

- #WHY DO I NEED A SPECIAL DIMMER FOR LED LIGHTS HOW TO#
- #WHY DO I NEED A SPECIAL DIMMER FOR LED LIGHTS DRIVERS#
- #WHY DO I NEED A SPECIAL DIMMER FOR LED LIGHTS DRIVER#
- #WHY DO I NEED A SPECIAL DIMMER FOR LED LIGHTS FULL#
This is needed because the drivers need a 2 volt overhead to power the internal circuitry.

When using LuxDrive drivers, you determine the maximum output voltage by subtracting 2 volts from your input voltage.
#WHY DO I NEED A SPECIAL DIMMER FOR LED LIGHTS DRIVER#
The maximum number of LEDs you can run from a single driver is determined by dividing the maximum output voltage of the driver by the forward voltage of your LED(s).
#WHY DO I NEED A SPECIAL DIMMER FOR LED LIGHTS FULL#
This gives a full range of 0-100% dimming. The simplest dimming solution for these is using a potentiometer. Low voltage DC powered drivers can be easily dimmed in a couple different ways.
#WHY DO I NEED A SPECIAL DIMMER FOR LED LIGHTS HOW TO#
A Little Bit About Dimmingĭimming LEDs varies with what kind of power you are using so I will go over both DC and AC dimming options so we can better understand how to dim all applications, whether DC or AC. For example, if you want dimming then you need to choose a driver with dimming capabilities. Lastly, it is good to know what you are looking for from your lighting application. It is important to know your LED’s specs so you know the recommended drive currents and heat sink requirements so you don’t burn the LED out with too much current or excess heat. Higher drive currents will result in more light from the LED, and will also require more wattage to run the light. Secondly, you need to know the drive current that you want to put to the LED. If you have a large general lighting project for residential or commercial lighting, however, you should see how AC drivers might be better for this type of job. For smaller applications there are more dimming and output options available compared to high voltage AC drivers so you have more to work with in your application. Low voltage DC drivers are recommended as they are extremely efficient and reliable. Even if your input is high voltage AC, using an additional switching power supply will make it possible to use a DC input driver. In most applications using a low voltage DC input LED driver is recommended. LED drivers that use high-voltage AC power are called Off-Line drivers, or AC 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). Dimming, pulsing, microprocessor control, etc.Size, cost, efficiency, performance, etc.What are the main goals of the application?.Working in a tight area? Not a lot of voltage to work with?.Running from AC? See how an AC driver will benefit you!.What type of power will be used? (DC, AC, batteries, etc.).Do I need a constant current LED driver or a constant voltage LED driver?.Find out forward voltage, recommended driving current, etc.What type of LEDs are being used and how many?.Things to consider before selecting an LED driver 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. The LED driver is a self-contained power supply which has outputs that are matched to the electrical characteristics of the LED(s). The LED will continue to get hotter and draw more current until the LED burns itself out, this is also known as Thermal Runaway. As temperature increases, the forward voltage of the LED decreases, causing the LED to draw more current. Forward Voltage is the amount of volts the light emitting diode requires to conduct electricity and light up. Using one is very important in preventing damage to your LEDs as the forward voltage (V f) of a high-power LED changes with temperature. It is a crucial piece to an LED circuit and to operate without one will result in system failure. What is an LED driver you might ask? An LED driver is an electrical device that regulates power to an LED or a string of LEDs. That’s why I wanted to write a quick post explaining the varieties, what makes them different, and things you should look for when choosing the LED driver(s) for your lighting application. There are so many different types and variations that it can seem a little overwhelming at times. LED drivers can be a confusing part of LED technology.
