Can Direct Current (DC) LEDs run on Alternating Current (AC)?

Direct Current (DC) is one-directional flow of electric charge. An electrochemical cell is a prime example of DC power. Direct current may flow through a conductor such as a wire, but can also flow through semiconductors, insulators, or even through a vacuum as in electron or ion beams.

Alternating Current (AC) is an electric current which periodically reverses direction and changes its magnitude continuously with time, in contrast to direct current, which flows only in one direction.

A light-emitting diode (LEDS) is a semiconductor device that emits light when current flows through it. Electrons in the semiconductor recombine with electron holes, releasing energy in the form of photons. The color of the light is determined by the energy required for electrons to cross the band gap of the semiconductor.

Answer: Direct Current (DC) LEDs cannot run on Alternating Current (AC) power directly. They require a DC voltage to operate.

However, a rectifier or light-emitting diode (LED) driver can convert Alternating Current (AC) power to Direct Current (DC) power.