Silent LED Message Center Killers: Heat

Heat kills LEDs. The death knell of a typical Red-Green-Blue (RGB) full color LED display is seen in depreciated light quality, poor color quality and eventually a dim, dying sign. Typical lights dissipate heat by radiating the heat outward from the source. LEDs unfortunately hold the heat in and high temperature slowly breaks down the components causing a multitude of problems. Red LEDs burn out faster and this is usually seen on a message center when  “clean white” turns to a bluish hue because of the lack of strong Red LED components.

Thermal (heat) management is critical to the longevity and continued high-level of performance for a message center. Manufacturers tend to deal with thermal management in a variety of ways:

• Heat sinks (metal spread out and “finned” to allow for heat to draw away from the LED and let passive/active airflow over the fins dissipate heat buildup
• MCPCB (Metal Core Printed Circuit Board) – a rare option due to increased expense
• Separation – a popular method, LEDs are separated from the circuit board using longer “legs” which allows for air flow to draw heat from the LED through the extended legs, unfortunately proper placement/setting of LEDs is difficult and can result in bad contacts which leave “dead pixels” on a sign.

All the above methods serve to draw heat away from the LED source thus keeping the LED relatively cool and ensuring the highest performance and longest life possible. With this in mind, here are LED killers to watch for on an LED module (also known as a driver/board):

1.    ANY type of heavy/dark silicone coating on the back of an LED PCB (Printed Circuit Board: Silicone coatings have the benefit of reducing exposure to condensation which can oxidize metals, but it’s better to use a light conformal PCB coating. Heavy silicone coatings trap heat and don’t leave any place for the heat to be drawn away. Be wary of modules with “heat sinks” as the heat sinks often don’t have trace leads (metal pathways from the LED to the heat sink) and thus do not work to reduce heat on the overall module.

2.    LEDs which have no louvered (shaded) protection: the louvers on a face plate for an LED module act like an umbrella at the beach. They serve a dual purpose of allowing LEDs to shine their brightest in daylight conditions while also giving them some protection from direct overhead sun  exposure. If you see a face plate with exposed silicone, be especially wary. The silicone acts as a sealant to protect the LED Injection Modules face from weather elements, but an exposed silicone coating is prone to UV (Ultra Violet) solar radiation which will crack the sealant and cause eventual exposure to the elements which will kill the module over time.

3.    led sign modules which are “fully enclosed” from the rear: Picture a medieval knight in full armor standing in the summer sun, that knight is likely more than a little warm. While the rear seal plating looks great on an led sign module and it sounds good to have a “waterproof” LED module, the plating doesn’t ultimately protect the LED, it harms the LEDs in a module because heat has no source to vent off to. If the manufacturer is using a rear-face module, have them show you a cutaway or internal view to see how they’re drawing heat to the back plate. If they aren’t drawing heat from the LEDs to the back plate, they’re slowly killing your sign.

Cree Launches Industry’s First Driver Compatibility Program for LED Modules

Cree, Inc. (Nasdaq: CREE) introduces the Driver Compatibility Program for its LED products. The new Driver Compatibility Program provides LED lighting manufacturers with a list of drivers that are compatible with Cree® LED modules, as verified through evaluation and testing by Cree. By leveraging the technology and features of third-party drivers, the program enables lighting manufacturers to quickly address the requirements unique to various countries, further differentiate their products and address more applications. 

The first of its kind program allows Cree to extend its LED module warranty to the use of Cree’s LED module with a compatible third-party LED driver. Cree’s LED modules warranty was previously limited to the use of a Cree LED module with a Cree driver. The Driver Compatibility Program demonstrates Cree’s continued commitment to helping LED lighting manufacturers overcome the challenges of bringing high-quality products to market faster. 

“Cree’s Driver Compatibility Program enabled us to find a driver that meets a customer’s specific dimming requirement,” said Fred Farzan, president of Nora Lighting. “Because of the program, we solved the customer’s problem and won the business.”

“We're pleased to take part in Cree’s Driver Compatibility Program, which helps build a larger ecosystem for customers,” said John LaCorte, national sales manager of Thomas Research Products. “It offers a new level of confidence in selecting Cree LED products and compatible, highly reliable LED drivers from Thomas Research Products. This can speed time to market for customers that design LED luminaires.” 

“Cree’s Driver Compatibility Program is yet another way Cree drives LED adoption, enabling everyone to win in the LED revolution,” said Mike Watson, Cree senior director marketing, LED components. “For driver manufacturers, the program provides access to Cree’s customers and products, expanding their market and enabling them to better serve lighting manufacturers. For lighting manufacturers, the program provides greater design flexibility and enables a shorter design cycle to get products to market faster.”

Cree kicks off the Driver Compatibility Program with a range of compatible drivers for the LMH2 LED Module and plans to extend to other LED products later this year; program details can be found at www.cree.com/dcp. To view the full list of compatible drivers, please visit www.cree.com/drivercompatibility. To learn more about the Driver Compatibility Program or to submit a driver for consideration, please visit www.cree.com/submitdrivers. 

Sedna's 5-minute-installation LED troffer for upgrades aimed at health and public sector

The new economical LED troffer kit upgrade is now available for purchase both in the UK and internationally via all major electrical distributors. The kit, consisting of a modular design utilising a series of OMNI® LED light engines, is specifically aimed at the health care & education sector, to make an upgrade to LED lighting fast, efficient and economical.

Over five hundred years ago, Leonardo da Vinci, one of the greatest creative minds ever, immensely talented as an engineer, scientist and inventor said, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”. He could not be more right. The modern world and economic circumstances are demanding that issues need to be resolved with a simple solution, at a minimal cost and in a short space of time.

Busy 24/7 operations, such as hospitals, clinics and public spaces, have little time for maintenance and are facing ever reducing budgets. With the unique luminaire retrofit kit, lighting can be upgraded in just five minutes. Made in Britain, this unique LED light module allows the upgrade whole floors, wards and even complete premises to energy efficient luminaires in a very short space of time, leading to large savings on installation and labour costs.

A further benefit is the modular design, which makes the kit suitable for all applications, from corridors to task intensive areas such as surgeries. Furthermore, as the fitting does not require access above the ceiling void/space, there is no need to worry about any hazardous substances & settled dust that may be present, therefore locations with asbestos ceilings or structural limitations can now benefit from this economical LED based solution.

According to Nathan Edwards of the Sedna Technical Sales division: “We specialise in innovative lighting solutions such as our replaceable OMNI® light engines. We highlighted the issue of too many throw-away luminaires when we launched our OMNI® light engines for retrofit installation and long-term serviceability in October of last year. The response was phenomenal and working with contractors and installers, we identified an opportunity for improvement . This led to us developing the complete LED retrofit troffer plate for a complete install in under 5-minutes, with the magnetic and modular design of the kit.”

Industry leading innovative design received credible recognition from Electrical Times as simple, economic and efficient LED upgrade. The LED troffer was short-listed as a finalist in forthcoming Electrical Industry Awards 2015.

Without a doubt, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”. Sedna’s® retrofit LED troffer kit most certainly fits the brief well.

OSRAM SYLVANIA Opens Company's First US-Based LED Module Production Line

DANVERS, Mass. and HILLSBORO, N.H., Oct. 13, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- OSRAM SYLVANIA has expanded the Hillsboromanufacturing capabilities by adding the first advanced Surface Mount Technology (SMT) production line for manufacturing LED modules in the plant.  OSRAM as the automotive lighting leader is pushing the transition to LED systems by investing in R&D and production capacities, infrastructure and talent to support the technology migration. Millions of dollars were invested in the plant for the new ISO class 8 Gray Room. LED modules produced from the new line are already on the road in the 2016 Ford Explorer LED headlamp, with other programs in development for the future. 

"OSRAM invested in industry leading electronics production equipment in all three global regions to serve our automotive customer base with world class production," said David Hulick, global OEM SSL marketing director, OSRAM SYLVANIA, during the company's automotive lighting showcase in the Detroit area this week, where it displayed its breadth of lighting solutions for OEMs and set makers. "Innovative designs and state of the art Surface Mount Technology lines, such as the new one installed in New Hampshirewith tight tolerance LED placement capabilities, make it possible for OSRAM to deliver the precision, quality and supply that our global customers demand. With the implementation of this new production capability in the NAFTA region, we can better service our local customer base by providing the best local LED lighting production."

Highlights of the automotive lighting showcase were the first LED forward lighting headlamp in a pick-up truck demonstrated on the 2016 Ford F-150, the LED headlamp with the new Hillsboro OSRAM LED modules in the 2016 Ford Explorer, and adaptive matrix LED headlights in an Audi A7.

"As the leading automotive light source designer and manufacturer, OSRAM Automotive Lighting provides OEM customers with a portfolio of top-quality interior and exterior lighting solutions, ranging from individual LEDs to standardized LED systems as well as HID systems, auxiliary light sources and advanced halogen products," said Julian Dench, senior vice president and general manager, SP Americas Region, OSRAM SYLVANIA.  "This production facility will allow us to immediately respond to all of our customers' demands as a full service automotive lighting leader and deliver the future of LED automotive lighting."

Coupled with sister facilities in Europe and Asia, this new North American investment advances OSRAM's leading role in automotive electronics through a global quality-controlled (TS16949) automotive electronics manufacturing footprint. According to recent market reports, LED lighting adoption in the automotive category will rise sharply by the end of the decade.  

"This new line has brought a lot of pride to our employees," said Dariusz Laskowski, product line manager, who oversees the new SMT line at OSRAM SYLVANIA.  "Everyone in the Hillsboro plant, whether they make the premium halogen headlights you see in retail stores or the LED headlamp in the new Ford F-150, is committed to quality because they know how important clear visibility is on the road. That mentality now extends at a local level to being able to produce the LED modules driving the advanced lighting technology in thousands of vehicles on the roads throughout the country, including the 2016 Ford Explorer."

The difference between LED injection module and LED dripping module

LED module mainly used for decoration lighting,LED dripping module use traditional dripping technology,after soldering the PCB,using dripping machine or manual dripping,no high waterproof demands for this technic products,besides ,it will be burn-in and short out after long time exposing to sun and rain .LED injection module not only far exceeded dripping module in waterproof performance,but also good at appearance design,heat dissipation effects,waterproof level can reach IP65 or above,low input voltage can ensure safety and reliability.

LED injection module is your best choice for advertisement signage products.

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