How does a LED work?

This is a very simple explanation of the construction and function of LEDs.

White LEDs need 3.6VDC and use approximately 30 milliamps of current, a power dissipation of 100 milliwatts. The positive power is applied to one side of the LED semiconductor through a lead (1 anode) and a whisker (4). The other side of the semiconductor is attached to the top of the anvil (7) that is the negative power lead (2 cathode). It is the chemical makeup of the LED semiconductor (6) that determines the color of the light the LED produces. The epoxy resin enclosure (3 and 5) has three functions. It is designed to allow the most light to escape from the semiconductor, it focuses the light (view angle), and it protects the LED semiconductor from the elements. As you can see, the entire unit is totally embedded in epoxy. This is what make LEDs virtually indestructible. There are no loose or moving parts within the solid epoxy enclosure.

Therefore, a light-emitting diode (LED) is essentially a PN junction semiconductor diode that emits light when current is applied. By definition, it is a solid-state device that controls current without heated filaments and is therefore very reliable. 

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