What is an LED module?
The light source of an LED fixture. A board of LEDs, usually with small lenses, replaces the lamp. It needs a driver to power it and a cool mounting to keep it running.
Many modern fixtures use LEDs instead of a lamp. The LED module is the unit that holds the LEDs and their optics.
1It makes the light
Several LED chips sit on a metal-core board, each often under a small lens that forms the light. The colour comes from the LEDs themselves, and the main fixture optics then shape the beam. Unlike a lamp, an LED is a solid-state source with no filament.
2It needs a driver and a cool mount
LEDs need a steady, controlled current, so a driver converts the supply from the isolation transformer to what the module needs. The module is also mounted to pass its heat into the fixture body, because heat is the main enemy of LED life.
3It fades rather than fails
Output usually falls slowly over a long life, and single LEDs can fail while the rest keep working. Look for dead or dim LEDs, discoloured optics, poor thermal contact, a damaged connector and moisture. Replace the module with the correct type, mounted and connected as specified.
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| LED module | The light source of an LED fixture: LEDs on a board, usually with optics |
| Parts | LED chips, primary optics, metal-core board, connector |
| Powered by | The LED driver, fed from the isolation transformer secondary |
| Colour | Set by the LEDs themselves, usually with no filter |
| Ages by | Slow fall in output; single LEDs can fail |
| Check | Dead or dim LEDs, discoloured optics, thermal contact, connector, moisture |
| Reference | FAA AC 150/5345-46 · FAA EB 67 · ICAO Annex 14 Vol. I, App. 1 and 2 · manufacturer data |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1What is the LED module in an airfield light fixture?
The light source in an LED fixture: a board carrying one or more LEDs, usually with small lenses over them, that is mounted so its heat can flow into the fixture body.
Q2Why does an LED module need a driver?
An LED needs a controlled, steady current, not the raw output of the circuit. The driver takes the supply from the isolation transformer secondary and converts it to what the LEDs need.
Q3How does an LED module age and fail?
Output usually falls slowly over a long life, and individual LEDs can fail while others keep working. Heat, moisture and electrical stress shorten life. Replace the module with the correct type, mounted as specified.
See It. Understand It. Then Learn How to Engineer It.
Recognising an AGL system visually is the first step. The next step is knowing how to design, install, test, commission and maintain them correctly.
Build Practical AGL Engineering Skills
Go deeper with structured training from Precision AGL Academy, covering:
Learn how each light, sign and circuit works as part of a complete airport lighting system, not just as an isolated diagram.