Reliability, durability advantages of through-hole LEDs

by Vianie Li & Cecile de Veyra

Despite the prevalence of SMT, through-hole technology remains a viable and less costly alternative in applications where strong mechanical connections are key. In LEDs, this means bonds that can withstand environmental stresses, including demanding conditions in outdoor installations. In addition, this mounting method allows the use of reflective designs, enhancing LED brightness for use in street lighting, billboards and stadiums.

Catering to this market need, manufacturers of through-hole LEDs in China offer round-top, flat-top, piranha and straw hat types in sizes of 3, 5, 8 and 10mm. They also make oval and rectangular prism shapes, with the latter available in 3x4x6mm, 5x4x6mm, 2x3x4mm and 2x5x7mm. In terms of emitted color, there are white, warm white, yellow, blue, red, purple, green, orange and pink.

Typical specifications are a luminous intensity of 80 to 3,000mcd, viewing angle of 20, 30, 40, 45, 70 or 110 degrees, and forward voltage and current of 1.8 to 3.6V and 20mA.

Chinese suppliers can provide through-hole LEDs based on custom requirements, whether for lighting, displays, signages and other applications. They source components and materials, including chips, epoxy resin cases and leads, from domestic or foreign companies, depending on buyers’ preferences. The cost of these manufacturing inputs, especially chips, rose slightly in the past 12 months, forcing some suppliers to quote by 5 to 10 percent more. In 2023, the situation will be better, according to suppliers interviewed by Global Sources.

Based on InGaN or AlGaN

For through-hole mounting, Dongguan Lanjin Optoelectronics Co. Ltd’s B50LED 5mm Oval LED uses InGaN or AlGaN material. It is available in 640 to 645nm red, 515 to 525nm green, 460 to 475nm blue and 585 to 595nm yellow variants, with a viewing angle of 20, 30, 40, 45, 70 or 110 degrees. Applications include automotive, flashlights, home appliances and electronic toys. An order of at least 1,000 units is required. Lead time is seven days.

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Straw hat

Model F8 from Dongguan Lanjin Optoelectronics Co. Ltd is a blue straw hat LED with 460 to 465mm wavelength and 18mm-long short lead. Its voltage is 3 to 3.2V and power 0.5W. This through-hole component suits decorative lights, torches, signal indicators, toys and gifts. An order of at least 10,000 units is shipped in seven days.

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Round, diffused lens

Double Light Electronics Technology Co. Ltd offers the DL-503RDA-1R30, a through-hole 5mm round LED with a diffused lens. This RoHS-compliant component has red, green, yellow, orange and blue variants for TVs, monitors, status indicators, advertising signs and backlighting applications. A minimum order of 10,000 units is required and has a five-day lead time.

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Water-clear lens

The DL-504BGCA-2BG30 through-hole LED from Double Light Electronics Technology Co. Ltd is 5mm and has a water-clear lens. For traffic lights, advertising signs, monitors, status indicators and backlighting, it is available in red, green, yellow, orange, blue and white versions. An order of at least 1,000 units can be shipped in five days.

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1,000 to 1,800mcd

From Zhongshan Golden Sun Optoelectronic Technology Co. Ltd, this through-hole straw hat LED is available in 4 and 8mm versions with emitted color of white, red, yellow, blue or green and color temperature of 2,800 to 3,200K, 4,000 to 4,500K or 5,500 to 6,500K. Model 5W2UC-A018, with 1,000 to 1,800mcd luminous intensity, has 3 to 3.4V forward voltage and 20mA DC forward current. It meets CE and RoHS. An order of at least 10,000 units has a seven-day lead time.

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AlGaInP or InGaN material

This 5mm concave LED from Zhongshan Golden Sun Optoelectronic Technology Co. Ltd, the 5W2UC-A723, is based on AlGaInP or InGaN material and has a blue, green, water-clear, red or yellow lens. Its wavelength is 460 to 475nm, 500 to 535nm, 620 to 640nm or 585 to 595nm and luminous intensity 500 to 800mcd, 1,500 to 2,000mcd, 2,000 to 3,000mcd or 500 to 1,400mcd. Forward voltage is 2.9 to 3.5V or 1.8 to 2.3V and DC forward current 20mA. A minimum order of 10,000 units is shipped in seven days.

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