What Does an LED Driver Do?
An LED driver supplies regulated power to LED lights to provide protection against voltage spikes, short circuits, flickering, and overheating. Unlike fluorescent and HID lights that use ballasts to regulate current, LED drivers are specifically designed to meet the unique power requirements of LED technology. There are three main types of drivers: constant voltage power supplies, constant current drivers, and emergency backup drivers.
All LEDs require a driver, however, some LED lights have integrated drivers that do not need to be replaced. The most common types of lights that require external drivers are strip lights, troffer lights, flat panel lights, and retrofit fluorescent replacement lights. If the lifetime of your LED driver is shorter than your life fixture, you may need to replace the driver if it fails.
Types of LED Drivers
Constant Voltage Power Supply
A constant-voltage power supply is designed to provide a stable output voltage regardless of changes in the load or input voltage. These power supplies will supply an output current up to their maximum rating based on the requirements of the products they are powering. A constant-voltage power supply is needed when an electronic or LED light requires a different voltage than what is supplied by the mains. These power supplies are most commonly used with LED strips.
Constant Current Driver
A constant-current driver regulates and maintains a steady current within a specific voltage range. Since LEDs are current-driven devices, they require a specific operating current to operate properly. Some drivers can lower and adjust the output voltage if needed. Constant current drivers are most commonly needed when the existing driver has failed or if you are manufacturing a device and need to drive an LED array directly.
Emergency Backup Driver
An emergency backup driver is designed to provide power to LED fixtures during a power outage. These drivers feature a battery backup that charges during normal operation and switches to battery power when the main power supply fails. This ensures that essential lighting remains operational in emergency situations. Emergency backup drivers are required in commercial applications where the building code requires emergency egress lighting.
High-Performance LED Driver Features
Dimmable
To ensure your lighting system can have full dimming capabilities, choose an LED driver that is compatible with the dimming type of your light and any existing switches. A dimmable LED driver allows for the adjustment of brightness to create different atmospheres and save money on energy costs. DiodeDrive carries power supplies that are compatible with the following dimming types: 0-10V, PWM, TRIAC, and Potentiometer dimming.
Waterproof
Choosing waterproof and weatherproof power supplies ensures that all parts of your lighting system remain protected against water intrusion. Waterproof drivers are suitable for wet locations and outdoor applications where you need to convert high-voltage AC power into low-voltage DC power.
Enclosed
There are various enclosure options available for LED drivers. Enclosed drivers with a built-in junction box provide a clean, professional-looking way to store your power supplies while ensuring that no wires are touched.
High Input Voltage
DiodeDrive’s high-performance LED drivers are available in a wide range of input voltage options, including up to 347 VAC. This makes our power supplies suitable for various high-power commercial applications.
How Do I Choose The Right Driver?
If you notice that your LED lights are flickering, dimming unexpectedly, or not lighting up at all, it may be time to replace the LED driver, especially if the driver has a shorter lifespan compared to the LED chips themselves. When choosing an LED driver, consider the following specifications:
- Output Voltage: Ensure the driver's output voltage matches the requirements of your LED fixtures. The most common output voltages for strip lights and light bars are 12V DC or 24V DC, whereas the output voltage for troffers and fluorescent tube replacements can range higher.
- Output Power: The driver's wattage should be suitable for the total power consumption of your LEDs or electronic devices.
- Input Voltage: Verify that the driver is rated for the input voltage of the main power line. The most common input voltages are 120 VAC and 240 VAC, but DiodeDrive carries LED drivers with an input voltage ranging up to 347 VAC as well.
- Output Rated Current: Constant current drivers should supply the appropriate maximum current for your LEDs to prevent overdriving.
Compliance with Safety Standards
DiodeDrive only offers high-quality power supplies that have been checked for quality, durability, and safety. Our products carry a variety of certifications and compliance with various safety standards. Products meeting UL and ETL certifications are certified for safety and installation requirements. Our Class 2 power supplies meet all standards laid out in Article 725 of the NFPA 70 National Electric Code for wiring and power limitations to prevent potential fire hazards. Class II power supplies have all insulation layers required by IEC 61439-1 to protect against electrical shock.
