SMD types lead LED module shipments

COB LED modules continue to increase in share, while DIP types are in a downturn. More SMD and COB releases use high-power SMD diodes for greater light efficiency.

Makers of LED modules in China highlight advanced chip designs to realize more compact solutions with greater light output but requiring less power. Based on shipments, they are allocating a larger portion for units in SMD configuration while steadily raising that of COB variants. The latter's advantages in terms of brightness, light output consistency, viewing angle, power dissipation and operating life span have been boosting the type's popularity in recent years. Traditional DIP kinds, although still produced, have seen a decreasing share in deliveries.

There are also initiatives that press onward to flip chip. Releases, however, are still few as this is still a high technology for most local manufacturers.

To achieve better light efficiency for indoor and outdoor applications, suppliers are increasingly turning to high-power SMD diodes for SMD and COB modules. Units with this light source now account for about 40 percent of the line's shipments. In the rest, low- or medium-power SMD LEDs are used, while the typical choice in DIP modules is superflux diodes.

For improved product stability and reliability, China makers adopt LED chips mostly from major international companies, including Cree, Epistar and Optotech.

LED technology continues to gain traction in various lighting applications, keeping demand in an upturn. In the module category, general illumination, advertising displays and sign boards spurred sales growth of 5 to 10 percent globally in the past several years.

More recently, use in the automotive industry has been rising. From 15 percent in 2017, LED's sales share in this sector is forecast to increase by as much as 30 percent in 2020, according to local marketing research firm GG-LED. In tail lights, up to 60 percent surge is anticipated worldwide.

The same trend is happening in the China market, where LED vehicle lights had an estimated $4.47 billion value in 2018, up by 26 percent YoY. This is expected to go higher in 2020 and surpass $6.25 billion, said GG-LED.

Despite this expanding base, the domestic LED module segment is projected to maintain a 10 percent uptick in annual sales through 2020. This is because only a few and mostly large suppliers cater to the automotive sector, which has a higher product requirement than other applications.

Overall, China manufacturers have been upbeat about the line. Most have been boosting production to meet the increase in demand. Shenzhen Learnew Optoelectronics Technology Co. Ltd, which derives about 95 percent of sales from LED modules, invested $0.46 million in a new factory and raised output by up to 10 percent. It looks forward to continued revenue growth from local and overseas transactions. The supplier ships 40 percent of yield abroad.

There are more than 500 makers of LED modules in China, including foreign-invested ones. The majority of homegrown companies are small and midsize, and turn out entry-level and midrange products. Their optoelectronics selections also include LEDs, and LED displays and lights.

Over 60 percent of the suppliers are based in the provinces of Guangdong and Fujian, and the rest in Jiangsu and Zhejiang.

Few new players are expected in the line due to intense competition.

Typical range

SMD, COB and DIP types make up the LED module lineup in China. These come in choices of single-, bi- and full-color variants.

For applications in lighting, advertising displays and digital signage, common SMD and COB units incorporate surface-mount LEDs in sizes of 5050, 2835, 3528, 5630 and 5730.

Shenzhen Learnew offers a COB LED module with up to 100W, mainly for grow lights for indoor plants.

DIP units, which utilize DIP or superflux diodes, are marketed for use in sign boards and advertising displays.

Low-power modules have 0.3W and below LEDs, medium-power variants 0.3 to 0.5W and high-power kinds 1W.

The options extend to water-resistant and nonwater-resistant models. For outdoor applications, products with up to IP68 rating can be sourced.

To suit specific requirements, customization remains generally accepted.

Most products bear CE, RoHS and UL approval.

For LED chips, manufacturers of modules also purchase from domestic providers such as San'an, Silan Azure, HC SemiTek and Elec-Tech. The rest of the materials and components are from the local supply as well.

The cost of production inputs is projected to stay flat and keep LED module prices unchanged until end-2019.

The products in this gallery have been handpicked by our China-based market analyst for representing current trends in LEDmodules from China makers.

COB LED module uses 50W

Hebei Shentong Optoelectronics Technology Co. Ltd offers the model JCCOB-100WCWL-10S COB LED module with 120 to 130 lm/W luminous efficacy, 70 CRI and 1,800 to 3,000K or 5,000 to 10,000K correlated color temperature. The 50W unit has 30 to 34V voltage and 1,600mA forward current.

The negotiable order quantity is delivered within 7 days.

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IP65-rated SMD LED module

The P3.91 model from Royal Hightech Display Co. Ltd is an SMD LED module with 64x64-dot resolution, 3.91mm pixel pitch, 4,200cd/sqm brightness and 60Hz refresh rate. The IP65-rated unit integrates 1921 SMD diodes. It has a life span of 100,000 hours.

An order of at least 50 units is required. The delivery lead time is 30 days.

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COB LED module with >0.92 power factor

From Shenzhen Learnew Optoelectronics Technology Co. Ltd, this COB LED module, LN-AFS70FSM-P100AC-25#11 model, has 380 to 780nm wavelength and 120-degree viewing angle. The 100W unit with 210 to 230V voltage has more than 0.92 and 0.85 power factor and efficacy. It measures 70x70mm, with the light-emitting surface in 25x25mm.

The supplier requires a minimum order of 1,000 units. Delivery takes 3 days.

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LED module has 2121 SMD diodes

For indoor applications, this LED module with 2.5mm pixel pitch from Shenzhen Lianjin Photoelectricity Co. Ltd, SMD2121 P2.5 160mmX160mm-2 model, utilizes 2121 SMD diodes and an MBI5124 driver IC. The 160x160mm unit meets CE, EMC and TÜV requirements.

The minimum order is negotiable. Delivery lead time is 7 days.

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