Something you should know about LEDs

Link to Moonleds

Something you should know about LEDs

Introduction

A light-emitting diode is a semiconductor light source that emits light when an electric current flows through it. It is commonly known as LED and plays an important role in our daily life. LEDs do many different jobs in a variety of devices such as LED light, LED display, LED traffic light, etc. Hope that we can give you an understanding of the classification (type), advantages, and applications of LEDs through this article.

Type of LEDs

According to the difference of LED chip packages, the various types of LEDs include COB, SMD, MCOB, and MCCOB.

SMD is short for Surface mounted diode which is a standalone chip on a ceramic base. It can be used for white LED lamps and LED strip lights. Now it&#;s very common in light industrial applications such as street light, floodlight, and linear light.

COB is short for chip on board. This kind of LED comes as a high-powered chip that is wired on a printed circuit board with optimal thermal management. It&#;s normally used in LED downlight, LED tracking lights.

Except for SMD and COB, MCOB and MCCOB are becoming common in LED lighting application now.

MCOB is short for multiple chips onboard LED. They are multiple COB LEDs integrated to form a single chip. This technology is used in LED bulbs and tubes. MCCOB is short for multiple chips and cups on board. They are normally used for high bay fixtures and some floodlights.

As we introduced before, we can divide the LEDs mainly into SMD, COB, MCOB, and MCCOB based on the different structures of LEDs. However, LEDs can be divided into three different categories according to their power. It includes Low-Power, Mid-Power, and High-Power.

Power is found mathematically by forwarding voltage and drive current. For example, Lumileds  LEDs with 5.8V consumes approximately 0.7W when driven with a current of 120 mA.

As Lumileds said, they classified with the standard as follows. LEDs with power below 0.1W in the Low-Power class. LEDs with a power range of 0.1W to 1.0W are known as Mid-Power, while those with a power range of 1W to 3W are known as High-Power LEDs.

But different supplier has a different standard. Osram told us, LEDs with power below 0.2W are called Low-Power. LEDs with power between 0.2W and 1.0W are called Mid-Power. And LEDs with power between 1.0W and 4.0W are called High-Power. For 4W LED chips of Cree, they still called it Mid-Power.

Advantages and disadvantages of SMD and COB LEDs.

Based on different standards, the Type of LEDs can be SMD, COB, or others. Here mainly introduces the advantages and disadvantages of SMD and COB.

SMD refers to the term &#;Surface Mounted Device&#; LEDs, which are the utmost shared LEDs in the market. There are multiple sizes of SMD LED chips: , , , , , ; they are termed according to their dimensions: length and width. For instance, the size of the is 3.5 x 3.5mm, is 3.0 x 3.0mm, is 5.0 x 5.0mm. Below are the advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of SMD LEDs

• SMDs are more efficient than COBs because the light source produces higher lumens per watt, which means that they produce more light with a lower wattage.
• They produce a wider beam of light which is spread over a greater area. This means that less material is needed for the heat sink, which in turn means that they are more economical.
• SMD lamps produce a wide spread of light which is suitable for area lighting.
• Since there are many chips on one PCB, as time went by, if one of the chips is broken, the other LED chips will still work by designing a special circuit.
• High reliability, strong vibration resistance, and low defect rate in solder joint points.
• Because SMD LEDs are with relatively small size and have less weight, it&#;s easy to achieve automation, which improves production efficiency. Then materials, energy, equipment, manpower, time, will also be saved.
• With small size SMD LEDs, it makes SMD LEDs more flexible in lamp design. And with less weight and good heat dissipation (less heatsink), the lamps are with lower weight which is competitive in some tender and also good for safety. Due to their power limitations, class 2 electrical are considered safe from a fire initiation point of view and provide acceptable protection against electric shock. Therefore, it is recommended to choose class 2 electrical for outdoor lighting.

Disadvantages of SMD LEDs

The manufacturing procedure to make SMD is more expensive because the SMD diodes (LED chips) are machine printed on a PCB board.

COB is the short form of &#;Chip on Board&#;. Manifold LED chips are packed together as a single lighting module and it looks like a panel when it lights up. Different from SMD, COB has more diodes. COB has a printed circuit board on its substrate and diode chips are arranged in parallel or/and in series, based on the circuit of the PCB. The substrate can be either in aluminum or ceramic. Below are the advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of COB LEDs

• Cheap
• As COB LED chip is placed on the printed circuit board, and the electrical connection between the chip and the substrate is realized by a wire stitching method, and is covered with a resin. So reliability is insured.
• With relative high CRI and uniformity lighting COB is suitable for indoor lighting.
• COB is easy for installation and use. These reduce the difficulty of lamp design and save lamp assembling cost.

Disadvantages of COB LEDs

• As the single cluster of LED&#;s are mounted in one point, they require greater cooling, so a larger heat sink, usually made of aluminum, must be mounted to dissipate the heat. As more material is required to manufacture a COB LED heat sink, this usually increases the cost. But even using more materials, the dissipation problem of COB can still not be solved.
• Comparing to SMD, COB has more LEDs at same area as SMD, so it has the disadvantage like spotlight and glare. But with special cover and plus its uniformity lighting, it&#;s also well used in indoor lighting.
• Few street lights with COB LEDs are with modular design, this makes COB street light are not easy for maintenance. Additionally, if one COB fails, the power of lamps will greatly reduce and then we have to maintenance this lamp.

Applications of SMD and COB LEDs

SMD LEDs are one of the most common types of lighting that we have today. They are used in many outdoor applications like street lights, floodlights, high bay lights, canopy lights, linear lights.

COB LED lights are used in numerous applications, including COB street lighting, tracking light, downlight, spotlight, and low bay light.

So, their application scenarios are not fixed. For example, Both COB and SMD can be used in street lighting and high bay light. While COB is much common in downlight and tracking light, and SMD are much common high bay light, street lighting.

Summary

Below we listed the differences between SMD and COB. But it will certainly be as below. For example, some COB LEDs are with high efficient than SMD LEDs. Or SMD will be a cheaper solution which is used in street light applications. Or even a downlight with COB can get a better performance in heat dissipation.

SMD LED lightsCOB LED lightsNumber of diodesNormally up to 3 or 4 diodesMultiple diodes, 9 or moreAppearanceSmall, looks like a whole unitBig, diodes sometimes are visibleQuality of lightWide beam angle with some glare.Relatively high CRI and uniformity lightingLumens per watt ratioNormally higher than COBRelatively lower efficiencySize of the heat sinkSmall heat sinkNeed a big heat sinkTechnologyThey require mounting then reflow soldering on the PCBIt does not require any mounting or reflow solderingManufacturing costsRelatively highRelatively low

Rated Products

Related Blogs

Related Cases

People also ask

Light Emitting Diodes, sometimes known as LEDs, are the true unsung heroes of the modern world. They perform several separate functions and are present in a wide variety of devices. In addition to everything else, they display numbers on digital clocks, convey information from remote controllers, illuminate watches, and indicate whether your gadgets are powered on. Grouped together, they may produce images on a giant flat-screen television or illuminate a whole room while replacing traditional filament bulbs.
LEDs are essentially little lights that fit easily into an electrical circuit. However, unlike traditional incandescent bulbs, they do not have a filament and do not become especially hot. They are illuminated only by the flow of electrons in a semiconductor material, and their lifespan is comparable to that of a conventional transistor. The lifetime of an LED is thousands of hours longer than that of an incandescent bulb.

The next generation of lighting, LEDs save energy, minimize maintenance and replacement costs, and contribute to environmental protection. Additionally, they endure significantly longer than conventional lights.

LED lights can match the brightness and hue of your current lighting. As with any other product, however, there are both low-quality and high-quality LED lights. You may have previously encountered inferior items that do not match your current lights. Encore LED can assist you in selecting the optimal replacement fixture for your present lighting in terms of brightness and color temperature.

Fundamentally, there are three different types of LED technology that are used in LED lighting &#; DIP, SMD and COB.

Author introduction

Author

Hello Customers,

My name is Taylor Gong, I&#;m the product manager of ZGSM Tech. I have been in the LED lights industry for more than 13 years. Good at lighting design, street light system configuration, and bidding technology support. Feel free to contact us. I&#;m happy to provide you with the best service and products.

: [ protected] | : +

LED lamps are constantly being upgraded to improve their usability, adaptability, and energy efficiency. LED lamps are very popular because they last up to 25 times longer and consume less power than standard incandescent lamps.The two main types of LED lamps available today are COB and SMD LED lamps. Both components produce high-quality illumination, have a long service life, and are the most efficient to date.

COB (chip-on-board) LEDs and SMD (surface mount device) LEDs are two popular technologies used in LED lighting. Both offer advantages in terms of energy efficiency, durability, and lifetime.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore these two outstanding LED technologies that are revolutionizing the lighting industry. Whether you&#;re a lighting enthusiast, a fixture manufacturer, or just curious about the advances in LED technology, we&#;ll focus on how these two LEDs work. We&#;ll also discuss their features and manufacturing processes, as well as compare their capabilities.

What is SMD LED?

SMD LED stands for Surface Mount Device LED, and SMD is a technology that produces circuits in which components are mounted on a circuit board. In this technology, components are mounted on a circuit board.SMD LEDs produce bright illumination at lower wattages and are a type of LED that incorporates three primary colors in one package.It uses a polarization process to assemble the circuit board, which requires high-quality equipment to complete.SMD LEDs are very small in size, and their lack of pins and leads makes them better suited for automated assembly by machine rather than by hand. SMD LEDs also offer a wide viewing angle due to the lack of a hemispherical epoxy housing.

SMD is the most common type of LED on the market. It is available in different sizes, denoted by numbers such as , , or . These numbers refer to the physical size of the LED chip. The larger the number, the larger the chip, which affects its light output and other characteristics. To better understand this, let&#;s look at a table to get a clearer picture of the physical dimensions of SMD LEDs.

SMD LED

Dimensions(mm×mm)

Power(watt)

Flux(lumen)

CRI(Ra)

Forward Voltage (V)

Beam angle(degree)

Heatsink

Efficacy(min) (lm/W)

Efficacy(max) (lm/W)

2.8 × 3.5

0.2

24&#;36

80&#;90

2.6&#;3.2

120

yes

100

220

3.0 × 1.4

0.2

17&#;27

70&#;90

2.8&#;3.3

120

yes

102

151

3.0 × 2.0

0.5

36&#;58

70&#;90

2.8&#;3.3

120

yes

112

160

3.0 × 3.0

1.0

110&#;160

70&#;90

5.8&#;6.2

120

yes

135

209

3.5 × 2.8

For more information, please visit China SMD LED supply.

0.06&#;0.08

4&#;8

60&#;70

2.6&#;3.2

120

yes

70

100

3.5 × 3.5

0.5

24&#;49

70&#;90

2.8&#;3.4

120

yes

100

168

4.0 × 1.4

0.2

22&#;32

70&#;90

2.8&#;3.3

120

yes

110

160

5.0 × 5.0

0.2

18-28

70&#;90

2.6&#;3.2

120

no

100

150

5.6 × 3.0

0.2

24&#;41

70&#;90

2.8&#;3.2

120

yes

100

210

5.7 × 3.0

0.5

60&#;70

70&#;90

2.8&#;3.4

120

yes

100

120

SMD LED lighting is also best suited for use as a point light source because it has a coupling effect due to the glare created by multiple surface-mounted light sources. As a result, SMD LED lighting is often best suited for signage in bars, clubs, hotels, and restaurants, as well as generally for outdoor wall sconces and spotlights. It is also ideal for task lighting in bathrooms and kitchens, among others.

Benefits of SMD LED

SMD LEDs have a number of unique characteristics that make them popular for a variety of lighting applications. They are applied directly to the surface of the circuit board, eliminating the need for additional leads and reducing material usage. They emit light at a wide angle, typically around 120-160 degrees, for uniform illumination and enhanced visual appeal. In addition, SMD LEDs operate at lower voltages and currents, which reduces energy consumption and heat generation, contributing to their longer life and improved stability.

• Consistent off-angle viewing brightness produces better &#;perceived&#; brightness.
• Excellent color reproduction
• Excellent contrast ratio
• Pixel pitch as fine as 0.9 millimeters
• Durable in both indoor and outdoor environments

Disadvantages of SMD LED

• Consumes more power (up to 35% more)
• Reduced direct (front) field of view brightness
• Less efficient heat dissipation; requires active cooling

What is COB LED?

COB LED is an advanced chip-scale packaging LED technology. COB stands for chip on board and is one of the latest developments in the LED field. Compared to other standards, we can consider this technology quite new and innovative.COB LEDs move away from the traditional discrete package by densely integrating multiple LED chips onto an insulating layer and an aluminum substrate (heat sink) of various shapes (e.g., round, square, rectangular, moon or star).

Typically, COB chips have nine or more diodes. Regardless of the number of diodes, a COB chip has only two contacts and one circuit. On larger chips, this produces a more powerful illumination of up to 250 lumens (at 20 mA).The panel-like appearance of COB LED lights is attributed to the basic circuit design of the chip.

COB LEDs feature multiple light-emitting diodes tightly packed on a printed circuit board, which necessitates an aluminum heat sink in the middle to dissipate the heat generated by the COB LED lamp. This means it can survive longer at higher temperatures, making it a better choice for high-pressure environments such as street lighting and industrial lighting. However, this results in COBs requiring more built-in cooling capacity than SMDs. This also means they are more energy efficient, producing about 80 lumens per watt compared to about 50 lumens per watt for SMDs.

COB LEDs tend to be a higher quality light source because they use reflectors to provide more uniform, brighter, and higher-quality lighting. They also do not have the frosted lenses that come with SMD LEDs. This means that COB LED lighting has a clearer light with no glare, making it ideal for rooms with high ceilings. As a result, these LEDs are known as high-end fixtures, used to create a more architectural look that is best suited for long-term living in the property where they are installed. They are also very popular with filmmakers and photographers due to their even brightness and wide beam angle.

Benefits of COB LED

COB LEDs offer a variety of unique features that make them the preferred choice for specific lighting applications. Tightly packed multiple LED chips increase light output per square inch, allowing COB LEDs to achieve impressive brightness levels in a compact form. In addition, COB LEDs require only one circuit and two contacts to drive the entire chip array, simplifying circuit design, reducing energy consumption, and minimizing the risk of failure. Unlike traditional LEDs, COB LEDs have no leads, phosphor layers, or lenses, which reduces the light-emitting area (LES) and increases the center beam candlepower (CBCP). This improves light efficiency and reduces light loss. The substrate materials and heat sinks of COB LEDs exhibit excellent thermal performance, ensuring that the heat generated by the chip is efficiently conducted, resulting in low-temperature operation, extended LED lifetime, and improved stability.

• It provides sufficient light due to the use of multiple diodes.
• It produces more lumens while consuming less energy.
• Due to the limited light-emitting area, the device is smaller. As a result, the lumens per square centimeter/inch increase significantly.
• To activate the multiple diode chips installed in the COB LEDs, a single circuit with only two connections is used. As a result, fewer parts are required per LED chip, allowing for normal performance. In addition, by reducing the number of components and eliminating the standard LED chip architecture package, the heat generated by each LED chip can be reduced.
• The entire temperature range of the entire assembly is lower due to the extremely simple installation of an external heat sink. When you keep items at set temperatures, they last longer and are more reliable, saving you money.
• Clarity is improved and efficiency is increased.
• It has a huge focusing area because it can cover a large area with one chip.
• Excellent shock resistance

Disadvantages of COB LED

• Carefully designed external power supply. This is because it requires stable current and voltage to avoid damaging the diode.
• The well-designed heat sink is very important. If the heating element is not placed properly, the diode can be damaged due to overheating. A large amount of heat is generated due to the highly focused light waves emitted from a limited area.
• Lighting fixtures that utilize COB chips are less repairable. This is because if one of the individual diodes in the COB is damaged due to mechanical failure, the entire COB LED must be replaced with a newer LED. However, with SMD LEDs, if one fails, it can be easily replaced and brought back into operation at a lower cost.
• Is more expensive than SMD chips.

Differences between SMD LED and COB LED

One of the main differences between COB and SMD LEDs is their size and design. COB LEDs are larger and consist of multiple LED chips mounted directly on the substrate. This allows for higher light output density and more efficient space utilization. SMD LEDs, by contrast, are smaller and consist of a single LED chip mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB). This results in lower light output density but greater flexibility in design and placement.

Another key difference between COB and SMD LEDs is their beam angle and light output effect. COB LEDs tend to have a wider beam angle, which means they can provide more uniform and diffuse illumination over a larger area. This makes them ideal for applications that require a wide, even distribution of light, such as in a workshop, jobsite, or garage. SMD LEDs, on the other hand, have a narrower beam angle and are more directional, making them better suited for task lighting or focusing on specific areas.

COB LEDs have multiple LED chips in a high-density package, so they provide higher light output and center beam candlepower. This makes them suitable for applications that require high brightness and focused illumination, such as LED spotlights and LED downlights. SMD LEDs may not be able to achieve the same level of brightness as COB LEDs in a single chip. However, they have the advantage of producing uniform, soft illumination over a wider angle of illumination, making them ideal for uniform lighting in applications such as LED strips and LED bulbs.

In terms of energy efficiency, both COB and SMD LEDs are very efficient and have a longer lifetime compared to traditional LED technology. However, COB LEDs tend to be slightly more efficient because they have a higher light output density and use fewer components. This extends the life of the LED.

Durability is another important consideration when choosing a work light, and both COB and SMD LEDs are known for their long life and resistance to damage. However, COB LEDs tend to be more durable because they are larger and have fewer components, making them less prone to failure.

The cost difference between COB LEDs and SMD LEDs is multifaceted. While COB LEDs may be more cost-effective in terms of streamlining the production process, they require better materials and heat dissipation solutions. SMD LEDs, on the other hand, involve separate substrates and fluorescent layers for each chip, as well as more complex circuit design and production processes. However, advances in automation have reduced the production costs of SMD LEDs, making them more cost-competitive in some cases.

In summary, both COB LEDs and SMD LEDs have unique advantages and disadvantages for different lighting applications.The choice between COB and SMD LEDs depends on the specific requirements of each application. If brightness, high light concentration, and cost-effectiveness are the main considerations, COB LEDs may be the better choice. On the other hand, if light uniformity, energy efficiency, and multiple color options are more important, SMD LEDs may be preferred.

When buying, SMD vs. COB LED, which is better?

LED lights play an important role in our daily lives, and the choice between COB LEDs and SMD LEDs plays a crucial role. Each type has unique advantages to meet specific lighting requirements.

SMD LEDs are particularly well suited for products that require wide-angle illumination and uniform illumination. Because of their wide angle of illumination, typically around 120-160 degrees, they are commonly used in LED strips, LED panels, LED bulbs, and a variety of architectural lighting applications. SMD LEDs are available in a wide range of colors, allowing for multicolor or full-color displays, making them ideal for dynamic lighting effects.

COB LEDs excel in applications that require high brightness, concentrated light, and excellent luminous efficacy. The tightly spaced multiple LED chips increase light output per square inch, making COB LEDs suitable for use in COB LED strips, LED spotlights, LED downlights, LED streetlights, and other high-brightness lighting fixtures. Due to their efficient heat dissipation design and long lifetime, COB LEDs are also favored for industrial and commercial lighting applications that require extended operation in high-temperature environments.

We hope this article has helped you understand the differences between SMD and COB LEDs and helped you weigh the pros and cons of each LED light to decide which is best for your home. So, when it comes to buying SMD vs. COB LEDs, which is better? In addition to the different application scenarios we mentioned above, let&#;s take a look at what other factors come into play:

• Cost Efficiency: First of all, LED lights are more economical than other traditional lamps. They are more popular because they last longer, are more energy efficient, and are brighter. In the case of COB and SMD LEDs, the former is more cost-effective.
• Energy Efficiency: Again, it is a fact that LED lights are more energy efficient than any other bulbs. In the case of SMD and COB LEDs, this characteristic depends on the lumens used. The higher the lumens used, the higher the energy efficiency.
• Brightness: When we talk about lights, the first thing that comes to mind is brightness. COB LEDs are brighter. This is because it has higher lumens compared to SMD LEDs.

Conclusion

The innovative technology of COB and SMD LEDs has transformed the lighting industry and continues to provide versatile solutions for a variety of applications. When choosing between COB and SMD LEDs, consider the specific lighting requirements and characteristics of each LED type to make an informed decision. Whether you are a luminaire manufacturer or an LED enthusiast, the right LED choice can bring brilliance and efficiency to your lighting solution.

We are a professional China factory specializing in producing high-quality custom SMD LED Strip Lights, COB LED Strip Lights, and LED Neon Strip Lights. If you need to buy LED lights, please contact us.

The company is the world’s best China smd led chip wholesale supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.