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

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)

IP X X X X