LED Power Solution

Established in 1982, MEAN WELL Enterprises Co., Ltd. is one of the leading switching power supply providers in the world. MEAN WELL dedicated in developing energy-saving concept products for many years. Since 2006, we started to endeavor the effort to the LED / outdoor power supply development. Thus far, full range of LED power family with more than 1000 models (100 series) from 8W to 600W was launched in the market with utmost success. Most of them are also comply with specific norms of UL8750, EN61347-2-13, IEC61347-2-13(CB), EN61000-3-2 Class C (harmonic current) and IP20~67.

If you are looking for LED power supply with high reliability, good quality, reasonable price and full series products which can satisfy your various demands, MEAN WELL, a total solution provider, is definitely your first choice!


Application Q & A

1.Which model should we select when attempting to dim a LED strip?
Generally speaking, LED strips would be connected with resistors in series, so the LED must be driven in CV mode. We will suggest those models offering CV dimming to be adopted, such as PWM series

2.How can we learn how many units of the model with 3 in 1 dimming can be controlled by one dimming device?
3 in 1 dimming circuit would drain 0.1mA per model. Dividing the rated current of the dimmer by the 0.1mA, and we could know how many units can be controlled by one dimming device. For resistance dimming applications, resistance for 100% dimming output would be 100K ohm divided number of models.

3.There are so many MW dimming products. How can I make a choice? What are the pros and cons?
First, you have to know your Led lamp specification in order to screen out a suitable Led driver range (Wattage, Voltage, Max Current CC or CV). From those ranges, further check a compatible dimming function. Hereunder is a table to show you the pros and cons of Dimming Function you can find in MW’s catalogue. 

4.I cannot do dimming with MW LED drivers?? Why?
First, please make sure your LED lamp or modules are Constant Current (CC) driven or Constant Voltage (CV) driven. If you are using CC-driven LED applications, please verify that MW LED driver’s rated current on datasheet can match your LED current requirement. If you are using CV LED applications, we offer PWM series for CV dimming applications.

5.What to consider when selecting LED power supply?
a.Lighting system designed to work in direct drive mode
The combined LED forward voltage range (upper and lower) must fall within LED power supply’s constant current voltage range. For example, the LED Vf spec is 3.4~3.6V, when 6 are connected in series the combined Vf will be 20.4~21.6V. In this case, a 24V unit must be selected with constant current region of 18~24V.Ø
For models with active PFC and system PF requirement is >0.9, load usage must be higher than as specified in the PFC spec. Relationship between PF and output load can be found in figure 1. The typical requirement is 75% load or above. Double check the spec for the model you are using to confirm actual requirement.
In areas with unstable AC voltage such as heavy industrial zone or generator supply utility, please select general usage LED series from table 1.

b.Lighting system designed to work with driver IC
The start up voltage of driver IC should be as close to the power supply rated voltage as possible.
Driver IC needs stable voltage to function properly. So, it is highly recommended to use general usage series from table 1.
For models with active PFC and system PF requirement is >0.9, load usage must be higher than as specified in the PFC spec. Relationship between PF and output load can be found in figure 1. The typical requirement is 75% load or above.
Double check the spec for the model you are using to confirm actual requirement. When using driver IC, possible system EMI issue could arise. After completing lighting system design, EMI must be double checked. For suggestion on system EMI problem solving, refer to question 11.