A Light emitting diode or LED is an electronic component that produces light. A DC current is necessary to power these diodes and the heat they produce is usually inconsequential. Light emitting diodes are fast becoming the choice for a lot of commercial uses for all intents and purposes. The market is now flooded with 3mm LEDs, 5mm LEDs, 8mm LEDs and 10mm LEDs, essentially the largest among these LED components.

LED presents numerous positive arguments why it should be the light bulb of choice. Ecologically and economically, it makes sense to take the current lighting technology that wastes too much energy and replace it with LED that is both eco-friendly and cost effective.

The advantages that can be credited to LEDs can all be summed up as follows:

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  They are very efficient. A typical LED is more efficient than any other light bulb and leads it by a wide margin. Its efficiency ratio is double that of its nearest competitor, the fluorescent bulb, and up to 7 or 8 times that of the incandescent light bulb which is considered to be old technology.
  
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  They are easy to light up. Most ordinary batteries can power up any LED bulb because they have very low voltage requirements. They run on low voltage DC current so any available battery in the house is enough to light them.
  
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  They last long. There are no filaments in their component parts to burn out with prolonged use. They last way longer than your incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs. If it is used sporadically, it may not need replacement at all. Talk about lifetime use.
  
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  They are small in size. They ordinarily come in sizes of 3mm, 5mm, 8mm and 10mm. The 10mm LEDs are by far the biggest available configuration there is.
  
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  They are economical. Since they can run on low voltages, keeping them lit brings in a lot of savings in terms of dollars and cents. What's more, since they do not emit too much heat in the process, they keep the outside temperatures down. It helps keep air conditioning expenses to the minimum when used indoors.
  
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  They are ecologically sound to use. These LEDs do not contain mercury or lead and other harmful substances that can harm humans and the environment.
  
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  They can come in as many variations as possible easily. The LED lamps can be purchased in any color, shape, size and brightness. Since they can come in any color, there is no need for color filtration that is necessary in other lighting technologies. Because they are small by design, they can be configured to fit any shape and size as required by the end user. If you need to enhance its brightness, you can assemble as many 5mm or 10mm LEDs as you want in as big a panel as you like. You may custom fit almost any lighting application. The sky is the limit as to its pattern and configuration.
  

10mm LEDs

As has been said, LEDs are usually available in four sizes. The most common sizes used commercially are the 5mm and the 10mm LEDs. Although the 3mm LED is also popular in small applications and the 5mm LEDs are widely used in automobile applications, it is the 10mm LEDs that are the size of choice for varied use for both indoor and outdoor lighting.