介绍
LED显示屏 are actually composed of a variety of technologies. Among the many LED display technologies, one is often overlooked. That is the power supply method of LED displays. This technology has a profound impact on the performance, power consumption, and even service life of LED displays.
This article will lead you to understand the two main power supply methods of LED displays – common cathode and common anode- and see whether our common LED displays are common cathodes or common anodes.
1. What is a common anode LED display?
1). Working principle
To put it simply, the anodes (that is, positive electrodes) of the three colors of red, green, and blue light-emitting diodes are connected together to form a common anode. Their cathodes (negative electrodes) are independent and connected to the output end of the drive circuit.
In this way, when we want to power a diode to make it light up, we only need to connect its cathode to a low level so that the current can flow from the anode to the cathode, and the diode will light up.
However, this unified power supply method also has a feature: the red, green, and blue diodes are all powered by the same power supply, so their forward voltages are the same. But did you know?
Red LED chips are actually easier to turn on than green and blue LED chips, which means that they require lower voltage. However, in the common anode LED display, we cannot provide different voltages to each color of the diode, so we can only let them all use the same voltage.
As a result, sometimes the voltage is set a little higher, which is a bit “excessive” for those red LED chips. This excess voltage will be converted into heat energy, causing power loss and making the display screen heat up more.
2). Features and advantages
Speaking of the characteristics and advantages of common anode LED display, the first is that it has a particularly high market share. Why? Because this technology is very mature and has been used for many years, and everyone trusts it.
Moreover, the industry chain of common anode LED displays is also very complete. From chips to driver ICs and then to display modules, there are specialized manufacturers producing them, so the cost is relatively low, and the price is competitive.
Also, because common anode LED display screens are used by many people, the related technologies and services are also very complete. For example, if you want to buy a common anode LED display screen, it is easy to find a seller, and the after-sales service is also very convenient.
However, if you want to buy a common cathode LED display screen, you may have to put in some effort because there are few people using it and few sellers.
3). Limitations
However, common anode LED display screens also have their limitations. As we said before, because it is powered by a unified power supply, it is impossible to provide the most suitable voltage for each color diode.
In this way, it will cause a waste of electricity and make the display screen heat up more. Moreover, the heat will also affect the life of the display screen, which may make it shorter.
In addition, because the voltage of the common anode LED display screen is unified, it may not be so easy to use in some occasions where precise color control is required.
For example, if you want to make a display screen that displays colors very accurately, using a common anode may not meet your requirements because the accuracy of the color depends largely on whether you can provide the most suitable voltage and current for each color diode.
2. What is a common cathode LED display screen?
1). Working principle
The common cathode LED display is actually quite interesting to work with. Did you know that the cathodes of its red, green, and blue light-emitting diodes are all connected together, like a public “negative pole family”?
As for their anodes, they are all connected to the drive circuit separately. The advantage of this design is that we can “tailor-make” the voltage and current of each diode.
Imagine that when you want to display a certain color, the drive circuit will send different voltages and currents to the anodes of the red, green, and blue diodes like magic.
Because the cathode is shared, as long as the voltage of the anode is higher than that of the cathode, the diode will light up. In this way, we can control the brightness and mixing ratio of each color very accurately, making the picture look more realistic.
Moreover, this precise control of voltage and current can also help us save electricity and reduce heat. Just like when you drive, if you can accurately adjust the throttle and brake according to the road conditions, the car can run more steadily and save more fuel.
The same is true for the common cathode LED display. If the voltage and current are adjusted just right, unnecessary waste can be reduced, and the display will work more efficiently.
2). Features and Advantages
There are many benefits to a common cathode LED display. First, it is very energy-saving. Because the voltage and current are adjusted so accurately, much less power is wasted. In comparison, it may save more than 40% more energy than a common anode LED display!
Let’s talk about heat generation. Did you know that electronic products will generate heat when working, and they are easy to break if they generate too much heat? However, because a common cathode LED display is energy-saving, it also generates much less heat. In this way, the display can last longer and work more steadily.
In addition, the colors of the common cathode LED display are very realistic. Because the brightness and mixing ratio of each color can be precisely controlled, the picture looks like the real thing. Whether watching movies, playing games, or watching TV, you can be immersed in it.
In addition, the common cathode LED display is also very durable. Because its operating voltage and current are adjusted so appropriately, the life of the light-emitting diode is longer. It is more worry-free to use, and you don’t have to worry about it breaking down all the time.
3). Market application and development trend
Nowadays, common cathode LED display is particularly used in micro-pitch products. Micro-pitch products are LED displays with very small dot pitch, which look very clear. Because common cathode LED displays can accurately control color and brightness, they are particularly suitable for such high-definition products.
Moreover, as people pay more and more attention to energy conservation and environmental protection, the market prospects of common cathode LED displays are getting better and better.
After all, it can save electricity, reduce heat, and make the picture look more realistic. Who doesn’t like such a good product?
So, I think there is a lot of room for the future development of common cathode LED displays. Not only will it continue to shine in the fields of commercial advertising and stage performances, but it may also enter more families. Imagine that you can enjoy a cinema-like visual experience at home, how cool it would be!
3. What is the comparison between common anode and common cathode LED displays?
What is the difference between common anode and common cathode LED displays? Let’s talk about the direction of current flow, power supply voltage, power consumption, and heat generation, and see how powerful the common cathode LED display is in energy saving!
1). Current flow direction
First, let’s talk about the common anode LED display. Its current flow direction is from the PCB board to the LED diode. It’s like a big family. The three children, red, green, and blue, are all powered by the same power supply. Although it is convenient, it can be a bit “wasteful” sometimes.
The common cathode LED display is different. It’s current first passes through the LED diode, and then the three colors of LED R, G, and B are powered separately. It’s like giving each child a dedicated small wallet, giving as much as they need, which is both accurate and practical.
2). 电源 voltage
The common anode LED display provides a unified power supply to the three colors of LED: red, green, and blue. The voltage is generally high, sometimes even up to 5V. This is like a big pot of rice. Although everyone can eat it, not everyone may like it.
The common cathode LED display is much smarter. It supplies power separately according to the actual needs of the three colors of LED: red, green, and blue.
The red LED may only need about 2.8V, and the green and blue LEDs need about 3.8V. This is like making the dishes they like for each child, which is both satisfying and energy-saving.
3). 能量消耗
Speaking of power consumption, the common anode LED display has a high voltage and cannot be precisely controlled, so the power loss is relatively large. It’s like a big spendthrift kid who doesn’t know how to spend money.
The common cathode LED display is different. It can significantly reduce power consumption by accurately allocating voltage and current. It’s like a thrifty kid who knows where every penny should be spent.
Specifically, if the current of the red LED accounts for 40% of the total current, using common cathode technology can save 17.6% of power compared to common anode technology! If the current of the red LED accounts for 50% of the total current, the power saved will be even greater, up to 22%!
4). Heat generation
With high power consumption, heat generation will naturally increase. The common anode LED display has a high heat generation because of its high power consumption. It’s like a child who sweats a lot when he is tired from playing.
The common cathode LED display has a low power consumption, so it generates less heat. It’s like a child who plays very easily and naturally doesn’t sweat too much. This not only makes the display work more stably but also extends its service life!
5). Specific data on energy saving
Do you know? Although some brands of common anode dual voltage energy-saving display screens save more than 30% more energy than traditional 5V power supply display screens, they are still a little worse than common cathode LED display screens.
Common cathode LED display screens can save about 40% of electricity compared with similar products on the market through precise power supply control technology! This is not a small number!
4. Which LED display screen is the most purchased on the market?
In the market, the purchase volume of common anode LED display screens is relatively large. This is mainly because the common anode LED display screen has a complete industrial chain, mature technology, and relatively low cost, so it has a higher popularity and acceptance in the market.
Specifically, the current of the common anode LED display screen flows from the PCB board to the LED diode, and the RGB LED is powered by the same power supply at the same power.
This design makes the common anode LED display screen relatively simple in production, installation, and maintenance, and the cost is easier to control.
Therefore, the common anode LED display screen occupies a mainstream position in the LED display screen market with conventional spacing.
In contrast, although the common cathode LED display screen has the advantages of low power consumption, low heat generation, and better display effect, its technology is relatively complex, the production cost is high, and the current market share is low.
A common cathode LED display is more suitable for micro-pitch LED displays with obvious energy-saving and cooling requirements, such as the display below P1.0.
However, it is worth noting that with the continuous advancement of technology and the gradual reduction of costs, the market share of common cathode LED displays is expected to increase in the future.
Especially in the high-end market and special application scenarios, the advantages of common cathode LED displays, such as energy saving, high efficiency, and long life, will be more prominent, thereby attracting more consumers and investors.
In general, the most popular LED display on the market is the common anode LED display, but the market potential and development prospects of the common cathode LED display are also worthy of attention.
结论
In summary, common cathode and common anode are the two basic power supply methods of LED display; each has its own unique advantages and applicable scenarios.
However, with the advancement of technology and the popularization of green energy-saving concepts, common cathode LED display has gradually emerged in the market with its lower power consumption, less heat generation, and more realistic color performance, especially in the field of high-end micro-pitch display, showing strong competitiveness.
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