Buying Guides • LED Drivers
Understanding LED Drivers and How To Choose the Right One
In recent years, high-power LEDs have seen rapid development and have become the mainstream light source in various lighting applications. LED driver power supplies, as a crucial component of LED fixtures, play a pivotal role in the LED industry's development. The lifespan and reliability of LED driver power supplies directly impact the lifespan of LED light sources. Therefore, as the LED industry continues to integrate and evolve, the maturity of LED driver power supply technology becomes a decisive factor.
What do LED professionals (lighting engineers, lighting designers, lighting contractors) need to consider in their choice? Why is it said that LED driver power supply design needs to be standardized? This article will unveil these aspects for you.
1.The basic requirements for a conventional lighting LED driver power supply are as follows:
A conventional lighting LED (or LED module) driver power supply refers to an "electronic control device" that is connected between an AC or DC power source and an LED load. Its core is an electronic circuit used to provide the appropriate constant current and operating voltage for the LED. Since this driver circuit essentially serves as the power source for the LED, it is referred to as a "driver power supply" or "LED power supply," similar to power supplies for devices such as televisions and computers.
Conventional lighting primarily refers to residential lighting, industrial and mining enterprises, as well as public lighting in cities, rather than the backlighting for mobile phones and LCD TVs or general architectural and decorative lighting.
We will show the best quality LED power brands to all LED buyers here.
Let's check it out.
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https://www.signify.com
https://www.lighting.philips.com/
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Signify is a global leader in traditional lighting, LED lighting, and smart connected lighting.
On March 16, 2018, Philips Lighting announced that the company would be renamed Signify while continuing to use Philips as its product brand.
Signify is a global leader in professional lighting, home lighting, and Internet of Things (IoT) lighting. Our energy-efficient lighting products, systems, and services enable customers to access high-quality light, making people's lives safer and more comfortable, businesses more efficient, and cities more livable.
In 2022, Signify achieved an annual revenue of 7.5 billion euros and has approximately 35,000 employees in over 70 countries and regions worldwide. We are committed to unlocking the extraordinary potential of lighting, creating a "brighter life, better world."
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https://www.osram.com
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Osram is the global leader in intelligent sensor and transmitter solutions.
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Osram infuses intelligence into light and injects passion into innovation, enriching people's lives. We continuously advance industry-leading technologies in the fields of sensing, lighting, and visualization, making the world safer, simpler, and more efficient. We hold leading positions in core markets: ranked second globally in the LED market (Trendforce 2022); second in the field of optical sensors (OMDIA 2021), and a leader in the automotive aftermarket for lamps.
With over 21,000 employees worldwide, Osram innovates in sensing, lighting, and visualization, driving key technologies in important sectors, including digitization, automotive mobility, Industry 4.0/5.0, vertical agriculture, energy efficiency, metaverse, advanced medical imaging, AR/VR, advanced biometric recognition technology for mobile and wearable devices, and more.
Osram headquarters are located in Premstaetten/Graz, Austria, with a joint headquarters in Munich, Germany. We are committed to developing breakthrough application technologies for the automotive, consumer, industrial, and medical markets. We have granted and applied for over 15,000 patents. We continually enrich our industry-leading semiconductor expertise, expand a world-class manufacturing network, and provide high-quality and reliable products renowned globally.
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https://www.meanwell.com.
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MEAN WELL Corporation was founded in the year 1982 and is one of the few specialized manufacturers globally, primarily focused on standard power supply units. According to a report by Micro Technology Consultant in March 2023, MEAN WELL ranks third among global power supply manufacturers (DC output). The top two manufacturers in the power supply industry primarily rely on ODM/OEM revenue sources, whereas Ming Wei generates 99% of its revenue from standard power supplies, making it a leading power supply company with its own brand, MEAN WELL, as its main business strategy.
Since its inception, MEAN WELL has maintained long-term trust relationships with customers, suppliers, partner factories, and employees, emphasizing a spirit of goodwill and trust in partnerships. Through strong partnerships with over a hundred authorized distributors worldwide, MEAN WELL has steadily grown and prospered. In 2022, it achieved a consolidated revenue of over 1.493 billion USD, establishing itself as a professional power supply brand manufacturer. The global headquarters is located in the New Taipei City Industrial Park, Taiwan, with subsidiary offices and branches in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Suzhou (China), California (USA), and the Netherlands (Europe). MEAN WELL employs approximately 2,800 people globally and currently operates four manufacturing bases in New Taipei City (Taiwan), Huadu District, Guangzhou (China), Xiangcheng District, Suzhou (China), and Bengaluru (India).
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https://www.tridonic.com/
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Tridonic is a globally leading supplier in the field of lighting technology, offering customers high-quality, reliable, and energy-efficient services through its intelligent hardware and software. As an innovator in network technology based on lighting, Tridonic has developed a range of forward-looking, scalable solutions that enable new business models for lamp manufacturers, real estate developers, system integrators, planners, and other customers.
To facilitate the realization of the "lighting technology network" blueprint, Tridonic collaborates and forms partnerships with experts from various fields. The goal is to jointly develop innovative technology solutions that enable the transition of lighting systems into intelligent networks and provide interconnected services between stakeholders. Tridonic's deep industry expertise makes it an ideal partner for both established brands and newcomers in the market.
Tridonic is a technology company under the Zumtobel Group, headquartered in Dornbirn, Austria. In the fiscal year 2022/23, Tridonic achieved a turnover of 367 million euros. The company is supported by 1,687 high-quality employees and corporate partners from over 70 countries, all dedicated to the development of innovative, intelligent, and interconnected lighting systems.
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https://www.inventronics-co.com/
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Hangzhou Inventronics Co., Ltd. was established on September 5, 2007. It is a high-tech enterprise engaged in the research, development, production, sales, and technical services of LED driver power supplies. The company is a global leader in the sales of LED driver power supplies.
In the field of LED lighting drivers, Inventronics boasts leading industry technology, a robust research and development team, and a comprehensive product line, providing customers with comprehensive driver power supply solutions.
As of December 31, 2019, the company and its subsidiaries held a total of 240 patents, including 108 Chinese inventions, 23 U.S. inventions, and 1 European invention.
The Inventronics Tonglu LED lighting driver industrial park is located in the Tonglu Economic Development Zone, north of National Highway 320, west of Tangwan Mountain, and east of Dongjia Road, seamlessly connected to Tonglu County. It is adjacent to the Hangzhou-Huangshan High-Speed Railway Complex, Zhejiang Gongshang University Hangzhou Business College, Hikvision Industrial Base, and is an important part of the provincial-level characteristic town, Tonglu Smart Security Town.
The Tonglu LED lighting driver industrial park in the Tonglu Economic Development Zone has a production area of 75,000 square meters. It has multiple modern SMT production lines, PCBA assembly lines, testing and packaging assembly lines, along with advanced process testing equipment and reliability testing laboratories. With a scientific production control process and a strict quality management system, the company consistently delivers high-quality products and services to global customers.
On April 4, 2023, Inventronics, a global leader in high-reliability, high-innovation LED power products, announced the successful acquisition of the relevant business of AMS OSRAM Eurasia Digital Systems, a global leader in optical solutions. This acquisition demonstrates Inventronics' commitment to providing exceptional technology and value to its global customer base, leading the transformation of the economic, intelligent, and interconnected lighting industry. Inventronics' acquisition of the OSRAM Eurasia Digital Systems business expands its regional influence and product portfolio.
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https://www.ledfriend.com/
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Shenzhen Ledfriend Technology Co., Ltd. aspires to become a "leading LED driver and intelligent system service provider" globally. Ledfriend company employs 180 technical research and product development personnel and maintains collaborative relationships with Fuzhou University and Southwest Jiaotong University in research and industry-academic exchange. Leyard has also established its UL certification laboratory, DALI certification laboratory, CNAS laboratory, and a 100-acre industrial park, providing valuable services for its own product development and customer support.
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https://www.eaglerise.com/
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Eaglerise Electric Co., Ltd. was founded in the 1990s and is headquartered in Foshan, China. The company currently operates four production bases and five research and development centers. Eaglerise is dedicated to providing competitive power, component products, and solutions to the global market.
Their main product categories include:
Energy Products: New energy magnetic devices, photovoltaic power transformers, smart substations, distribution transformers, industrial control transformers, special transformers, charging stations, and energy storage devices.
Consumer Electronics: Lighting power supplies, LED fixtures, vehicle power supplies, communication power supplies, and consumer electronics power supplies.
They offer more than 600 different product varieties, which find extensive applications in industries such as new energy, power, industrial control, lighting, consumer electronics, and communication.
Eaglerise Electric is continuously striving to become a top-tier industry supplier. They adhere to a market-oriented and customer-centric approach. The company has established overseas branches in Shanghai, Japan, the United States, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia, focusing on valuable customer segments globally, building and developing mutually beneficial and cooperative relationships.
In December 2017, Eaglerise Electric successfully went public on the A-share market, becoming a publicly-listed company. In 2020, they initiated comprehensive digital transformation, aiming to create sustained value for customers, employees, shareholders, and society.
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https://www.mosopower.com/
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Mosopower Power Technology Co., Ltd. (abbreviated as Mao Shuo Power, stock code: 002660) was founded in 2006. It is a nationally recognized high-tech enterprise, a global leader in power solutions, and a prominent player in the domestic power industry. It is also a well-known brand in Shenzhen, a famous trademark in Guangdong Province, and a nationally renowned trademark holder. The company holds over 230 registered trademarks and more than 300 intellectual property rights. In 2012, it successfully went public on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange's Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) board with the stock code 002660, becoming the first publicly listed company in the domestic LED driver power supply industry.
Since its establishment, Mosopower Power has been committed to the consumer electronics power and LED intelligent driver power supply industries. For several consecutive years, it has maintained a leading position in market share, especially in sectors such as TV telecommunications, security, and high-power street lighting, where it has formed a competitive advantage. The company has established long-term partnerships with numerous Fortune 500 companies and renowned enterprises, with customers distributed in over 60 countries and regions worldwide.
Currently, the company's consumer electronics power business covers applications such as set-top boxes, networking, security, displays, medical and beauty devices, motor drives, 3D printers, laser printers, power tools, small home appliance chargers, industrial control, and 5G communications. It serves high-quality major clients like Hikvision, Creality, Haier, Lexmark, Honeywell, Stanley Black & Decker, TATA sky, and many other globally recognized brands.
In the LED intelligent driver business, Mosopower Power focuses on applications including road lighting, high-power lighting, plant lighting, industrial lighting, landscape lighting, and large-scale public lighting. Its portfolio includes projects such as Beijing Daxing Airport, Shenzhen Airport, Pudong Airport, Shenzhen Metro, Xiamen Metro, Los Angeles Port, Houston Airport, and more. The company collaborates with numerous global renowned brands such as OSRAM, Philips, Landis+Gyr, Schneider, Huapu Yongming, Zhouming Technology, LEDvance, Foshan Lighting, BYD, and others.
In the future, in the context of China's "dual carbon" goals, as well as opportunities arising from initiatives like the Belt and Road, dual circulation, and the Greater Bay Area, Mosopower Power will stay true to its mission of becoming the world's top power brand. Guided by national industrial and economic policies, the company will build a new development pattern around its core business. It will continue to implement its development strategy of "innovative technology with products as the focus," consolidate its industry advantages, enhance operational efficiency, and expand its vision to global markets. It will also actively promote energy-saving and emission reduction concepts, leading the company and the industry towards high-quality development.
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2.What are the performance requirements for LED lighting power supplies?
(1) Provide the appropriate DC voltage and current
LEDs are electrical/optical conversion devices that only emit light under the appropriate DC voltage and current. The output DC voltage of the LED driver power supply must not be lower than the forward voltage drop of the LED or the LED string. When the LED driver power supply drives parallel LEDs or LEDs in parallel, there are differences in the forward current at the same forward voltage due to the V-I characteristics of each LED. If constant voltage is used, it will result in significant differences in brightness and color temperature among the LEDs. Therefore, in this case, constant current drive is required rather than constant voltage drive. In general, LED driver power supplies must be able to simultaneously provide rated constant current and constant voltage.
(2) Have EMI resistance capability
When powered by mains AC power, an EMI filter should be installed at the AC input of the LED lighting driver power supply to both reject interference from the power grid and prevent internal noise from the LED driver power supply from entering the grid. Conducted EMI should comply with the requirements of EN55015B regarding limitation requirements.
(3) Have low AC input current harmonic content
For LED driver power supplies powered by AC power sources, the AC input current harmonic content must comply with the IEC 61000-3-2 requirements for Class C devices (i.e., lighting devices). IEC 61000-3-2 (1995) .1-1998 specify that for lamps with a power greater than 25W, the allowable values for the 3rd and 5th harmonic currents are 0.3 (for line power factor) and 10%, respectively. When the lamp power is 25W, the 3rd and 5th harmonic current values must not exceed 86% and 61%, respectively. In addition, the standard also specifies limits for 7th, 9th, and 11th harmonic currents. To meet the requirements of standards like IEC-61000-3-2, LED lighting power supplies must have harmonic filtering capabilities. The term "harmonic filtering" is a commonly used term in the Japanese industry and is essentially what people commonly refer to as "power factor correction (PFC)."
(4) Have a higher power factor
The Energy Star 1.0 specification for solid-state lighting (SSL) sources, which came into effect on October 1, 2008, requires a power factor greater than 0.7 for residential LED luminaires and greater than 0.9 for commercial LED luminaires. Although the Energy Star efficiency specification is voluntary, consumers tend to choose products with the Energy Star label. To improve the power factor of LED lighting driver power supplies, Power Factor Correction (PFC) technology must be employed. Otherwise, it is difficult for the power factor of LED lighting power supplies to exceed 0.6, and they will not meet the requirements for harmonic current limits.
(5) Have higher efficiency
Efficiency is an important parameter for measuring the energy efficiency of a power supply, whether it is powered by AC mains or solar photovoltaics. Energy Star has strict efficiency requirements for various types of electrical equipment. For example, the Energy Star 2.0 specification, which became effective on November 1, 2008, requires external power supplies to have an efficiency of 87% (including adapters). Another example is for desktop computers from June 2010 to June 2011, where multiple output, non-redundant power supplies are required to have efficiencies of 87% at 100%, 90% at 50%, and 87% at 20% load. For high-power LED streetlight power supplies, the circuit topology is similar to that of television and computer switch-mode power supplies, and achieving the required system efficiency according to Energy Star specifications, even with each stage achieving 90% efficiency, results in an overall efficiency of around 80%. To improve the operating efficiency of LED lighting power supplies, low-loss power devices (such as MOSFETs and power diodes) should be chosen, and better circuit topologies should be selected.
(6) Provide necessary protection
To prevent early failure of LED lighting driver power supplies, power circuits are required to have protection functions such as over-voltage, under-voltage, over-current, short-circuit, and over-temperature protection. Reliability of LED driver power supplies is particularly important for self-ballasted LED lamps that cannot be disassembled when their structure is unknown. The lifespan of LEDs themselves can currently reach around 50,000 hours, but the lifespan of LED driver power supplies cannot match that of LEDs. At the current level, the lifespan of LED lighting power supplies should not be less than 15,000 hours, roughly equivalent to the lifespan of a color television. This requires the selection of highly reliable electronic components and appropriate circuit topologies to support it.
In addition, in many applications, LED lighting driver power supplies are required to provide dimming capabilities to further enhance energy savings and environmental sustainability.
Here's another point to note: many people emphasize constant current but fail to mention voltage, which is not correct. This is because the concept of constant current is independent of voltage. For example, if a power supply provides only a constant current output at 30V, then when you open the circuit, the voltage is indeed 30V. If you connect an LED in this scenario, this semiconductor device that operates with a PN junction will burn out before the most precise circuit can react.
Every circuit has a response time, and the working components in the circuit are semiconductors. The PN junction needs some time to respond after the power supply provides the sampling signal. In contrast, the PN junction in LEDs starts working immediately, so its "response" is faster than the "many cooperating PN junctions" in the circuit, causing it to burn out prematurely. Of course, there are special cases where this type of driving is used, but it does not allow the output terminal to be open-circuited. To be more accurate, it is "not allowed to connect an LED after the output terminal has been open-circuited."
3. What are the characteristics of LED control devices with dimming capabilities?
Among all artificial light sources developed so far, LEDs are the most suitable for operation in dimming states. Their wide dynamic operating range only requires controlling the current passing through the LED, making it convenient to achieve dimming from 0% to 100% without compromising their lifespan.
The excellent dimming characteristics of LEDs have led to the development of various LED control devices with dimming capabilities. However, when designing dimming LED control devices, it is essential to consider the issue of isolation and insulation between the control circuit and the main circuit within the LED control device. Generally, LED control devices with dimming capabilities use a low-voltage DC power supply (typically ranging from 0-10V) at the control end for dimming control. (Connecting an external dimmer potentiometer essentially uses the internal circuit of the control device to adjust dimming by altering the DC voltage.) Technological advancements have led to the widespread use of computers and corresponding circuitry for automated dimming control. When various sensors such as daylight, infrared, sound, etc., are integrated into an intelligent computer control network and directly connected to the control end of the LED control device, it becomes possible to achieve both comfortable lighting and automatic energy savings. However, within this system, if there is an electrical connection or breakdown between the control device's internal power circuit and control circuit, it can cause the power voltage to surge into the low-voltage control system, posing a significant risk to electrical safety. As a result, international standards for lighting control devices specify: "There should be at least basic insulation between the control terminals and the power circuit. When the control terminals can be directly connected to a safe extra-low control voltage, the control device's internal control circuit and power circuit should have enhanced insulation." This means that LED control devices with dimming capabilities should meet the specified criteria for basic insulation or enhanced insulation in terms of creepage distance, electrical clearance, and dielectric strength on the PCB, among components, and inside isolation transformers. In this regard, the use of optocouplers and suitable isolation transformers is a better solution to address these concerns.
I hope this article finds you well. We greatly value your trust in our LED lighting products and wanted to take a moment to reaffirm our commitment to providing you with the best possible quality and service.
As an LEDER lighting manufacturer, quality and reliability are at the forefront of everything we do. We understand that when you invest in our LED lights, you expect them to perform flawlessly for years to come. That's why we are proud to inform you that our dimming power supply has undergone rigorous quality inspections, ensuring that our products meet the highest industry standards.
With this dedication to quality, we are pleased to offer a warranty that covers our LED lights for a period of 5-8 years. This warranty reflects our confidence in the durability and performance of our products. In the unlikely event that you encounter any issues during this warranty period, our responsive customer support team will be ready to assist you promptly and efficiently.
We believe that you should have complete peace of mind when choosing an LEDER lighting manufacturer as your LED lighting solution provider. Our commitment to quality extends beyond just our products; it encompasses the entire customer experience.
If you have any questions, concerns, or require assistance with your LED lights, please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated customer support team. We are here to ensure that your experience with LEDER Lighting Company remains exceptional from start to finish.
We look forward to continuing to provide you with innovative, high-quality products that enhance your lighting experience.
