Illustration of Driver

What is a LED Driver?

An LED driver is a self contained power supply which regulates the power required for an LED or array of LEDs. The light emitting diodes are low energy, lighting devices with a long lifespan and low energy consumption, hence the requirement for specialized power supplies.

Do we need a LED Driver?

Due to increasing energy regulations, most people are familiar by now with the long life spans and energy savings associated with LED, or light-emitting diodes. However, many are not aware that these innovative light sources use specialized devices called LED Driver to operate. LED drivers (also known as LED power supplies) are similar to ballasts for fluorescent lamps or transformers for low-voltage bulbs. They provide LED with the correct power supply to function and perform at their best.

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.

Do we need a LED Driver?

How does a LED Driver differ from a conventional power supply?

An LED driver is somewhat like cruise control in a car, the power level required changes throughout the LED’s temperature increases and decreases. Without the correct LED driver the LEDs would become too hot and unstable resulting in failure and bad performance. To ensure the LEDs function perfectly the self contained LED driver is required to supply a maintained constant amount of power to the LED.

The LED drivers provide protection to the LED bulbs against current and voltage fluctuations. The drivers ensure that the voltage and current to the LED bulbs remains within the operating range of the LEDs regardless of fluctuations in the mains supply. The protection avoids providing too much voltage and current that would degrade the LEDs or too low current that would reduce the light output.

Symbol that you can find on a LED Driver and what it means :

IEC 61347-1

Class I Product ( Protective Earth )

IEC 61347-1

Class II Product ( L,N Only )

IEC 61347-1

Class I Product ( Protective Earth )

IEC 61347-1

Class II Product ( L,N Only )

IEC 61347-1

Independent Type Controller

IEC 61347-2-13

Safety Isolating And Short-Circuit Proof Controller.

IEC 61347-1

Independent Type Controller

IEC 61347-2-13

Safety Isolating And Short-Circuit Proof Controller.

IEC 61347-1

1. Enclosure ≤ 90 °C during normal operation.
2. Enclosure ≤130 °C during abnormal operation.

IEC 61347-1

The highest permissible temperature which may occur on the outer face during abnormal conditions. Enclosure ≤ 110 °C during abnormal operation.

IEC 61347-1

1. Enclosure ≤ 90 °C during normal operation.
2. Enclosure ≤130 °C during abnormal operation.

IEC 61347-1

The highest permissible temperature which may occur on the outer face during abnormal conditions. Enclosure ≤ 110 °C during abnormal operation.

DIN 57710-14

Can be installed inside a Woodliness material shell. Enclosure ≤ 95 °C during normal operation. Enclosure ≤ 110 °C during abnormal operation ( German Only )

IEC 61347-2-13

Indepedent Type Controller

DIN 57710-14

Can be installed inside a Woodliness material shell. Enclosure ≤ 95 °C during normal operation. Enclosure ≤ 110 °C during abnormal operation ( German Only )