Are deep red 660nm LEDS completely safe?

[Voltaic]

Having learned about the dangers of IR leds even from a distance.

I wanted to know if visible light deep red 660nm LEDs are completely safe?

 

[Arouse1973]

All light sources have the potential to be harmful to the skin and eyes. The LEDs that most people are concerned about UV, Blue, White, IR and NIR. Your LED may not fall within this scope but if powerful enough it may be emitting some NIR powerful enough to cause eye damage. You need to check out the eye safety standards IEC-62471 and see if you are at risk of damaging your eyes.
Thanks
Adam

 

[Voltaic]

Sorry I should rephrase that, are there any hidden dangers?

Is it safe to say that if it too bright to look at you will automatically look away in a room lighting application.

 

[Arouse1973]

As I said any light source too bright has the risk of damaging the eyes. Manufactures of products that use bright LEDs have a duty by law to state any exposure limits for eye safety. What are you trying to do? Why the concern.
Adam

 

[Voltaic]

I just want to light a room with a colour effect, I just wanted to know if there are any dangers with that particular colour/wavelength (660nm) of leds compared to white leds.

With a similar number of lumens you would use to light the same room with white leds.

 

[Arouse1973]

Depends how bright they are. Can you tell me the LEDs and how much current you are planning on using for each one.
Adam

 

[hevans1944]

Nothing in this world is completely safe, including "visible light deep red 660nm LEDs." You, and you alone, are responsible for your safety. Google is your friend here. For more information on eye safety, Intersil has some CYA documents you might want to read (see attached file). They also have an Excel spreadsheet calculator you can download here, but I found its use to be rather obtuse. Just use common sense and don't stare at bright light sources of whatever wavelength. In general, longer wave radiation can damage the retina by heating it. Shorter wave radiation can damage the cornea, requiring expensive replacement surgery. Really dangerous, high-power, pulsed lasers can damage your eyes in microseconds or less. Think Lasik cornea-carving surgery to get some idea of the possibilities. Remember, with all things you purchase on Ebay: caveat emptor. The sellers don't care about your health or welfare.

 

[Voltaic]

Thanks.

They appear to generate less lumens for a certain amount of power, is this because they are less efficient or because the lumen ratio is based on sensitivity to certain frequencies?

Would it be safe to replace a safe amount of white led lighting with 660nm deep red leds of equal power?
Would it be safe to replace a safe amount of white led lighting with 660nm deep red leds of equal lumen output?

For overhead lighting where you would not be 'looking at it' or into it but might glance at it.

 

[Voltaic]

If you light a room with 660nm deep red that feels comfortable and doesn't seem too bright and you are not looking at the leds except for the occasional glance perhaps, would you expect any hidden dangers to be present?

 

[Arouse1973]

I have given you all the information needed to work this out yourself. Hop supplied you with some information relating to eye safety above. Forget hidden dangers work with the facts. All you need to concern yourself with is the wavelength and irradiance that the LED will produce. These are the only two factors which are going to damage the eye or skin.
Thanks
Adam

 

[Voltaic]

Ok thanks. 5-10w overhead should be fine.

 

[Viktory2k1]

I think they would be fine, take a digital pic and see if it looks weird on a monitor, If wave length was THAT big a deal, remote controls would be outlawed. Funny how a camera picks up the IR but not the eyes. I like RF remotes instead for when I get lazy. But I would listen to hevans1944, he knows pretty much all there is to know about these things. I would give it a shot unless your talking 100w leds or something. 10watt from above should be fine but still, as with all lights, don't stare at them. I make fireworks for fun and is totally safe, unless something goes wrong. I had "flashburn"(several times) from a welder and it is not fun but still 20/20 vision but I am still young yet so don't know all the risks of even that. All I could say is don't make a LASER out of a microwave oven and don't look at thermite burning magneseum.

 

[Voltaic]

Thanks.

Would that wavelength be diffused with a standard fogged plastic diffuser?
Or would it need more thickness?

 

[Viktory2k1]

oops, didn't view all the responces, sorry.​

 

[Viktory2k1]

yes depending on the wattage of LEDs

 

[Viktory2k1]

I think a famous comedian summed it up, we will be fine without the influence of batting cages and bicycle helmets. Whatcha making?

 

[Viktory2k1]

Maybe a heatsink on each one wouldn't hurt.

 

[Viktory2k1]

Youtube dream leds for some really cool lights.

 

[Voltaic]

Thanks, yes I will put a heatsink on each one.

I won't be looking at it or into it, but I want to make it fairly safe in case you did.

Idealy I would have it overhead but I'll have to explore my options because I can't really build it into the standard light fitting so it might be high up in a direction of the room that you won't usually look towards.

I just want to light a room.

 

[Viktory2k1]

I kind of have an idea of what you are trying to do but I think you may need a 1000nm wave maybe, out on a limb here but no one else seems to be on here. 10 of these should do the trick