LED Panel lighting demystify

LED panel light

Led panel lights are becoming the most popular led lights in the interior lighting design while the Led lighting technology is developing.

Components of the LED panel light:

1. LED Panel Light Body Frame

LED panel light body frame is used for covering the edge of the light. The frame provides the inner protection and thermal conductivity. Aluminium is the common material used for the frame. The advantages of the aluminium are the good heat dissipation and sleek outlook. 

Nowadays, the PVC is the new material which is introduced into the market. Compared with aluminium, PVC made-up frame is more excellent on security and poorer on heat conductivity.

2. LED Panel Light Light Source.

LED 2835 is widely applied in LED panel light because of the advantages of high luminous output and lower cost.

Different quality of LED chipset and efficacy plays a big part in brightness, power consumption and lighting quality.

3. LED Panel Light Guide Plate

Light guide plate is the important component for LED panel light. Low quality LED panel lights will have non-uniformity of light and dark spots while it is operating. Understanding the types of plastic and refractive index is key to having a better LED panel light.

4. LED Panel Light Diffuser

LED panel light diffuser directly affects the light output. Panel light diffuser is made from PMMA or PC. PMMA-made diffuser is high on efficacy---92%. PC-made diffuser is excellent on oxidation resistance. PMMA is considerably used currently in the market.

5. Reflective Plate Reflector

It is applied to improve light efficacy to achieve the high brightness. It is made from translucent nanoscale material, its reflective rate could reach 92%.

6. LED Panel Light Power Supply

Nowadays, LED panel light with LED driver system is commonly acknowledged in the market. The drivers could regulate the voltage and current from the main power supply to light up the lights. The use of high quality driver directly affects the lifespan of the LED panel light.

7. Installation Accessories

Suspension wire, mounting bracket, screws,etc. are also used in LED panel light installation.

A great LED panel light should be equipped with all the good quality components, such like the body frame, LED chips, diffuser, reflector, drivers and also the accessories. Thereafter, it all goes into understanding the standard assembling and manufacturing process of the LED panel light.

Article by Mr Luo Tianhan (Temasek Poly Year 3 Clean Technology student, 2017)

Normal Analog LED Strips vs Addressable LED Strips

ANALOG VS DIGITAL LED STRIP

There are two basic kinds of LED strips, Analog and Digital. They are controlled differently.

ANALOG LED STRIP

Analog strips come in mono (one color) or RGB (full color spectrum). They can be cut into small segments. The segments are marked by metal contact pads and sometimes have a scissors icon screen printed right on them

For each segment the LEDs are wired in series, which means the operating voltages are added up, giving the higher voltage needed. All the segments are wired in parallel, so they get all get the same amount of voltage all the way down the strip, but the current draw adds up depending on the length of the strip. 

All the LEDs on the strip will act as one, they are non-addressable. One way to tell by sight is that they do not have any driver chips that you can see on the strip (that would be digital!).

DIGITAL LED STRIP

Digital strips come with RGB LEDs and have a driver chip on the strip that control the LEDs individually. These are also called individually addressable or just addressable.

They also come in segmented, where they can be cut down to bite-size lengths. These strips take 5 volts, so they can run straight off a microcontroller. They will power up when attached to 3.3 volts, just not as bright.

Addressable LED strips are usually controlled using micro controller to program cool patterns and make them reactive to sensors and switches. Most of the work is in the software. In addition, Digital strips get their information from one data-in pin or two data-in and clock-in pins, dependent of what strip is used. The datasheet for the pinout diagram, voltage ratings and other useful information varies according to the type and the brand.

Article by Ms Jesslyn (Temasek Poly Year 3 Electronics student, 2017)