Ultraviolet LED UV Chip

Ultraviolet (UV) light is simply a type of electromagnetic radiation that's invisible to the human eye, with a wavelength shorter than visible violet light. We split it into three main bands that do very different jobs: UV-A (320-400nm) for curing and blacklights, UV-B (280-320nm) for medical treatments, and UV-C (200-280nm) for germicidal sterilization. You have to pick the right chip for the right task.

An LED, or Light Emitting Diode, creates light by passing electricity through a semiconductor. Inside the chip, electrons jump across a junction, and when they do, they release energy in the form of photons—which are tiny particles of light. For a UV LED chip, the specific materials are engineered to release photons at a precise ultraviolet wavelength. It's a solid-state process with no filaments to burn out, which is why they last so long.

It completely depends on the wavelength. Our UV-A chips (365nm-405nm) are mostly used by engineers and DIYers for curing resins, adhesives, and inks in 3D printers or custom fixtures. The UV-B chips (around 308nm) are typically integrated into medical phototherapy devices and reptile habitats. The UV-C chips (265nm-280nm) are designed strictly for sterilization and disinfection of water, air, and surfaces in sealed equipment.

You don't guess, you read it directly from the spec sheet. Every LED chip has a specific forward voltage (Vf) and a recommended drive current in milliamps (mA). If you exceed the voltage, it will burn out instantly. If you push too much current, it will overheat and die a quick death. Always use a constant current driver matched to the chip's specs, not a generic DC power supply.

SMD stands for Surface Mount Device; it's a single, small LED on a base. COB means Chip on Board; it's a cluster of many tiny LED dies mounted directly on one substrate. This creates a single, large, very uniform light source. For UV applications, a COB gives you an extremely intense, concentrated beam, which is great for spot curing. SMD chips can be spread out over a larger area for more even exposure.

Much longer than traditional mercury lamps, but their lifespan is all about managing heat and current. If you run them within spec and on a good heatsink, you can expect 10,000 to 20,000 hours before they drop to 70% of their original output. But if you overdrive them or let them run too hot, you can kill them in under a thousand hours. 

Only with extreme caution and inside a sealed device. UV-C light works by damaging the DNA of microorganisms, and it will do the same thing to your skin and eyes, causing burns and long-term damage. You should never look at an active UV-C source or allow it to shine on your skin. These components are meant for product developers building enclosed water purifiers or air sanitizers with proper safety interlocks.

Yes, this is a core part of our business. Just send over your requirements. An engineer will get back to you with a full layout and quote, usually the same business day. There's no fee for the consultation and no obligation to order.