0
\$\begingroup\$

I have an device to design on a low power budget, and I would like to have indicator LEDs on the front panel. What should I choose to be as visible as possible with the lowest possible power consumption? The instrument will be used in a typical office/lab setting.

Can do better than a green LED, with as much current as I can spare? Is there another technology I should look at?

\$\endgroup\$
8
  • 4
    \$\begingroup\$ Blink them. Low duty cycle saves power as well as being more visible than steady. \$\endgroup\$
    – user16324
    Commented Oct 5, 2020 at 13:13
  • \$\begingroup\$ Have you searched other questions here? I found answers to electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/505444/… have some good suggestions. \$\endgroup\$
    – user80875
    Commented Oct 5, 2020 at 13:18
  • \$\begingroup\$ Include alternating position, nearby, to Brian's suggestion as the human brain is arranged to notice "motion." \$\endgroup\$
    – jonk
    Commented Oct 5, 2020 at 13:22
  • \$\begingroup\$ @CharlesCowie Yes, I think that is mostly about LED visibility which I am reasonably familiar with, I was more wondering if there was something else to consider as an alternative to LED. \$\endgroup\$
    – Jack B
    Commented Oct 5, 2020 at 13:45
  • \$\begingroup\$ @BrianDrummond Good idea, thanks. \$\endgroup\$
    – Jack B
    Commented Oct 5, 2020 at 13:47

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
2
\$\begingroup\$

High-brightness LEDs (those with a zillion candela) are noticeable with a tiny current, a fraction of a milliamp... So that could be a good choice. This is thanks to the optics concentrating the light in a tiny cone angle though, which means they lose visibility when you look at them from the side.

Make sure they sit against a dark background.

If they blink for important stuff, okay. If they blink all the time, someone will get fed up of it and stick black tape over it.

\$\endgroup\$
1
  • \$\begingroup\$ haha you're right about the black tape! \$\endgroup\$
    – user16324
    Commented Oct 5, 2020 at 13:47

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.