Types and techniques of execution
In our Botland online store, addressable LED strips are equipped with SMD diodes with APA, SK and WS drivers. Okay, but what exactly is SMD? SMD stands for Surface Mount Device, i.e. an element adapted for surface mounting. There are mainly four varieties of LEDs - Multicolor, so-called RGB LED, which in practice means the ability to generate three basic colors - R (red), G (green), B (blue). By mixing these colors, we can obtain any color. Warm white - its color temperature is below 3300 K, neutral white - its color temperature is in the range of 3300 K-5300 K and cold white with a color temperature above 5300 K.
Drivers and their types
Currently, the most popular addressed LED strips use the WS2812B controller. Mainly because the driver is easily available and does not cost a fortune. Unfortunately, there is also the other side of the coin of such a popular driver. It is zero resistance to damage to a single diode in the tape, which results in interruption of the data line and the need to replace the damaged fragment. An alternative without them are the WS2813 and SK6822 controllers, which have two independent control lines.
Alternative driver and its advantages
In addition to the double control line, the WS2813 controller in addressable LED strips has additional elements directly in the structure structure. The resistor and capacitor placed next to the diode reduce the risk of damage to the controller itself, which is quite common in the case of WS2812. Recorders will also appreciate the five times higher PWM refresh rate at 2 kHz compared to WS2812 and almost twice compared to SK 6812-22. The increased refresh rate affects the flickering effect during video recording.
SMD diodes and their markings
It is also worth defining a four-digit symbol placed after this abbreviation. This is nothing else than the size of the addressable diodes used in LED strips. For the SMD 3528 designation, it is 3.5 × 2.8 millimeters, and for the SMD 5050 designation, it is 5 × 5 millimeters. The marking 30, 60, 150 SMD informs the buyer about the number of SMD diodes on 1 meter of LED strip. When purchasing LED lighting, however, remember that in this case it is not only its size that counts. A good diode means a higher price, but also higher properties and longer service life.
Addressable LED strips - FAQ
