Thermal Management
Thermal management continues to pose a challenge to LED system design. In order to get the phenomenal performance and longevity out of LEDs, their critical junction temperatures must be maintained within prescribed limits at all times and in all operating conditions. The waste heat generated at the LED junction must be removed way and dissipated into the ambient air through all the elements that make up the
thermal path. Most LED lighting systems rely on passive thermal management provided by die cast, cold forged and extruded heat sinks. When the thermal load of an LED system exceeds the capacity that a
heat sink can handle, fan-assisted air convection or other active cooling methods must be used.