12V LED Module For Light Sign

An LED module is a self-contained lighting entity, designed to operate alone or connected in series with other LED modules to form a linear cluster. The LED module consists of one or more SMD LED chips (5050, 3528, 3020 or 5630) mounted on a PCB (printed circuit).

The technical characteristics of the LED module will directly depend on the number and type of SMD chips it contains. Aside from the 12V operating voltage, here is an overview of the main characteristics of an LED module.

Maximum number of modules to be connected in series

The electrical power increases with the number of modules connected. Since the voltage is constant (12 V), the current intensity must increase to meet the power demand. To avoid burning out the SMD chips due to too high a current, the number of modules must be limited.

Maximum spacing between 2 modules

When you order a set of modules, you receive them connected in series by wires having a certain length which limits the spacing between modules. To arrange these on a support, the spacing must be adjusted carefully to obtain homogeneous lighting of the letters in the boxes or light boxes.

Luminous flux of LED modules

Expressed in lumens/module, this brightness directly influences the visibility of the light box. Attention ! The required luminous flux also depends on the surface of the sign.

RGB LED module and color temperature

The shades of white of SMD LED modules can vary between warm white at 3000 K and cool white at 5000 K, including neutral white at 4000 K. For RGB LED modules, they allow you to illuminate your sign with the colors of your visual identity. But in this case, a radio-controlled LED color dimmer is placed between the power supply and the LED modules.

IP protection rating

For outdoor lighting, the protection index of LED modules must be IP67 (waterproof), especially if the SMD chips are exposed to rain. When the modules are enclosed in more or less waterproof boxes, you can use LED modules with an IP65 protection level.

LED light diffusion angle

Some LED modules have SMD chips covered with a divergent lens which accentuates the angle of diffusion of the light emitted by the chip. The larger this angle, the fewer modules you will need to design homogeneous lighting for light boxes or advertising panels.

The first advantage concerns the safety low voltage which eliminates all accidents and electric shocks. A 12V LED light fixture can work with a 220V/12V voltage adapter, or even a car or motorcycle battery.

Concerning modularity, it offers real flexibility in the design and great speed in the production of illuminated signs, which necessarily leads to a reduction in costs. In addition, the modular design facilitates maintenance and replacement of the defective element.

Other advantages are linked to LED technology: high energy efficiency, long lifespan of illuminated signs, possibility of animation, quality and diversity of the lights emitted, etc.

For example, you want to use an LED module that emits approximately 20 lumens with an lighting angle of 145° to illuminate an illuminated sign of a store measuring 50 x 30 cm and 10 cm thick.

The surface illuminated by the LED module at a distance of 10 cm is Se = 3.14 x (10 cm x Tang 160°)² = 104 cm², approximately a square with a side of 10 cm.

It takes approximately (50 cm x 30 cm) ÷ 100 cm² = 15 modules for lighting this panel. In order to avoid shadow areas and have homogeneous lighting, you can multiply this number by a factor of 2 and use 30 LED modules for this light box. But this remains a rough estimate, because the visibility of the sign depends on the illuminance (lux), the ambient brightness and the distance at which the sign will be seen.