What Led Driver Do I Need?

When choosing the right LED driver, compatibility is critical. Using the wrong driver in the LED system may cause malfunctions and even damage the components used. As an LED driver supplier, our LED technical team is always ready to provide you with LED suggestions and help you find the right product for you. This is our driver guide, questions to ask when buying a driver, and important tips for installing the driver correctly.

What is a driver?

The LED driver is a device that regulates and provides power for "driving" the operation of the LED light bar. Similar to traditional transformers, they convert the mains voltage alternating current (240v AC) to a lower voltage. However, the LED driver also converts the supply voltage and current into the constant direct current (DC) required by the LED. By adjusting their output according to the electrical characteristics of LED strips that change when heated, the driver adjusts the power supplied to the LED to a DC constant that is usually 12v or 24v.

Because LEDs require a constant DC power of 12v or 24v, all LED systems require LED drivers (except those specifically developed to be controlled by a power supply voltage power supply, such as a power supply voltage belt or LED bulb). But for Ultra LED, buying the right driver is easy-just answer the following 5 simple questions:

Led Driver

1. What voltage?

All LED bar lights require 12v or 24v power supply, which is stated in their specifications. Be sure to purchase a drive with the same output voltage as the tape. Running a 12v tape with a 24v drive will cause the LED to be brighter in the short term, but the higher voltage will eventually burn the tape. Running a 24v tape with a 12v drive will cause the LED to not light up at all.

2. What wattage?

The power consumed by the LED tape depends on its length. The wattage of the tape is the power consumed per meter of the tape. To figure out how many watts you are running on a tape, simply multiply the wattage of the tape by the number of meters you are running. Once you know the wattage of the tape, you can choose the appropriate driver.

The wattage of the drive represents its maximum output capacity. We recommend choosing a driver with a power capacity that is at least 10% higher than the power required by the LED strip to ensure a longer service life.

For example, 5m of 6w LED tape requires 30 watts. We recommend using a drive with an output capacity of 33 watts or higher to power the tape.

3. Does your drive need to be waterproof?

If you install LED strips outdoors or in the kitchen or bathroom, it is important to use a waterproof driver. To find out whether the driver is waterproof, check its ingress protection or "IP" rating. The splash-proof drive has an IP rating of 65 and is most suitable for use in bathrooms and kitchens. The waterproof drive has an IP rating of 67 or higher and is most suitable for outdoor use.

If you want to know more information about the best LED driver wholesale, welcome to contact us today or request a quote.