If you want to buy the best-LED driver, compatibility is crucial, and incorrect driver usage can deteriorate the LED system. LED power supplies are vital to LED lights, and you need to invest in quality drivers. Whether creating your LED fixture or retrofitting old fixtures, your LEDs require the correct power source.
12V LED Drivers are considered the ideal choice as more power may cause the LED strip to be over-drive, and you will end up burning the diodes. The circuit and onboard components might get damaged due to the excessive heat buildup. It is essential to consider various factors while selecting the drivers. Continue reading to know about the crucial aspects that you have to take into consideration.
Power requirements
Initially, you have to evaluate the light’s voltage needs. For example, you can buy 12V LED drivers if your LED requires twelve volts. Similarly, LEDs requiring 24 volts may use 24v drivers. Next, consider the LED’s current output, which is crucial to selecting a constant-current LED.
In a nutshell, confirm that the driver achieves more power outputs within light’s specified ranges. A simple voltage range is enough for the constant-voltage driver, but you also need to assess the voltage and constant-current driver’s existing range.
The voltage supply varies based on location, and the driver must be compatible with the location’s input voltage. For example, residential sites will have up to a standard voltage of 120 volts, and many commercial places have supplied up to 277 volts.
Check with the electrician if you are unaware of the power supply in the region where you will be using the LED light. Today’s drivers are compatible with a diverse range of input voltages but ensure that you consider LED’s current input when buying drivers for constant-current LED.
Dimming
Whether it is a constant-current LED or a constant-voltage LED, you need to check the product datasheet, and it should specify that they are dimmable. If there are no mentions of dimming, you can assume that the product is not dimmable, and it is the same case with internal drivers for household LEDs.
Dimmable LEDs require power supplies with dimmable capabilities, which is when you can adjust their brightness. The power supply specification will allow you to find whether the driver is dimmable or not and the dimmer control type. There are two types of dimming capabilities: PWM dimming and TRIAC dimming.
Environmental factor
Power supplies are efficient if used within temperature parameters, and it is also essential to use them in a safe operating temperature range. Do not keep your drivers in a place where heat can build up quickly; also, avoid areas where the temperature can exceed the maximum operating capacity. Sticking the power supply in a tiny enclosure without ventilation might lead to trivial heat building, eventually damaging the power source.
Power factor
Power factor is a measure of your LED driver’s efficiency when it comes to electricity consumption and output. It is one of the deciding factors in buying the LED power supply so go for drivers with high power factors, and 0.9 is the optimal range for effective operation.
Is it essential to buy an LED driver?
A LED driver is the nitty-gritty of every LED system as they manage the LEDs’ performance and ensure safety. There are diverse types of LED power supplies available in the market, and it is crucial to do proper research before buying the correct drivers. You can buy LED drivers if you need multiple LED connections for residential or commercial purposes. It is a cost-effective approach and reduces the number of electrical devices used. Also, invest in particular LED driver types if there is insufficient voltage to run LEDs.
