DC-DC LED Drivers/Controllers for General Lighting Applications
An
LED DC-DC Driver Module
is a packaged, functional assembly of electronic components that operates as a power source/power supply
that either adjusts to or provides a constant voltage or constant current for the
LEDs
. This is configured to be a DC branch circuit supply on the input and a DC output.
AC-DC Supplies for General Lighting Applications
An
LED AC-DC Driver Module
is a packaged, functional assembly of electronic components that operates as a power source/power supply
that either adjusts to or provides a constant voltage or constant current for the
LEDs
. This is configured to be an AC branch circuit supply on the input and an AC output.
LED Drivers for General Lighting Applications
An
LED Integrated Circuit
(
IC
)
Driver
is a power source/power supply that adjusts the voltage or current to LEDs, ranging in complexity from a
resistor to a constant voltage or constant current power supply.
Lenses for General Lighting Applications
LEDs often require optical beam shaping in order to steer their emitted light radiation in the desired
direction or pattern. Most often the engineer's first choice is a Lens. A lens allows greater light control
and is generally more efficient than a reflector. The primary consideration for the task of lens selection
is identifying which LED is being utilized. A variety of optics is offered for use in conjunction with
common high power LEDs. Optics are available with various beam angles and mounting options, allowing the
design engineer the greatest amount of flexibility in achieving his design criteria.
LEDs for General Lighting Applications
High Power LEDs
are defined as individual components that are greater than 0.20 watts (Voltage, nominal * Current, nominal).
High Power LEDs have exploded in number over the last decade as new semiconductor technologies have allowed
higher power densities to be obtained.
High Power LEDs are generally smaller in package size and find applications where traditional lighting
sources will not fit. In addition, LEDs may consume lower power, provide longer lifetime, be more robust and
can be switched On/Off at very high rates of speed.
Thermal Protection for General Lighting Applications
LED lifetime is compromised by operation at higher temperatures. To protect LEDs against heat build-up,
thermal substrates may be used.
Thermal substrates
may be attached to High-Power surface mount LEDs to provide an effective and efficient thermal passage,
which reduces the exposure of the LED to high temperature. A
Heat Sink
is a passive component that cools a device by dissipating heat into the surrounding air by transferring
thermal energy from a higher temperature to a lower temperature. By increasing surface area and/or
increasing cool air flow across the surface of the component the level of heat transfer can be improved.
Thermal
adhesives and/or thermal greases may also be used to improve heat sink performance.
Batteries for General Lighting Applications
A
battery
converts stored chemical energy into electrical energy and can be used to power a larg range of
LED Lighting applications
. As LEDs achieve greater efficency, powering them for longer periods with batteries is an enticing
proposition. Batteries are needed for applications such as head lamps, flashlights, lanterns, solar powered
ornamental lighting and lamps, and more. Mouser carries a wide selection of rechargable, disposable, coin
cell, and large form factor batteries.
Shunts for General Lighting Applications
A
Shunt
is a protection device which allows electric current to pass around another point in the circuit when an LED
element in an LED string fails to an open circuit. This ensures the remaining string of LEDs will continue
to function. There are many cases in which high reliability of the LED lighting must be maintained, such as
LCD backlighting, transport lighting, avionics, intrinsically safe, and low maintenance lighting.
