The LED driver: all the technical aspects in one small lighting component
When selecting lighting for a building, the first thing we generally do is look at the design of a fixture, the color of the light, and the light intensity. While this may seem logical, the LED driver deserves just as much attention. This small component efficiently combines all of the lighting technologies to provide many benefits.
Although the quality of the LED driver determines the quality of the lighting, this is unfortunately still too often overlooked in practice. In recent years, numerous standards and guidelines have been established with minimum requirements for the quality, reliability and safety of the LED light source. Partly as a result of this, LED technology has advanced significantly. Nowadays, customers purchasing an LED fixture can count on excellent LED quality and a uniform, stable color rendering index (CRI). However, the LED driver has been rather neglected up until now.
Basically, the LED driver ensures a constant supply of power and the correct voltage range for the LED fixture. LED lighting is very susceptible to power fluctuations, which is why LED spotlights or LED panels cannot be directly connected to the power supply. Instead, an LED driver is always necessary as a means of converting high AC voltage (230 V) to the right, low, constant DC voltage (12/24 V). That’s why LED drivers are also commonly known as 'transformers'.
At present, the only requirements being set for LED drivers relate to their safety. There are several hundred components in an LED driver, which properly comply with the established safety requirements. However, as you can probably imagine, many lighting manufacturers prefer to select the cheapest of the components that meet these requirements. As a result, the quality, durability and reliability of LED drivers are regularly compromised. Tronix Lighting is working towards greater clarity and transparency in this area. In selecting our LED drivers, we focus explicitly on the quality, durability and reliability of all essential components. We also actively seek out the most suitable driver for each fixture and every lighting need.
Deliberately choosing to place the LED driver outside of the fitting means that the LED driver and LED fixture can be even better tailored to suit requirements. This also means the LED driver can be custom-built, such as by including plug-and-play connection plugs or selecting a different type of connection cable. For example, plug-and-play LED drivers are recommended for use in buildings in which the fixtures operate for long periods, such as in office and production spaces. This is especially the case for the use of LED downlights and LED panels in these buildings. We recommend incorporating extensive controls in the drivers for these fittings, enabling the light output to be adjusted slightly, for example.
The LED driver determines whether a fixture can be dimmed. Lighting color can also be adjusted by means of the right functionalities in the LED driver. Many more functions are also conceivable.
Creating a customised LED driver makes it possible to install the same fixtures throughout a building. This results in a uniform lighting design in which the LED driver controls the desired functionalities for each space. For example, it is possible to dim or flexibly control the fixtures in some spaces, while they burn continuously in other spaces.
Another great advantage of separate LED drivers is that they can be replaced to meet changing user requirements or in the event that they break, without the entire fixture having to be replaced. This is an important factor with respect to sustainability and conservation of resources, and it can also save a lot of money.
Tronix Lighting carries a comprehensive range of products for powering and controlling LED downlights, LED panels, LED strips and LED spotlights. We have it all: from 12 or 24 V LED power supply units and dimmable or non-dimmable LED drivers to current-controlled (constant current) or voltage-controlled (constant voltage) LED controllers. In addition to our own brand Tronix Lighting, we also carry a carefully curated range of LED drivers from eldoLED and Philips. This enables us to offer a suitable solution for every lighting need!
Want to learn more about our solutions? Visit our showroom in Uden or contact our lighting specialists by sending an email to sales@tronixlighting.com or +31 413 330 380.
The function of the LED driver
Basically, the LED driver ensures a constant supply of power and the correct voltage range for the LED fixture. LED lighting is very susceptible to power fluctuations, which is why LED spotlights or LED panels cannot be directly connected to the power supply. Instead, an LED driver is always necessary as a means of converting high AC voltage (230 V) to the right, low, constant DC voltage (12/24 V). That’s why LED drivers are also commonly known as 'transformers'.
Durable and reliable basic components
At present, the only requirements being set for LED drivers relate to their safety. There are several hundred components in an LED driver, which properly comply with the established safety requirements. However, as you can probably imagine, many lighting manufacturers prefer to select the cheapest of the components that meet these requirements. As a result, the quality, durability and reliability of LED drivers are regularly compromised. Tronix Lighting is working towards greater clarity and transparency in this area. In selecting our LED drivers, we focus explicitly on the quality, durability and reliability of all essential components. We also actively seek out the most suitable driver for each fixture and every lighting need.
A custom-made LED driver
Deliberately choosing to place the LED driver outside of the fitting means that the LED driver and LED fixture can be even better tailored to suit requirements. This also means the LED driver can be custom-built, such as by including plug-and-play connection plugs or selecting a different type of connection cable. For example, plug-and-play LED drivers are recommended for use in buildings in which the fixtures operate for long periods, such as in office and production spaces. This is especially the case for the use of LED downlights and LED panels in these buildings. We recommend incorporating extensive controls in the drivers for these fittings, enabling the light output to be adjusted slightly, for example.
The LED driver determines whether a fixture can be dimmed. Lighting color can also be adjusted by means of the right functionalities in the LED driver. Many more functions are also conceivable.
Uniform lighting design
Creating a customised LED driver makes it possible to install the same fixtures throughout a building. This results in a uniform lighting design in which the LED driver controls the desired functionalities for each space. For example, it is possible to dim or flexibly control the fixtures in some spaces, while they burn continuously in other spaces.
Sustainable option
Another great advantage of separate LED drivers is that they can be replaced to meet changing user requirements or in the event that they break, without the entire fixture having to be replaced. This is an important factor with respect to sustainability and conservation of resources, and it can also save a lot of money.
Comprehensive product range
Tronix Lighting carries a comprehensive range of products for powering and controlling LED downlights, LED panels, LED strips and LED spotlights. We have it all: from 12 or 24 V LED power supply units and dimmable or non-dimmable LED drivers to current-controlled (constant current) or voltage-controlled (constant voltage) LED controllers. In addition to our own brand Tronix Lighting, we also carry a carefully curated range of LED drivers from eldoLED and Philips. This enables us to offer a suitable solution for every lighting need!
Want to learn more about our solutions? Visit our showroom in Uden or contact our lighting specialists by sending an email to sales@tronixlighting.com or +31 413 330 380.
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