What Type of LED Driver Do I Need?

A constant-current LED driver or constant-voltage LED driver can be required if you’re developing an LED fixture, maintaining an existing fixture, or buying LED lights. A driver or power supply should be chosen after taking into account a variety of criteria. You may choose the best power source for your needs with the aid of the information we’ll provide you below.

After reading the article, you shouldn’t have trouble choosing the best LED drivers for the job.

Constant Current Driver

LED drivers with constant current enhance light output without overtaxing the LEDs to produce steady, level lighting. These LED drivers avoid thermal runaway by regulating the maximum current allowed to pass through the system.

When the driver is used to directly power the LED, these drivers are necessary. When using constant current drivers, the output voltage changes based on the LED load while the output current is fixed by the driver. The output V will increase with the number of LEDs the driver is powering, up to the maximum permitted by the driver specs.

Constant Voltage Driver

A constant voltage lighting driver provides the LED light with a strictly controlled voltage regardless of the load. These devices are typically mains-powered AC-DC power supplies created especially for LED lighting applications.

Up to a maximum current limit, constant voltage drivers will keep supplying the voltage; however, once that point is reached, the overcurrent protection (OCP) will cut off the DC supply.

The range of nominal output voltages that can be used for a tiny single LED installation normally comprises the well-known 12 VDC and 24 VDC voltages, depending on the kind of application. However, the tendency to group several LEDs into LED strip lighting for large-scale LED installations ups the voltage required into the hundreds of volts.

 

Wattage

You must ascertain the wattage of your lighting system before selecting a constant-voltage power source. You must figure out the overall number of watts consumed if your project calls for more than one light source. Make sure your power source is big enough to accommodate the total wattage of all of your lights. To avoid overworking the power supply, you must select one that is rated at least 20% higher than the total wattage of your lighting system. 

Voltage/Current

It’s critical to confirm that the driver’s output current and voltage are compatible with the current and voltage of the LEDs you’re using when creating an LED fixture. Check the product’s specifications for its operating requirements and make sure it is compliant with the specifications of the power supply or driver. Make that the input voltage of the power supply or driver is compatible with the system in which it will be installed.

A power supply accepting 120 volts in its input range and a 12-volt DC output is required if you want to utilize a 12-volt DC-operated LED tape in a home with 120-volt electricity. Because the output voltage of a 24-volt DC power supply is incompatible with the LED tape due to its higher voltage, it would not be suitable.

When you need an LED driver, make sure the current and voltage requirements of the LEDs are satisfied when selecting a constant-current lighting driver for LED bulbs. 

 




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