ASMT-YTC2-0AA02 Datasheet, PDF (1/2 Pages) AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED – IPx6 Rated Surface Mount LED Application Note 5487

IPx6 Rated Surface Mount LED
Application Note 5487
1. Introduction
The LED has been used in variable-message signs and full-
color display applications for years. Its popularity in such
applications stems from the vibrant and wide color gamut
that it produces, its long operating lifetime, and its ex-
ceptional brightness which makes it suitable for outdoor
viewing. The common LED package used in outdoor sign
and display applications has typically been the through-
hole package, due to its robust package design, high
optical efficiency and shapeable radiation pattern.
Thanks to the advancement of surface mount LED
package design and materials in recent years, coupled
with the progress in LED die efficiency, surface mount
LED packaging can now deliver the required brightness
for outdoor sign and display applications. In order to fully
enable their potential for use in harsh outdoor environ-
ments, Avago has developed a series of surface mount
tricolor packages with high reliability and durability
that fully satisfy the requirements for outdoor applica-
tions. With our patented package design and proprietary
material, these packages comply with IPX6 coding per IEC
60529 standard for protection against water.
The objective of this Application Note is to provide users a
general understanding of the IPX6 coding, its advantages
as well as precautions needed when using these LEDs.
2. Reference Documents
IEC 60529: Degree of protection provided by enclosure
(IP Code)
This standard provides a summarized definition of ingress
protection (IP) code designations and the test require-
ments with which a package must comply to qualify for a
specific IP coding.
3. What is IP code?
IP code is used to determine the degree of ingress pro-
tection provided by an enclosure against solid foreign
objects (first characteristic numeral), ingress of water
(second characteristic numeral) and hazardous parts
(additional letter). Since surface mount LED packages are a
complete solid without air gap, the ingress of solid objects
(such as dust or dirt) is of less concern. As such, this appli-
cation note focuses mainly on the ingress of water within
the surface mount package.
3.1 IP Code Delineation
IP X X X X
Supplementary Information
Supplement letter (optional), with letters H, M, S, W
--
Additional letter (optional), with letters A, B, C, D
Protection against ingress of water with harmful effects
Second characteristic numeral, with (numerals 0 to 8 or letter X)
Protection against ingress of solid foreign object
First characteristic numeral, with (numerals 0 to 6 or letter X)