Frequently Asked Questions about LED Lights & Power Supply

Constant Current VS Constant Voltage LED Power

Constant current or constant voltage led driver? Which is better?

Constant Voltage and Constant Current LED Systems. It is very important to know the difference between the two different types of LED systems. Constant Current (CC) & Constant Voltage (CV) – each relate to a different circuit wiring configuration. Typically, LEDs are operated (or “Driven”) such that their (average) current is constant (Constant Current), power electronics components (led driver ICs, transformers. etc), are used to create power supply circuits which convert AC voltage into regulated LED constant (average) current.
A constant current power supply varies the voltage across an electronic circuit allowing the device to maintain a constant electric current. This thus ensures that, no matter the variation in voltage, the current delivered to LEDs does not change. In contrast to constant current led power supplies, constant voltage drivers are designed to operate with LED modules requiring a fixed voltage (ac to dc power supply), typically 12 or 24V DC. Modules are connected in parallel across the driver’s output power.

Advantages of using the constant current power supply: More consistent brightness and less light decay due to more stable and reliable output current for driving LEDs, as a result, it is able to have longer lifespan than the constant voltage led driver.

Constant voltage power supply: It is easier to design and develop with engineers and technicians, the cost is lower and the selling price is cheaper.

The constant voltage power supply is usually considered as not so good. During the working with LED lights, there might have the excessive forward current, which will result in extra heat generation and a significant reduction in LED lifespan. Therefore, a constant current source is the preferred method to drive one LED. In fact, LEDs are considered constant current driven devices.

LEDs need LED power supplies

LED Power Supply works as AC adapter for laptop
LED drivers (also known as LED power supplies) are similar to ballasts for fluorescent lamps or transformers for low-voltage bulbs: they provide LEDs with the correct power supply to function and perform at their best. Just as Laptops need AC adapter, fluorescent demand ballast, LED lights & displays require suitable power supply as well. What is an LED driver? LED driver is know as LED power supply, which is the power source for an LED system. This guide of LED drivers will cover constant voltage or constant current led driver, dimming technology for led power supply, quality, control of led driver, and etc. The article is focusing on the LED industry. Below, we discuss when you need an LED driver, why you need an LED driver, and what type of driver you may need.

The working voltage of LED light is DC, which means every LED light source requires a driver to transform the AC power to DC. Some LEDs already include an integrated driver within the bulb. LEDs designed for household use (global bulbs with E26 / E27 or GU24 / GU10 bases and that run on 240V or 120V) typically already include a driver. However, low voltage LED light sources, such as some MR- bulbs (MR GU5.3s, MR8s, and MR11s) and tape light, as well as certain fixtures, panels, or outdoor-rated lights, usually require a separate driver. When an LED that requires a separate driver stops working before the end of its rated lifetime, it can usually be saved if the driver is replaced.

LEDs are designed to run on low voltage (12-24V), direct current electricity. However, most places supply high AC voltage (120-277V), alternating current electricity. An LED driver’s main purpose is to rectify higher voltage, alternating current to low voltage, direct current.
LED drivers also protect LEDs from voltage or current fluctuations. A change in voltage could cause a change in the current being supplied to the LEDs. LED light output is proportional to its current supply, and LEDs are rated to operate within a certain current range (measured in amps). Too much or too little current can therefore cause light output to vary or degrade faster due to higher temperatures within the LED. In sum, LED drivers serve two purposes: to convert higher voltage, alternating current to low voltage, direct current, and to keep the voltage or current flowing through the circuit at its rated level.

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High Power LED Driver

Complete selection of LED drivers; high power LED driver, constant current LED driver, RGB LED driver, dimmable LED driver, constant voltage 12v, 24v, 36v, 48v LED driver, etc. High power LED driver require the higher performance of thermal management, so that it usually made with aluminum housing shell. It is widely used as the power source for LED street light, LED flood light, LED wall washer, LED troffer light or LED strip lights.

High power led driver is easier to have dimming function and higher energy efficient than low power led driver.

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LED Power Supply

We offer a variety of wattages and types of LED power supplies for the increasing demand of LED lighting applications.

It is better know below knowledge about LED power supply:

Types of LED power supplies
Constant current or constant voltage led driver? Which is better ?
Which power supply wattage do I need for LED light?
Input voltage & Output voltage
Dimming function (Dimmable LED driver)
Waterproof or non-waterproof ?
What is power quality of led driver?
The future market of led driver

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Find product list of LED power supplies

What is Constant Current LED Driver

constant current vs constant voltage led driver — Constant Current VS. Constant Voltage LED driver

The definition of Constant Current LED Driver

Typically, LEDs are operated (or “Driven”) such that their (average) current is constant (Constant Current), power electronics components (led driver ICs, transformers. etc), are used to create power supply circuits which convert AC voltage into regulated LED constant (average) current.
A constant current power supply varies the voltage across an electronic circuit allowing the device to maintain a constant electric current. This thus ensures that, no matter the variation in voltage, the current delivered to LEDs does not change.

In contrast to constant current led power supplies, constant voltage drivers are designed to operate with LED modules requiring a fixed voltage (ac to dc power supply), typically 12 or 24V DC. Modules are connected in parallel across the driver’s output power.