Constant Current Vs Constant Voltage Led Strip

If current is not regulated led brightness can fluctuate shortening the lifespan.

Constant current vs constant voltage led strip.

The question of using a constant voltage or a constant current driver is usually one of the last to be answered. This will depend on the led voltage rating. The constant current driver changes the voltage across the led allowing for a stable and constant current to the led. The current output for the driver will have a max rating.

The output of the led drive power supply is mostly a constant current source that can change the voltage with the change of the led forward voltage drop value. If the circuit does not draw more that what is required it will work. Most common constant voltage drivers or power supplies are 12vdc or 24vdc. Constant voltage this type of driver will have a fixed voltage output.

The core components of led power supply include switching controller inductor switching component mosfet feedback resistor input filter device output filter device etc. Let s start with identifying the differences. It will be a fixed output. Constant current this type of driver will have a fixed current outp.

Current controlled led tape lighting regulates light output across your run via ic s integrated circuits as compared to constant voltage which utilizes limiting resistors. Below is a list of the major benefits of using the constant voltage and the constant current topologies. Constant current led driver is generally used in industrial led lighting applications. Constant voltage power supplies are used if leds need a different operating voltage than what s supplied by a power source.

An led light that is rated for constant voltage usually specifies the amount of input voltage it needs to operate correctly. The constant voltage led driver can provide constant voltage up to a certain current value. Constant current led driver can output constant current in a certain voltage range. Switch to a different led strip solution if you want to use the different topology to enjoy the benefits of it.

On the other hand constant current led drivers are manufactured to only operate constant current devices with specific ratings making them the more efficient of the two drivers. Constant current drivers are used to regulate the amount of current supplied to an led to maximize led lifetime. Constant voltage drivers are designed for a single direct current dc output voltage.