What are the disadvantages of COB LED strips?

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COB LED strips, standing for "Chip on Board," represent a technological advancement in the LED realm. This method involves placing the LED chip directly onto a circuit board (PCB), which distinguishes it from standard configurations. Flexible LED strip lights utilizing this technology are often referred to as "Chip on Board" lights, and sometimes known as "flip-chips."

In contrast to traditional SMD (Surface Mount Device) LEDs, which utilize lamp beads to protect the chip with a phosphor coating, COB LED strips follow a more streamlined approach. The "flip chip" design eliminates unnecessary components, resulting in a setup consisting solely of the LED chip, a yellow phosphor cover layer, and connection pads.

The advantages and disadvantages of COB LED Flex Strips

Understanding how COB LED strips are manufactured allows us to evaluate their benefits and drawbacks.

Advantages:

One notable advantage of COB LED strips is the absence of visible lighting dots. A common complaint with traditional LED strips is the marked light spots that can disrupt the appearance of uniform illumination. In contrast, COB strips, especially those employing 480 chips per meter, effectively minimize hot spots and produce a smooth, even light output. This aesthetic quality is particularly appealing, as it creates softer lighting that can enhance an environment.

The compact size and strategic placement of the diodes also confer enhanced flexibility to COB LED strips. This design allows the strips to bend more easily than their SMD counterparts, making them suitable for various applications where tight fits are necessary. Additionally, the distribution of weight along the strip mitigates concerns regarding loose components during installation.

Furthermore, unlike traditional LEDs which may rely on delicate gold wire bonds, the direct soldering of the chip to the flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) in a COB strip reduces potential failure points. The circuit configuration of COB strips, which allows for continued operation even if some chips fail, improves reliability and performance.

Wide beam angle:

COB LED strips offer an impressive light output that can be perceived at a 180-degree angle, significantly wider than the standard 120-degree angle typical of SMD strips.

Disadvantages:

Despite their advantages, COB LED strips come with their own set of challenges. Maintaining consistent color output is one of the most prominent issues. Currently, there are no reliable binning machines for COB LED strips, leading to potential discrepancies in color quality. Manufacturers often rely on sampling to ensure color accuracy, but achieving uniformity remains a challenge.

Additionally, the efficiency of COB LED strips is typically around 120 lumens per watt (LM/W). For applications requiring higher illumination efficiency, alternatives to COB strips may be preferable. Another limitation is power consumption. Exceeding a power draw of 15 watts per meter can result in inadequate heat dissipation, compromising the lifespan of the COB strips due to the densely packed chips.

Conclusion

For applications where a smooth light output without hot spots is desirable, COB LED strips may be an appropriate choice. However, if you require strict adherence to color consistency or higher lumens per watt ratios, traditional SMD LED strips may be more suited for your needs.