LED Driver Training

Agenda Drivers and Modules Electrical Terms Constant Current vs. Constant Voltage Dimming Driver Crossing Quikcross Tool Examples

LED System Basics An LED driver (or simply “driver”) is the power supply for an LED lighting system It typically forces or “drives” a specific current (measured in Amps or mA) through the LED Modules/Arrays The LED module (or simply “module”) produces the light and usually consists of a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) with LED’s and connectors LED quantity may range from one to hundreds as part of a single LED module. The input of the driver is connected to the AC power lines and the output of the driver is connected to the LEDs.

LED Drivers LED Drivers function similarly to fluorescent ballasts Regulate output voltage or current for the LED modules Enclosed in a case with wiring connections suitable for fixture assembly Common performance attributes Efficiency, Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) & Power Factor Drivers and LED Modules must be compatible Both must be Constant Voltage or Constant Current Ratings for current and voltage must match

Constant Current LED Drivers: Constant Voltage Power Supply : What defines an LED driver? Confusing terms exist in the industry: power supply, ballast, driver, regulator, etc… often used interchangeably LED driver seems to be the term most commonly used to describe a constant current power supply or power supply with current regulation Power Supplies Ballasts: Provide power for fluorescent lamps Constant Current LED Drivers: Provide power for constant current LED Modules Constant Voltage Power Supply : Provide power for constant voltage modules and most electronic circuits.

LED Modules A module is typically selected before the driver is determined. Optical properties and form factor of the system are usually most critical Modules provide the illumination similar to a lamp. The driver supplies the power to illuminate the LEDs on the module. A module is typically made up of a circuit board, LED’s, and connectors Can include a mounting plate, optical lenses, environmental protection, thermal interfaces and/or heat sinks.

= x Voltage LED Module Power Current Electrical Terms Current is measured in amps (A) or milliamps (mA) 1A = 1000mA Voltage is measured in volts (V) Power is measured in watts (W) and is calculated by multiplying volts by amps A module that runs at 700mA and 30V requires: 0.7A x 30V = 21W LED Module Voltage = Power x Current A Driver delivers power in the form of voltage and current to an LED Module

Electrical Terms Solid State Lighting (SSL): Lighting that uses LED’s – not lamps with gas inside Load: Something powered by electricity This can be just about anything that runs on electricity. LED modules are a type of Load. Constant Voltage (CV): Ability to fluctuate output current to maintain a set voltage CV LED Modules are designed to operate from a specific voltage, ie. 12V. Each module will draw a specific amount of current from the driver. Constant Current (CC): Varies the voltage across a load to maintain a constant electric current LED Module loads are unique compared to other electronic loads. Constant current LED modules do not limit the current running through them. The Constant Current LED Driver controls the amount of output current and the current that runs through the module. LED modules are rated for a maximum amount of current and the associated voltage when operated at that current.

Constant Current vs. Constant Voltage Constant Voltage systems are commonly used for sign applications Simplifies installation flexibility and complexity. Each module has some current regulator which increases costs and sacrifices efficiency. All components must be the same voltage and the driver has a maximum current rating. Modules have a rated current and the total cannot exceed the driver rating. Driver loading can be from 1% to 100% and the module light output remains the same. Constant Current systems are commonly used for general lighting applications: Constant Current Systems are more energy efficient than constant voltage systems. Eliminates the cost for current control at the module. Allows for application flexibility by changing drive currents. Requires more design attention to ensure compatibility between modules and drivers. Constant Current System Matching Drive current must be less than or equal to the max rated current of the module. The driver’s rated voltage range must include the module’s operating voltage. When multiple modules are operated from a single driver, the effective module load needs to be understood.

Constant Current Systems Driver provides a constant current to the connected LED modules. No components on the LED Module limit or control the current. LED Modules are designed to operate within a specified current range. Voltage varies slightly depending on the current it is given. Dimming is implemented by reducing the output current of the driver and holding it constant at some new, lower value. Single or multiple modules may be connected based on the system design. LEDs may be configured with series/parallel operation if the current is evenly divided between the LEDs.

Constant Voltage Systems Driver provides a constant DC voltage Output, typically 12V or 24V LED Module is designed to run at a specified voltage and incorporates an onboard current regulator to control the current through the LEDs Dimming (when available) is implemented by turning the output on/off at high frequencies (we do not offer dimming in our constant voltage drivers) LED module Constant Voltage LED Modules connect in parallel Each module incorporates current control for self-regulation Output current of the driver varies by the number of modules connected

Dimming Universal offers 0-10V dimming and DALI dimming 0-10V is most common in commercial spaces which is where Universal focuses Universal offers drivers up to and including 150W Universal DOES NOT have Phase Dimmable Drivers (includes all terms below) 2-Wire dimming Triac dimming Forward phase, Reverse phase dimming

Replacement Driver Cross Ballasts were easy to cross due to industry standardization and common lamp configurations (2) F32T8 Instant Start Historically, the interface between the driver and module was not standardized, so care must be taken when matching Manufacturers make modules and drivers with different voltage and current requirements, different form factors, etc… This makes cross referencing between manufacturers difficult As the Solid State Lighting market matures, more standardization is taking place and cross referencing is becoming easier

Driver Crossing ULT offers flexible tunable or “Programmable” drivers to help overcome the lack of standardization What do you need to know to select the correct driver? Constant current or constant voltage? Power (Wattage) – gets you relatively close to an appropriate solution Input voltage requirement (120-277VAC?) Output Current and Output Voltage Range for constant current drivers Output voltage and max current for constant voltage drivers Dimming (what type? 0-10, phase dimming, etc…) Size shape, indoor, outdoor… A competitor part number does not always tell us what we need to know

Driver Crossing It is important to know the difference between specs that are defined as a SPECIFIC VALUE and those that are defined as a RANGE This will help to determine whether it is a constant current driver or constant voltage driver. Constant Current Driver Input Voltage: RANGE (ex. 120 -277VAC) Power: RANGE “55W max” means 0-55W Output Voltage: RANGE (ex. 15-52V) Output Current: SPECIFIC VALUE (tunable drivers allow us to change this specific value) Constant Voltage Driver Input Voltage: RANGE (ex. 120 -277VAC) Power: RANGE “60w Max” means 0-60W Output Voltage: SPECIFIC VALUE (usually 12V or 24V) Output Current: RANGE (ex. 0-5A)

Will it work with a ULT driver? Driver Crossing Customers often ask us to cross a driver by part number or send a photo of the label without providing any of the specs of the module or load they are driving. First, determine if driver is Constant Current or Constant Voltage and make sure the input voltage matches. Our drivers will rarely be exactly the same as the competitor’s Form Factors (size, wiring, etc…) Dimming performance IP Rating Efficiency, THD and PF It may be ok that some of the other specs are different, but the critical specs to consider are output current and output voltage range of the driver. Example: Competitor Driver ULT Driver Option 1 ULT Driver Option 2 Input Voltage 120-277VAC Power 40W 30W 55W Output Current 1050mA Output Voltage Range 10-38V 15-30V 15-53V Let's consider they want to drive example modules with the specs below: Will it work with a ULT driver? 1050mA 13V No 1050mA 27V Option 1 or 2 1050mA 35V Option 2 Even though we do not have an exact cross, we may have drivers that will work.

QuikCross Driver Crossing Tool http://unvlt.com/quikcross.html The QuikCross App allows you to quickly field cross a driver to a replacement as well as be able to initiate an order through our distribution partners network.

Driver Cross Example 1 Constant Current: Output Voltage is a range It states: Con Current Input Voltage: 120-277VAC Output Current: 1100mA Output Power: 48W max Output Voltage: 30-39.6V Dimming Control: 0-10V (purple and gray wires)

Driver Cross Example 2 Constant Current: Output Voltage is a range DC<60 Output Current is settable Input Voltage: 120-277VAC Output Current: settable (looks like it was set to 400mA) Output Power: 30W max (it’s actually not operating that high) Output Voltage: <60V Dimming Control: 0-10V (purple and gray wires)

Driver Cross Example 3 Constant Current: Output Voltage is a range Output Current is settable Input Voltage: 120-277VAC Output Current: 500mA or 1000mA (we don’t know which is being used unless we can see the switch position) Output Power: 33W max Output Voltage: 48V / 33V (Depending on Current) Dimming Control: 0-10V (purple and gray wires)

Driver Cross Example 4 Constant Current: Not obvious since both voltage and current are listed as values and not ranges. Schematic indicates LEDs as if they were constant current. Input Voltage: 120VAC Output Current: 700mA Output Power: does not say 0.7A x 30V = 21W Output Voltage: 30V Dimming Control: none

Driver Cross Example 5 Constant Voltage: Output Voltage is 12V Output Current is 5.0A This is a max value but it does not state this. Common product (12V) Input Voltage: 120-240VAC Output Current: 5.0A Output Power: Doesn’t say but 5A x 12V = 60W Output Voltage: 12V Dimming Control: none Form Factor: it does say IP67 so waterproof may be important

Additional Driver Cross Examples

Additional Driver Cross Examples

Additional Driver Cross Examples

Additional Driver Cross Examples

Quick Reference: Universal does have: Universal does NOT have: Drivers with 0-10V dimming 0-10V is most common in commercial spaces Drivers with DALI dimming Drivers up to and including 150W Universal does NOT have: Phase Dimmable Drivers (includes all terms below) 2-Wire dimming Triac dimming Forward phase, Reverse phase dimming ELV dimming Leading Edge, Trailing Edge dimming Drivers over 150W 27

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