The Ultimate Buyer's Guide for Purchasing Isolated led drivers

When it comes to modern lighting solutions, LED lights are at the forefront due to their energy efficiency, long lifespan, and bright output. However, the performance of LED lights depends heavily on the type of LED driver used. If you’re looking to upgrade your lighting system or build a new one, understanding the role of an LED driver is essential. This buyer's guide will explain what an LED driver is, why it’s necessary, and how to choose the right one for your needs.

View Details

What is an LED Driver?

An LED driver is an essential component for powering LED lights. It is an electrical device that regulates the voltage and current that flows to an LED. LED lights operate on low-voltage direct current (DC), but the power supplied by your electrical system is alternating current (AC) at much higher voltages. The LED driver essentially converts AC power into a usable DC output to keep the LEDs operating efficiently and reliably.

In addition to converting voltage, the LED driver also helps manage the current and sometimes offers additional features such as dimming controls or surge protection. It’s crucial to use the correct driver for your LEDs, as the wrong driver can lead to malfunction, reduced efficiency, or even damage to the light source.

Why Do You Need an LED Driver?

LED drivers are crucial for several reasons:

1. Current Regulation: LEDs need a stable and constant current to perform optimally. The LED driver ensures that the current stays within the correct range for the LED, preventing overheating or burnouts.
2. Voltage Conversion: As mentioned, LEDs use DC power, while most homes and businesses supply AC power. The LED driver converts the AC to DC and adjusts the voltage to the required level.
3. Efficiency: LED drivers help maximize energy efficiency by providing the optimal current and voltage needed for the LED, reducing wasted energy and extending the lifespan of your lights.
4. Safety: Without a proper LED driver, LEDs may malfunction, potentially leading to short circuits, electrical fires, or other hazards. A good LED driver incorporates protection mechanisms like surge protection and overcurrent protection to safeguard your lighting system.
5. Dimming Capabilities: Some LED drivers come with dimming functions that allow users to adjust the brightness level, offering more flexibility in lighting control.

Types of LED Drivers

Not all LED drivers are the same, and choosing the right one depends on your specific lighting needs. LED drivers generally fall into two categories:

1. Constant Current Drivers

Constant current LED drivers supply a fixed current to the LED. The voltage output can vary based on the LED's requirements, but the current remains constant. These are typically used for high-power LED applications, such as spotlights, downlights, and outdoor lighting. They are ideal when the LEDs you’re using require a specific current to operate effectively.

• Ideal For: High-power LEDs, commercial applications, outdoor lighting, and fixtures requiring precise current control.

2. Constant Voltage Drivers

Constant voltage LED drivers maintain a fixed voltage output, with the current varying depending on the number of LEDs connected and their load. These are commonly used for LED strips, flexible lighting, and low-voltage lighting systems. When the system is wired properly, constant voltage drivers ensure a consistent voltage across multiple LEDs.

• Ideal For: LED strips, low-voltage LED applications, and decorative lighting projects.

Key Factors to Consider When Buying an LED Driver

To choose the best LED driver for your needs, you need to consider a few important factors. Below are the key features you should evaluate before purchasing:

1. Voltage Compatibility

Make sure the LED driver matches the voltage requirements of your LED system. If you are using constant voltage LEDs, the driver’s output voltage must match the voltage of your LED setup (e.g., 12V, 24V). For constant current LEDs, check the driver’s output current rating to ensure it matches the LED's specifications.

2. Power Rating (Wattage)

The power rating of the LED driver is essential for ensuring that the driver can handle the total wattage of the LEDs in your setup. To calculate this, add up the wattage of all the LEDs you plan to power. For example, if each LED consumes 10 watts and you have 10 LEDs, the total power requirement is 100 watts. Make sure the driver’s power rating meets or exceeds this requirement. It's also a good idea to have a driver with a little extra capacity for safety and efficiency.

3. Efficiency

Higher efficiency means less energy is wasted in the conversion process, which translates into lower electricity bills and better performance. When choosing an LED driver, check its efficiency rating (measured as a percentage). High-efficiency drivers generally operate above 85% efficiency, and some premium models may exceed 90%. The more efficient the driver, the less heat it will generate, which can help prolong the lifespan of both the driver and the LEDs.

4. Dimming Capabilities

If you want to adjust the brightness of your LED lights, look for drivers with dimming functionality. Some drivers support 0-10V, DALI, or triac-based dimming controls. If you plan to integrate smart home systems or create dynamic lighting setups, choosing a dimmable LED driver is a smart move.

5. IP Rating (Ingress Protection)

If your lighting installation will be exposed to moisture, dust, or outdoor conditions, you’ll need an LED driver with a proper IP rating. The IP rating indicates how well the driver is sealed against dust and water. For example, an IP67 rating means the driver is waterproof and dust-tight, ideal for outdoor or wet locations.

6. Size and Form Factor

LED drivers come in various sizes and shapes, so it's important to choose one that fits your space and installation requirements. Compact drivers are ideal for smaller, more intricate installations, while larger drivers may be necessary for high-power applications.

7. Warranty and Lifespan

An LED driver’s lifespan can significantly impact your maintenance costs. Look for drivers that offer long-term warranties (5 years or more). A quality LED driver should have a lifespan of at least 50,000 hours, with many offering features that help improve longevity, such as overvoltage and thermal protection.

How to Install an LED Driver

Installing an LED driver can vary depending on the application, but here’s a basic outline of the installation process:

1. Ensure Compatibility: Double-check that your LED driver matches the voltage and power requirements of your LEDs.
2. Connect the Power Source: Wire the AC input (typically 120V or 240V) to the driver’s input terminals.
3. Wire the LED: Connect the DC output terminals of the driver to your LED system.
4. Test: Power on your system and check the operation of the LEDs. If you’re using a dimmable driver, test the dimming function.

For safety, it’s always recommended to consult an electrician if you’re unsure about the installation process.

Conclusion

Choosing the right LED driver is critical for ensuring your LED lights work efficiently, last longer, and perform at their best. Whether you need a constant current or constant voltage driver, understanding your LED’s power requirements, dimming options, and other key factors will help you make the best purchase. At Yuhome Lighting, we provide a wide range of high-quality LED drivers designed to suit various lighting applications, ensuring that you can achieve optimal performance and energy efficiency for your lighting projects.

What does an LED driver do? LED drivers have a similar function to transformers for low voltage bulbs. LED lights are primarily low Voltage devices - typically 4v, 12v or 24v - and are designed for a direct current power supply. However, most wall socket power supplies are not directly compatible as these usually run at a much higher Voltage (between 120 and 277V) and supply alternating current. As the average Voltage of an LED is too low for a conventional transformer, specialist LED drivers are used to convert high voltage alternating current to low voltage direct current.

LED drivers have the secondary function of preventing power surges and fluctuations, which can cause high temperatures and affect light output. LEDs are designed for use within a strict predetermined amp range.

Some LED drivers can also be used to control and sequence the brightness of the LED systems attached and the colours which are displayed. This is done by selectively switching individual LEDs on and off. White lights, for example, are usually created by displaying LEDs of multiple colours at once - switch some of these off via the LED and the white colour is no longer visible.

Constant current LED drivers are used with LEDs that require a steady current but varying Voltages as the wattage (total power load) in each LED changes. The driver is responsible for varying the Voltage.

Eaglerise Product Page

The principal amperage ratings for constant current LED drivers are:

• 350 milliamps (mA)
• 700mA
• 1 amp

A typical configuration might be the supply of a 700 milliamps (ma) current as the Voltage varies between four and 13 volts in response to a 50-watt load.

These devices are also known as constant power LED drivers. Typical uses include:

• Illuminating outdoor features
• High definition displays for use in public spaces
• Backlighting for billboards

By contrast, constant Voltage LED driver circuits are designed for LEDs that need steady Voltage - typically 10V, 12V or 24V DC. This makes them best suited to LEDs arranged in a line or string - e.g. lighting strips or similar configurations parallel to the driver. Normally LED strip drivers have a separate resistor for each LED in the strip - this is known as a current limiting resistor.

Like all components, LED drivers are available in a variety of models with differing specifications. Amongst other factors, available input and output levels vary between models, along with efficiency, power ratings, and the amount of environmental shielding (ingress shielding) applied to protect the connection terminals.

Let’s look at a few of the principal models available:

Small LED Drivers

Small or mini LED drivers are designed for use with smaller LED lights. A 4-watt rating would be typical.

Dimmable LED Drivers

Dimmable LED drivers allow users to dynamically adjust the brightness of LEDs. Adjustable LED drivers are a useful way to create mood lighting in public spaces such as shops.

High Power LED Drivers

The power of LEDs is growing steadily - some professional models now offer as much as 100 lumens per watt. Lumens are an internationally recognised unit of visible light. These high-power models are widely deployed in the larger lighting systems used in commercial and public spaces. Naturally, these require more powerful LED drivers or turbines to ensure smooth operation.

COB LED Drivers

Chip on board (COB) LEDs consist of multiple LEDs in a cluster alongside integrated circuitry. Typically, they include a dimming function. You will require a compatible driver or transformer with a sufficient Voltage rating. Both constant current and constant voltage drivers are compatible with COB LED drivers but constant current models are easier to apply.

LED String Driver

LED strings normally feature smaller lights. They are typically used for mood lighting effects - for example, Christmas lights. Mini LED drivers are the best choice for these, although the total Voltage requirements may climb for longer strings.

How to Connect an LED Driver to Power

Although wiring an LED driver to mains power is straightforward, we would recommend that a qualified electrician inspects this to make sure the connections have been made safely.

The process of connecting an LED driver to power consists of connecting the neutral and line wires to the PRI (primary) side of the driver, attaching the former to the N terminal and the latter to the L terminal. The positive and negative wires should then be taken from the LED lighting and attached to the matching terminals on the SEC (secondary) side of the driver.

How to Wire LED Drivers and Transformers

Often, LED drivers and transformers do not include terminals, and so users must directly wire a plug to the end of the cable. Please note that wiring should only be carried out by trained and qualified individuals.

1. Check the LEDs are in place and turn off the power
2. Open the driver or transformer using a screwdriver
3. Connect the plug using suitable cabling and wire nuts (colour-coded cabling screws). The black positive cable from the transfer should be connected to the 120V AC feed in the socket, the green cable to the grounding wire and the white negative wire to the neutral connection. It may be necessary to strip back one end of the LED cabling, depending on the brand
4. Apply terminal connectors to the cabling for a firm hold
5. If necessary, terminate the positive and negative wires that connect to integrated circuitry in the driver or transformer
6. Close the unit and test it in a well-ventilated area

How to Test an LED Driver

There are three standard ways to test that an LED driver is functioning correctly:

1. Connecting it to the LEDs and observing the results
2. Using electronic load testing equipment - trying, for example, constant resistance (CR) or constant voltage (CV) modes
3. Applying a load resistor (a device that impedes current) to assess the power supply

Once again, if in doubt, please do not attempt to test the component and consult a fully qualified engineer instead.

How Many LEDs Per Driver?

The total number of individual LEDs is less important than the total power they require.

To work correctly and have a reasonable lifespan, LEDs require the right amount of wattage. Too much will cause them to burn out, while too little will prevent them from working at all. But the driver components can also be stressed by power-hungry LEDs.

Therefore, drivers should ideally not be connected to LEDs that consume more than 80% of the driver’s maximum output. For example, a driver with a maximum output of 50 Watts should be attached to LEDs with a maximum collective output of 40 Watts.

What is the Difference Between an LED Driver and a Transformer?

LED transformers have a higher power output and so are used with larger LED lighting systems - for example, longer strips - which require higher Wattage levels than that provided by LED drivers to operate correctly and safely.

What is an LED Driver IC?

An LED driver integrated circuit (IC) provides the processing power necessary to allow it to respond to the changing power demands of the attached LEDs.

Do I Need a Transformer for LED Lights?

To work out whether you need a driver or a transformer, multiply the length of the system by the Watts required per metre, for example:

10 metres x 30 Watts per metre = 300 Watts

This exceeds the maximum Wattage output of an LED driver (200 Watts), so a transformer will be required. The collective power requirement of an LED system should be less than the transformer’s maximum capacity.

Can LEDs Work on AC?

Sometimes. Most LEDs are built to run on low power direct current (DC) but some high capacity models have been developed which do run on alternating current (AC).

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Isolated led drivers. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.