Why LED Has Become the Leading Backlighting Technology for LCDs

Sep 19, 2018

Liquid-crystal displays (LCDs) are found in everything from TVs and tablets and computer monitors, kids’ toys and various other electronic devices. They live up to their namesake by using liquid crystals to produce images. A backlight is responsible for illuminating the liquid crystals with light that passes through a polarized filter, thereby changing its color and creating the image. But while LCDs support a variety of backlights, including cold-cathode fluorescent (CCFL), light-emitting diode (LED) has become the most commonly used. So, why do display device manufacturers prefer LED backlights over other types of backlights?

Lasts For More Than 100,000 Hours

While the exact lifespan of an LED backlight varies depending on a variety of factors, it’s not uncommon for them to last for 100,000 to 200,000 hours.  Even for commercial applications, that’s a very long time. In comparison, CCFL backlights last for about 20,000 hours. With such a long lifespan, LED is an excellent backlighting solution for LCDs. It allows consumers and businesses to get more use out of their LCDs. Furthermore, they don’t have to worry about replacing their devices’ backlights on a regular basis.

Low Heat Production

A benefit of LED backlights that’s often overlooked is its low heat production. All backlights produce some heat — and that’s okay. When a backlight produces too much heat, though, it can degrade nearby components and even increase the risk of a fire. LED backlights generally don’t suffer from these problems, however. This is due to the fact that they produce significantly less heat than other backlighting solutions.

Low Power Consumption

Just like all backlights produce heat, they also consume power. After all, they must receive electricity from some external source. Otherwise, they won’t turn on. And if the backlight doesn’t turn on, the LCD in which it’s installed won’t create a visible image. The good news is that LED backlights are incredibly energy efficient. They consume less power than other types of backlights, making them a smart investment for consumers and businesses. Over the course of several years, an LED-backlit LCD can save users money on energy expenses.

Readily Available

Finally, LED backlights are readily available, making it easier for LCD manufacturers to use them in their products. Currently, LED is the leading backlight technology for LCD devices. This isn’t something that’s expected to change anytime soon, either. As the benefits of LED backlights become more apparent, this trend will likely continue.

Contact Us Today to See How We Can Assist You