The EL Lamp is electrically similar to a capacitor and consists of a dielectric layer of light emitting phosphor between two conductive layers (max. 0,2 to 0,4 mm ).
The EL Lamp illuminates when powered with AC voltage between 50 and 400 VAC and 50 to 2000 Hz.
Advantages of EL Lamps
- Soft, uniform light, thin and pliable - different colours available
- No affection on the light source by vibration, shocks and extreme environments.
- Low current
Application
- Backlighting membrane switch keyboards - rubber keypads
- Backlighting LCD displays - Pager - Mobil Phones
- Automotive : backlighting instrument panel - warning lights
- Safety & emergency lighting - design light - wall and floor light strips for dark areas.
- Special effects lighting
Weight and Thickness
The key design attraction of the "Quad - EL lamps" is their low weight and thickness. The typical weight of the EL lamp is about 0,1 gram/cm2. The nominal thickness is about 0,4 mm.
LED UNITS
A second way of lighting films and keyboards is backlighting using LEDs. In contrast to EL, these LEDs cannot be built into the membrane itself, but are located on the underlying electronics.
A plexi-plate is generally used to guarantee an even spread of light. This plexi ensures that the light is evenly distributed beneath the film to achieve the same effect as EL.
Certainly in combination with rubber keypads, LEDs are the best solution. Thanks to the wide range of LEDs, it is possible to choose LEDs with a greater light output, with the result that the effect of the backlighting under rubber keypads is more prominent.
