LED technology in just a few years has formed a wide segment of products used in various fields. At the moment, LED-devices cover almost all niches of household lighting, and in some areas they have completely replaced traditional lamps. Such a high popularity of products was facilitated by operational characteristics in the form of durability, brightness of radiation, low power consumption, etc. And only connoisseurs of the segment understand the design advantages of LED clusters. Using the LED module, it is possible to form lighting panels of any configuration. At the same time, due to the control controllers, the user can experiment with lighting modes.
What is an LED module?
The module itself is a cluster that acts as a carrier base for placing diodes. In minimal designs, it consists of two parts - a body block and a compound fill. The remaining elements make up the electrical part that provides control and power to the LED. There are also LED strips, but they are rarely used for modules.refer. They are also most often mounted in a block structure or tubular forms, since such tapes require a protective sheath to operate.
Clusters can be equipped with outdoor LED modules, which receive additional frames that protect against precipitation, mechanical damage and vandals. Manufacturers use modules as an element of larger structures. For example, in multimedia LED platforms, one cluster is considered as a pixel. This is despite the fact that one modular unit can contain 5-10 diodes.
LED as the basis of the module
Diode is a solid state light source. Roughly speaking, this is an analogue of traditional light bulbs, but having many times smaller dimensions - no more than a centimeter in diameter. With small amounts of energy consumption, this element emits enough light to serve the premises in private homes. The number of diodes in a cluster depends on the requirements for light volumes. The most common diodes of the Straw Hat system, which have “legs” in the structure and are themselves a lens head made of plastic.
Initially, the LED module with such elements was conceived as an indicator without a full-fledged lighting function. But as technology has advanced, this task has evolved into a backlight function and has reached radiant lighting. Of course, more powerful clusters based on SMD LEDs can cope with such tasks. The developers have increased not only the power of such LED devices, but also the durability - the average resourceis 50 thousand hours.
Control system
Each module has its own control line, which determines the parameters of its operation. In particular, thanks to the programming of the control controller, the user can set the cluster to glow in certain colors with a particular rhythm and frequency.
The ability to control lighting modes is another advantage of LED technology. It is the presence of controllers in the working scheme that allows you to create large multimedia panels with a controlled image. But it is important to keep in mind that diodes are sensitive to electrical influences.
In addition to the controller, there are LED power modules that provide power to the device. The reliability of the circuit in which the supply circuits and the control controller interact will depend on how well the printed circuit board, the infrastructure on which the diode is placed, meets the electrical requirements.
Varieties of clusters
First of all, modules can be divided according to the number of LEDs used - typical devices have from 1 to 5 elements. In specialized clusters, this number may increase. It is also necessary to separate the devices according to the equipment of the unit. The simplest models contain only diode elements - this structure provides a connection in a series circuit, which provides a supply of current-limiting circuitry for control.
Seconda variation is an LED module, the LED elements of which are complemented by built-in current-limiting components. In such clusters, the connection is made either directly to power sources or to a control switch. And the most technologically advanced version of the cluster involves the integration of the controller itself. In this case, control is carried out via serial interface channels, in particular, via three-wire buses.
Using modules
The main scope of LED clusters is the advertising industry. It is advantageous to use such elements in the same multimedia panels, scoreboards, signboards and running lines. Moreover, in most cases, these products are used specifically in street arrangement. They are equipped with facades of buildings, billboards and even car bodies. Sizes and configurations are virtually unlimited.
As for domestic use, in this area, LED backlight modules with a decorative function are more often used. Due to their structural flexibility, they can be used both in landscape design and as a means of spotlighting individual interior objects.
Pros and cons of LED modules
The advantages of this type of lighting are many, and as LED technology develops, more and more strengths are being discovered. The main advantages include high lighting performance, long service life, low energy consumption costs, compact size, etc.
In some areasimportant is the fact that the LED module does not emit thermal radiation. This feature, in particular, allows the use of LEDs in the design of Christmas trees without the risk of fire. The disadvantages of such clusters are due to their high cost and temperature susceptibility. Poorly protected modules are unstable in frosty conditions.
Manufacturer Reviews
Large manufacturers like Philips and Osram mainly focus on finished LED products: lamps, spotlights, flashlights, panels, etc. And the cluster segments are mainly supplied to third-party industries. Therefore, it is worth focusing on lesser-known companies, including Jazzway and WRS. According to the owners of these products, these modules are distinguished by a high-strength design, long-term performance and the presence of a developed control system.
PromoLED products are also positively characterized. In its assortment you can find not only functional and reliable, but also original LED modules. The average price for this product is 200-300 rubles. Ribbons with diodes cost even less - about 100 rubles. for the 5-piece design.
Conclusion
At the moment, LED clusters are produced in a huge range, and every lighting engineer or radio amateur can find a suitable solution for himself. When choosing, experts advise paying attention to several parameters. In addition to lighting indicators, requirements forwhich are always individual, it is important to take into account the quality of the housing on which the LED module and the surrounding infrastructure are based. It is desirable to give preference to reinforced structures, which also provide for a convenient fixation mechanism. In the future, it will save you from unnecessary manipulations during installation.
Depending on the nature of use, the coating of the case is also evaluated. For general safety purposes, it is desirable to choose modules with polyester resins to prevent moisture penetration.
