Product FAQ
Litepipes
Panel Lenses
Interconnectors
LEDs
Regulatory Compliance
Litepipes
Q) I need a right angle light pipe.
A) Look at VCC’s Flexfire™ fiber optic solution. It supports 3mm Through-hole and SMD mounted LEDs. We offer lots of different panel lens options. This flexible optic solution allows you to bend light at a right angle.
Q) Do you recommend a press fit for the micro 2.5mm (LMC010CTP) light pipes?
A) Our LMC010CTP is extremely small, the part itself is a press fit and does not require the traditional crushed ribs you would normally see. You will need to hold a close tolerance when drilling the holes for the part. The hole should be slightly undersized so the LMC fits snugly. Start with a hole of .101 on 3/16 center and adjust from there until you get a snug fit.
Q) What mounting hardware comes with the LCS light pipe?
A) A locking washer and plastic nut.
Q) What is the preferred panel thickness for the LCS and LMS light pipe?
A) The LCS and LMS mount in a panel thickness of 1/32” to 1/8”.
Q) What is the mounting hole diameter for the LCS and LMS?
A) The LCS requires a hole of 5/16” (8mm) on ½ center, while the LMS requires a hole of .281 (7.2mm) on 3/8 center.
Q) What is the recommended distance from the LED to the base of the light pipe?
A) VCC light pipes are designed to be forgiving, however we recommend a distance of .020 to .10 depending on the surrounding ambient light.
Q) How do I mount the LCV and LSV?
A) The LCV and LSV are designed to be used with a Cliplite panel lens.
Q) What are the maximum length of VCC light Pipes?
A) Our Standard light pipe offering caps out at 2” in length.
Q) What if I need a custom light pipe design?
A) VCC has significant experience in designing light pipes. Critical dimensions will be required in order to develop a design. Please call us to discuss further.
Q) Can I order light pipes made from other materials besides Acrylic?
A) Yes, VCC can mold out of Polycarbonate.
Panel Lenses
Q) Why is my VCC panel lens not snapping over the flange of my LED?
A) There are a couple potential reasons here. First, if the lens fingers are restricted and not able to fully expand around the LED flange, the LED will not retain. The solution would be to increase the panel hole slightly and allow the fingers of the lens to expand so that the flange of the LED is fully seated inside the lens.
Secondly, it could be that your panel thickness is just outside of the total allowable thickness of the lens and the fingers of the lens are being restricted at the base of the hole. The solution is to counter sink the panel slightly on the back side so the lens fingers can expand.
Q) How much torque is required on the HMS 462 and CMS 442 moisture-sealed lenses?
A) This depends on the panel material and thickness. 1 Lb Min 5Lbs Maximum. Watch the moisture seal for deformation when tightening. Back off until the seal reforms around the lens.
Q) My VCC lens is loose when mounted in a panel.
A) The panel is thinner than the recommended thickness for the lens. Use a SPC 060 spacer for (5mm) CMC Series lens or a SPC 040 (3mm) for the SMC 170 Series lens. For the CLB Series lenses use a SPC 125.
Q) What are the viewing angles of your lenses?
A) Viewing angle ranges depend on the lens style. 20 degrees to 180 degrees can be achieved. Contact you VCC sales specialist to discuss view angle options.
Q) What if I want to glue my lens to a panel?
A) VCC does not recommended using any glues on our lenses, however, if an application exists where it must be done use Zaps plastic super glue.
Q) Can I focus light with a VCC lens?
A) VCC lenses are designed to increase the viewing angle and are typically used for better viewing of a panel indictors.
Q) What if I want a pilot light window lens?
A) VCC has series of clear window style lenses. The CLR 301 CTP and CMS 444 CTP both offer clear window viewing.
Q) Does VCC have a Moisture sealed lens?
A) Yes, VCC makes three lens styles that our moisture sealed, CMS 322, CMS 442 and HMS 462. Test data is available upon request for the CMS 442 and HMS 462.
Interconnectors
Q) How do I insert a LED into a VCC cable socket assembly?
A) Trim the LED leads at the corresponding angles at approximately 0.75 inches from the base of the LED. Follow the preset angle of the LED leads.
Q) Do your cable sockets work underwater?
A) VCC sockets are designed to work inside a sealed enclosure, therefore, only the lens used with the interconnector is water sealed.
Q) Can I buy just the components without wires?
A) The terminals used on CNX 440, 460, B, C, and D used to retain the LED are a proprietary design and a special crimp tool is required to terminate to the wires. For this reason VCC only provides with wires. However we can make a custom assembly using any wire. Another option you have is to purchase the CNX 310 000, which comes with solder terminals.
Q) I can’t seem to make your standard interconnector work. How do I request a custom assembly?
A) Provide a rough sketch of what you are looking for e-mail to vccsales@vcclite.com or call us at 800.522.5546 and we can help provide you with a design that meets your requirements.
Q) How many times can I remove the LED from your reclaimable socket without losing the resistance of the terminal?
A) We are comfortable saying the LED can be removed at least 100 times before any noticeable connection issue will occur.
Q) What if I need multiple of LED’s added to a single connector?
A) VCC Interconnect products makes custom configurations easy. Send us a sketch on a dimensional configuration and we can generate a detail drawing for your review.
Q) How do I purchase custom configured Interconnects?
A) Typically these products can be purchased thru one of our distributions channels. Your VCC sales contact can help set up a preferred distributor.
Q) Can VCC interconnects support multi color LEDs?
A) Yes, VCC pin out on our LED Interconnects can support up to a six leaded LED RGB is a common configuration.
LEDs
Q) What if my current/voltage exceeds the LED recommended operating current?
A) VCC has a solution. Look at using a CNX 310 resistor LED socket or CNX 410 wired LED socket. Both products provide DC resistance up to 48 Volts.
Q) What if I can’t find the right LED?
A) VCC is able to offer customized solutions. Please contact a VCC salesperson on available solutions and programs.
Q) When do I need to heat sink my LED?
A) The general rule is when an LED exceeds 150 mW caution should be taken for proper ventilation and surrounding environments. Aluminum PCB substrates are available to help the thermo dissipation factor.
Q) What is the brightens range of VCC stock LEDs?
A) VCC has a wide range of brightness. The minimum is 85 mcd to 136,000 mcd.
Q) Can I order custom LEDs?
A) Yes, VCC has the ability to customize LEDs for any specific application. Please contact a VCC technical sales associate.
Q) How do I panel mount my LED?
A) VCC is a world leader specializing in panel mounting products for LED’s. Check out our CLP series and lens products on easy panel mounting options.
Q) Does VCC offer high power LEDs?
A)Yes, VCC has a series of high power LED’s for small area lighting products. .5W, 1W, and 3W are currently stocked. We can customize a specific power and intensity if the opportunity allows.
Regulatory Compliance
Q) Is VCC product RoHS compliant and what are the effective dates?
A)Yes, all VCC products are compliant to the requirements of the European Union’s Restriction on the Use of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS) Directive, 2002/95/EC. RoHS effective dates for VCC product were as follows: Plastic components manufactured by VCC or made for VCC are RoHS compliant as June 15, 2004 All our cable assemblies, connectors and sockets manufactured as of May 1, 2005 are all compliant All VCC LED’s have been compliant since their introduction of 2008.
Q) Is VCC product in compliance of REACH regulation?
A)Yes, all VCC products are in compliance to the recent European Union regulation called REACH, Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals that came into force on June 1, 2007 and with respect to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) list of substances of very high concern (SVHC) which was officially released October 28, 2008 and updated January 13, 2010.
Q) Does VCC provide certifications, material declarations and test reports?
A)VCC does indeed provide these reports upon request. Should you have a request for a third party report (Ex: SGS Test Report) VCC will make all necessary arrangements for a fee. To request a report please contact VCC via email to regulatory@vcclite.com.
Q) Does VCC have a Quality Management System or an ISO certification?
A)Yes, VCC is certified to the ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System. VCC is committed to exceeding our customer expectations, maintaining a winning atmosphere, continuous product innovation and continual improvement.
Q) How does VCC participate in minimizing its impact on the environment?
A)VCC is certified to the ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management System. VCC is committed minimizing its environmental impact from operations, activities, products and services. VCC operates with a comprehensive framework that is conducive to its environmental goals.
