LEDs are among the most sought-after electronic components, and in a variety of industries. The most important nuance of their involvement is the correct classification. Its methodology may be based on the use of specific LED markings. What can they be? What are the industry specifics of their application?
Introduction to LEDs
Before studying the principles on which the marking of LEDs is carried out, let's consider the basic information about the corresponding type of product. What are they?
An LED is a special diode that glows when an electric current passes through it. The main component of this product is a semiconductor substance. What additives it contains determines the color when the LED glows. For example, if aluminum is added to the semiconductor, then the color of the LED to which the electric current is connected may be red. If indium is added - blue. In modern industry, LEDs are produced in the widest range of modifications based on the content of impurities.
Viewedproducts (the marking of LEDs may reflect this feature) are used in the widest range of industries: in the manufacture of lamps, televisions, decorative elements, etc. In these areas, LEDs in many cases have no analogues, and if they exist, then the products in question in many cases there are undeniable advantages.
For example, when comparing traditional incandescent and LED lamps, the latter may be preferable because:
- they will have significantly lower power consumption;
- they will have a longer service life;
- they are able to operate at reduced voltage;
- they are characterized by environmental friendliness, safe operation.
LED design
Another aspect that will be useful to study before considering how LED marking is applied is the design of the corresponding elements. They consist of:
- lenses (most often made of epoxy resin);
-wire contact;
- crystal;
- reflector;
- electrodes;
- anode and cathode.
How do LEDs work?
How do LEDs work? The reflector of the corresponding element includes an LED crystal. The corresponding component specifies a special scattering angle. The light generated by applying voltage to the LED passes through the layers of the housing, after which it hits the lens, and then begins to scatter.
It can be notedthat LEDs are capable of functioning in both the visible color range and in the infrared. This feature emphasizes the versatility of the products in question. LED markings can be used to indicate the color of the respective product. Consider its features in more detail.
What are the features of marking LEDs by color?
First of all, it should be noted that a unified unified marking of LEDs by color on the world market has not yet been approved. Each manufacturer uses its own approaches to classify the respective products. If we talk about the Russian market, in our country the classification of LEDs into 4 types is common:
- red;
- green;
- yellow;
- orange.
Let's consider it in more detail in the context of the labeling of the relevant products.
Red LEDs on the Russian market: marking
If a red stripe is used as a marking for a Russian diode, then it will be of the AL112A(G) type and glow red. If the marking is represented by a green stripe, then the LED will be classified as AL112B(D) and will also glow red. In turn, the blue stripe indicates a product of the AL112V type. However, it also has a red color. The following LEDs marked with a red dot will have the same color: AL112E(K), AL301A, AL310A, AL316A, as well as PIKM02A-1K.
However, there are red LEDs:
- AL112Zh(L) and AL307G with green dot;
- AL112I(M), AL310B, and AL316B withblue dot;
-AL307A, AL307V, AL336K, as well as KIPD02A-1K with a black dot;
- KIPD02B-1K with two black dots;
- AL301B, AL336B, as well as KIPM02B-1K with two red dots.
There is also a product of type AL307B without marking - also a red glow. Let's now consider what marking of green LEDs is used in the Russian market.
Green LEDs
So, the following products have a green glow color:
- KIPD02V-1L with black dot;
- AL336I with white dot;
- AL336G, as well as KIPM02G-1L with two green dots;
- KIPD02G-1L - with two black dots.
The next type of products common on the Russian market is yellow. Consider what is the marking of LEDs, its decoding - in relation to products of the corresponding type.
Yellow LEDs
LEDs that have a yellow glow include:
- AL336D - with one yellow dot, AL336E - with two, AL336Zh - with three;
- AL307D, KIPD02E-1ZH - with one black dot, AL307E and KIPD02E-1ZH - with two;
- KIP02D-1ZH - with three green dots.
The next common type of product is orange. Let's study what the marking of light-emitting diodes (LED) of the corresponding type is.
Orange LEDs
Products that have an orange glow include:
- LED AL307I - marked with a white dot;
- LED AL307L - with two white dots.
There are a large number of ways to use the products in question. Accordingly, the marking of light-emitting diodes (LED) can be classified on other grounds. So, among the most common areas of application of these products is the manufacture of light tapes. Consider how LED labeling is applied when considering the design of this type of product.
Features of marking LED strips
It is worth noting that the production of LED strips is one of the types of businesses that are characterized by just the same unified approach of manufacturing brands to the labeling of products. So, in order to classify LED strips, a unified code consisting of 8 elements is used. It is represented in the following structure.
In the first element of the corresponding code, in fact, the name of the main component of the tape - the LED, LED is encrypted.
The second element of the code reflects the color of the corresponding product:
- R - red - from English Red;
- G - green - from Green;
- B - blue;
- CW - white;
- The RGB code reflects the fact that the LED is multicolor.
In the third element of the code in question, through which the LED is encrypted - the marking of the pins. For example, they can be classified as SMD. That is, the code will show that the chip is intended for installation directly on the printed circuit board, as part of surface mounting. In turn, the unified code can also havethe marking of DIP type LEDs has been applied, which will show that the products are intended for installation not on the surface of something, but in holes.
The 4th element of the unified LED code reflects the body size in millimeters. In the 5th - the number of corresponding products per 1 meter of the tape on which they are installed.
In the 6th - the class of protection of the LED from the effects of various external factors. Here, for example, an IP code can be used, which reflects the fact that the protection class is specified in accordance with the industry standard for the protection of electronic devices IEC-952.
The 7th element reflects the degree of protection of the LED. Codes may be present here:
- 0, indicating that the LEDs are not protected from external factors;
- 1, indicating that the product is protected from the penetration of objects with a diameter of 50 mm or more;
- 2, reflecting that the LED is protected from objects with a diameter of 12-80 mm;
- 3 showing protection against objects with a diameter of 2.5 mm or more;
- 4, reflecting the protection of the LED from objects with a diameter of 1 mm or more;
- 5, indicating that the product is protected from the ingress of dust in an amount that may lead to a violation of the functionality of the LED;
- 6, which indicates that no dust is allowed to enter the product.
In turn, the 8th element of the unified code reflects the degree of protection of the product from penetrationliquids. Codes can be fixed in it:
- 0, which indicates that the LED is not protected from liquids;
- 1, reflecting the fact that water drops that fall vertically cannot penetrate the product;
- 2, which indicates that the LED is protected from water drops falling at an angle of 15 degrees;
- 3, fixing the protection against drops that fall at an angle of 60 degrees;
- 4, indicating that the LED is protected from water drops that fall on the product at any angle;
- 5, which reflects that the product is protected from the impact of a water jet of normal intensity;
- 6, indicating that the LED cannot be penetrated by strong jet water;
- 7, indicating that water will not penetrate the product even when immersed to a depth of 15 cm;
- 8, which indicates that the LED will remain functional even when immersed in water for a long time.
Deciphering the code for the unified marking of the LED strip: example
How might an example of unified code look like in the structure we have considered?
So, for example, the marking of SMD LEDs may look like this: LED-R-SMD-5050/60 IP68. It means that:
- it is LEDs placed on the tape;
- corresponding products have a red glow - R;
- the tape is made using SMD type LEDs - that is, designed for surface installation;
- the LED has a body size of 50 by 50 square meters. millimeters;
- ontape placed 60 LEDs, the fact;
- according to international standards, the tape can be used in a dusty environment, as well as when placed in water for a long time - IP68.
LED strip manufacturers thus offer their users a convenient and informative product classification. With its help, both SMD LEDs and those belonging to the DIP category can be effectively marked.
Among other common types of products, the production of which uses the products in question are car headlights and flashlights. It will be useful to study how, respectively, the marking of headlights for LEDs, as well as products installed in flashlights of various types.
Features of marking LEDs for headlights
The most important characteristic of the LED lamp installed in the headlight of a car is the type of its base. This parameter should be guided primarily when choosing a car headlight - in terms of its use instead of halogen.
For example, if you choose an LED headlight lamp, then the following relationships can be observed between its marking and brightness:
- marking H1 corresponds to the power of 55 W and the brightness of 1550 lumens;
- H3 - power 55W and brightness 1450;
- H4 - 55 and 1650 for high beam, 1000 for low beam;
-H7 - 55 and 1500;
- H8 - 35 and 800;
- H9 - 65 and 2100;
- H11 - 55 and 1350;
- HB2 - 60 and 1500 forhigh beam, 910 for low beam;
- HB3 - 60 &1860;
- HB4 - 51 and 1095.
Experts recommend choosing LED lamps that are slightly brighter than halogen products.
There are other approaches to the classification, within which the marking of LED headlights can be applied. So, for example, there are separate types of products installed in fog lights - for example, H8, H10, and also H11. Lamps of type W5W, T10, and also T4W are installed in position and side turning lamps. The specific type of LED, therefore, is selected based on the purpose of a particular headlight.
Marking LED flashlights
The next type of product in which LEDs can be used is flashlights. The classification of the respective products also has nuances. The marking of LEDs for flashlights, depending on the policy of manufacturers, can be either similar to the one that characterizes the classification of LED strips, which we considered above, or completely unique (although, of course, it is in the interests of the manufacturer to make it as close as possible to industry-wide approaches).
For an example, we can consider the classification of LEDs for flashlights of the American company CREE - one of the leaders in the world market for related products.
CREE LED flashlights: classification
The products of this brand are divided into 2 main groups - XLamp flashlights, as well as super-bright ones. Each of the respective groups is classified into families, which differ in hull type and operationalparameters. The main classification criterion in this case is the allowed amount of current that passes through the crystal present in the structure of the LED.
It can be noted that the most powerful flashlights of the XLamp type from CREE include products that have a corresponding indicator in excess of 350 mA. In turn, ultra-bright products operate at a significantly lower operating current - usually not exceeding 50 mA. Speaking specifically about the classification of CREE products, the lights belonging to the Xlamp group are classified into the following main varieties: XR, XP, MC.
They are marked, in turn, using the same designations.
It can be noted that they are all SMD LEDs. Labeling that would reflect this fact may not be applied in this case, since there are no products in the corresponding line that do not meet this criterion. Depending on the specific crystal, the marking of these types of LEDs can be supplemented with the letters C or E.
In turn, the LEDs classified as super-bright are divided into groups, which differ mainly in execution options. So, the company produces products that are labeled as P4 - they have a square section and 4 leads. LEDs adapted for surface mounting are grouped by the manufacturer into the PLCC category.
CV
So, we have considered what constitutes the marking-characteristic that determines the parameters of such products as LEDs. Connect them, size,operating conditions, security and many other parameters can be indicated using the relevant information. The generally accepted classification of LEDs in the global industry has not been approved. Which, however, may be quite logical given that these products are used in the widest range of industries.
At the same time, in certain areas in which LEDs are used, their marking-characteristics can be unified. For example, this applies to the production of LED strips. Using a unified marking code consisting of 8 elements, the user can determine the key parameters of the purchased products.
But in many cases, in order to obtain reliable information about LEDs, you have to use only the classification and labeling that was developed by a specific manufacturer brand. They can be either similar to those that characterize the approaches of competing corporations, or completely unique.
In many cases, the criterion for classifying LEDs can be not so much their characteristics as an independent product, but the parameters of the final product in which they are installed. For example, according to such principles, it is possible to classify products used in the construction of car headlights - in terms of the most useful applicability of LED marking for the end user. However, outside the context of the final product, classification and, as a result, labeling of LEDs can be carried out according to completely different principles.
