LED Drivers

LED drivers are used to power LED lighting. The two most common types are Constant Voltage (CV) and Constant Current (CC).

A Constant Voltage (CV) LED driver provides a fixed output voltage, such as 5 V, 12 V or 24 V. The output current varies depending on how much current the connected load (the LED lighting) draws.

CV drivers are primarily used with LED products that have built-in current limiting, such as LED strips, LED modules and certain LED lamps. As long as the driver's rated output voltage matches the LED product's rated voltage and the driver's maximum rated output current is sufficient, the installation will operate correctly.

A Constant Current (CC) LED driver, on the other hand, provides a fixed output current, for example 350 mA, 500 mA, 700 mA or 1050 mA. If the connected load (the LED lighting) attempts to draw more current, the driver automatically adjusts the output voltage to limit the current. For correct operation, the required voltage of the connected LED lighting must fall within the driver's specified output voltage range. Example: A CC driver has a specified output voltage range of 10–17 V. This means it can drive 3 to 5 LEDs connected in series, each with a forward voltage of 3.4 V. For example: 4 LEDs × 3.4 V = 13.6 V, which is within the driver's output voltage range.

The main difference between CV and CC drivers is therefore what they regulate. A CV driver maintains a constant output voltage while the current varies according to the load. A CC driver, in contrast, maintains a constant output current while the voltage varies as required.