[Laser] Standard LED question.

[KY1K]

Kurt,

As you dabble, keep in mind that an LED's failure mode ISN'T that the short 
out or become electrically inoperative.

With a few exceptions, they die by aging, which means the light output of 
the LED declines. So, running the diode very hard for a few minutes will 
only cause the output to decline. I think they are rated for lifetime in 
hours based on the light output decreasing by some percentage. Not sure if 
there is a standard for the lifetime rating or whether it just depends on 
how the manufacturer wants to rate their device.

Regards,

Art


At 12:44 PM 4/15/2005, you wrote:
>Thanks for all the info, Guys!  These are T-13/4 leaded LEDs, nothing
>special.  I'll run them around 15mA to be on the safe side as they will be
>on for hours at a stretch.
>
>Kurt
>
>Rosetta Proving Ground, Nevada
>Hell's Laboratory
>
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