LED technology is made up of an array of parts, and LED drivers are one aspect that can be quite confusing. After all, there are all kinds and varieties of drivers. How do you know which one you should choose for your particular situation? What makes one LED driver different from another LED driver?
A Closer Look at LED Drivers
The LED driver is responsible for power regulation to one or more LEDs. The electrical device is a critically important part of the LED circuit, and without out, the entire unit fails. It’s a necessity because it decreases the possibility of temperature changes affecting the LED’s forward voltage.
What is a forward voltage? This is the voltage amount the light will emit and needs to produce electricity and work. With an increase in temperature, the LED forward voltage drops, and more current is needed by the LED. This process continues until the LED no longer works.
However, the LED driver, which is a self-contained power supply, can match the LED electrical characteristics. The LED driver maintains the forward voltage’s changes, ensuring that thermal runaway does not occur and the LED has a consistent current.
How Can You Find the Right LED Driver?
There are two kinds of drivers – low-voltage DC input power and high-voltage AC input power. What is the difference between them?
- High voltage AC power LED drivers are known as Off-Line drivers or AC LED drivers. This type of driver is better with a larger lighting project such as commercial or residential lighting.
- Low-voltage DC input LED drivers are recommended for the majority of applications due to their efficiency and reliability. They are ideal for smaller projects.
You can also make a switch from a high-voltage AC power LED driver to a low-voltage DC input LED driver by using an extra switching power supply.
Consider what kind of driver current you want to be installed in the LED. You’ll use more wattage but get more light from higher drive currents. Figure out what the LED specifications are to find out what the recommended drive currents and heat sink requirements are. You don’t want the LED to generate too much heat or current.
Be mindful of what you want from the lighting application. If you want a dimmer, make sure the driver you choose has that capability.
What You Need to Know about LED Dimming Drivers
The kind of power you use will dictate the capabilities of the dimming LEDs.
Low Voltage DC Power Drivers
With DC-powered drivers, there are two ways to dim them. The simplest method is through the use of a potentiometer, which provides a 0 to 100% dimming range. With one driver in the circuit, it’s recommended to use a 20k Ohm Potentiometer. However, more than one Potentiometer is necessary for multiple drivers. You can find the potentiometer’s value is found in the KΩ/N – K is the value with the N being the driver number.
Another option is to use a 0-10V wall dimmer such as the A019 Low Voltage Dimming Control. When you have several units, this option is a better way to dim. All you need to do is install the dining rights to the driver’s right side for it to work.
High Voltage AC Power Drivers
There are several high-voltage AC power driver options for dimming, but it depends on the driver. Many of them work with 0-10V dimming. The Mean Well and Philips LED drivers provide TRIAC dimming, which works with all kinds of powerful dimmers. This help because it lets LEDs work with all kinds of well-known residential dimming systems.
