Commonly Used LED Terms

Light Emitting Diode (LED)
A pn junction semiconductor device that emits incoherent optical radiation when forward biased. The optical emission may be in the ultraviolet, visible, or infrared wavelength regions.

LED Die
A small block of light-emitting semi-conducting material on which a functional LED circuit is fabricated. EYE Lighting LEDioc LED Retrofit lamp

LED package
An assembly of one or more LED dies that includes wire bond or other type of electrical connections, possibly with an optical element and thermal, mechanical, and electrical interfaces. Power source and ANSI standardized base are not incorporated into the device. The device cannot be connected directly to the branch circuit.

LED array or module
An assembly of LED packages (components), or dies on a printed circuit board or substrate, possibly with optical elements and additional thermal, mechanical, and electrical inter-faces that are intended to connect to the load side of a LED driver. Power source and ANSI standard base are not incorporated into the device. The device can not be connected directly to the branch circuit.

LED driver
A device comprised of a power source and LED control circuitry designed to operate a LED package (component), or an LED array (module) or an LED lamp.

LED driver, Class II
An LED driver that operates within Class II limits as defined by the latest version of the National Electrical Code (NEC) and the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC).

LED lamp, non-integrated
An assembly comprised of an LED array (module) or LED packages (components) and ANSI standard base. The device is intended to connect to the LED driver of an LED luminaire through an ANSI standard lamp-holder (socket). The device cannot be connected directly to the branch circuit.

LED lamp, integrated
An integrated assembly comprised of LED packages (components) or LED arrays (modules), LED driver, ANSI standard base and other optical, thermal, mechanical and electrical components. The device is intended to connect directly to the branch circuit through a corresponding ANSI standard lamp-holder (socket).

LED light engine
An integrated assembly comprised of LED packages (components) or LED arrays (modules), LED driver, and other optical, thermal, mechanical and electrical components. The device is intended to connect directly to the branch circuit through a custom connector compatible with the LED luminaire for which it was designed and does not use an ANSI standard base.

LED luminaire
A complete lighting unit consisting of LED-based light emitting elements and a matched driver together with parts to distribute light, to position and protect the light emitting elements, and to connect the unit to a branch circuit. The LED-based light emitting elements may take the form of LED packages (components), LED arrays (modules), LED Light Engine, or LED lamps. The LED luminaire is intended to connect directly to a branch circuit.

Heat Sink Housing
A part of the thermal system that conducts or convects heat away from sensitive components, such as LEDs and electronics.

Source the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America.