What is an LED runway fixture?
A runway light that makes its light with LEDs instead of a lamp: longer life, lower power, and colour built in.
An LED runway fixture uses LEDs as its light source, with an optic that shapes the beam and a driver that turns the circuit supply into LED current. The fixture still has to meet the same photometric requirements as a lamp-based one, in the same colour and brightness steps.
The gains are a much longer life, lower power, instant switch-on, and colour produced directly with no filter. The trade-offs are heat that has to be led away from the LEDs, less waste heat to melt snow on inset fixtures, and electronics that must be compatible with the series circuit and, where relevant, with cameras. Always confirm against the manufacturer’s data.
LED board, optic and driver. Long life and low power, with a managed heat path.
A filament lamp behind a lens and filter. Simple, but lamps wear out and draw more power.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1What is an LED runway fixture?
A runway light whose light source is one or more LEDs on a board, combined with an optic that shapes the beam and driver electronics that convert the circuit supply into LED drive current. It replaces the filament lamp used in older fixtures.
Q2What are the main parts of an LED runway fixture?
The LED board, the optic or lens that forms the beam, the driver or power supply, a heat path to the body or heat sink, and the housing, base and connection to the isolating transformer. Details vary by product.
Q3Why are LEDs used instead of lamps?
LEDs last far longer, draw much less power, switch on instantly and produce coloured light directly, so they need no colour filter. That means fewer lamp changes and lower energy use on the series circuit.
Q4Does an LED fixture work on the same series circuit?
LED fixtures are designed to work from the same constant-current series circuit and isolating transformer as lamp-based fixtures, and to follow the brightness steps. Confirm compatibility, and the circuit load, with the manufacturer.
Q5What should be checked when changing from lamp-based to LED fixtures?
Circuit loading and power factor, CCR minimum load, lamp-out or fault monitoring, brightness-step response, photometric compliance, heat and snow-melt behaviour on inset fixtures, and compatibility with cameras and other lighting systems on the airfield.
Q6Are LEDs maintenance-free?
No. There is no filament to burn out, but the driver, seals, lens and connections still need inspection, cleaning and testing. Individual LEDs can also lose output over time, so photometric checks remain part of maintenance.
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