There are two main types ofLED drivers to choose from – constant current LED drivers and constant voltage LED drivers. To understand the difference, you must first understand what the purpose of LED drivers are in the first place. Although most people are aware of LED lights and their many benefits, not as many people realize that LED lights require LED drivers in order to operate. LED drivers, which are also referred to as LED power supplies, work in the same way as transformers or ballasts work – they provide the electricity that the LEDs need in order to function and perform at their optimal levels.
WHY DO LEDS NEED LED DRIVERS?
LED lights are designed to operate on direct current electricity that is low voltage. The thing is, most places supply alternating current electricity that is high voltage. The purpose of an LED driver is to correct the alternating current electricity that is high voltage to direct current electricity that is low voltage. Additionally, they will also safeguard your LED lights from current and voltage fluctuations. A change in the voltage could end up causing a change in the current that is supplied to the LED, resulting in the degradation of light output due to higher temperatures in the LED light.
WHAT IS A CONSTANT CURRENT LED DRIVER?
A constant current LED driver will vary the voltage across an electronic circuit, thereby allowing the device to maintain a constant electrical current. This ensures that even if there is a variation in voltage, the current that is delivered to the LED lights will not change. This is different from a constant voltage LED driver, which have a fixed voltage supplied to the circuit. Because of this, constant current LED drivers are better suited for most LED applications than constant voltage LED drivers. They provide more control for applications and allow the ability to design LED displays with practically no variations in brightness.
However, if you are connecting numerous LED lights to create a cluster or string configuration, then there may be a problem with matching the current. In this case, a constant voltage LED driver will be needed.
All LEDs need LED drivers in order to operate since LED drivers provide the necessary electricity for the lights to function. Determining whether you need a constant current LED driver or a constant voltage LED driver depends on the application of your LEDs.