LED LM231A COOL WHITE 6500K 2323 (SPMWHT221MD5WAPMS0) - Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The Samsung Semiconductor LM231A is a surface-mount LED lighting component featuring cool white 6500K color temperature in a compact 0909 (2323 metric) package. This part is classified as obsolete, making identification of functionally equivalent substitute components essential for ongoing design support and procurement continuity. The LM231A delivers 26 lumens at 25°C under 65mA test current with a forward voltage of 2.86V and 120° viewing angle, suitable for applications requiring cool white illumination with standard luminous efficiency.

Substiute Parts

SPMWHT221MD5WAPMS0
Samsung Semiconductor, Inc.In Stock: 727SPMWHT221MD5WAPMS0 Datasheet
SPMWHT221MD5WAPMS0
Current Part

Key Parameters

Parameter Value Unit Significance for Substitution
Color Temperature (CCT) 6500K K Critical - defines color point; substitutes must match
Flux @ 25°C, Test Current 26 lm (21-31 lm) lm Critical - defines light output performance band
Test Current 65 mA mA Critical - standard operating point for comparison
Forward Voltage (Typ) 2.86 V V Critical - circuit design parameter
Viewing Angle 120° degrees Important - optical distribution characteristic
Package / Case 0909 (2323 Metric) Critical - mechanical fit and thermal interface
CRI (Color Rendering Index) 80 Important - color quality specification
Lumens/Watt @ Test Current 140 lm/W lm/W Important - efficiency metric
Current - Max 150 mA mA Important - absolute maximum rating
Thermal Resistance 20°C/W °C/W Important - thermal management
RoHS Status RoHS Compliant Critical - regulatory compliance
Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL) 2A (4 Weeks) Important - handling and storage requirements

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution of the Samsung LM231A (SPMWHT221MD5WAPMS0) is determined by strict alignment of the following electrical and mechanical parameters:

Primary Substitution Criteria (Non-Negotiable):

  • Color Temperature: 6500K cool white (exact match required)
  • Flux Output @ 25°C, 65mA Test Current: within acceptable performance band (21-31 lm range)
  • Forward Voltage (Typ): compatible with circuit design (2.86V nominal)
  • CRI: 80 or higher (color quality maintenance)
  • RoHS Compliance: required for regulatory alignment
  • Mounting Type: Surface Mount (SMD)

Secondary Substitution Criteria (Design-Dependent):

  • Package footprint compatibility (0909/2323 metric preferred; larger packages acceptable with PCB layout modification)
  • Viewing Angle: 120° or greater (wider angles acceptable; narrower angles not suitable)
  • Current rating: 65mA nominal operation; maximum rating ≥150mA
  • Thermal Resistance: 20°C/W or lower

The CreeLED XLamp® XH-G series component (XHGAWT-00-0000-00000HXE1) qualifies as a functional substitute based on matching color temperature, flux output within specification, forward voltage compatibility, CRI rating, and RoHS compliance. The larger 1212 (3030 metric) package represents a physical upgrade with improved thermal characteristics and higher maximum current rating.

Parameter Comparison

Parameter Samsung LM231A (SPMWHT221MD5WAPMS0) CreeLED XLamp® XH-G (XHGAWT-00-0000-00000HXE1) Compatibility Notes
Manufacturer Samsung Semiconductor, Inc. CreeLED, Inc. Different manufacturers; both established suppliers
Series LM231A XLamp® XH-G Different product lines
Product Status Obsolete Active Substitute is actively manufactured
Color / CCT White, Cool / 6500K White, Cool / 6500K Exact match
Flux @ 25°C, 65mA 26 lm (21-31 lm) 29 lm (27-31 lm) Compatible; substitute within upper range
Test Current 65 mA 65 mA Exact match
Forward Voltage (Typ) 2.86 V 2.9 V Compatible; 0.04V difference acceptable
Lumens/Watt @ Test Current 140 lm/W 154 lm/W Substitute offers higher efficiency
CRI 80 80 Exact match
Current - Max 150 mA 350 mA Substitute rated higher; backward compatible
Viewing Angle 120° 130° Substitute offers wider distribution
Package / Case 0909 (2323 Metric) 1212 (3030 Metric) Larger footprint; requires PCB layout verification
Size / Dimension 0.091" L x 0.091" W (2.30mm x 2.30mm) 0.118" L x 0.118" W (3.00mm x 3.00mm) Substitute 30% larger in footprint
Height - Seated (Max) 0.031" (0.80mm) 0.072" (1.83mm) Substitute 2.3x taller; verify clearance
Thermal Resistance 20°C/W 20°C/W Exact match
RoHS Status RoHS Compliant RoHS Compliant Both compliant
Mounting Type Surface Mount Surface Mount Exact match
Packaging Tape & Reel (TR) Substitute supplied in TR format

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Substitution Feasibility:

The CreeLED XLamp® XH-G (XHGAWT-00-0000-00000HXE1) is an engineering-qualified substitute for the obsolete Samsung LM231A based on the following factors:

  1. Electrical Compatibility: Forward voltage (2.9V vs. 2.86V) and test current (65mA) are compatible with existing circuit designs. The 0.04V difference is within typical LED tolerance bands and does not require circuit redesign.

  2. Optical Performance: Flux output at 25°C and 65mA (29 lm) falls within the acceptable performance band (21-31 lm) established by the original part. Color temperature (6500K) and CRI (80) are exact matches, ensuring color point and rendering consistency.

  3. Regulatory Compliance: Both parts are RoHS Compliant and carry identical ECCN (EAR99) and HTSUS classifications, satisfying regulatory and export requirements.

  4. Product Status: The substitute is actively manufactured by an established LED supplier, ensuring long-term availability and supply chain stability compared to the obsolete original part.

Design Considerations:

  • Package Footprint: The substitute uses a larger 1212 (3030 metric) package versus the original 0909 (2323 metric). PCB layout modification is required; verify available space and reflow profile compatibility.

  • Height Profile: The substitute is 2.3x taller (1.83mm vs. 0.80mm seated height). Confirm clearance in enclosure designs and verify solder joint reliability under thermal cycling.

  • Thermal Performance: Identical thermal resistance (20°C/W) ensures equivalent thermal management characteristics. The larger package may offer improved heat dissipation in practice.

  • Maximum Current Rating: The substitute supports 350mA maximum versus 150mA for the original. This provides design margin for future performance upgrades without component replacement.

Procurement Status:

The substitute part is available in high inventory (31,764 pcs) in active production, providing immediate procurement access and long-term supply security.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can the CreeLED XLamp® XH-G directly replace the Samsung LM231A without circuit modification?

A: Electrical substitution is direct. The forward voltage difference (2.9V vs. 2.86V) is within standard LED tolerance and does not require circuit redesign. However, PCB layout modification is mandatory due to the larger 1212 (3030 metric) package footprint. Verify available space and reflow profile compatibility before production implementation.

Q2: What is the impact of the larger package size on thermal performance?

A: The substitute's larger 1212 (3030 metric) package provides increased surface area for heat dissipation. Both parts specify identical thermal resistance (20°C/W), indicating equivalent thermal design. The larger package may offer practical thermal advantages in high-density applications, though this is not guaranteed without detailed thermal modeling.

Q3: Are the color characteristics identical between the two parts?

A: Yes. Both parts specify 6500K color temperature (cool white) and CRI 80. Color point and rendering index are exact matches, ensuring visual consistency in applications where color uniformity is critical.

Q4: What is the significance of the flux output difference (26 lm vs. 29 lm)?

A: The original part specifies 26 lm nominal with a tolerance band of 21-31 lm at 25°C and 65mA. The substitute's 29 lm output falls within this acceptable band, representing the upper range of the original specification. This indicates the substitute operates at higher efficiency (154 lm/W vs. 140 lm/W) while maintaining compatibility.

Q5: Does the higher maximum current rating (350mA vs. 150mA) affect substitution suitability?

A: No. The substitute's higher maximum current rating provides additional design margin and does not compromise compatibility at the standard 65mA operating point. This characteristic may enable future performance upgrades without component replacement.

Q6: Are there any compliance or regulatory differences between the parts?

A: Both parts are RoHS Compliant with identical ECCN (EAR99) and HTSUS classifications. No regulatory or compliance barriers exist for substitution in applications requiring these certifications.

Q7: What is the practical impact of the 10° wider viewing angle (130° vs. 120°)?

A: The substitute's 130° viewing angle provides broader optical distribution compared to the original 120° specification. This is a performance enhancement that expands the light distribution cone. Applications requiring narrower beam angles should verify that the wider distribution does not negatively impact optical design.

Q8: How does the packaging format (Tape & Reel) affect procurement and assembly?

A: The substitute is supplied in Tape & Reel (TR) format, which is standard for high-volume SMD assembly. This format is compatible with automated pick-and-place equipment and does not introduce procurement or assembly complications compared to alternative packaging formats.

Q9: Is the 2.3x height difference (1.83mm vs. 0.80mm) a critical design constraint?

A: Height difference must be verified against specific application requirements. Confirm available clearance in enclosure designs, verify compatibility with solder joint reliability under thermal cycling, and validate reflow profile parameters. In space-constrained applications, this may require design modification.

Q10: What inventory and lead time advantages does the substitute offer?

A: The substitute is actively manufactured with 31,764 pcs in stock, compared to the obsolete original part with 667 pcs remaining inventory. This provides immediate procurement access and long-term supply security for ongoing production and field service applications.

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