Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Technology => Topic started by: Kacey Meaker on 08/09/2011 13:30:03

Title: Why are most LEDs sold in coloured packages?
Post by: Kacey Meaker on 08/09/2011 13:30:03

Kacey Meaker  asked the Naked Scientists:
   Hi,

Why are most LED's sold in colored packages?  Is there some property this helps with or is it just to know what color they will be?

Kacey
What do you think?

Title: Why are most LEDs sold in coloured packages?
Post by: techmind on 08/09/2011 22:13:33

You certainly can get LEDs in "water clear" packages - clear and transparent to you and I.
Apart from ease of identification for hobbyists, the coloured packages are generally slightly diffusing, which give an LED with a wide viewing angle - good as a front-panel indicator of some sort. In contrast, LEDs in uncoloured packages are clear/transparent, having a lens-like effect which results in a directional beam with a narrow viewing angle - these are good for (infra-red) remote controls, or LED 'torches', cycle-lights etc but not so good for front-panel indicators. You do get diffuse but uncoloured LED packages - these usually contain two or three coloured LEDs to make a multi-colour capable front-panel indicator.