Light Pipes
The Basics
What Is a Light Pipe?
A light pipe is a precision-molded optical component — typically clear polycarbonate — that captures light from an LED on your PCB and channels it to wherever it needs to appear: a front panel, an indicator window, a button glow.
It works through total internal reflection — the same principle as fiber optics. Light enters one end, bounces along the inside walls, and exits the other with minimal loss. No wiring. No connectors. No rework.
Lumex light pipes deliver 80–90% optical efficiency and are compatible with both SMD and through-hole LED packages across all standard footprints.
LEDs mounted on the PCB (right) emit light into the polycarbonate pipes. Total internal reflection channels each beam along the pipe body and out through the emitting end — no wiring, no signal loss.
Why Engineers Choose Them
Six Reasons Light Pipes Beat the Alternatives
No wiring required
Eliminates wire harnesses, crimped terminations, and soldering to remote LEDs. Reduces assembly time and removes a failure mode.
LED placement freedom
Mount your LED wherever it suits the PCB layout. The light pipe handles routing to the panel — vertically, at a right angle, or around a bend.
80–90% optical efficiency
Total internal reflection keeps nearly all of the LED output on target. Less drive current needed, cooler operation, longer LED life.
Compact & cost-effective
Polycarbonate is more durable and far cheaper than fiber optic alternatives. Enables tighter PCB layouts without sacrificing user-facing visibility.
ESD protection
The non-conductive light path physically isolates the LED from panel-level electrostatic discharge — critical in industrial and medical environments.
Faster time-to-market
Standard parts snap onto standard LED footprints. No custom tooling for common configurations. Lumex engineers handle the rest.
Our Portfolio
6 Form Factor Families
Find the family that fits your layout — then explore the full catalog for the exact configuration you need.
Ready to find your part?
Browse and filter the full light pipe catalog — by orientation, pipe count, height, and LED compatibility. Every part links directly to its datasheet.
Engineering Services
Don’t See What You Need?
Lumex’s engineering team works with customers from initial design concept through production-ready tooling. Custom light pipes have historically ranged from $3,000 to $15,000 in tooling cost — and we’ll tell you upfront whether a standard part can get you there instead.