WHAT is the difference between LEDs and SMDs???
First, the letters LED stand for "light-emitting diode". A SMD is a type of LED.
SMD LED stands for "surface mounted diode" LED. Specifically, SMD is a surface-mounted light-emitting diode that is mounted and soldered onto a circuit board. An SMD LED is quite small since it has no leads or surrounding packaging that comes with a standard LED. This means it's best handled, not by a human, but by automated assembly equipment. An SMD LED also has a wide viewing angle, thanks to the fact that it does not have the standard LED's epoxy enclosure that focuses the beam. This makes it much brighter than a normal LED. And the fact that it is mounted flat to the surface makes it the best choice for accent lighting. When a Flexible Strip of SMDs are covered with the clear plastic epoxy they are not only waterproof but also shockproof. Which is very important when used on motorcycles.
There are two main sizes of SMD: 3528 and 5050
1) SMD 3528 consists of one light-emitting Chip
Dimension of the Chip: 35 x 28 mm
Power: 0.08w/SMD
2) SMD 5050 consists of three light-emitting Chips
Dimension of the Chip: 50 x 50 mm
Power: 0.24w/SMD
Theoretically, the SMD5050 is three (3) times brighter than the SMD3528. That is why we use the SMD5050 in our Single Color “Super Bright” category which makes it about 3-times brighter than the completion. Also, all our “MultiColor” products use the SMD5050.
Also, another way to effect the brightness is the number of SMDs placed on the Strip??? This is measured in SMDs per meter. Some Vendors are still using 48-SMDs/meter and some use 60-SMDs/meter. We use 72-SMDs/meter. The amount of 72-SMDs/meter is the maximum amount of SMDs that can be mounted in one meter of length. If more than 72-SMDs/meter are used the Strip will generate too much heat making it useless. We use 72-SMDs/meter which gives our standard 20-inch Flexible Strip 36-SMDs. Vendors that still use 60-SMDs/meter will have only 30-SMDs on a 20-inch Flexible Strip. That means we have 20% more SMDs on a 20-inch Flexible Strip making it much brighter.
So, do not be fooled… When a Vendor says his lights are Super Bright or Hyper Bright ask if they are SMD5050? If the Vendor does not know or if the Vendor states they are not SMD5050 then for sure they are not Super Bright. Also, ask how many SMDs/meter is the Vendor using?
All of our Super Bright Single Color and MultiColor products are SMD5050 and use 72-SMD5050 per meter.
If you have any questions about any of this call us at 855-718-1990…
