The world is changing with new technology, especially PCB technology that plays an essential role in the application of LED PCB. And the LED industry is taking advantage of this technology and growing faster. The demand rises for a more affordable and long-lasting lighting object without compromising efficiency and expected output lumen.
The Light Emitting Diode (LED) is defined as the light producer that comes from its terminals. It has two primary polls, one is negative, and the other is positive. It has different types in terms of materials and the number of layers that come in multiple processes to be maximized to different light-emitting diode applications. To understand LED printed circuit boards, let’s discuss them.
LED printed circuit board design:
There are multiple ways of designing PCB circuit boards, but the most important factor in the preparation of an LED printed circuit board is low cost but not compromising quality. It is not easy to place LED circuit board components randomly on board, they are arranged in a specific symmetry.
In determining whether LED PCBs are optimized when it has good performance in thermal capabilities and capacitive coupling. That’s the time when the designed electronic product such as LED PCBs is manufacturable. While designing a LED circuit board its major consideration is its number of layers. It is composed mainly of Single, Double-Sided, and Multi-Layer PCBs. It is essential to determine the most suitable one for different applications.
A simpler electronic device would benefit from a Single Thin Layer while the more the design gets complicated, a more Multiple Layered PCB circuit board is necessary. All of these are different in performing functions and designing.
Single-layer LED printed circuit board:
Single-layer boards consist of one side where components are placed and a conductor on the opposite side and the conductor is mostly copper in LED printed circuit board. It consists of single substrate copper, a conductive metal core PCB layer, and then a protective solder mask with a silkscreen. With the simplest structure, it is also the simplest layer of LED PCBs to be considered in designs.
Double Layer PCB Structure:
Two Layer PCB has also one substrate thin layer but is composed of a combination of two conductors with each side located on both sides of the PCB board. This structure allows the design of having its component placed on both conductor sides.
Through-Holes and Surface mounts are methods applicable for placing the components on the PCB. Through-Hole is the traditional procedure where drilling the board is done and components are soldered through while the Surface mount is the method of soldering the components directly to the board.
Four Layer LED Structure:
Four Layer PCB is a combination of two Double Layer PCBs. This is done by combining both PCB with a specialized adhesive material. Since both contacting layers are conductors, insulation is done between two double-layer PCBs. And this design is considered for devices with a high number of connections.
LED PCB Manufacturing:
Material’s Heat Conduction One challenge in designing LED PCB is meeting the demand for its expected lumen output while considering thermal conduction as more than half of the power consumed is turned into heat. Thus, this is needed to be removed from the circuitry to avoid damages to the components. This failure is called Catastrophic. And the more power is supplied to the circuit, the more it makes heat dissipation.
One solution is to consider the material of the PCB with low thermal conductivity. One major consideration and parameter in LED PCB design is the color of the Solder Mask. It is a polymer layer that protects the PCB from oxidation during the manufacturing stage. Sometimes its color represents personality while others consider it simply as a design. For the case of an LED PCB, matte black is mostly the option as it relatively associates LED’s resolution. Other colors may bring advantages and each of them is known for different applications.
Color Application
and Considerations
Green
It is the common solder mask to be applied to PCB. This is because the components are seen on this solder mask. When this is applied, the visibility of the traces between conductors is high. Since the text is usually in white, this will produce brilliant contrast to enhance readability than traditional incandescent lights.
Red
This is the most professional-looking solder mask among the other options. It has a property of good contrast on components and empty spaces. It is clean looking with a red solder used in lighting tools
Blue
When used with a mounted LCD panel, the finished high-powered LED lights bring good contrast on edges and bright background. This is often found on heavy circuit boards. And it is considered the most aesthetically good-looking solder mask with components soldered.
Black
As mentioned, it is best to use black for LED circuit boards because of their resolution. It is also unique in that it comes in both glossy and matte versions. It is often used for repairing processes.
Its equivalent is a white soler mask as its counterpart. It produces less contrast when labeled with slightly large electronic components. However, the shadow is produced when light is absorbed
White
White solder masks are applied for clean looks in every environment. The circuit boards will have a good contrast when lighting devices are attached to them in either a matte or glossy version.
However, a white solder mask tends to hide traces as this makes inspection of printed circuit board more difficult with limited lighting. But with black silkscreens, its appearance is highly recommended.
Yellow
As with any other color, yellow presents a neat layout. It offers cleanliness, visibility, and style. With the available spaces between surface-mounted components and traces, it highlights its routing to achieve sufficient light. However, this has not been common in standard as it appears to be poor in contrast with traces.
Purple
This implies it is the most expensive among the choices. It is usually used for submarine applications.
This is one of the most expensive solder mask colors. A purple solder mask is used for submarine printed circuit boards. Application of the LED PCBs is the major criteria in determining the solder mask’s color to be applied. It is a best practice to have samples of each color before proceeding to manufacture.
LED printed circuit Application Residential Lighting:
By making the LED circuit boards applications for Residents more affordable in the manufacturing process without compromising their quality gives way to LED PCBs products to be introduced to the market of homeowners. It is more power-efficient and doesn’t contain mercury that harms an individual. It is as well diverse as offering multiple colors making a home more personalized depending on one’s preferences.
Efficient PCB LED lighting
LEDs are preferred in homes than the more traditional incandescent light bulbs and compact fluorescent (CFL) due to their main advantages of being energy efficient and their capability to last longer. It is versatile in a way that it offers options for brightness and light appearance. It comes in a compact size with several shapes being manufactured giving homeowners different options in lighting multiple spaces of their house.
Smart Lighting Control System
One modern application of LED PCB materials is the automated Lighting System. It is a solution to using light more effectively and efficiently in a long-term process by using a controller to automate its functions and thus enhance how the home looks. This system has several functions. One common of which is its ability to automatically eliminate or adjust lighting loads in any area. This contributes to power savings. And with the use of heat and light level sensors, the system responds to the environment to adjust the light levels accordingly.
Convenient and Portable Lighting
There are spaces in each home where cabling electricals for lighting are not conducive but proper vicinity is necessary. This could be under the sink for repair and maintenance purposes, kitchen cabinets for checking groceries or even checking spaces under the bed for lost items. This is where power-efficient battery-operated PCB LEDs are used. Some of them are remotely controlled while others use push-button for switching. With its convenience in easy installation and excellent energy efficiency, it is one of the most suitable solutions.
Industrial Lighting
Industrial and commercial spaces should offer a productive environment to employees and other workers within the vicinity. This is feasible by the choice of light. LED indicators produce bright light to the surroundings that help in a clearer vision of the employees and avoid eye fatigue. It is also more comfortable and pleasing to the eye than traditional incandescent lighting. High power LED offers color manipulation that conveys mood to the customers which is the desired setup of every commercial space in welcoming them. It is also practical to have LED lights cut in offices and industrial places since they use less energy and can last longer. It produces an insignificant thermal heat sink that helps in managing temperature easier.
Signage and Customized LED Displays
With the previous technology of fluorescent and neon lighting, low power LED paves its way to the market by bringing more energy saver and eco-friendly LED lighting. This is used for directing businesses to storefronts with signage for marketing purposes.
The Advantage of Choosing EuropePCB for LED PCB Fabrication:
EuropePCB is one of the leading Led printed circuit boards companies that got the ISO9001 in 2015. This certificate is an authentic sign and surety of quality services and products. EuropePCB is offering led PCB applications services in which PCB assembling, manufacturing, batch, and sample orders are included. So, there is no risk of the fake product if you are in touch with EuropePCB for Led printed circuit boards service.
