LED driver and interface

Generally speaking, the LED drive power supply is a converter. Its function is to convert our commonly used commercial power or other power sources into voltage and current suitable for LED use. Through its conversion, the LED can work normally and emit light. It is like we have to unscrew it. A nut must use the same type of wrench.

The function of the LED driver is no different from the ballasts of fluorescent lamps, energy-saving lamps, and metal halide lamps that we have used in the past. They are all to make the light source products work stably and normally. Therefore, they are often called LED ballasts and LED transformers. Wait, but LED practitioners are generally called drivers, one is to distinguish it from other converters, the other is because the working principles of the three are different, and the third is to show our professionalism. So in the following, we will use the led driver to describe it.

The LED lamp drivers commonly used in the market are divided into two types according to the driving mode. One is constant current driving. The characteristic of a constant current driver is that the output current is constant and the output voltage changes within a range. That is why we often see the driver's shell is marked (output: DC*V——*V *mA+-5%).

The other is constant voltage drive. The characteristic of constant voltage drive is that the output voltage is fixed, and the current varies with the connected lamps within the maximum value. Generally, the shell will be marked (output: DC**V ** A) refers to the output voltage of fixed volts and the maximum output current. The common ones in the led market are output 5V, 12V, 24V, etc.

The constant current power supply is usually used to power LED lighting. The brightness of LED lighting is determined by the current value, so if the current value fluctuates, the brightness will change accordingly. This is not a big problem for small LED screens, but for headlights, the change in brightness is visible, so a stable current is required.

The application of LED drivers is based on the LED parameters we want to drive. The two most important parameters are input voltage and input current.

After knowing the light board's input voltage and input current, we can select the corresponding LED driver to use. For example, the following situation. Knowing that the input voltage of the light board is 37-40V and the input current is 300mA, then you can choose the LED driver output The voltage includes it, and the current is about the same. In terms of matching, the voltage is higher or lower than it is not acceptable, it must be included. Otherwise, flickering will occur. It does not matter if the current is lower.

Commonly used led drive interfaces and applications. The led drive interface refers to the led output terminal. The advantage of the interface line is to improves our production efficiency and facilitates maintenance and repair. It meets waterproof and dustproof requirements. More often, many engineering companies like to customize non- Standard interfaces, the reasons are not listed today. The following are common led-driven interfaces.

Male and female plug

Male and female plug-in interfaces are often used for downlights and ceiling lights. The common ones are two- and three-digit, two-digits are used for a monochrome drive, and three-digits are used for a three-color segmented drive. Two-digit common red The black wire, red is the positive electrode, and black is the negative electrode. The male and female plugs of the three-position segment generally use red and black and white three-color wires. Red is the positive electrode, white is connected to the white light negative electrode, and black is connected to the warm light negative electrode.

Note: The positive pole of the three-digit line cannot be wrong, the other negative poles are welded upside down, and the order of the segment change will be changed.

DC header

We often use DC heads to drive panel lights and flat panel lights. The common ones are with card and without card. The interface with card can prevent it from falling off. Conventional flat panel lights are driven by male headers, and panel lights are driven by female headers.  The other end of the wire is welded to the lamp. LED panel lights are often used in bathrooms and kitchens, Because the DC head interface is basically semi-sealed, which can better prevent dust and moisture, this type of lamp generally uses the DC head interface.

Note: When driving and welding the DC female connector, the card is generally used. It can be adapted to the DC male connector with the card, or the card position can be cut to adapt to the DC male connector without the card when needed.

Terminal line

Terminal lines are often used for ceiling lamp drivers. The common ones are two- and three-digit, two-digits are used for monochrome driving, and three-digits are used for three-color segmented driving and infinite dimming. Monochrome two-digit, The gray-white wire is commonly used, gray is the positive electrode, and white is the negative electrode. Generally, white, gray, and yellow three-color wires are used for the male and female plugs of the three-position segment. The gray is the positive electrode, the white is connected to the white light negative electrode, and the yellow is connected to the warm light negative electrode.

Note: The positive pole of the three-digit line cannot be wrong, the other negative poles are welded upside down, and the order of the segment change will be changed.

Finally, I will give you a regular formula for dividing the positive and negative poles: red positive and black negative, gray positive and white negative.

Suntech provides a variety of drivers for LEDs at affordable prices. If you are looking for high-quality LED power drivers, please feel free to contact us.