Power LED luminaires can be installed in many different ways.

Power LEDs are usually powered from a 230 volt mains supply by LED drivers, i.e. standard current transformers. The driver can be inside each luminaire or as a separate external unit. Models with an internal driver are used with 12 power supplies or e.g. from the solar system. In multi-wattage luminaires, the LED driver is usually an external, separate small unit that converts the mains current into low voltage.

When only on/off switching is required, it is most convenient to use a luminaire with a built-in driver. The operating voltage is then taken from a 12-volt mains supply. The power of the power supply must be sufficient, depending on the number of luminaires. It also works in battery-powered applications and e.g. with photovoltaic power. The operating voltage can vary between 10 and 14 volts without changing the brightness of the light. The wiring is then a parallel connection, each LED unit is connected to plus and minus, for example. 2 x 0.5 mm² speaker wire or equivalent.

Driver

The driver can also be external, the number of LEDs that can be connected depends on the driver’s characteristics. For example, if you have declared. the driver is suitable for 3-6 LEDs, there really must be at least 3 and no more than 6 LEDs. The LEDs are connected to the driver in series, the LEDs’ wires are connected plus-minus-plus-minus, etc. and the remaining ends are connected to the output of the driver.

COBs are also controlled by drivers. For example, White-line luminaires are COB. They are controlled by 300 mA standard current drivers. The other features of the driver are determined by the power required. COBs cannot be used with conventional e.g. 12 volt power supply.

There are different options for dimming:

Use 1 or 3 watt LED units without internal driver. The technical specifications only mention the current, e.g. 350 or 700 mA. The threshold voltage of the LED is approx. 3.3-3.5 V, but this is not the actual operating voltage, but is used mainly as a calculation aid.

The driver is an external unit to which the LEDs are connected in series. The driver is assigned values that determine how many LEDs can be used. Do not exceed the minimum or maximum amounts, the system will not work or may even fail. The driver is supplied with mains voltage from a light bulb bulb. An incandescent dimmer is typically a power regulator implemented with a triac. Most old dimmers will work, or can be used with universal dimmers from the supermarket or with a dimmer unit to suit your range of electrical equipment.

So far available for 3 watt LED units without internal driver. The technical specifications only mention a current of 700 mA. The threshold voltage of the LED is approx. 3.3-3.5 V, but this is not the actual operating voltage, but is used mainly as a calculation aid.

The driver is an external unit to which the LEDs are connected in series. The driver is assigned values that determine how many LEDs can be used. Do not exceed the minimum or maximum amounts, the system will not work or may even fail. The driver is powered from a mains supply of 12-36 V DC. The most convenient operating voltage is 24 V DC, then you can connect 4-6 LEDs per driver. Several drivers can be connected to a single high-power power supply. Driver can also be used with a remote control. A single remote control can be used to control several drivers separately. The picture shows 24 volt power supplies of different sizes, a dimmer unit and a 3 watt LED lamp.

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