In any LED lighting system, the LED driver or LED power supply plays the role of a silent guardian. You rarely notice it when everything works well, but when the wrong power solution is used, problems appear quickly—flickering, unstable brightness, or early failure. Whether you're installing LED strip lights, a led sign, or replacing a led driver, choosing the correct power supply is critical.

As a street lighting accessories supplier with 16 years of experience, we offer cost-effective Meanwell power supplies and LED drivers for LED lights. Based on our experience, the Meanwell XLG and HLG series are the most sought-after led light drivers for industrial and commercial use.

Now, please follow us and spend about 10 minutes learning about this information.

Part 1: Definition of LED Driver and LED Power Supply

First, we need to understand that ordinary power supplies ensure constant voltage output, while LEDs also require constant current output. In other words, LEDs are current-driven devices.

1.1 LED Driver

A device that precisely regulates current to ensure LEDs operate safely and efficiently—this is what we call a professional LED light driver. 

An LED driver’s main job is to control current, not just supply power. It protects LEDs from overcurrent, overheating, and premature failure.

1.2 LED Power Supply

A device that converts AC mains power into usable DC power for LED lighting systems, often including LED driver functions. This unit is what many users search for as a power supply for led light strips or a 12v led power supply.

An LED power supply is the source of DC power, while the LED driver is the part that precisely controls how LEDs use that power. Technically, it emphasizes power conversion, not current regulation.

In real-world LED lighting products, most “LED power supplies” or “power supply for LED lighting” are actually LED drivers, but not all power supplies provide the control and protection required for LEDs.

Hereinafter, we will uniformly refer to it as an LED driver, which is widely used in LED street lighting, LED industrial and high bay lighting, LED linear and architectural lighting, LED signage and display lighting etc..

1.3 Transformer

A passive component that changes AC voltage through electromagnetic induction. The transformer is a core component of the LED power supply or LED Driver and enables "electrical isolation".

One side is the high-voltage, dangerous 220V mains electricity, and the other side is low-voltage DC electricity that is safe for human contact (such as 12V/24V).

It sits inside an LED driver / LED power supply, not alongside it and is the fundamental guarantee for the safe use of LED lighting fixtures.

Part 2: Types of LED Drivers

2.1 By Output Mode: CC vs CV

2.1.1 Constant Current(CC) LED Drivers

A constant current LED driver supplies a fixed current (e.g. 350 mA, 700 mA, 1.05 A) while adjusting voltage automatically.

Typical applications:

• LED street lights

• High bay / Flood lights

• Linear LED modules

• COB LEDs

2.1.2 Constant Voltage(CV) LED Drivers

A constant voltage LED driver outputs a fixed voltage (12 V/ 24 V/ 48 V).

Typical applications:

• LED strips (e.g. 12v led strip lights or 24v dimmable led strips)

• LED modules with resistors

• Signage and decorative lighting

• Systems with multiple parallel LED loads

• Applications requiring easy expansion or replacement

Rule of thumb:

If the LED specifies a voltage, use a CV driver.

If the LED specifies a current, use a CC driver.

2.2 By Installation: External vs Internal LED Drivers

2.2.1 External LED Driver

External LED drivers are installed separately from the luminaire, allowing better heat dissipation, easy replacement and maintenance, and a longer overall lifetime.

They are commonly used in street lights, tunnel lighting, and industrial fixtures, where reliability and serviceability are critical.

2.2.2 internal LED Driver

Internal LED drivers are built directly into the lighting fixture, offering a compact design, lower cost, and simple installation.

They are widely used in LED bulbs, panels, and downlights, where space is limited and ease of assembly is a priority.

2.3 By Control Method: Dimmable vs Non-Dimmable LED Drivers

2.3.1 Dimmable LED Driver

Dimmable LED drivers support various dimming methods such as 0–10V, 1–10V, DALI, PWM, TRIAC (phase cut), and DMX.

These drivers are ideal for smart lighting systems, commercial buildings, and architectural lighting.

2.3.2 Non-dimmable LED Driver

Non-dimmable LED drivers offer a fixed output, making them cost-effective and highly reliable in straightforward lighting applications.

They are commonly used in road lighting, basic industrial lighting, and cost-sensitive projects, where dimming features are not required and simplicity is key.

2.4 Other Common Classifications

Besides, they can be isolated or non-isolated depending on whether electrical isolation is required, waterproof (IP65/IP67) for outdoor or harsh environments, and Class I or Class II based on insulation and safety standards.

Many buyers also look for flicker-free designs for visual comfort and surge protection to ensure reliable operation under unstable power conditions.

And LED drivers are equipped with several protection features to ensure safe and reliable operation, like overcurrent protection, overvoltage protection, short circuit protection, thermal protection.

Part 3: How Do I Know Which LED Driver I Need?

For most buyers, choosing an LED driver should check LED type, calculate the wattage, match input voltage, consider dimmable or non-dimmable, IP ratings and safety standards.

♦ LED Type (CC or CV)

Check the LED specification:

Current rating (e.g. 700 mA) → Constant Current driver(the preferred choice for most single high-power LEDs and COB modules.)

Voltage rating (e.g. 24 V DC) → Constant Voltage driver(typically used for low-voltage LED strip lights.)

♦ Calculate the Wattage:

The "80% Rule" for Longevity

It is not a regulation, but a best practice widely followed by engineers and manufacturers. The 80% rule recommends loading an LED driver to no more than 80% of its rated power to improve lifetime and reliability.

Max Recommended Load=Driver Rated Power×0.8

For example, if your LED strip consumes 80W, you should choose a driver rated for at least 100W. And a led power supply 200w 12v can reliably run about 160W of led tape light.

This provides the necessary "headroom" for electrical spikes and environmental heat.

♦ Match Input Voltage

Select according to your local power grid, for example: North America uses AC 100-127V, Europe and China use AC 220-240V, and the universal type is AC 85-265V.

Always confirm whether you need a 12v led driver or a 24v led driver based on your LED product's specification.

♦ Dimmable or Non-dimmable

No dimming → Non-dimmable

Dimming needed → choose compatible method:

• TRIAC (Leading/Trailing Edge) for residential use.

• 0-10V / 1-10V for commercial applications.

• PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) for precision control.

• DALI and Smart LED Drivers

♦ IP Ratings

If the LED driver is to be used indoors in a dry environment, choose IP20(no special protection required).

If it's for use in a bathroom or kitchen, please choose a product with an IP44 (splash-proof) rating or higher.

If it is to be used outdoors, choose IP65 (dust-proof and water-resistant) or higher.

♦ Safety Standards

Ensure that the product has the necessary safety certifications for the target market, such as CE certification and RoHs(Europe), UL certification (North America), and CCC certification (China).

At the same time, it is also necessary to confirm whether the physical dimensions of the LED power supply can fit into the reserved installation space.

Part 4: FAQ

Q1: Why is my LED driver making a buzzing noise?

A buzzing noise from an LED driver is often caused by electromagnetic interference (EMI) or vibration in the components. The most common causes are:

1. Dimming Compatibility: If the LED driver is dimmable, certain dimmer switches or incompatible dimming technologies (e.g., TRIAC) can cause buzzing.

2. Capacitor issues: Aging or low-quality capacitors may vibrate or emit noise.

3. High-frequency switching: Some drivers operate at high frequencies that can produce audible noise, especially in poorly shielded units.

4. Overloading: An overloaded driver may cause stress on components, leading to noise.

Q2: Can one LED driver power multiple LED strips?

Yes. A constant voltage LED power supply can power multiple LED strips as long as the total wattage does not exceed the power supply’s rated capacity and proper wiring is used.

Q3: What is the average lifespan of LED driver?

In ideal conditions, LED light drivers can last up to 10 years or more, making them highly durable compared to other components in lighting systems. It’s influenced by its operating temperature, current/voltage regulation and quantity of components.

Q4: What is the difference between an LED driver and a normal power supply?

A normal power supply mainly stabilizes voltage, while an LED driver regulates current or voltage specifically for LEDs. LEDs are current-sensitive devices, so they require precise control that traditional power supplies and transformers cannot provide.

Q5: What happens if I use the wrong LED driver?

Using the wrong LED driver can cause flickering, overheating, unstable brightness, or permanent LED damage. In some cases, it can significantly shorten the lifespan of both the LED and the driver.

Q6: Are LED drivers dimmable by default?

No. Only dimmable LED drivers support dimming. The driver must also be compatible with the dimming method used, such as 0–10V, Triac, or DALI.

Q7: What is UL Class 2, and why do inspectors require it?

For the North American market, UL Class 2 is a vital safety standard. A Class 2 driver is limited to an output of 100W and a maximum voltage of 60V. This classification means the driver is considered "safe from fire and electric shock," often allowing for simpler wiring methods under local building codes.

We Sunshineopto is a professional and integrated LED optical module Solution supplier based in Shenzhen, Guangdong with 16 years of LED industry and export experiences, specializing in providing LED optical module, LED Street Light Modules, Customized PCB board, LED Lenses, LED Power Supplies, and LED Drivers. Contact us!

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