FAQ - MywayBarn.com

Q. What is an LED?

A. Light Emitting Diodes, as the name states - are diodes.
A diode is a semi-conductor device that permits current flow in one direction. Semiconductor diodes are a junction of two materials. One material has a surplus of positive charge (holes), and the other a surplus of negative charge (electrons). When you apply a forward voltage, the electrons and holes are brought together. They combine and release light energy - the 'light emitting' part of the name.

Q. What are the advantages of using LEDs over traditional incandescent lighting?

A. There are quite a few advantages to using LEDs. Generally they are heatless, use 90% less energy, and last ten years. They are also smaller and do not contain any dangerous chemicals like mercury. They can readily be put in places that have always been too small or out-of-the-way for many incandescent lights, as well as in places that were always very dangerous or difficult to get at. Also, the more sophisticated LED apparatuses like wall washers and spotlights are DMX-controllable, which means they can be used in some really impressive ways.

The bottom line is that LED's are easier and safer to use than all previous lighting technologies. Plus, LEDs will save you money by consuming less power, lasting much longer, and generating much less heat, which in turn combine to result in lower climate control costs.

Q. Are LED bulbs good for the environment?

A. Yes. In fact, LED light bulbs are the most energy efficient light sources available on the market today. Given the superior energy efficiency and extremely low replacement needs, LED light bulbs offer a huge environmental advantage over incandescent or CFL light bulbs.

Here’s a CO2 emissions comparison of two MR16 bulbs, one a 5-watt LED, and the other a 25-watt halogen.

Carbon Output - MR16	Halogen (MR16)	LED MR16
kWh over lifetime	1,250	250
mWh over lifetime	1	0
Electrical Grid CO2 output factor (mT/mWh)	0.61	0.61
Total CO2 output over lifetime (metric tons - mT)	0.76	0.15
Total CO2 output over lifetime (lbs)	1,681	336
Total C02 savings with one LED bulb (mT)	-	0.61
Total C02 savings with one LED bulb (lbs)	-	1,345

Q. What is IP Rating's?

A. The Ingress protection system is an international standard and allows you to easily see how resistant a product is to different environmental elements.

This system uses a two digit code to specify the degree of particle and water resistance of a luminary, the first digit indicates the degree of protection of the interior from the ingress of solid foreign objects, the second digit indicates the degree of protection of the interior from the ingress of water.

First number (Protection against)	Definition	Second number (Protection against)	Definition
0	No protection	0	No protection
1	Protected against solids objects over 50mm (e.g. accidental touch by hand)	1	Protected against vertically falling drops of water
2	Protected against solids objects over 12mm (e.g. fingers)	2	Protected against direct sprays up to15°from the vertical
3	Protected against solids objects over 2.5mm (e.g. tools and wires)	3	Protected against direct sprays up to 60°from the vertical
4	Protected against solids objects over 1mm (e.g. tools, wires and small wires)	4	Protected against sprats from all directions-limited ingress permitted
5	Protected against dust-limited ingress (NO harmful deposit)	5	Protected against low pressure jets if water from all directions- limited ingress permitted
6	Totally protested against dust	6	Protected against strong jets of water e.g. for use on ship decks - limited ingress permitted
		7	Protected against the effects of temporary immersion between 15cm and 1m. Duration of test 30 minutes
		8	Protected against long periods of immersion under pressure

For further questions, you are welcomed to contact our staff.