COMPARISION BETWEEN AC AND DC

LIGHT EMITTING DIODES (LED)

Introduction

Light Emitting Diode (LED) is similar to any normal diode made

form a semiconductor material. Here in this case the semiconductor
materials are chosen in such a way that the energy observed by it
(DC or AC supply) will be converted into light with minimum losses
as heat.
As a common belief that there are to different kinds of LEDs, an AC
LED and DC LED, but in real case the answer is no. There exists
only one kind of LED made from semiconductor material
which only DC.
So, based on the availability of the supply existing, if needed to be
operated on AC there will be rectifier circuit to convert AC to DC with
suitable voltages commonly called as driver circuit.

AC LED Street Lights

AC LED streetlights are those lights, which consume very less power
for a similar intensity of light when compared to normal CFL and
others. These lights use AC supply drawn form the grid, and is
converted to DC by the driver circuit as shown below.

DC LED Street Lights

In this case the DC supply is regulated as per the required voltage,

and is fed to DC LED streetlights. No conversion is required in this
case as both supply and load are DC.

Pros and Cons of AC LED Street Lights:

Pros of AC LED Street Lights
Can be retrofitted to existing
system
Easy of installation
Cost as luminary is the only
component required
Existing line supply can be used
Security
Less maintenance

Lifetime is decided by the

luminary

Cons of AC LED Street Lights

Not a stand alone system
Need to convert AC supply to DC
supply
Cannot be operated on Solar, if
to be operated on solar will be
expensive
Wiring losses, as it is a
centralized system
Whole system shuts down in
case of any wire breakage
Is not optimal in remote
locations where there is no
power or frequent power
shortages
Maintenance activities on the
power line will impact the
operation of these lights.
Operational costs, and this also
depends on the price from
DISCOM, which generally
increase by about 5%/ year

Pros and Cons of DC LED Street Lights:

Pros of DC LED Street Lights
It is a standalone system
Can be completely operated
using solar
All the components are DC
Automatic operation when ever
required
Less amount of losses
Only and best possible solution
for remote locations
Malfunction of one light does not

Cons of DC LED Street Lights

Costing
Maintenance of battery and solar
panel
Life time is decided by the
battery

impact any other lights

Free operational costs