Electroluminescent (EL) Light
AKA LEC (Light Emitting Capacitor)
FLATLITE is an electroluminescent light source, also known as a
Light Emitting Capacitor (LEC).
It
produces light when phosphor crystals are excited by being exposed to electric
current. Electroluminescent
(EL) panels
and strips can be found as
backlighting for LCDs in pagers, cell phones, watches, and control panels as well as strip
lighting for egress, decor architecture, broadcast sets, and much more.
Electroluminescent (EL) light has many benefits:
• No
filament to break – never fails to light!
• Flexible
• Cool to the touch – negligible heat emission
• Highly
visible in darkness, smoke, fog etc. versus point-sources of light
• Easy
to look at, pleasing to the eye
• Paper
thin
• Does
not impair night vision
• Can be seen at greater distances then point source
lamps in dark conditions
• Low
energy consumption (Most efficient light source on Earth!)
• No
hazardous materials – landfill friendly
• Maintenance
Free
Photometrics
– Measuring Light
Luminance
•Measures how easy something is to see
•Examples:
Exit Signage, A Full Moon
•Measured
in: Foot-Lamberts or Candelas per meter squared
1 Foot-Lambert = 3.426 Candelas/m2
Illuminance
•Measures how much light there is to see by
•Examples:
Emergency Lights (level on the floor), The Sun (daytime)
•Measured
in: Foot-Candles and Lux
Electroluminescent (EL) light is a source intended
to be seen, not to see by
Electroluminescent (EL) Phosphor Facts
•All
electroluminescent phosphors emit light when placed in a field of alternating current
•The
higher the voltage and / or frequency, the brighter the light, but the shorter the life
•Color
also changes with Frequency
•All EL
Phosphors will slowly lose their ability to produce light over their operating life
– they are not affected by turning on and off
•Un-encapsulated
EL Phosphors are highly vulnerable to damage due to moisture
•Phosphors
are manufactured to give off specific colors when energized
•Blue
and green phosphors tend to have longest life and brightness
Differentiating Factors for Electroluminescent (EL)
All Electroluminescent light is not created equal. Below are several factors that separate various EL,
and why they are important
Electroluminescent
(EL) Phosphor Encapsulation
•EL Lamps use either encapsulated or un-encapsulated phosphors
•Encapsulated
phosphors have each microscopic phosphor particle surrounded by a glass-like protector
•This
acts as a moisture barrier to the phosphor, providing reasonable protection from moisture
•Manufacturing
and lamination offer additional protection
•Limited
worldwide suppliers of encapsulated phosphors
•FLATLITE® uses encapsulated phosphors
  
FLATLITE® Roll to Roll Process
•FLATLITE
is manufactured in 30 in. W, 1200 ft L (760 cm x 366M) Master Rolls
•E-Lite
further fabricates by slitting, scribing and laminating into specific lengths and widths
•Color
overlay applied as required
•Indoor
or outdoor lamination applied
•Capacity
is virtually unlimited
More reasons why FLATLITE is different from other EL - "WHY FLATLITE?" |
