What is drive current in LED?
LEDs are designed to run on low voltage (12-24V), direct current electricity. However, most places supply higher voltage (120-277V), alternating current electricity. An LED driver rectifies higher voltage, alternating current to low voltage, direct current.
How does a dimmable LED driver work?
Dimming is done through the driver by either shortening the amount of leading current going through it, or by a method called pulse width modulation (PWM). Most drivers that offer dimming use PWM, which allows dimming without flickering and with usually very little color change in the LEDs.
Why do we need a constant current LED driver?
The LED driver is a self-contained power supply which has outputs that are matched to the electrical characteristics of the LED (s). This helps avoid thermal runaway as the constant current LED driver compensates for the changes in the forward voltage while delivering a constant current to the LED. What type of LEDs are being used and how many?
How are LED drivers used in a lightbulb?
LED Drivers basically keep the electrical current flowing through the LED circuit at their rated level of power. LED’s are designed for low voltage power (12-24 volts), but in most commercial spaces the supply of power is much higher (120-277 volts). LED drivers are used to direct the right amount of electricity to the lightbulb.
What should the input side of the LED driver be?
The input side of the driver can be anywhere from 100vac to 480vac depending on the building. From step 1 you will know the voltage and can set your meter accordingly. Most fixtures use quick clips but some are wire nuts. You should be able to test the power with either.
What are the different types of LED drivers?
There are two main types of drivers, those that use low voltage DC input power (generally 5-36VDC) and those that use high voltage AC input power (generally 90-277VAC). LED drivers that use high-voltage AC power are called Off-Line drivers, or AC LED drivers. In most applications using a low voltage DC input LED driver is recommended.