-5-

(4) Recommended circuit

· In designing a circuit, the current through each LED must not exceed the absolute maximum rating

specified for each LED. It is recommended to use Circuit B which regulates the current flowing

through each LED. In the meanwhile, when driving LEDs with a constant voltage in Circuit A, the

worst case, some LED may be subjected to stresses in excess of the absolute maximum rating.

· This product should be operated in forward bias. A driving circuit must be designed so that the product

is not subjected to either forward or reverse voltage while it is off. In particular, if a reverse voltage is

continuously applied to the product, such operation can cause migration resulting in LED damage.

· For stabilizing the LED characteristics, it is recommended to operate at 10% of the rated current or

higher.

· Nichia makes the utmost efforts to improve the quality and reliability of its semiconductor products,

however the failure and malfunction of a certain percentage is unavoidable due to their properties.

As a responsibility of the Customer, sufficient measures should be given to ensuring safe design in

Customer products, such as redundancy, fire-containment and anti-failure features to prevent accidents

resulting in injury or death, fire or other social damage arising from these failure and malfunction.

(5) Static Electricity

· Static electricity or surge voltage damages the LEDs.

It is recommended that a wrist band or an anti-electrostatic glove be used when handling the LEDs.

· All devices, equipment and machinery must be properly grounded. It is recommended that precautions

be taken against surge voltage to the equipment that mounts the LEDs.

· When inspecting the final products in which LEDs were assembled, it is recommended to check

whether the assembled LEDs are damaged by static electricity or not.

It is easy to find static-damaged

LEDs by a light-on test or a VF test at a lower current (below 1mA is recommended).

The LEDs

should be used the light detector etc. when testing the light-on. Do not stare into the LEDs when testing.

· Damaged LEDs will show some unusual characteristics such as the forward voltage becomes lower,

or the LEDs do not light at the low current.

(A)

(B)

Nichia STS-DA1-1207

<Cat.No.100831>