Why buy IR LEDs in Johannesburg from Communica
Skip long waits and overseas shipping. Find commonly used IR emitters, high-power emitters, and matched photodiodes in-stock near Johannesburg for rapid iteration. Communica’s Samrand head office and Pretoria CBD branch support same-day pickup or quick delivery to Joburg suburbs, plus VAT invoices and account quoting for student projects and procurement teams.
What this page helps you do
- Choose the right IR LED for remote control, night-vision illumination, proximity sensing or camera illumination
- Pick compatible resistors, drivers and optics so your first bench test works
- Plan around local availability, lead times and branch collection
Quick product signposts
Browse categories and brands we stock to compare parts and accessories: Shop by Category, explore the full catalogue at All Products, or learn about our company and branch options at About Us.
Key specifications that determine fit
Two IR LEDs that look similar on the shelf can behave very differently in a camera or sensor circuit. Below is a compact spec comparison you can use at a glance when comparing parts on the bench.
| Spec | Typical Value (Low-power) | Typical Value (High-power) |
|---|---|---|
| Peak wavelength | 850 nm | 940 nm |
| Forward voltage (VF) | 1.2 V | 1.5-2.2 V |
| Forward current (IF) | 20 mA | 100-1000 mA (requires driver) |
| Viewing angle | 20°-60° | 10°-30° (more focused) |
Use the part’s datasheet to confirm these values. If you need help reading a datasheet, our Pretoria team can assist - check branch hours and collection options at Branches & Trading Hours.
Practical compatibility callouts
- Waveband: 850 nm is brighter to camera sensors but can be visible as a faint glow; 940 nm is less visible to the eye but often looks dimmer on cheaper camera modules.
- Power: If your enclosure or rig needs long-range illumination, choose high-current emitters plus a constant-current LED driver and appropriate heat-sinking.
- Optics: Use narrow-beam lenses for focused IR illumination and wide-angle diffusers for proximity sensing.
Simple bench calculation
For quick prototyping with resistors, Ohm’s law helps set LED current. Example for a 20 mA, 1.2 V VF LED on a 5 V supply:
R = (Vsup - VF) / IF = (5.0 - 1.2) / 0.02 = 190 Ohms (use 180 or 200 Ohm standard).
