Seoul Semiconductor launches ZC chip-on-board DC LED

South Korean LED maker Seoul Semiconductor Co Ltd has launched Z-Power COB, its chip-on-board (COB) type of direct current (DC) LED. Developed on the basis of the firm's Z-Power LEDs, the ZC series can be used as a high-brightness, high-power light source, to both decrease thermal resistance and increase LED lighting product life expectancy. The ZC series also allows manufacturers to conveniently install and design price-competitive products, the firm claims.

Designed as a COB product, the ZC Series eliminates the need for the LED to be surface-mounted onto a metal plate, allowing manufacturers to bypass the chip connection process before use. Companies can trim manufacturing and management costs and improve the end product, Seoul Semiconductor claims.

The use of highly reflective aluminium substrates in the ZC Series also greatly improves the brightness and significantly prolongs LED bulb life-span. Using a single ZC chip permits the development of an LED light bulb that allows light to be distributed more evenly than lighting that connects several LED packages to a single module.

ZC will be offered in 6W, 10W and 16W versions, as replacements for 40W and 60W incandescent light bulbs and 100W down-lights, respectively.

"The ZC Series will enable manufacturers to easily produce LED light designs that ultimately afford consumers with longer-lasting LED lights at decreased electricity costs," says Seoul Semiconductor VP Sunghoon Bae. "As with the recent release of our AC LED, Acrich2, the launch of the ZC Series is aligned with Seoul Semiconductor's commitment to providing consumers with a diverse and innovative product portfolio rooted in research and development investment," he adds.

There are plenty of traditions and pageantry that serve as the perfect buildup for the Carol of Lights. But year after year, the main attraction remains the lights themselves.

Every year, 25,000 orange, red and white lights are strung, and then turned on in unison at the annual Carol of Lights. And while the breathtaking glow officially marks the beginning of the holiday season at Texas Tech, the school also is taking steps to conserve energy.

According to Stephen Howard, a foreman with the Texas Tech physical plant, the school currently is in the process of switching out its old bulbs to LED ones. The switch is being done in 20 percent increments, and this year 60 percent of the bulbs will be LED, which use less energy.

"They plan to complete the process at the 2013 Carol of Lights," said Craig Kuehnert, manager for student development for the Residence Halls Association. "With the old bulbs, the school was paying on average $1,437 a month for the electricity bill. Once all the bulbs are replaced, they estimate that the bill will drop to $197.46. That's more than an 80 percent decrease."

The bulbs are being purchased locally and still are powered through the utility system that runs through the tunnels of the university. The lights also are connected to one common timer that controls when they turn on and off.

The honor of first turning on the lights on the night of the Carol of Lights belongs to the Residence Halls Association president. And this year, Nick Lamy will flip the switch that elicits the "oohs" and "ahs" from the crowd in attendance.