Key technical specs that change how an IR LED performs
Choosing an IR LED requires balancing wavelength, radiant intensity, viewing angle and thermal limits. Below is a compact reference table to compare typical part families quickly.
| Spec | What it means | When to prefer |
|---|---|---|
| Wavelength (nm) | Peak emission - 850nm vs 940nm | 850nm for camera sensitivity, 940nm for covert illumination |
| Radiant intensity (mW/sr) | Brightness per angle | Higher for longer-range illumination |
| Viewing angle (°) | Beam spread | Narrow for spot distance, wide for flood lighting |
| Forward current (mA) | Nominal drive current | Match with resistor or constant current driver |
Quick compatibility checklist
- Confirm wavelength suits your camera sensor or photodiode response.
- Check forward voltage and select resistor or driver accordingly.
- Plan thermal relief for continuous-duty arrays; choose higher-rated packages if running above short bursts.
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