LED drivers are electrical semiconductor devices that alter the amount of power that reaches an LED in response to the changes in environment of the circuit inside. Why is this necessary? For various reasons – one among them being heat dissipation. The lifetime of an LED will diminish if the heat in the environment rises to high.This is rarely a big problem these days, due to the advancement in the design of the general LED-using device.
The power supply LED driver circuit ensures that a steady stream of power reaches the LED during operation, because unavoidable temperature changes in the local environment alter the electrical properties of the circuit. Without the driver, this would lead to issues with performance. In fact, the LED could become too hot for the system to handle, and the entire thing could fail – or at least, render subpar performance.
Generally-speaking, LED drivers are classed by the amount of output current they provide, the maximum switching frequency (think dimmable LED lights and recessed lights), the supply voltage, output voltage, etc. A few of the sizes you’d find in stock at a place such as Energy Recovery Products (ERP) are:
- 2.3 to 5.5 Volts
- 2.7 to 5.5 Volts
- 3.0 to 5.5 Volts
- Output Currents per channel can range from 250 micro-Amps to 50 Amps
It is important to note that the LED driver is also responsible for regulating current flow, so that too much current from a power supply/outlet doesn’t reach an LED that wasn’t made to handle it. This is one of the primary reasons for premature failure of LED constructs that lack drivers. The driver limits the current by dropping the voltage and reducing the amount that can pass through.
ERP LED PRODUCTS
Energy Recovery Products provides open frame power supplies, constant current LED drivers and more to companies looking for Led power solutions. With several Fortune 500 companies among their list of consumers, you can be confident that you’ll find quality solutions – start by browsing the product selection on the ERP website.