COB and CSP are two different LED packaging technologies (also called LED chip configuration technology), which are usually used frequently in LED strips & LED displays. Due to the different instruments and steps of packaging, LED packaging technology is divided into many categories. Common LED chip configuration technologies are: SMD, COB, CSP, DIP, this article will focus on COB and CSB two LED chip configuration technology.
What is COB LED?
COB LED is directly set the LED beads on the substrate, and then use silicone or epoxy resin to protect it, to avoid the inside of the LED by the external interference. Since COB LEDs further compress the gap between the LED beads, it is possible to realize more densely packed LEDs on PCBs than SMD chip configuration technology.
What are CSP LED?
CSP LED has a stronger packaging ability than COB LED, so it can package smaller size LED. Its unique packaging ability, so that it has a wider range of applications in lighting, display and other fields.
COB LED and CSP LED: Comparison of Features
COB LED main features
- Uniform light emission: COB LED lights compared with traditional LED lights, the light emission is more uniform, bringing a more gentle and comfortable visual experience.
- High reproducibility: As the light emitting points of COB LED are denser, the degree of image reproduction is very high, and the picture quality is delicate and realistic.
- High degree of integration: not only can be integrated into the screen, but also can be integrated into the light tape, has a wide range of adaptability.
Main features of CSP LED
- Good heat dissipation: CSP LEDs do not need to be wrapped in silicone or epoxy resin, which makes it easier to dissipate heat and therefore more stable.
- Lower overall cost: Although it costs more money to purchase CSP LEDs initially, the overall cost is lower due to the long lifetime of CSP LEDs.
- Free choice of substrate: Unlike COB LEDs, CSP LEDs don’t have too strict requirements for the base, so we can choose the substrate to be placed at will.
- High Flexibility:CSP LEDs can be combined with many different fixture shapes, and their degree of flexibility is very high.
COB LED vs. CSP LED: Configuration Material Comparison
Configuration materials for COB LEDs
The following 4 materials are required to configure COB LEDs:
- PCB board
- LED chips
- Gold wire
- Phosphor
Next, let’s look at their roles:
- PCB board (Printed Circuit Board), which is mainly used as a placement container for COB LEDs.
- The LED chip is used to control or drive where the current goes.
- The gold wire is key to providing electrical support for the entire PCB.
- The phosphor mainly plays a role in color mixing, material encapsulation and so on.
Configuration materials for CSP LED
The following 4 materials are needed to configure CSP LEDs:
- PCB board
- LED chip
- Yellow phosphor
- Connection pad
The role of the other materials is similar to the above, the only difference is that CSP does not need to be connected to the current through the gold wire, but through the connection pads to use the lines on the PCB power supply.
What are the main differences between COB LEDs and CSP LEDs?
Size and Shape
CSP LEDs are smaller than COB LEDs, so CSP LEDs can push the pixel pitch limit of COB LEDs to make even smaller LEDs. in terms of shape, CSP LEDs are simpler and smaller because they don’t require additional potting.
Color
The glue used for COB LEDs contains yellow phosphor, which gives it a deep yellow color. CSP LEDs also use glue for bonding, but because the glue used is different, the color of CSP LEDs is light yellow.
Luminescence uniformity
From the experimental results, CSP LEDs are slightly more uniform than COB LEDs due to their higher degree of refinement than COB LEDs and more lumens output; however, we can’t distinguish them from the naked eye, so there is no obvious difference between the two.
Heat dissipation
As we have mentioned above, CSP can handle heat better, so CSP is more capable of dissipating heat than COB.
Light Output Angle
CSP LED can control the angle of light very easily and precisely, so it has a wide range of applications, such as stage lighting, tunnel lighting, etc. COB LED can not accurately and efficiently control the angle of light, so this piece is not as good as CSP LED.
Cost
Although there are many factors that determine the LED chip, but no matter from which point of view, the manufacturing cost of CSP is higher than COB, which is why there are few LED displays on the market that are made of CSP. Even for the daily use of LED strip, the price of CSP LED strip is always higher than COB LED strip.
Summarize
This article explains in detail the differences between COB LED and CSP LED. Overall, CSP LED is better, just the price is much higher than COB LED, so both have their own market demand.