LEDs have revolutionized the lighting world. They are 90% energy efficient as compared to incandescent bulbs. To maintain this efficiency and brightness for your lights, you must select the right LED power supply or LED driver. Here, we have listed 5 factors that will help you make the right selection.

Along with the factors, we will answer some important questions too. Knowing what to consider before buying is not enough. You also will be curious about the power consumption, quality, some terms, and the products. Don’t worry, as we’ve got your back in every department. So, let’s start!

5 Factors to Consider Before Buying

Many aspects are important before purchasing LED power supplies. But 5 of them are the most crucial ones. Here are those main factors:

1. Power Consumption

First, you need to consider how much watts the unit will consume. You can figure out your power requirement by calculating how much energy the LEDs will consume. Are you going to connect a single unit or multiple units? A single unit will put less load, but too many LEDs will stress the power supply. Estimate the total wattage of all those multiple units.

Calculating the required power is easy. For instance, you want a power supply for 5 LEDs of 12 watts each. They will make 60W, but there is one vital point. Don’t buy a 60W unit for them. You should keep a 20% reserve, which in this case is 12W. So, a 75W power supply will be suitable.

The reserved amount becomes useful if you suddenly need to connect another LED unit out of blues. The precaution also saves from the short circuits due to overload, and it doesn’t fuse. Briefly, sum up the unit’s total power and multiply it by 1.2. You will get the minimum required watts.

2.LEDs Capabilities

Once you have figured out the required watts, the next thing to consider is voltage. Check out whether the LED units, strips, bulbs, or appliances can hold output volts. Because many supplies give out low amps but have a high volts output, which damages the LEDs.

We can’t give you a suitable voltage range as it varies from country to country. So, ensure the LEDs’ volts range can handle your country’s provided voltage before you buy 

the appliance. Here, taking care of the 20% reserved amount will also help. It will secure against damage in case of voltage fluctuations.

3.LEDs Dimensions

Third, you need to consider the LEDs’ density and the size of one diode. Density is the number of diodes per foot in strips, measured in SMDs per foot. If you are not dealing with strips, count diodes in one sq. foot.

Larger diodes will consume more electricity. To measure the total required power, find out how much watts one LED lighting will consume. Then, multiply it with SMDs/ft. And afterward, with your desired length or area. Again, don’t forget the 1.2 multiplication for the 20% reserved amount.

4. Maintenance

The next thing is the maintenance and regulations of these suppliers. You need to consider the purpose and location of installation. Can you be able to perform proper maintenance? If you’re installing it outdoors, make sure you have sufficient insulation from the weather.

We mentioned security against voltage fluctuations earlier. Keep it in mind too. Although the reserve can survive small electricity bumps, frequent ones will affect the supply unit’s life. So, get a durable enough piece that can handle each situation easily.

5. Environment

Last but not least, you must consider the climate of your location. People mainly oversee it. These electrical units need the right conditions to work efficiently. Placing it in too hot or cold places can cause abrupt behavior.

The best thing is looking at the IP ratings. There are many categories on different IP rates. For example, if you need it for indoor usage, we recommend using IP20 Power Supply. It is affordable and handles the workload pretty easily. IP20 rating means you get protection against solid objects over 12.5mm. If you need it for outdoor usage, we recommend using an IP67 waterproof power supply for LED light.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long does an LED power supply last?

Typically, a good power supply can last up to 5 years or more. Some even have warranties of 1-2 years for using different components. However, you can estimate at least 20,000 hours from the unit. Some vendors support 2 years warranty, some suppliers support 3 years warranty and some provide 5 years warranty.

2. Why should I use an LED power supply?

LEDs work at low energy, but the energy supplied in the sockets is too high for them. If you directly plug them in, they will burn out. The constant voltage  LED power supply helps to control the flow of current. Moreover, the LEDs work on direct current (Output DC), whereas the electricity supplied in sockets is alternating current ( Input AC). A power supply act as a converter for LEDs to get the right current type. 

The input voltage is from low voltage 100–130VAC in USA / Canada, or high voltage 200-240vac in Europe, and the output voltage is 12V / 24v/ 5v/ 9v after using LED power supplies.

The LEDs can save much energy in some projects like 12V LED power supplies to use on the LED strip in City Lighting Project.

3. How to install an LED power supply?

1. Get a screw-on connector and attach the black and red wires in negative and positive slots, respectively.

2. Attach the other ends to plug-in quick connector clips. These clips will fit over one another.

3. Attach the screw-on connector to the power supply connection port. That’s it!

4. Can LED power supply work with dimmable LEDs?

It depends on the supply unit. Some come with built-in dimming transformers, while some don’t. You need to connect a dimmer for the latter ones to achieve this luxury. However, it could be problematic as not many LEDs support dimming.

5. How is LED power supply different from LED drivers?

LED drivers are installed in the lighting to control the current and voltage. They are expensive but can allow the dimming facility. Whereas, LED power supplies are separate units that maintain a stable current and voltage supply to LEDs. They are inexpensive and great when their wattage exceeds the total requirement.

Select Your Right LED Power Supply

Credit Source: JHY Power

Summing it up, choosing the correct power supply is critical as a wrong one can damage your LEDs. Also, an unsuitable one can even cause complications like short circuits. Well, you can avoid them all if you consider the above factors before buying.

So, check the wattage and LED requirements of your next LED power supply to select the most suitable. Along with it, consider the weather conditions and maintenance beforehand. It can avoid complications in the future. Otherwise, taking an expert’s advice is always the best option. 

If you search for the constant voltage power supply or LED driver, JHY power would be a good source for LED power supplies from China. Contact them for more details and service. Free samples are available.