5W High Power UV LED - 365nm Ultraviolet (20mm Aluminum Star PCB)

Specifications:

• Power Rating: 5 Watts
• Peak Wavelength: 365nm
• Forward Voltage (Vf): 3.4V - 3.8V DC
• Forward Current (If): 1000mA - 1200mA (Max)
• Radiant Flux: High Intensity (Invisible UV Energy)
• Viewing Angle: 120° - 140°
• PCB Diameter: 20mm (Star Type)
• PCB Material: Aluminum Substrate
• Life Span: > 50,000 Hours (with proper heatsinking)

Key Applications & Projects

• Rapid Resin Curing: Cures deep layers of "hard" UV resin and industrial LOCA adhesives in seconds.
• Non-Destructive Testing (NDT): Magnetic particle inspection and dye penetrant testing for metal fatigue.
• PCB Fabrication: High-speed exposure of photoresist film for circuit board manufacturing.
• Forensics: Crime scene inspection for biological fluids and fingerprints.
• Mineralogy: High-power excitation for displaying fluorescent mineral collections.

Project Evolution 

• Prerequisites: Users upgrading from 3W LEDs or UV Strip Lights.
• The Upgrade: This 5W unit offers Deep Penetration. Where a 3W LED might only cure the top layer of a thick resin casting, leaving the bottom sticky, this 5W unit pushes energy deep into the material for a solid, uniform cure.
• Effort Level: Advanced. Requires a high-current driver (1.2A) and serious thermal management (large heatsink + fan recommended).

Virtual Technician: Wiring & Safety Guide

⚠️ CRITICAL WARNINGS:

• Eye & Skin Safety: 5W of 365nm UV is hazardous. It is invisible but high-energy. NEVER look at the emitter. Wear UV400 Safety Glasses and cover exposed skin during operation.
• Extreme Heat: This LED will reach critical temperatures in <3 seconds without a heatsink. A large aluminum block or CPU-style cooler is recommended.

Wiring Pinout:

• (+) Pad: Positive Input.
• (-) Pad: Negative Input.
• Driver: Requires a Constant Current Driver set to approx 1000mA-1200mA.

​Packages include:

1 X 5W High Power UV LED - 365nm Ultraviolet (20mm Aluminum Star PCB)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How is this different from the (3W) version?
   This is a 5W emitter. It runs at nearly double the current (1200mA vs 700mA) and produces significantly more UV energy. It is designed for faster curing and longer-range inspection.
2. Why is the light invisible?
   It emits at 365nm, which is outside the human visible spectrum. You might see a faint whitish-blue glow, but the real energy is invisible. This provides the best contrast for fluorescence.
3. Does it need a special driver?
   Yes. You cannot use a standard 3W (700mA) driver. You need a driver capable of delivering 1000mA - 1200mA at ~3.6V.
4. How much heat does it generate?
   A lot. 5 Watts of power in a small chip means high heat density. Passive cooling (just a small plate) is usually not enough; use a large finned heatsink.
5. Will this cure resin faster?
   Yes, much faster. It penetrates thicker layers of resin that lower-power LEDs struggle with.
6. Can I use a 9V battery?
   No. 9V batteries cannot supply the high current (1.2A) needed and the voltage is too high.
7. Is it suitable for sanitization?
   No. Sanitization requires UV-C (254nm). This is UV-A (365nm) for curing and inspection.
8. Can I look at it to see if it's on?
   NO. It can damage your eyes. Point it at a piece of white paper; if the paper glows blue, it is on.
9. Is the Star PCB copper or aluminum?
   It is a high-quality Aluminum substrate.
10. Can I use this for PCB photoresist exposure?
    Yes, it is excellent for DIY PCB making. It exposes photoresist film very quickly and sharply.
11. What is the beam angle?
    ~120 degrees.
12. Does it work for banknotes?
    Yes, perfectly. The lack of visible purple light makes the security strips glow vividly.
13. Can I run it at 700mA (3W levels)?
    Yes, you can under-drive it. It will run cooler and last longer, but you won't get the full 5W output.
14. Is it waterproof?
    No.
15. Can I use a lens?
    Yes, standard 20mm LED lenses fit this star PCB.
16. Why is it so expensive compared to 395nm?
    365nm manufacturing is more complex and yields are lower. 5W 365nm is a high-end specialty die.
17. Do I need thermal paste?
    Absolutely. Without thermal paste, the heat won't transfer to your heatsink and the LED will die.
18. Can I use a 12V supply?
    Only if you use a constant current driver that accepts 12V input and outputs 1.2A to the LED. Direct 12V will destroy it.
19. Does it detect AC leaks?
    Yes, it's professional grade for leak detection dyes.
20. Can I solder wires easily?
    Yes, the 20mm Star PCB has large pads for soldering.