scope:

FOREWORD: The purpose of this Technical Memorandum is to describe Light Emitting Diode (LED) sources and systems and to answer the most common questions that the lighting industry receives from the curious public. The authors, all members of the IESNA Light Sources Committee, represent a wide cross section of lighting disciplines - from LED-source, lamp, and luminaire manufacturers to lighting-controls producers.

While LEDs operate by converting electrical energy into light energy, this is the only similarity with other light sources in general use today. LEDs look different, are manufactured differently, and are handled differently than other light sources. For example, consumers cannot go to their local hardware store and purchase a replacement "LED lamp."

LEDs are currently being used in advertising signs, keychain and full-power flashlights, exit signs, traffic signals, and vehicle signaling systems - literally hundreds of unique applications. Research by dozens of companies is underway to deploy LEDs even further. The ultimate goal is to move these special light sources into common usage for general lighting wherever applicable. Therefore, TM-16 will be updated from time to time to report on industry progress toward that end.