No one likes staying in the dark; what if there were no lights in our houses, buildings, streets, etc. the discovery and invention of electricity and light have proven to be very helpful for mankind. Light enables us to see things, be it natural lighting through the sun or the usage of bulbs and tube lights.
There are different types of light sources such as artificial, natural, luminescence, etc. people can choose from a wide range of lighting technologies (Led, halogen bulb, etc.). Quantum board and COB are two different styles of Led lighting. Both have their similarities and differences.
Quantum Board vs COB
The main difference between quantum board and COB is that quantum board has various diodes that cover the entire surface area and light covers and reaches a larger area, whereas COB has only powerful light coverage in the center compared to other areas.
Quantum board is a type of new style of the LED light. Small led chips or diodes are lined in rows all over the board. All these diodes get their power supply from one source at the same time (constant current driver). Horticulture lighting group (HLG) introduced the term “quantum board” for the first time. There are different types of boards manufactured by various companies. These boards come with several features, pros, and cons.
COB is the abbreviation of chip-on-board; it is a type of a LED light. It contains many diodes that are fixed together in a single chip. It gives out one powerful beam of light. It uses full-spectrum white LEDs. It is easy to set up; the kits come with all components that make it easy for you to create your lighting pattern. COB light has many various features, pros, and cons.
Comparison Table Between Quantum Board and COB
| Parameters of Comparison | Quantum Board | COB |
| Light Spread | Covers a large area and spreads light evenly in the covered space. | Gives light coverage, high intensity in the middle. |
| Canopy Penetration | Penetrates less through the canopy. | Penetrates deep below the canopy. |
| Features | Good light spread, better heat management, hangs closer to canopy. | Canopy penetration, compact size, great flexibility. |
| Heat Management | Passively cooled and do not need fans to cool down. | Heats up more, and when clubbed, might need fans along with heat sinks to cool. |
| Uses | Used for growing flowers and veggies indoor, etc. | Used by photographers and filmmakers while shooting, etc. |
| Occurrence in Industry | Came after COB | Came before the quantum board |
What is Quantum Board?
Quantum board is a type of a LED light. It is a new technology. Horticulture lighting group (HLG) introduced the term “quantum board” for the first time; since then, it is working wonders in the light industry. Quantum board has several diodes fixed in rows on a flat surface (board). These LEDs run parallel and have a constant high power current drive.
All the diodes get power at the same time from the same source. They are lined and connected parallel because only then will it make it compatible with constant high power.HLG 80-H-C, 320-H-C series are few examples of current drivers. In simple words, a large number of powered LEDs are mounted on a large circuit board.
Quantum boards are known as full-spectrum LED board which is white. There are different color temperatures available. They range from warm to cool light. 3000K, 3500k, 5000K are few common color temperatures where K stands for Kelvin. Earlier, these boards used to come with ‘purple lights instead of white. These lights are useful in growing flowers or vegetables indoors. For Flowering 3000K to 4000K and for veggies 5000k to 7000k is suitable. There are models available, and each model comes along with a number. These numbers in the name are the number of diodes on that particular board.
The quantum boards manufactured by HLG have great qualities such as high efficiency, intensity, and great light engines. Quantum boards spread the light evenly, and this is possible because of the large number of LEDs. It consumes low energy and hence requires low costs and doesn’t heat up so much so soon. They do not require fans and can produce a sun-like spectrum. Quantum boards are not very complicated; one can set them up very easily with or without the help of the DIY kits. The kits contain all the components required.
Spider farmer SF 4000, HLG 600 V2 R, Spec quantum board LFG, Spider Farmer SF 1000 are a few different quantum boards.
What is COB?
COB is the abbreviation of Chip-on-board; it is a type of lighting. In this lighting system, LED chips are mounted on a common. The boards are usually metal, ceramic-based, or phosphor-silicon (modern ones). COB needs several chips of lumens that get power from a single source. These LED chips are in direct contact with the substrate/ board.
The LED chips are set and mounted in a way that they do not take up much space, which results in high potential. COB gives more output/ light to the center (one single point). These lights are said to be more efficient and prove to have many advantages.
Only a few components go in the making of COB, as it uses only a single circuit with only two contacts of energy. So it needs very few components in the manufacturing of it. Due to this, even the heat is generated a little less. The elements used to make the board/substrate also play a role in the heat transfer (when associated with an external heat sink). Components (level 1) and wiring board (level 2) are electronic packagings that are effectively merged.
COD LEDs are great and have uniform brightness. This helps the photographers and filmmakers in the shooting. While it has many advantages and uses, it also gets heated up and needs cooling both passively and actively. Huge heat sinks or fans inside the head of the light are used to cool down the heat. This might affect the shooting process and cause problems.
Different brands manufacture COB lights. COB 600 ma natural white, LED COB concealed light, Lightron be 3 way, etc., are a few examples. For studios, Godox and Aputure are light brands that have a good range of COBs.
Main Differences Between Quantum Board and COB
- Quantum board covers a larger area while spreading light, whereas COB gives light coverage, high intensity in the middle.
- Quantum board penetrates less through the canopy, whereas COB penetrates deep below the canopy.
- Quantum boards are passively cooled and do not need fans to cool, whereas COB gets more heated, and sometimes, when clubbed need fans to cool.
- Good light spread, better heat management, hangs closer to canopy are few features of the quantum board, whereas great canopy penetration, compact size, great flexibility are features of COB.
- Quantum board came later, whereas COB came earlier in the market.
- Quantum board can be used for growing indoor plants and vegetables, whereas COB can be used for photography and filmmaking.
Conclusion
LED lights are used all over the world. People use them in different unique ways and lighten up their spaces as they like. The LED bulb was first invented in 1962 by Nick Holonyak; he is known as the father of the light-emitting diode. Since then, LED lights have got many new features and are used in different styles.
LED’s come in different colors, lifespan, and uses in indoor and outdoor. Quantum board and COB are two different ways of using LED lights, and both have proved to be very useful for their users.
References
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15421406.2012.690642
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1567173911004524