The LED screen industry has massively expanded and it’s now considered one of the most vital and promising aspects in the global market. LED lamp beads are some of the components in LED screens that can ensure the quality of the displays. To understand lamp beads LED better, it is vital to take into the statistics in the industry.
The global market size of LED lamp beads is expected to increase by 9.6% to 240.9 million USD in 2028 from 2022. This growing market is enough proof of the importance that these lamp beads plan in the LED screen industry.
If you’re planning on investing in LED displays, these are something you need to understand. LED lamp description is one of the basics. Make sure to also look into the different LED beads types.
What Are LED Lamp Beads?
Diving into the lamp beads meaning is the first step in understanding the role of these components in LED screens. LED lamp beads are the components that power LED products like LED displays. Also known as LED chips or emitters, these are the little semiconductors that make it possible for LEDs to emit light. This semiconductor is made from the following materials:
- Arsenic
- Gallium
- Phosphorus
The color emitted relies on the material of the semiconductor used. Some of the options are red, yellow, green, and blue. Technically, these LED lamp beads are the secret ingredient for a high-powered LED screen. They can come in a variety of shapes, including the following:
- Rectangle
- Square
- Round
- Lateral
- Micro
- Surface luminous
A lamp beads LED has two connections, which represent the positive and negative charge in the semiconductor. Anode carries the positive charge while Cathode has the negative charge. You can identify each when you see a positive (+) or negative (-) signs stamped on them.
Types of LED Bead Processing Methods
LED lamp beads are processed differently, which can influence their performance and how they contribute to the quality of LED displays. They are usually covered with either a diffuser or lens that allows the semiconductor to control some of the aspects of the LED screen, including the intensity and the direction of light. The lamp beads LED is often installed on a PCB or a printed circuit board.
The most popular types of LED bead processing methods are DIP or Direct In-line Package, SMD or Surface-mount Diodes, and COB or Chip On Board.
DIP (Direct In-line Package)
The LED lamp beads incorporated in the DIP method are now less seen in the market and the LED screen industry. They deliver the following advantages and characteristics:
- Ideal for outdoor usage
- High brightness
- Excellent stability
- Small Viewing angle range (H/V 120/60 degrees)
SMD (Surface-mount Diodes)
This type of LED lamp beads processing method is the most popular among all methods, especially in the LED display industry. Here are some of the common characteristics of SMDs:
- Easy and convenient processing
- Good pricing
- Wide viewing angle (H/V 120/120 degrees)
- Can come in tiny size
COB (Chip On Board)
Lastly, chip on board refers to the processing method when the LED lamp beads are directly mounted on the circuit board. This is different from the usual method where LED chips are placed on a socket on the board. This method is known for the following:
- Glop-top alias
- Properly insulates chip
- Protects its connections
Characteristics of LED Lamp Beads
When understanding LED lamp beads, there are particular characteristics that most of the common chips come in.
- Chip linear arrangement
- Lightweight (as low as 1 mg every LED)
- Fog-treated surface
- Softer screen glow
- RGB black packaging
LED Lamp Beads vs. LED (Light-emitting Diodes)
LED lamp beads and LED or light-emitting diodes are two entirely different entities though they have many similarities. Here are the characteristics of the diodes and beads that may be the same or different from each other.
| Characteristics | LED Lamp Beads | Light-emitting Diodes (LED) |
| Semiconductor | Yes | Yes |
| Charge | Positive | Positive |
| Voltage | Reverse breakdown | Reverse breakdown |
| Luminosity | Higher luminous efficiency | Lower efficiency |
| Electric Sensitivity | More sensitive to current | Less sensitive to current |
| Type of Installation | SMD | Plug-in |
Advantages of Using LED Lamp Beads
LED lamp beads are popular to be used for LED displays and it’s because of the many benefits that it can deliver. Here are some of the advantages you can expect.
Micro-Spacing
Lamp beads LED is popular in micro-spacing LED splicing screens, especially since the display requires high brightness and seamless operation. The use of these LED beads became popular for micro-spacing indoor LED screens.
Consistency
LED lamp beads deliver consistent levels of brightness, white balance, and chromaticity. While some LED screens may showcase different levels of brightness when seen from different angles, it’s not the case with LED screens powered by lamp beads.
Viewing Angle-dependent
LED lamp beads are considered when looking at the viewing angle you’re looking for in LED displays. Outdoor LED displays require a wider viewing angle, so the integrated beads need a balanced brightness that can accommodate this aspect.
Size
The size of the display will be affected by the use of lamp beads on the screen. Considering they are ideal for indoor and smaller screens, it is the ideal option for setups that will use these types of LED displays.
Lifespan
LED screens using LED lamp beads are expected to last longer compared to displays that use other types of semiconductors. They can accommodate as much as 100,000 hours. With their durability and PCB thermal structure, they are guaranteed to be strong and sturdy in construction.
Failure Rate
Overall, the failure rate of LED displays using lamp beads is significantly lower. A single defect in the thousands of pixels (red, green, blue) can affect the performance of the LED screen in its entirety.
Anti-static Ability
LED lamp beads are known for their ant-static ability. Considering light-emitting diodes have a high sensitivity to static, they are prone to static failure. With lamp beads’ ability to resist it, an LED screen using this semiconductor has a lesser chance of going into static failure.
How to Install LED Lamp Beads
When installing LED lamp beads, it is important to know the basic steps in doing so. You can also rely on the expertise of professionals when installing them. If you want to continue being hands-on, here are the basic steps to follow:
- Check out the type of LED lamp bead processing method used
- Check out the four wires included in the patch-type LED lamp
- Mark the key places on the wires (usually per meter) and carefully cut the location marked (You can get them pre-cut, just tell your supplier you want them prepped before delivered to you)
- Inspect the installation plug and make sure to take out the plastic cover on the plug
- Connect the test light but do not cover it or directly connect it to the cover
- Start with the proper installation by getting the lamp socket
- Carefully mount the SMD LED lamp bead using a tail plug and clip
How to Choose the Right LED Lamp Beads
Choosing the appropriate LED lamp beads will require you to know about the important factors that can either make you celebrate or regret your choice. To result in a functional and high-quality LED display, here are some tips to follow in choosing LED beads.
- Pay special attention to the solder joints
- Choose a more stable chip to ensure a high-quality LED screen
- Make sure that the surface of the LEDs is clean and free from stains and other impurities
- Check if the glue used in the lamp beads are good quality by pressing them using your fingers (low-quality glue will result to a cracked or deformed structure)
- An incredible packaging technology can be a make-or-break aspect for your LED lamp beads and the LED screens they produce
- Choose to only get products from guaranteed reliable suppliers
Conclusion
LED lamp beads can be overbearing to understand but knowing about the composition of your LED display can help you get high-quality screens and be able to maximize their use. These beads are connected to LEDs but they are not the actual diodes per se. They are the semiconductor that powers the entire LED screen and are responsible for allowing the diodes to emit light.
If you are quite hesitant to dive deeper into LED lamp beads, you don’t have to. Just make sure that you know about them and that when it’s time to choose your LED displays, you can consider their advantages and disadvantages.
