Comprehensive Guide to COB LED Strip Lights by DoWell Lighting

Detailed Introduction - What is COB Led Strips

Some insight vital points about COB (Chip on Board) LED strip lights Technology

The COB LED strip is a one-of-a-kind lighting system that uses chips encased on a flexible board.
This strip features inverted chip technology, in which the chips create a linear crystallization on the PCB board.
The surface of these chips is coated with an encapsulating adhesive mixed with fluorescent powder, similar to a special glue being dropped directly onto the chips.
This design offers the appearance of a noodle strip glued to the PCB board, creating a unique visual impact.
When the chips emit light, it refracts and reflects within the encapsulating gel, reacting with the fluorescent powder.
This interaction allows the encapsulating gel to emit light of varied colors and temperatures uniformly, allowing up endless possibilities for producing new lighting displays.

Dotless COB LED Strip Lights installation more easy and without aluminum profiles

COB, which stands for Chip on Board, refers to the packing of the LED chip directly into the circuit board (PCB). COB LEDs are designed with merely the LED chip, a yellow phosphor cover layer, and connection pads.

The COB LED strip light, also known as a continuous or dotless LED strip light, has LED chips that are directly linked to the Flexible Print Circuit Board (FPCB). This ensures a homogeneous and dot-free lighting solution.

When you installation some smd led strip inside the small and thin aluminum profiles, you can see the dot of led clearly, and which is not suitable for this situation. But the COB LED strips will have a good preformance when installtion into all kind of aluminum profiles.

Dotless COB LED Strip Lights, even without aluminum profiles, But one important point we should keep in mind

The COB LED strip light, also known as a continuous or dotless LED strip light, has LED chips that are directly linked to the Flexible Print Circuit Board (FPCB). This ensures a homogeneous and dot-free lighting solution.

One significant item to remember when installing the cob led strips is the aluminum profiles we use. When the depth of your aluminum profiles is less than 5cm, you should use the led cob strip, since when the SMD led strips is installed within the thinner profiles, the led dot will be seen and will spoil the entire space.

Pros and Cons of COB LED Flex Strips

COB LED flex strips come with a host of benefits. They provide a dotless lighting solution, more flexibility, increased stability, a wide emitting angle, anti-vulcanization features, and stronger anti-static capability.

However, they do have some drawbacks. Maintaining color consistency can be challenging, they have lower light efficiency (currently about 120LM/W), and the maximum recommended power is 15W/m due to heat dissipation concerns.

Larger and wider Beam Angle of led COB Strip lights

The luminous angle of a typical SMD light strip is 120 degrees, whereas the luminous angle of a COB light strip is 180 degrees.

More Bendable of led COB Flex Strips

Our COB strip lights are constructed using custom-designed FPC boards and anti-dead light technology, giving them a longer lifespan and more endurance than most light strips on the market

We follow a thorough SOP methodology for the test. Furthermore, we will continue to conduct regular inspections of final products within 24 hours to verify that our LED COB strip lights pass a severe torque test with no dead lights after 10 hours of continuous torque.

Dimmable of led COB Flex Strips

Dimming COB LED strips is possible.
Dimmable lights provide adaptability by allowing you to adjust the intensity of the light to suit your needs. Dimmable lights are useful for a variety of purposes, including mood lighting, task lighting, and energy conservation.

To dim a COB LED strip, make sure the LED driver (the component that controls the LED’s power) is dimmable. Some COB LED strips include a dimmable driver, whilst others require a separate dimmable driver.

We Should keep notes point by point:

COB LED Strips Dimmability: COB LED strips can be dimmable, enabling you to adjust their brightness as per your requirements.
Requirement of Correct Equipment: To enable dimming, the correct equipment, specifically a dimmable LED driver and a compatible dimmer switch, is required.
Variety of Dimmer Switches: Depending on the specific model of the COB LED strip lights, different types of dimmer switches can be used. These include traditional wall-mounted dimmer switches, remote control dimmers, or smart home device dimmers.
Compatibility: It’s crucial to check the compatibility of your dimmer switch with your specific COB LED strip light. Not all dimmer switches work with all types of LED lights.
Manufacturer’s Instructions: Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing and using dimmable LED lights. This ensures they work correctly and safely.
Conclusion: In conclusion, COB LED strips can be made dimmable but require the correct setup including a dimmable LED driver and a compatible dimmer switch.

Cuttable of led COB Flex Strips

Cutting Lines: Most COB LED strip lights include pre-marked cutoff lines along the strip. These are normally represented by a line or symbol and are found at particular intervals, usually every 1-2 inches (this varies by model).
Customization: The ability to cut the strip allows for customization of the length to fit specific areas or projects.
Proper Tools: A pair of sharp scissors is usually all that is required to cut the strip. Before making any cuts, make sure the LED COB strips is turned off.

No Damage to Functionality: If done correctly, cutting at these indicated spots does not harm the remaining strip or change its functionality.
Connection After Cutting: After cutting, the leftover piece of strip can often be reused. Depending on the strip type, it can sometimes be connected using soldering techniques or specialized connectors.
Safety Measures: Safety is paramount. Always turn off and unplug the LED strip light before attempting to cut it.
Professional Help: If you’re unsure about how to cut and reconnect the strip, it’s best to seek help from a professional to avoid any potential electrical hazards.

Voltages Options of led COB Flex Strips

For our customized Led Cob Strip lights, we can do:

5V DC cob led strips (USB Type COB line)
12V DC COB led strip lights
24V DC cob led strip lights
48V DC COB led strip lights
220V AC high voltage COB Led strip lights (driverless)

How long can run of led COB Flex Strips

For our customized Led Cob Strip lights, we can do:

5m COB led strip
10m COB led strip
50m COB led strip
100m COB led strip

Disadvantages of led COB Flex Strips

Challenges with Color Consistency: Due to the lack of binning machines specifically designed for COB LED strips in the market, maintaining consistent color across all units is challenging. Manufacturers currently rely on sampling methods to ensure color uniformity, making it tough to guarantee that every single COB LED strip falls within a 3-step color tolerance.
Lower Light Efficiency: The luminous efficiency of COB LED strips currently stands at approximately 120 lumens per watt. If your project or design requires a higher light efficiency, COB LED strips might not be the best choice.
Power Limitations: The recommended maximum power for COB LED strips is 15 watts per meter. The reasoning behind this is the high chip density in these strips. If power surpasses the recommended 15W/m, the heat generated by the numerous chips can be challenging to dissipate effectively. Consequently, the lifespan of the COB LED strip could be adversely affected due to this excessive heat.

Installing Details we should pay attention to when we install the COB LED Strip Lights

The installation process is straightforward. Simply clean the surface where you wish to install the COB led strip, cut it to the desired size, tear off the 3M backing, and paste it onto the surface. Connect it to a power supply, and you’re good to go!

Despite the fact that the method is relatively basic, we must still pay attention to some details; please accompany me to see the following detailed case.

First and foremost, we must clean the area where the light strip will be mounted; otherwise, the stickiness of the light strip’s rear glue will be compromised.

Second, we must consider the installation angle and the position of the light strip. If the light strip is unevenly put, the light effect will generate a jagged shape, which is quite unsightly.

If we don’t pay attention to the angle of installing the light strip, and don’t adjust the light before installation, then the light emitted by the light strip will be broken, and there will be no light at once, instead of the ideal gradient light we want.

About the Solutions of making the best effect of COB strip lights

Aluminum Profiles with 45 Degrees: For a more efficient and high-quality lighting option, place the COB LED strip lights on aluminum profiles with a 45-degree angle. The 45-degree angle directs light precisely where it is needed, improving the overall lighting impact. These profiles also serve as a heat sink, aiding in heat dissipation and perhaps increasing the life of the LED strip. While this method may require a larger initial investment, the improved brightness and potentially longer lifespan may make it a good choice if your budget allows.

About the Solutions of making the best effect of COB strip lights

Adjusting the Installation Position: If financial limits prevent the use of aluminum profiles with particular angles, altering the installation position of the COB LED strip could be an option. Consider putting the strip slightly off-center or at a different angle instead than immediately under or over the area you want to illuminate. This can help to change the direction of the light and may have the same effect as an angled metal profile. It takes careful planning and testing to discover the best position, but it is a less expensive solution that does not require any specific materials.

Applications of COB LED Strip Lights

COB LED strip lights offer a wide range of applications due to their high-density uniform light output and flexibility. Here are some of the main uses, listed one by one:

Residential Lighting: COB LED strips are great for under cabinet lighting in kitchens, accent lighting in living rooms, or backlighting for televisions and home theaters.
Commercial Lighting: They can be used for illuminating display cases in retail stores, creating mood lighting in restaurants and bars, or providing lighting in hotel hallways and rooms.
Workspace Lighting: In offices, they can be used for desk lighting, illuminating bookshelves, or providing task lighting in specific areas.

Outdoor Lighting: They are often used in landscaping for garden illumination, outdoor patios, decks, or highlighting architectural features of buildings.
Signage and Display: COB LED strip lights are frequently used in signage for better visibility and aesthetics, including advertising boards, store signs, and exhibition displays.
Automotive and Marine: They can also be used for interior and exterior automotive lighting, as well as lighting in boats and other marine applications due to their low power consumption and high brightness.

Art and Decorative Projects: Artists and decorators often use COB LED strips for various creative installations due to their flexibility and the quality of light they emit.
Industrial Settings: These strip lights can be used in machinery lighting, warehouse illumination, or as safety lighting in dark industrial areas.
Cove Lighting: Their flexibility makes them ideal for cove lighting, where a hidden light source is used to illuminate ceilings or walls.
Stage Design: They’re used in concerts, theatres, and other stage design setups due to their vibrant and adjustable lighting.

commonly asked questions and Answers

What does COB mean in LED lighting?

COB stands for “Chip on Board”. It is a method of packaging LEDs where the LED chips are mounted directly onto a circuit board.

What are the disadvantages of COB LED strip lights?

Some of the drawbacks of COB LED strip lights include difficulty in maintaining color consistency, lower light efficiency (currently about 120LM/W), and the maximum recommended power is 15W/m due to heat dissipation concerns.

What is a COB LED strip light?

A COB LED strip light, sometimes referred to as continuous or dotless LED strip light, features LED chips directly attached to the Flexible Print Circuit Board (FPCB). This ensures a uniform and dotless lighting solution.

How flexible are COB LED strip lights?

COB LED strip lights are extremely flexible due to the small size of the diodes and the uniform weight distribution. This makes it easy to install them in tight areas and around corners.

What are the advantages of COB LED strip lights?

COB LED strip lights offer several benefits including a 180-degree beam angle, superior flexibility, uniform light, and no gold wires, which are often a weak point in other types of LEDs.

What color options are available for COB LED strip lights?

COB LED strip lights are available in a wide range of color temperatures and colors. They can emit white light in various color temperatures like 2700K, 3000K, 4000K, 6000K, and more. Colorful light options like red, green, blue, yellow, pink, etc., are also available.

What voltage options are available for COB LED strip lights?

COB LED strip lights are available in different voltage options like 5V, 12V, and 24V.

Can COB LED strip lights be dimmed?

Yes, COB LED strip lights are dimmable. You can use DALI, triac, PWM, 0-10V dimming power supply to use with COB LED strips to achieve dimming.

How to install COB LED strip lights?

The installation process of COB LED strip lights is straightforward. Clean the surface where you wish to install the strip, cut it to the desired size, tear off the 3M backing, and paste it onto the surface. Connect it to a power supply, and you’re good to go!

What are the applications of COB LED strip lights?

COB LED strip lights can be used for a variety of applications including architectural lighting, furniture and wine cabinet lighting, hotel renovations, KTV bars, parking lots, shopping malls, and TV backlights, among others.

Conclusion

COB LED strips are a good option to consider if you need a lighting solution that is free of light spots. However, if your lighting demands require strict color consistency, such as 3-step or 2-step Macadam color tolerance, or if you require high lumens and luminous efficacy, standard SMD LED strips may be a better option.

DoWell Lighting is a market-leading maker of COB LED strip lights. We are happy to offer customized solutions, as well as OEM and ODM services. Bulk purchases are encouraged for wholesalers, distributors, dealers, merchants, and agents.

To maintain the highest quality standards, DoWell Lighting ensures that all of our LED strips and LED neon flex are rigorously tested in our modern laboratories. Furthermore, we provide customizing choices for our LED strips and neon flex goods. So, whether you’re looking for superior LED strips, LED ambient lights, LED strip kits, LED cabinet lights, or LED neon flex solutions, contact DoWell Lighting right away!