Electroluminescence (EL) uses radiative recombination to generate light. EL materials are presented in powder or film form and can produce a range of colors. They require high AC voltages and minimal current draw, making them cost-effective. EL is used in night lights, displays, and dashboards. EL lamps are ideal for children’s night lights and automobile dashboards due to their soft, non-glare nature. Recent developments in EL technology have produced sources of red, green, and blue electroluminescence capable of producing full-color displays.
Electroluminescence (EL) is a form of light generation that relies on an electronic phenomenon known as radiative recombination which causes excited or activated electrons to release energy in the form of photons or visible light. In this electronic reaction, phosphorescent materials react to the introduction of small electric charges by emitting a soft, cold, reflection-free glow. EL materials are usually presented in powder or film form, absorb very little energy, and can be formulated to produce a fairly wide range of different colors. EL is widely used in applications such as night lights, information displays and automobile dashboards.
The most common presentation of these phosphorescent materials is the thin film format. These materials are produced by spreading a thin film of phosphor over a transparent film which is then covered with a conductive material. The power for the light source is introduced through strips of aluminum or copper foil embedded in the phosphor layer. Power is then supplied to the EL lamp using an electroluminescent inverter.
These devices require relatively high alternating current (AC) operating voltages of between 60 and 600 volts with minimal current draw. In battery applications, this voltage is converted from direct current (DC) to the required AC voltage by an internal electroluminescence inverter. In applications where AC mains power is used, the device can draw power directly from that power. Either way, these electroluminescent lamps draw very little current, say 0.08 W at 230 V for a 2.3 inch (60 mm) diameter night light, making them very cost-effective light sources.
A common use of EL is in animated or flashing displays. In these applications, a parking light or beacon driver is used to control the flash or animation characteristics of the display. This driver is little more than an inverter driving an integrated circuit (IC) chip connected to several EL ribbons or strips. This IC configuration lights up the different EL strips in a controllable sequence which produces the animation or flashing.
The soft, non-glare nature of electroluminescence is ideal for children’s night lights and automobile dashboards. EL materials can be manufactured to produce a fairly wide range of colors with the green range producing the highest apparent light intensity for the lowest power consumption. Recent developments in EL technology have produced sources of red, green and blue electroluminescence which, when combined, are capable of producing long-lasting, full-color displays. All of these features make EL lighting one of the most versatile low voltage light sources available.
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