How Do COB Light Strips Differ From SMD Light Strips?
The main difference between a COB and SMD strip light is their level of light density. In a Chip on Board (COB) strip light, also known as a dotless strip light, the individual LED diode chips are printed directly on the circuit board. These diodes are positioned closely together and coated with a phosphor gel, which gives it a dotless appearance and high-density emission.
In a traditional SMD (Surface Mounted Diode) light strip, the LED chips are soldered onto the circuit board and placed with spaces between them. The space between chips results in a lower-density light emission. Whether you choose to use a COB strip or an SMD strip will depend on the application and desired aesthetic appeal.
What Are COB LED Strips Good For?
LED COB strip lights emit no visible hotspots, making them great for certain residential and commercial applications. These strips are best suited for installation near reflective surfaces, like mirrors or glossy countertops, where hotspots in the reflection are eliminated. Common applications for COB strips include under-cabinet lighting, toe-kick lighting, display case lighting, and bathroom vanity lighting. They are also ideal for cases where you do not want to see the individual LED chips, such as professional architectural projects or commercial applications.
Like their SMD counterparts, COB strip lights are flexible and can be bent around curves and corners for long runs of uninterrupted illumination. A 3M™ adhesive backing allows for easy and quick installation on most surfaces. Strips with an IP65 and up rating are suitable for outdoor use around decks, steps, railings, and other architectural features. You can also make non-weatherproof strips waterproof by properly using water-tight aluminum strip channels and accessories.
Advantages of Our High-Output COB Tape Lights
The chip-on-board technology in COB LED strips offers various benefits.
- Similar to their SMD counterparts, COB light strips can be cut at designated marks and connected with solderless connectors or soldered wire leads for increased customization.
- The strip light circuit board also functions as a built-in heatsink, transferring heat away from the chips to eliminate overheating.
- When used with a dimmable power supply or a controller with dimming capabilities, you can easily adjust the brightness of your COB strips.
- These strips come in a full range of single CCT, single-color, RGB, tunable white, RBG+CCT, and RGB+W options, perfect for decorative, accent, and task lighting.
- Specialized aluminum channels are available to mount your strip lights in a modern, professional way.
Find the Right Power Supply
To find the right power supply for your COB LED strip lights, you must know your strip light’s power consumption (in W/ft), total length (in feet), and voltage. You must also determine if you want your strip to be dimmable. If so, choose a dimmable power supply or a controller with dimming capabilities. Plug this information into our LED strip light power supply calculator below and find a power supply that will work with your lighting system.
Most COB light strips run on 24V power to reduce excessive voltage drop, or the gradual dimming of LED chips at the end of a strip. The higher the LED chip density is, the higher the resistance will be for the current as it flows down the circuit. Since COB strips have an extremely high density, they must use a higher voltage to elicit a lower current draw and have a longer max run.
