Understanding the Importance of LED Chips in Grow Lights
At the light source of every LED grow light. These chips are the components that emit light when an electrical current passes through them. Unlike traditional lighting solutions such as high-pressure sodium (HPS) or fluorescent lights, LED chips can be engineered to emit specific wavelengths of light. This capability is crucial for plant growth, as different stages of plant development require different light spectra.
Plants primarily absorb light in the blue and red regions of the spectrum. Blue light (around 450 nm) is essential for vegetative growth, while red light (around 660 nm) promotes flowering and fruiting. LED chips can be designed to emit these specific wavelengths, ensuring that plants receive the optimal light spectrum for each growth stage.
Well that is only partly correct. Both fluorescents and sodium vapor as well as MH can be made to emit different colors. It’s all in the gas composition. But I will agree it is much easier to make specific colors using light emitting diodes.
There are several types of LED chips used in grow lights, each with its own advantages and applications. The most common types include:
SMD (Surface-Mounted Device) LED: SMD LEDare widely used in grow lights due to their versatility and efficiency. These chips are mounted directly onto the surface of a circuit board, allowing for a compact and lightweight design. SMD LEDare available in various sizes, such as LED 3535, LED 5050, LED 3030 and LED 2835, with the numbers indicating the chip dimensions in millimeters. They can emit different colors, including red, blue, and full spectrum, making them suitable for all stages of plant growth.
COB (Chip-on-Board) LED: COB LEDare known for their high lumen output and uniform light distribution. In this configuration, multiple LED chips are packaged together as a single module, which is then mounted onto the grow light fixture. COB LEDare particularly beneficial for grow lights because they produce a concentrated and intense light that can penetrate deep into the plant canopy, promoting even growth. However, the COB heat dissipation performance is not good
