) and is also indicated on the package. The higher the intensity of luminous flux is, the brighter the lamp. For instance, a 60W incandescent light bulb and a 9 W LED-bulb will be equally bright, because they create a 800 Lm luminous flux. This means that while consuming less power, light emitting diodes ensure a high level of lighting, thus providing for the saving of electricity.

Myth No. 3. LED-bulbs do not come with standard sockets
Light emitting diode lamps are manufactured with all types of standard sockets and, respectively, the use thereof with standard sockets does not cause any difficulty. These include Edison screw sockets labelled with the symbol "E" of various diameter – for instance, E27 (standard) and E14 (narrow). Or bi-pin connectors, labelled with "G" or "GU" symbols. The number after the symbol represents the distance between pins in millimetres – for instance GU10 or G5. Thus, you are able to replace an incandescent light bulb with LED-light sources with identical sockets at your home yourself.

Myth No. 4. LED-bulbs are expensive
It would be more correct to say: more expensive than incandescent light bulbs. However, if the basic positive factors are considered: high energy efficiency and long service life, their comparatively high price pays off very quickly. Correct LED-bulbs consume little power with a high level of lighting and will serve your home for decades. The bulbs with the label A++ have the highest energy efficiency, followed by – A+. Remember that all these advantages apply only to lamps of verified, conscientious manufacturers, who guarantee quality at a sensible price.

LED-lamps for the home. Research, testing, choice. Electricity should not just be saved because we pay a lot for it. High energy consumption deteriorates the environment of your home and raises the fire hazard.In our opinion, the stable functioning of every device at home that needs to be operable at any time, including lighting devices in particular, plays an important role in human life. Light bulbs have the tendency to burn out at the least appropriate moment.
The drawbacks of the oldest electric lighting source for homes - incandescent light bulbs - are well known to everyone. First of all they mean high energy consumption and low safety, which has become a significant problem during the years of the establishment of capitalism in Russia – the quality of incandescent light bulbs has become disgraceful. They just keep burning out! Regular incandescent light bulbs, as well as halogen - ceiling bulbs - they all are incandescent light bulbs, they are just more expensive and look better.
In terms of the principle of their action a compact luminescent lamp does not differ from regular daylight luminescent lamps, which were already known during Soviet times. 
"During the operation of a luminescent lamp a low-temperature arc-discharge is generated between two electrodes situated at opposite sides of the lamp. The lamp is filled with an inert gas and mercury vapour and the electric current that flows through it induces ULTRAVIOLET radiation. This radiation is invisible to the human eye, therefore it is transformed into visible light by means of luminescence. The internal walls of the lamp are covered with a special substance – luminophore, which absorbs UV radiation and radiates visible light. By changing the composition of luminophore the colour shade of the light can be changed. Haloposphates are most commonly used as luminophores; they are predominantly calcium halophosphates and calcium-zinc orthophosphates". (Wikipedia).
Ultraviolet rays are, in essence, rays of death. Greetings to lovers of tanning beds!
A high-voltage impulse is required for this lamp to light up. An electro-mechanic device, called a "starter" was used for this purpose during Soviet times. Nowadays an electronic circuit, which is hidden in the socket of the lamp, is used to "flare up" the energy saving lamp, while the tube with gas and mercury vapour has been curled into a compact spiral.
The need to "flare up" and the presence of the tube filled with gas using hermetic sealing, which is disrupted with time, essentially deteriorates the safety of such lamps.
Principal drawbacks of compact luminescent lamps:
1. The presence of ultraviolet radiation in the spectrum of the lamp (whatever effort you make, whatever luminophore you use, it remains). And it is really harmful for human health.
2. Essentially low safety. Irrespective of the advertising untruths of these lamps, 8 years of service life at home cannot possibly be achieved under any conditions. The time until the failure of such a lamp greatly depends on the number of times it is switched on and off and even on the construction of the switch. Furthermore, these lamps are sensitive to voltage surges in the grid, vibration and hits. In the event of a drop in grid voltage, such lamps can fail to light up, even if they are not damaged.
In terms of low safety, compact luminescent lamps are similar to regular incandescent light bulbs at much higher prices.
3. The fragility of the tube - one of these lamps broke in my hands as I tried to unscrew it. Breaking this lamp at home means releasing mercury vapour and other undesirable substances.
4. Difficulty of disposal. Theoretically, dysfunctional energy saving lamps may not be disposed of in the waste bin. They contain mercury - a poisonous 1st class hazardous substance - and a special company is required for their disposal.
5. At the moment such a lamp is switched on (as well as in the event of poor contact) electromagnetic interference is generated in the grid - reason: the necessity for a high-voltage impulse to light up the lamp.
6. The energy efficiency of luminescent lamps is lower than that of LED-lamps. Theoretically (I intend to check that).
The advantages and benefits of using LED-lamps and other lighting devices based on light emitting diode technology:
1.    High energy efficiency - high release of light per unit of consumed electric power.
2. Harmlessness during use - absence of any radiation that is hazardous to humans. Light emitting diodes radiate neither ultraviolet, nor infra-red radiation. Absence of light pulsation.
3. High safety light emitting diode lighting devices do not contain potentially unsafe nodes and details that are subject to ageing or otherwise depleting their service life; they also lack high-voltage launching devices.
4. Unaffected by switch-on, switch-off processes.
5. Stability in relation to increased or decreased voltage, as well as surges in voltage. Many of the light emitting diode lamps are designed to use alternating current with widely changing voltage limits, for instance: 85-265 volts.
 
7. Mechanical durability and resistance to vibration and hits.
8. Absence of poisonous substances in their construction and any special requirements for disposal.