Compatibility is critical when selecting the right LED driver for your outdoor LED strip lights. Using the wrong driver in an LED system can cause failure and damage the components.
What is an LED Driver?
LED drivers control the electricity that powers LED strip lights. They, like standard transformers, convert alternating current (AC) at 240 volts from the mains to a lower voltage. LED drivers, in particular, convert mains voltage to the continuous, direct current (DC) required by LED lights.
Drivers adjust their output to ensure that the power provided remains constant at 12 volts or 24 volts DC as the electrical properties of the LED tape change as it heats up.
Types of LED Drivers
LED drivers are classified into two types:
1. LED drivers with a low-voltage DC input power range of 5 to 36 volts.
2. Offline or LED drivers with high-voltage AC input power ranging from 90 to 277 volts.
In large-scale lighting projects, such as a series of domestic or commercial LED strip lights, high-input, AC-powered drivers are preferred. Smaller applications necessitate low-voltage, DC-powered drivers, which are less expensive and have output and dimming options.
How to Choose an LED Driver
Determine the type and number of LED lights used in the setup.
Determine the type and number of LED lights required for your installation and how they will be arranged.
You’ll need a constant-current LED driver if your lights are wired in series, such as ground and decking lights. You’ll need a constant-voltage LED driver if they’re wired in parallel, as with LED tape or commercial LED strip lights.
1. Determine your LEDs’ Milliamp Rating
Check that the milliamp rating of the LED lights matches that of the LED driver. The units of measurement for electrical current are amps and milliamps. While LED lights are available in a variety of milliamp ratings, the most common are
2. Examine the LED Driver’s Wattage
Check that the wattage rating of the LED driver is greater than or equal to the total wattage of all lights connected to it. A driver outfitted with five 3-watt outdoor strip lights, for example, should have a wattage rating of at least 15 watts.
If you’re using LED tape, multiply its length by its wattage rating per meter. If the tape is 15 watts per meter and the total length is 3 meters, your LED driver should be at least 45 watts.
3. Examine the LED Driver’s Output Voltage
The input voltage of the LED light and the output voltage of the LED driver must be compatible. To avoid damage, double-check these before connecting them.
There are also constant-current LED drivers that range from 6 to 24 volts and are appropriate for certain types of LED lights. Their compatibility, however, is not universal.
Buy the Correct LED Driver for Your LED Lighting. In Delhi, APT Electronics PVT LTD is a manufacturer of LED drivers for various types of LED lights. We have dimmable and non-dimmable models for a variety of lighting projects.
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