A Quick Guide To The Different Types Of LED Drivers

Posted on: 14 September 2022

Are you planning to install LED lights? LED lights are excellent lighting solutions for residential and commercial use. They are energy efficient, long-lasting, and environmentally friendly; in addition, they offer instant lighting and have no heat emissions, among many other benefits. However, one of their notable advantages is their low voltage operations. LEDs have significantly low voltage demands compared to the supply from the mains. For this reason, you need a device that lowers the voltage from the mains to a suitable amount for your LEDs to function properly. Here's where LED drivers come in. However, LED drivers come in different types. Here is an in-depth look into some of them.

Constant Current LED Drivers

Some LEDs require a fixed or constant output current. You will need a constant current LED driver to power such LEDs. As the name implies, these drivers are designed to supply a fixed current to the LEDs. Usually, LEDs that require a constant current will be able to withstand varying voltages. Similarly, the LED driver will also withstand a range of output voltages. Examples of LEDs that may need a constant current LED driver include high-powered LEDs and LED downlights. When shopping for direct current LED drivers, it's important to check your LEDs' specifications for output current, usually in milliamps or amps. You may also need to check the voltage range within which the LEDs can operate optimally to select the correct driver.

Constant Voltage LED Drivers

Unlike their constant current counterparts, these LED drivers supply constant voltage to your LED lights. Constant voltage LED drivers also provide a fixed maximum output current. Usually, these LED drivers are designed for LED systems that need a fixed or stable voltage and a maximum regulated output current. They are ideal for powering luminaries, brightly coloured LEDs, and LED strips that feature in-built current regulation.

Programmable And Non-Programmable LED Drivers

You may also need to choose between programmable and non-programmable LED drivers depending on your needs. As the name implies, programmable drivers allow you to adjust the driver to suit your needs. For instance, you may regulate the output current and dimming to suit different lighting needs. This flexibility makes them highly convenient and efficient for a wide range of uses. On the other hand, their non-programmable counterparts cannot be altered for different lighting needs. Therefore, you must be keen to choose one that meets your specific LED lighting demands in terms of power requirements (voltage and wattage). However, they will typically cost you less than their programmable counterparts.

If you need 12V LED drivers, talk to a supplier in your area. 

 

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